Think of holidays in Turkey and it is probably Antalya that comes to mind first. Once a sleepy Mediterranean town, over the past few decades it has swelled into a huge tourism hub filled with all-inclusive hotels and water parks. Much of the centre is brash and over-developed, but you don’t have to head far to find the quieter spots. Antalya has some of the most dramatic landscapes and picturesque beaches in Turkey and in recent years there has been a boom in eco-tourism and adventure holidays. The region is also stuffed with historical sites and there is a growing contemporary arts scene too.
Main photo: Temple of Apollo in the ancient city of Side (Getty Images)
1. Take a dip in a waterfall
There are scores of beautiful waterfalls in and around Antalya. The Duden falls drop straight into the Mediterranean on the eastern outskirts of the city, while the Kursunlu falls are hidden away in a canyon and cascade 18 metres into a pool where you can swim alongside crabs and turtles. The region’s falls make for a great day out in midsummer; the waters of the Ucansu falls in particular are ice cold and wonderfully refreshing and will provide a welcome break from the soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity you’ll find at the beach.
2. Picnic in Karaalioglu Park
The main park in Antalya city centre is the best shady spot to relax in on a weekend, go people spotting, or nibble on fruit and crunchy Turkish pastries under the trees. From here you’ll have views to the sea and on to the snow-capped mountains on the other side of the bay, and quickly find that the park is frequented by as many colourful birds as it is beautiful people. There are wide promenades where you can buy sweetcorn and candyfloss, and the terraces are a great place to watch the sun come down.
3. Wander among Greek and Roman ruins in ancient cities
Antalya has been a coveted destination for millennia, as the numerous ancient cities scattered around it attest. Aspendos is deservedly the most popular: it has a huge amphitheatre that is so well-preserved that you almost expect Roman actors to burst on to the stage. Perga, Termessos, Olympos and Myra are also popular destinations, while Antalya city itself is packed with snippets of history including Hadrian’s Gate, the grand entrance to the old city. If you’re planning on visiting a few sites, buy a Mediterranean Museum Pass, which gives you entry to them all.
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4. Take the cable car up Mount Olympus
Not one for those with vertigo, this retro teleferik, built in 1908, climbs 2,365 metres to the very top of Tahtali mountain, the tallest peak on the peninsula south of Antalya and known as Olympus in the ancient world. Along the way you’ll pass through a natural habitat where lynxes and wolves roam among ancient cedars. The top is snow-covered in the winter, and in summer it is a barren wilderness, too high for trees, where only lichen and algae can survive. On arrival at the peak you’ll find a restaurant where you can take in the panoramic views over lunch.
5. Check out some art at the local galleries
Few know about Antalya’s thriving fine art scene. It’s home to several privately run galleries together with the municipality’s Culture and Arts Centre — housed in a rare example of interesting modern architecture in Turkey. The exhibitions centre on Turkish artists and photographers, often with a local connection. The centre also owns a house in the old city that has been faithfully restored in keeping with traditional Turkish architectural style and often hosts events and concerts.
6. Get lost in Antalya’s old town
The Kaleici — “inside the castle” — district is Antalya’s ancient heart, entered through a 2,000-year-old gate and stuffed with historical treasures. The streets are a warren where you’re bound to get lost, but pleasurably so — there are endless independent shops to poke about it and cafés to sit down and cool off with a beer or tea. The Alaaddin mosque has a unique fluted minaret, which is one of the area’s main landmarks and is being considered for Unesco world heritage status. Don’t miss the old harbour either — it’s a great place for an afternoon stroll.
7. Sun yourself on Konyaalti beach
Konyaalti is a modern city district that has attracted scores of Russian expats in recent years. Its neighbourhoods may be bland, but the real draw is the beach: a four-mile stretch of shingle fringed with pine trees and hibiscus. There are great facilities, including free showers and toilets, and lifeguards who, together with its location and calm clean waters, make it an easy choice for families. There are also plenty of restaurants in the park just behind it.
8. Get close to the sharks at Antalya Aquarium
Visit the aquarium at feeding time to see divers descending into the main tank — the largest tunnel aquarium in the world — to hand feed the hundreds of sharks and rays. There are also dozens of other tanks, arranged according to the world’s seas and oceans, where all kinds of marine life duck in and out of impressively reconstructed wrecks including a full-scale Second World War fighter plane and a Spanish galleon.
9. Travel back in time at the Antalya Archaeological Museum
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You’ll uncover thousands of treasures from across the eastern Mediterranean in the 13 exhibition hall here — each divided into themes such as statues, mosaics, religious artefacts and coins. Some of the best exhibits are the statues excavated from the ancient city of Perga, depicting Greek gods and mythical beasts. There’s also a children’s hall, which displays historical toys and also hosts activities such as sculpture and drawing.
