Destination · Mediterranean coast
Most people come to Antalya for the beach and never look up. Behind the coast rise the Taurus Mountains, and between them lie Roman theatres, Lycian tombs, waterfalls and an old town of Ottoman houses around a harbour that has been in use for more than two thousand years.
Plan your Antalya tripAbout Antalya
King Attalos II of Pergamon founded the city in the 2nd century BC and named it Attaleia after himself; St Paul sailed from its harbour on his first journey. Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans all left their mark, and today Antalya is one of the most visited cities in the world. The secret is to treat it as a base. Stay in a restored mansion in Kaleiçi, spend your days among the ancient cities of Pamphylia and the Lycian coast, and come back each evening to dinner by the old harbour.
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Antalya city
The historic heart of Antalya is small enough to explore on foot in a morning, and two of its waterfalls are only a short drive away. A perfect first day.
Inside the old city walls, narrow lanes wind between Ottoman houses with wooden bay windows, bougainvillea and hidden courtyards, many of them now boutique hotels and cafés. Look for the Yivli Minaret, the fluted Seljuk minaret that has become the city's symbol, then walk down to the old Roman harbour for tea by the water.
Built in AD 130 to welcome the emperor Hadrian, this triple-arched marble gate is one of the best-preserved Roman gates in Turkey. Locals call it Üçkapılar, the Three Gates. Look down through the glass walkway at the stones of the ancient road, worn into ruts by Roman cart wheels.
The Lower Düden Waterfall drops about 40 metres off the cliffs straight into the Mediterranean, best seen from the clifftop park or from a boat below. Upstream, the Upper Düden Waterfall is shaded and green, with paths and a small cave behind the falling water. Visit one or both on a private city tour.
Hidden in a wooded nature park, Kurşunlu is a peaceful place where a stream tumbles into a green pool surrounded by trees and birdsong. Shaded paths make it a cool, easy walk, ideal combined with a visit to Perge on the same day. Water levels vary with the season.
Ancient cities of Pamphylia
East of Antalya lay ancient Pamphylia, a rich plain of Greek and Roman cities. Perge and Aspendos make a perfect day together; Side adds the sea, and Termessos the mountains.
Built in the 2nd century AD by the architect Zenon, Aspendos is simply the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world. Its stage building still stands to its full height, and the acoustics are so good that a coin dropped on stage can be heard in the top rows. Come for a summer evening concert if you can.
Walk through Perge's great Hellenistic gate and down its colonnaded main street, where a water channel once ran down the middle. The stadium, baths and agora are impressive, and the Bible records that St Paul and St Barnabas preached here on their first missionary journey. Many of its finest statues are in the Antalya Museum.
Side's ruins run right into a busy seaside town, with a Roman theatre, an old harbour and cafés among the columns. The Temple of Apollo stands on the shore, and at sunset its white columns glow against the sky. Legend says Antony and Cleopatra met here. Good for a day mixing history, sea air and a long lunch.
High in the Taurus Mountains, more than 1,000 metres up, Termessos was so well defended that even Alexander the Great gave up trying to take it. Its theatre sits on the edge of a cliff with a breathtaking view. Reaching it means a climb on rough paths through pine forest, so wear good shoes and allow plenty of time.
The Lycian coast
Southwest of the city, the mountains fall straight into the sea along the old Lycian coast. These places are spread out, so they are best enjoyed over a day or two rather than rushed.
Phaselis had three natural harbours, and Alexander the Great wintered here in 334 BC. Today its main street, theatre and aqueduct stand among pine trees right by the water. See the ruins in the morning, then swim from one of the little ancient harbours: history and a beach in the same visit.
The ruins of Olympos, a city of the Lycian League, lie half-hidden in a wooded river valley that runs down to a long, wild beach. Next door, Çıralı is a quiet village of orange groves and guesthouses where sea turtles nest. After dark, walk up to Yanartaş, where flames have burned from the rock for thousands of years.
In Myra, Lycian tombs carved like temple fronts are stacked high on the cliff face, some still showing traces of their original paint. Below them stands a large Roman theatre decorated with theatrical masks. It is one of the most striking sights on the whole Turkish coast.
St Nicholas was bishop of Myra in the 4th century, famous for secret gifts to the poor, and his legend grew into Santa Claus. The church that grew over his tomb keeps Byzantine frescoes, mosaic floors and the sarcophagus long honoured as his. Pilgrims gather here every year on 6 December, his feast day.
Experiences
Every private Antalya tour can mix these experiences in any order, at your own pace.
From the sea, the Antalya coast shows its best side: pine-covered cliffs, empty coves and water in every shade of turquoise. Charter a private boat or a traditional gulet for your group, swim where no road reaches, have lunch on deck and come back with the sun going down behind the mountains. The route depends on where you stay and the season, and we choose the best one for you.
Roman theatres, Lycian tombs and ancient streets with a guide who brings Greek, Roman, Lycian and Byzantine history to life.
Mediterranean cuisine, local markets and the everyday life of Antalya's old neighbourhoods.
Coastal paths, forest trails and mountain landscapes, matched to your fitness and your time.
Traditional villages, quiet beaches and coastal viewpoints on a private drive.
Trip length
One day is enough for the old town, but plan two or three for the ancient cities of Pamphylia, and six or more to follow the Lycian coast without rushing.
Kaleiçi, Hadrian's Gate, the old harbour and one of the waterfalls.
The old town plus a day at Perge and Aspendos, or time on the coast.
Add Side, Termessos or Phaselis, depending on your interests and where you stay.
A journey along the coast to Olympos, Demre, Myra, Kekova and Kaş, one comfortable stage at a time.
Good to know
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are ideal for ancient sites and walks. Summer (June to September) is best for swimming and boat trips, but the ruins are very hot at midday. Winter is quiet and mild, good for history, with some rainy days.
Antalya Airport is about 15 km from the city centre, around 20–30 minutes by car, with flights from across Europe. From the city, Perge is about 25 minutes away, Aspendos 45 minutes, Side about 1 hour 15 minutes and Demre about 2.5 hours.
Comfortable shoes, water and sun protection for the archaeological sites, especially in the warmer months, and a swimsuit: there is almost always a chance to swim.
Tailor-made for you
Every tour is built around your interests, your dates and your pace. These are some of the journeys our travellers love; each one can be shaped to suit you.
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Tell us your travel dates, where you will be staying and what you would most like to experience. We will plan a private Antalya itinerary with the right places and realistic travel times, and email it with a price.
Choose the places you would love to see, how many of you are travelling and for how long.
We write a private programme just for you and email it with a personal price.
Change anything you like. We refine the programme with you until it feels just right.
From history and faith to hidden villages and the coast, find the journey that suits you. Every one can include Antalya.
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Ancient history, the Mediterranean coast, Christian heritage or a little of everything: we design your private Antalya itinerary around your interests, your dates and your pace.
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