Visiting Antalya, known as the “capital of tourism,” is a must when exploring Turkey. This major city in Turkey is renowned for its luxurious resorts, centuries-old historic value, and natural landscapes. It serves as a gateway to Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coast, sometimes known as the Turquoise Coast because of its turquoise seas. When it comes to tourist attractions, Antalya has something for everyone.
Most tourists head to Antalya to get their fix of a summer getaway by exploring its glittering beaches and soaking in the Mediterranean coastal scenery on a boat excursion. While some head over to its historic landmarks to experience the history and bygone culture of the region. No matter what kind of trip you wish to have, learning about Antalya’s best tourist attractions can help you plan your itinerary efficiently.
Visiting Antalya: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions to Explore
To narrow down the competition and help you pick the best of the best when visiting Antalya, here are 10 top-rated tourist attractions:
1. Visit the City’s Old Town, Kaleiçi
The labyrinth-like Kaleiçi neighbourhood was designed for leisurely wandering and exploring the cobblestone alleys that are lined with restored whitewashed and red-roofed Ottoman palaces. Which are now home to various boutique hotels, souvenir stores, art galleries, and restaurants.
More of a sightseeing attraction, this location is ideal for tourists to relax and enjoy the region’s culture, architecture, and ambiance. The main plaza includes a castle gate and a stone clock tower and the 18th-century Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque is worth seeing for the beautiful interior tile work alone.
Tourists can see The Kesik Minaret along Hesapçı Sokak (truncated minaret) which was destroyed by fire in the 19th century and converted into a present-day mosque.
2. Explore the Ancient Site at Phaselis
Phaselis is an ancient Lycian seaport where Alexander the Great established his winter quarters in 334 BCE. Located 60 km southwest of Antalya, the historical site now displays the ruins of a theatre, temples, and a colonnaded street, as well as the Hadrian’s Arch entrance, which was built in CE 114.
The ruins are in a lovely coastal location and have a small museum on-site displaying the discovered items on the landmark. If tourists have time, they should take the Olympos Teleferik (cable car) which departs a few kilometers before Phaselis and travels up the slope of Tahtali Mountain, which offers a panoramic view of the coast.
3. Sunbathe on Konyaalti Beach
Konyaalti Beach is one of Antalya’s two prime strips of beach, with a magnificent backdrop of mountains sloping down to the shore. Throughout the summer, this pebbly-sandy beach is quite popular with both local and international visitors and offers comfortable accommodations and an abundance of services for tourists to have a good time here.
There are sun loungers with umbrellas for hire, adequate bathroom and shower facilities, and a palm tree-lined promenade behind the beach with snack stores, cafés, and seafood restaurants offering local delicacies. The beach is conveniently accessible from town, making it a popular beach choice for those staying in the old-town region.
4. Visit Olympos and Çirali
Located 84 kilometres southwest of Antalya, Olympos, and Çirali are situated on a stunning coastal strip that hugs the mountains above and is surrounded by ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Olympos. Apart from the fascinating ruins of the city of Olympos, tourists can see the chimaera fire (eternal fire) which is a naturally occurring flame that flickers out of the rocky cliff above.
Travelers popularly visit the city of Olympos, which is known for its nightlife, while Çirali is more laid-back and focuses on beach relaxation.. Both are ideal for anybody looking for an ideal summer beach vacation away in harmony with nature and history.
5. Take a Trip to the Mediterranean from the Old Harbor
Antalya’s Old Harbour, nestled into a cliff in the northwest corner of the old town, is a lovely cluster of cafes and restaurants overlooking gently bobbing boats waiting to set sail on the Mediterranean. It’s hard to imagine this site was once Antalya’s economic center from the 2nd century until the mid-20th century, bringing trade and wealth to the city and surrounding region.
Tourists come here to watch the sunset over the sea while sipping Turkish tea or jump on one of the excursion boats for a day of sunbathing, coastline views, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.
6. Go Rafting in Köprülü Canyon National Park
The Köprülü Canyon National Park, located 90 kilometers northeast of Antalya, is a popular day-trip destination for water lovers and adrenaline junkies. The Köprülü River’s green-blue water flows between stunning and jagged high cliffs, making it one of Turkey’s most popular white water rafting locations.
Most visitors come here from Antalya for a rafting excursion, but if they wish to go deeper, the national park also offers lots of hiking trails and the historic city remains to explore. If you don’t want to go into the water but still want to enjoy the beauty of the site, the main village offers beautiful cafes that face the river and provide breathing views.
7. Visit the Antalya Museum
For all the fans of history and culture, the city offers Antalya Museum which displays stunning exhibitions; from classical art to historic discoveries found in the main excavation sites in the surrounding region.
The exhibits range from the Bronze Age to Byzantium, the most famous one being the exquisite statues from Hellenistic and Roman times discovered in the ancient cities of Perge, Xanthos, and Patara. We present the collections in a scripted viewing, making the rich and intricate history of the city easier to understand and remember.
8. Spend a Day at Lara Beach
Lara Beach, located south of the city centre of Antalya, is well known for its white sandy beachline and family-friendly amenities. It’s surrounded by cafes and seafood restaurants and offers a variety of water sports, including paddleboarding and jet-ski rentals. Because this location is home to the majority of Antalya’s beach resorts, Lara Beach is the main destination for tourists looking for a day filled with sun, sea, and sand.
9. Walk to the Yivli Minare
Alaeddin Keykubad (1219-36), the Seljuk ruler, erected the Yivli Minare (fluted minaret), one of Antalya’s most distinctive and historic landmarks.. The minaret is a classic example of Seljuk design, with a square base capped by an octagonal drum supporting the fluted shaft and a corbelled gallery around the top.
The minaret is located just next to the Kale entry gate into the ancient city. Antalya’s Ottoman-era clock tower is opposite the minaret, and nearby are several 14th-century graves tourists can visit to learn more about the region’s history.
10. See the Sunset from the Roman Fortress
Constructed in the second century, this 14-metre-high cylindrical tower (Hidirlik Tower) sits high above Antalya’s historic harbour on the outskirts of Karaaliolu Park. Its primary use is unknown, but most believe it served as a watchtower or lighthouse over the busy harbour below.
The park itself is ideal for picnics and a peaceful, flower-filled rest from the city streets. Tourists from all over come here at dusk to stroll like the locals and sip warm coffee in the excellent cafés nearby to relax and admire the sunlit harbour.
A City Brimming With Beauty and Wonder
A fifth-most populous city and the capital of the province Antalya, tourists can run out of time but never the places to visit or activities to do when visiting the city.
To experience everything this gorgeous city has to offer, it’s important to take your time to carefully research and plan everything to make your trip there an unforgettable memory.
This is why iLinkTurkey has all aspirational travelers covered when it comes to exciting tour packages to explore Turkey. Explore our custom tour packages or reach out to us to begin your adventure now.
