What are the Places to See and Activities to Do in Antalya ?

Kaleici is the only place we would recommend you try to make time for. You should consider checking it out on the way to ot from the airport.

Kaleiçi Antalya Old Town

Düden Waterfall

Kurşunlu Waterfall

Hip-Notics

Perge

Antalya Museum

Köprülü Canyon

Tazı Canyon

Manavgat Waterfall

Where to Eat

7 Mehmet Restaurant

Piyazcı Ahmet

Dondurma Dukkanı

Akdeniz Dondurma

1. KALEICI 

Kaleici is Antalya’s most picturesque place when it comes to the city. No matter which town of Antalya you are planning to visit, with its wonderfully cute historical streets and vibrant nightlife Kaleici is a must. The historical houses inside the old city walls are the center of Antalya’s social life today. Locals com here to drink and let loose a bit. The tourists who come here can see some amazing historical remains, and there’s a beach for children to swim.

If you’re in Antalya during the summer, then we recommend you don’t come here during the day, as you won’t be able to enjoy it under the heat. Come around sunset, and you can sit somewhere and sip on a cold beer while listening to live music. We have some suggestions for wonderful spots for you to eat and drink in Kaleici, as well as places to visit. 

2. DUDEN AND KURSUNLU WATERFALLS 

Antalya also has two famous waterfalls: Duden and Kursunlu. The cool thing about Duden? It cascades through the middle of the city! Of all the well-planned things to do in Antalya, imagine passing by a waterfall on your way to the market. It is in such an unexpected spot that you’ll wonder if you’re in the wrong place when you go to park your car or get off the bus. There’s even a cave that you can visit.

Duden’s water eventually falls from Antalya’s cliffs into the sea, and if you take a boat trip from Kaleici you can see it from the aboard ship. But you’ll have a better view of it if you go by car.

While Duden was quite lovely, we liked Kursunlu Waterfall the most. If you don’t have time for both, then we recommend that you go to Kursunlu. The color of the water is quite beautiful and makes you feel as if you’re in an exotic, tropical location like Bali. There is a pleasant hiking trail where you’ll be able to see its water flowing downhill, and a charming cafe for a picturesque pit-stop. Do keep in mind that it’s much easier to get to Duden than it is to get to Kursunlu.

We heard that it was crowded during the summer, but when we went in the spring we had the falls and trail to ourselves. There were signs warning against swimming, so don’t expect to take a dip under these falls. 

3. HIP-NOTICS

Located in Burunucu Mevkii Cakis Village, Hip-notics is a cable ski park. Cable skiing is a type of wakeboarding where the skier’s rope and handle are pulled along by a cable system. A motorboat pulls a traditional waterskier. Cable skiing is a safer and more economical way to wakeboard – and it’s easier for beginners.

It’s also environmentally friendly, as the cable uses electricity, and there’s no pollution from the boat in traditional water skiing. Hip-notics also offers other water activities such as waterskiing, kneeboarding and fly boarding. There are also facilities where you can play basketball, volleyball and other sports, as well as eat. 

4. ANCIENT CITY OF PERGE

The ancient city of Perge is located 18 km (or 15 minutes by car) away from Kursunlu Waterfall. It is one of the most important cities of the Pamphili civilization, and lies 4 km away from the Aksu River. The entrance of the city has a magnificent Hellenistic gate, one of the world’s best-preserved stadiums, as well as a Greek-Roman amphitheater. This ancient city is on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage List, though most of the statues uncovered in this area have been moved to the Antalya museum.

Entrance fee: 10 TL. The site opens at 8 am throughout the year, but closes at 7 pm in the summer and 5 pm in the winter. 

5. ANTALYA MUSEUM

The Antalya Museum was founded in 1922 after the First World War to protect the historical artifacts found in the area from being looted. The museum was first in the Alaaddin Mosque in Kaleici before it was moved to the Donard Yivli Mosque and then moved into its current building.

Inside the museum, you’ll be able to see historical monuments dating back to the three ancient cities of Lykia, Pamphylia and Pisidia. The most valuable pieces in the museum are sculptures that date back to the Roman period, particularly from those found in the ancient city of Perge.

The museum was awarded the “Council of Europe Museum of the Year” prize in 1988. For history buffs, this should definitely be included on your list of things to do in Antalya. Website. Visiting Times: 8:30 am – 7:30 pm. 

6. KOPRULU CANYON 

Koprulu Canyon is a national park that goes from Koprucay to the sea, and is great for outdoor activities like hiking, camping and nature walks, as well as rafting during the summer. There are also two bridges that date back to the Roman period.

7. RAFTING

One of the best things to do in Antalya – and the best part about the region – is rafting due its abundance of rivers. One of the best spots to go rafting is the Koprulu Canyon, which we mentioned above. If you decide to go, then you’ll be paired with an experienced guide and share a raft with 8-10 people over a distance of 14 km. This will take you about 2.5 hours, and the company provides helmets, paddles and life vests.

The most ideal months for rafting are July, August and September, and many companies offer tours in this area. Some companies offer package tours that take you from where you’re staying and included in the price are transportation, rafting and lunch.

8. TAZI CANYON 

A local newspaper declared some startling news to Antalya residents: A canyon had been discovered. In 2017. 

How a canyon could for so long go undetected is perplexing to many, especially one as spectacular as Tazi. The canyon is located only 10-15 minutes away from Koprulu Canyon by car. You won’t be able to see the canyon while on the road, so don’t think we’ve given you the wrong address. You’ll need to park your car and walk two km through the forest. At first glance, you might not see the path immediately, but not to worry either, it’s not a challenging walk.

10. MANAVGAT WATERFALL 

The Manavgat Waterfall is one of Turkey’s most famous waterfalls. Its waters come from the Manavgat River, and fall from a height of 4-5 meters. At the falls you can find a cafe, a restaurant, tea garden, picnic area and a place for camping. You might be able to go rafting here, but as we mentioned above, the best place to raft in Turkey is in Koprulu Canyon.

Entrance to the waterfall is 6 TL per person as of 2018. You’ll also have to pay something extra to park your car here.