Your Complete Guide

Antalya 101

From ancient ruins to pristine beaches — everything you need to know about the jewel of the Turquoise Coast.

Top Attractions

630 km

Coastline

300+

Days of Sunshine

2,000+

Years of History

Perge Ancient City

36.9617° N

Where Alexander the Great once walked

Perge Ancient City

Perge is one of the most magnificent ancient cities of the Pamphylia region. Founded in the Bronze Age and flourishing under Alexander the Great's passage in 333 BC, it reached its peak under Roman rule. The city boasts a stunning colonnaded street stretching 300 metres, flanked by shops and a water channel that once ran with fresh spring water. Its 12,000-seat stadium — the largest in Anatolia — still dominates the skyline. The monumental Hellenistic gate and Roman baths with intricate mosaic floors reveal the city's extraordinary past. Many of Perge's finest sculptures, including the famous Artemis of Perge, are now displayed at Antalya Museum.

300m colonnaded street with original water channels
12,000-seat ancient stadium — largest in Anatolia
Hellenistic gates and defensive towers (3rd century BC)
Exquisite Roman bath mosaics and terrace houses
Nymphaeum fountain monument dedicated to Septimius Severus

Best Time to Visit: March – May, September – November

Entry Fee: ₺200 (~€6)

08:00 – 19:00 (summer) / 08:00 – 17:00 (winter)

1.5 km²

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Aspendos Theater

37.0292° N

The world's best-preserved Roman theater

Aspendos Theater

Aspendos houses the most remarkably well-preserved Roman theater in the entire world. Built in 155 AD during the reign of Marcus Aurelius by the architect Zenon — son of a local citizen — this architectural masterpiece seats 15,000 spectators and still hosts live opera and ballet performances during the prestigious annual Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival. The acoustics are so perfect that a coin dropped on the stage can be heard from the top row. Beyond the theater, explore the ancient aqueduct — one of the longest and best-preserved in Anatolia, spanning 15 km — and the remains of the basilica and agora. The stage building retains its original three-storey scaenae frons, embellished with Seljuk-era repairs after the 13th century.

15,000-seat theater — best preserved in the world
Flawless Roman-era acoustics still in use today
Annual Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival (June–July)
Ancient aqueduct spanning 15 km — longest in Anatolia
Original three-storey stage building (scaenae frons)

Best Time to Visit: Year-round (Festival: June–July)

Entry Fee: ₺200 (~€6)

08:00 – 19:00 daily

Village of Belkıs, 47 km east of Antalya

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Kaleiçi Old Town

36.8841° N

The charming heart of Antalya

Kaleiçi Old Town

Kaleiçi, meaning 'within the castle', is Antalya's enchanting historic quarter nestled behind ancient Roman walls that date back to the 2nd century AD. This maze of narrow cobblestone streets is lined with beautifully restored Ottoman-era wooden houses, many now serving as boutique hotels, artisan shops, and atmospheric restaurants. Enter through the magnificent Hadrian's Gate (Üçkapılar), built in 130 AD to honour Emperor Hadrian's visit and still standing in near-perfect condition with its three grand arches. Wander down to the picturesque Roman harbour — still in use as a yacht marina — climb the ancient Hıdırlık Tower (built in the 2nd century as a lighthouse or mausoleum) for panoramic bay views, and discover the Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret) Mosque, which has been a temple, church, mosque, and ruin across centuries.

