15 Best Things To Do in Antalya, Turkey

There are so many things to do in Antalya; an area so beautiful, that it’s hard to believe it’s real. When you research Turkey, you’ll no doubt see plenty of pictures of this place turn up. It’s one of the best places to visit in Turkey, year-round, and I believe that it’s one of the … Read more

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There are so many things to do in Antalya; an area so beautiful, that it’s hard to believe it’s real. When you research Turkey, you’ll no doubt see plenty of pictures of this place turn up. It’s one of the best places to visit in Turkey, year-round, and I believe that it’s one of the most stunning areas of the world; a bold claim, I know.

I lived in Turkey for several years and still visit regularly now. I’m married to a Turkish man and am lucky to have his guidance whenever we go somewhere new. The first time we went sightseeing in Antalya I couldn’t believe we hadn’t been before. I’ve traveled to many places outside of Antalya, such as Izmir and Marmaris, but this place is a jaw-dropper and somewhere I’d always return to.

However, it’s important to remember that Antalya City and Antalya province are different. Antalya City is one destination, but Antalya province is a larger region that includes many other coastal towns and resorts. The good news is that there are so many amazing places to visit in Antalya that you won’t spend a second of your time wondering what to do next.

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Best Things To Do in Antalya

The first thing to know is that Antalya is a big and busy city. That’s why figuring out the best things to do in Antalya is important from the get-go. Out of all the available Antalya attractions—and there are many—you have to think about what calls out to your interests.

The thing that stood out to me was the natural side of the city. Yes, it’s a huge place, but it’s so beautiful and isn’t overly built up. It manages to be modern yet old at the same time, traditional yet functional; it’s quite a feat to achieve.

But, I want to help you have the best time possible, so here are 15 of the best things to do when you visit Antalya City (+ a few nearby day trips from Antalya).

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1. Duden Waterfalls

The fact that there’s a huge, simply stunning waterfall right in the middle of a city is pretty mindblowing. A visit to Duden Waterfalls is one of the coolest things to do in Antalya – it’s low-cost and well worth the experience. You can stand right on the edge and look down as the water cascades and then thunders down into the sea, creating rainbows amidst the fog and foam.

It’s pretty magical, and something you have to do. Duden Waterfalls are easy to get to as they’re on the way to Lara Beach, so you can easily combine a day at the beach with a visit here; it shouldn’t take more than an hour to explore and sit and have a coffee if you wish. You can also take a waterfall tour to visit others in the area. Click here for more details.

Address: Varsak Mahallesi Düden Şelalesi Parkı içi, Kepez/Antalya

2. The Land of Legends Theme Park

One of the best things to do in Antalya for families is to visit the Land of Legends Theme Park. There’s so much to see and do here, you’ll need at least one full day, but you can also stay in the on-site hotel and spend a second day if you choose. There are rides, restaurants, shopping, and shows to enjoy.

The eventing show at the Land of Legends night show is extremely popular and highly-rated. Check it out here.

If you’re traveling with children, this is one of the best places to visit in Antalya and it should definitely be added to your itinerary. I had a great day here, and even though my husband isn’t one for rides, I did manage to persuade him! However, I would recommend you get your Land of Legends tickets beforehand to avoid the queues. Click here for details.

Address: Kadriye Mahallesi. Atatürk Cad. No:104/1-2 No, D:515, 07525 Serik/Antalya

3. Antalya Old Town/Kaleiçi

There are many things to do in Antalya Old Town, so I recommend you set aside a full day to spend here. The park around the Old Town is really beautiful and is ideal for taking panoramic photographs, but there’s also Hadrian’s Gate, Hidirlik Tower, and the cobbled, winding streets around the town to explore.

This is one of the best free things to do in Antalya, and it offers a great opportunity to get some souvenir shopping, as there are plenty of small shops where you can haggle for your purchases. I took a walking tour and I learned so much – I highly recommend you take one too. Click here for more details.

Address: Selçuk, 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya

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4. Köprülü Canyon National Park

Around an hour’s drive away from the city center you’ll find Köprülü Canyon National Park, one of the most unique things to do in Antalya. I was stunned at the sheer beauty of this entire area, but it’s also a great place to go if you enjoy extreme sports. A whitewater rafting trip is a brilliant idea if you’re looking to test your bravery. Click here to learn more.

I visited this park in the middle of summer, and the shade and depth of the canyon provided great relief from the heat. However, it was particularly busy, so if you don’t enjoy crowds, perhaps visiting around June or September would be a better idea. Despite that, it’s one of the top things to do near Antalya, and it would be a crime to miss it.

Address: Bozyaka, 07550 Manavgat/Antalya

5. Aspendos

The entire Antalya province is packed with ancient ruins and history to uncover, and that’s something I always enjoy doing. I was really surprised at how many ruins were so close to the city center, and Aspendos is less than 10 minutes away from the Old Town. It’s one of the best places to visit in Antalya if you’re a lover of all things history, like me.

This ancient theater is extremely well preserved, and it’s one of the top tourist attractions in Antalya, dating back to the 5th century BC. Standing at the top and looking down gives quite a powerful feeling, and you can just imagine the hustle and bustle of life back in the day.

I highly recommend a visit here; in fact, you can take a full-day tour of the ruins in the area and combine everything into one. Click here for details.

Address: Sarıabalı, Aspendos Yolu, 07500 Serik/Antalya

6. Konyaaltı Beach

Konyaaltı Beach is the main beach in Antalya, and it’s stunning – there’s no other word for it. The sea is crystal clear, and the mountainous background is breathtaking. The other plus point is that the beach is especially wide and long; meaning there’s always plenty of space, even when it’s crowded in summer.

Spending some time soaking up the sun and splashing in the Mediterranean is one of the top things to do in Antalya, and there’s no better spot for it than here. You will need to pay for sun loungers and parasols, and prices vary depending on where on the beach you are, so keep this in mind.

You can expect to pay less th