Antalya in 3 days: old town, waterfalls and ancient theatres

3 days Turkey 4 min read

Antalya sits on the Mediterranean with the Taurus Mountains rising just behind the city, so you can swim in the morning and stand in a Roman theatre by the afternoon. The walled old town of Kaleiçi is the heart of it, a maze of Ottoman houses and narrow lanes above a small harbour. Around it stretches a modern city of palm-lined boulevards, long beaches and a surprisingly good museum.

Three days is enough to see the old town properly, visit one or two ancient sites and spend a slow afternoon at a waterfall or on the sand. Distances are short and the tram links most of what matters, so you do not need a car unless you want to explore the coast.

Turn this guide into a trip plan

Mira builds a day-by-day route with these places on a real map. You can change every stop.

Plan 3 days in Antalya

Top places to see

1
Kaleiçi
Kaleiçi is the old walled quarter of Antalya, a knot of cobbled lanes, restored Ottoman houses with wooden bay windows and small courtyard gardens. It slopes down to the Roman harbour, now a marina for tour boats. Go early in the morning before the souvenir shops open to see it quiet, then come back after dark when the lanes fill with people.
2
Hadrian's Gate
Hadrian's Gate is a triple-arched marble gateway built in 130 AD to honour the emperor's visit to the city. It is the main entrance into Kaleiçi from the modern town and still has deep grooves worn into the stone by centuries of cart wheels. Look up at the carved ceiling of the arches, which most people walk straight under without noticing.
3
Antalya Museum
The Antalya Museum holds some of the finest Roman statuary in Turkey, much of it excavated at nearby Perge. The hall of gods, with Hercules, Athena and the emperors standing in a row, is the highlight. There is also a good prehistory section and a sarcophagus gallery. It is a short tram ride west of the centre, in the Konyaaltı direction.
4
Düden Waterfalls
There are two Düden Waterfalls. The upper falls sit in a shady park north of the city, where paths lead behind the curtain of water into a cool cave. The lower falls are the famous ones, dropping about 40 metres straight off a cliff into the sea at Lara. The lower falls look best from a boat, but the cliff-top park gives a free view.
5
Konyaaltı Beach
Konyaaltı is a long pebble beach west of the city with the Beydağları mountains rising straight out of the sea at its far end. The water is clear and deep quickly, so it suits confident swimmers. A wide promenade with lawns and cafes runs the whole length. The tram stops a short walk away, and the beach stays pleasant into October.
6
Perge
Perge is a large Roman city about 15 kilometres east of Antalya, with a stadium, a colonnaded main street with a water channel down its middle and a well preserved set of baths. It is less restored than Ephesus and far less crowded, which makes it feel more like a real discovery. Minibuses run from the Aksu road, or combine it with Aspendos by taxi.
7
Aspendos Theatre
Aspendos has the best preserved Roman theatre in the Mediterranean, built in the second century and still used for opera and ballet performances in summer. The stage building stands to its full height, which is rare. Climb to the top rows for the view over the plain and the aqueduct. It is about 45 kilometres from the city, so plan a half day.
8
Tünektepe Cable Car
The Tünektepe cable car climbs a 600 metre hill at the western end of Konyaaltı Beach. The ride takes about ten minutes and the summit terrace looks back over the whole bay, the city and the mountains behind it. Go about an hour before sunset for the best light, and allow time for the queue on weekends when local families come up.

Good to know

Buy an Antalyakart at a kiosk or tram stop and top it up. It works on the tram and city buses, and the tram line runs between the old town, the museum, the bus station and the airport direction.
Kaleiçi is full of tour sellers around the harbour. Boat trips to the lower Düden falls are worth it, but compare a couple of boats and agree the length of the trip before you pay.
Antalya is very hot in July and August, often above 35 degrees. Visit ruins early in the morning, carry water and keep the afternoons for the beach or shaded parks.
Perge, Aspendos and the Kurşunlu waterfall all lie east of the city and can be combined in one long day. A shared taxi or a small group tour is cheaper than three separate trips.

Best time to visit

April to June and September to October are the best months, with warm sunny days around 25 to 30 degrees and sea water pleasant for swimming from May. July and August are very hot and crowded. Winter is mild and green with some rain, and the museums and ruins are almost empty, though the sea is too cold for most people.

Ready to go?

Get a day-by-day plan for Antalya with routes, places to eat and stay, weather and a packing list.

Plan 3 days in Antalya

Pack for Antalya