Hadrian's Gate — triumphal arch built 130 AD, still intact
Hıdırlık Tower — 2nd century lighthouse with panoramic views
Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret) — 2,000 years of layered history
Roman harbour — still used as a yacht marina
Ottoman wooden mansions and bougainvillea-draped courtyards

Best Time to Visit: Year-round

Entry Fee: Free

Open 24 hours (outdoor area)

Historic centre of Antalya city

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Antalya's Best Beaches

36.8789° N

Crystal-clear waters and golden sands

Antalya's Best Beaches

Antalya's coastline stretches over 630 km along the Mediterranean, offering some of Europe's most stunning beaches, consistently awarded Blue Flag status. Konyaaltı Beach, backed by the dramatic Beydağları Mountains, offers a modern 7 km shingle promenade with cafés and water sports facilities. Lara Beach, 12 km east of the city, features 6 km of fine golden sand and crystal-clear waters, surrounded by luxury resort hotels. For a wilder escape, Kaputaş Beach is a hidden gem hidden at the foot of 187 steps carved into sheer limestone cliffs, where a turquoise river meets the sea in a stunning natural cove. Further along the coast, Olympos and Çıralı offer a more bohemian atmosphere where ancient ruins meet the waterline, with the eternal flames of Yanartaş (Chimera) visible from the shore.

Konyaaltı Beach — 7 km Blue Flag beach backed by mountains
Lara Beach — 6 km golden sand, consistently rated best in Turkey
Kaputaş Beach — dramatic turquoise cove at the foot of limestone cliffs
Olympos Beach — ancient Lycian ruins meet the sea
Çıralı & Yanartaş — flamingo habitat and eternal flames on the shore

Best Time to Visit: May – October

Entry Fee: Free (sunbed rental available)

Open year-round (lifeguards: June–September)

630+ km of coastline

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Köprülü Canyon National Park

37.1667° N

Heart-pounding adventures in ancient wilderness

Köprülü Canyon National Park

Köprülü Canyon National Park, declared Turkey's first national park in 1973, is one of Antalya's most spectacular natural treasures. The Köprüçay River has carved a dramatic gorge up to 100 metres deep through limestone mountains over millions of years, creating the perfect setting for world-class white-water rafting. The river's Grade 2–3 rapids make it accessible to beginners while still thrilling for experienced rafters. Two remarkably intact Roman bridges — the Oluk Bridge (2nd century AD) and Bugrum Bridge — span the river and have been in continuous use for nearly 2,000 years. The canyon is also home to ancient Selge ruins, a Pisidian city perched 950 metres above sea level with a 10,000-seat theater and remarkable views across the Taurus Mountains.

White-water rafting on Grade 2–3 rapids through a 100m gorge
Two intact Roman bridges still in use after 2,000 years
Ancient Selge ruins — 10,000-seat theater at 950m altitude
Rich wildlife: golden jackals, otters, and over 200 bird species
Pine forest zip-lining and canyon trekking trails

Best Time to Visit: April – October (best rafting: April–June)

Entry Fee: Park entry: ₺50; Rafting tours: from €35

Sunrise to sunset

366 km²

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Antalya Museum

36.8829° N

One of Turkey's finest archaeological collections

Antalya Museum

The Antalya Archaeological Museum (Antalya Müzesi) is consistently ranked among the top ten museums in the world for its extraordinary collection of Hellenistic and Roman artefacts. Spread across 14 permanent exhibition halls and 5,000 square metres of display space, the museum houses over 35,000 artefacts recovered from ancient cities across the Antalya region. The highlight is the Hall of Gods — a breathtaking gallery of 14 colossal statues from Perge, including Artemis, Apollo, and the unparalleled Dancing Girl. The Hall of the Sarcophagi showcases elaborately carved marble sarcophagi, while the Mosaic Hall displays floor mosaics from ancient villas. The child mummy — one of the most complete and moving ancient mummies on display anywhere — is housed in the Children's Finds section. The garden gallery features monumental Roman busts and altars in an outdoor setting.

Hall of Gods — 14 colossal Perge statues including Artemis & Apollo
Hall of the Sarcophagi — finest carved marble sarcophagi in Turkey
Perge Gallery with original Artemis of Perge marble sculpture
One of the world's most complete child mummies (Roman era)
13 km of walkable exhibit space across 14 halls

Best Time to Visit: Year-round (skip the line: early morning)

Entry Fee: ₺400 (~€12)

08:30 – 17:30 (Tuesday–Sunday, closed Monday)

7,000 m² indoor, extensive gardens

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