10. Take a boat trip to Suluada island
Suluada’s that typical paradise island that children draw — a perfect cone sticking out of the turquoise sea, fringed with a white sand beach. Take a boat trip (an adventure in itself as you sail past a rugged coastline of cliffs and caves) to spend the day soaking in its pristine waters and watching the birds and fish that flock there. As it’s a protected area there’s no development and camping overnight is forbidden. And, while there are no facilities, you can get water from its natural springs.
11. Trek the foothills of the Taurus mountains at Gulluk national park
Antalya isn’t short of national parks and Gulluk packs in some of the province’s most striking natural beauty spots, as well as the ancient city of Termessos, built on top of a mountain. Walk down the 600-metre deep Mecine canyon, take one of the hiking trails, and keep your eyes peeled for deer, eagles and mountain goats. There are a few restaurants inside the park, and it’s also possible to camp in certain areas. Visit outside of summer if you can — the scorching weather can make the wild terrain tough to navigate.
12. Spot rare monk seals and turtles
This part of the coast is rich in biodiversity and is where the endangered Mediterranean monk seal can be seen and where loggerhead turtles choose to lay their eggs. Your best chance of seeing the seals, which have an estimated population of just 700, is with a boat trip around the region’s quieter slices of coastline; good tour operators will be up to date on where they have recently been spotted. You can choose from a number of ecological foundations that organise night trips to watch baby turtles hatching in late summer and early autumn.
13. Go whitewater rafting in the Koprulu canyon
The emerald green Kopru river has cut a deep path through this limestone gorge, creating an ideal setting for an adrenaline-filled ride — just remember to hold on to your paddles as you soar under bridges built by the Romans. Numerous companies offer rafting at the starting point in the town of Sutculer, but be warned — it’s extremely popular and busy in the summer. On the plus side, if you do visit in summer, you’ll be thankful for the comfortably cool temperatures brought by the park’s elevation.
14. Ski in Saklikent
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You won’t associate Antalya with skiing, but you should. In the large, modern resort of Saklikent, just 20 miles outside the city, you can hit the slopes from November through to May — and go from the snow to the beach in an hour. There are 10km of ski runs and three lifts, and while it can’t rival the Alps, it’s a cheap, fun day out if you’re here in the early season. You can hire everything you need, and there are lessons available for beginners. Even if you don’t ski, come to take the chair lift up the mountain, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy a different view of Antalya below.
15. Hike in the footsteps of St Paul
This 300-mile trail follows the route that St Paul is believed to have taken when he travelled through Anatolia, starting at the ancient city of Perga near the coast and heading inland to Lake Egirdir. To hike the whole thing would require several weeks and a fair dose of stamina; most parts are extremely wild and challenging. Pack in the sights on a shorter stretch instead. You’ll cross ancient bridges, pass through thick forests and idyllic farmland and find plenty of cafés and lodgings along the way.
16. Visit Santa Claus’s birthplace
Forget Lapland, historians believe that the real St Nicholas was born close to the town of Demre in the 3rd century, when it was known as Myra. He was a bishop there and, according to legend, dropped coins down through the locals’ chimneys, which was the inspiration for his modern incarnation. For centuries it was thought that his remains had been pillaged and taken to the Italian town of Bari, but a crypt believed to contain his bones was recently discovered under the 8th-century Church of St Nicholas in the town.
17. Whizz down the waterslides at Aqualand
Aqualand is close to the centre of Antalya city and is your ticket to keeping the kids entertained all day. You’ll find a huge complex of slides and pools and, when you need a break from the action, there’s a stretch of woodland and botanical gardens that wrap around the park itself. Bring a picnic.
18. Kayak around the sunken city of Kekova
Just to the north of the island of Kekova you’ll find the 2nd-century city of Dolchiste, which sank after an earthquake. The ruins remain, poking up from the water in places and giving an eerie glimpse into a lost world. Swimming is forbidden around most of the ruins but you can take a boat trip from the town of Kas to get close. A better idea, though, is to rent a kayak from one of the nearby villages on the mainland and paddle your own way around the relics.
19. Marvel at the sculptures at Sandland
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This rolling exhibition of sand sculptures on Lara Beach needs to be seen to be fully believed: bucket and spade jobs they are not. The huge and intricately-detailed artworks include world monuments such as the sphinx and the Taj Mahal, and beasts from ancient myths and legends. There’s an annual festival when more than 100 sculptors from around the world descend on Antalya to create pieces that take as long as three weeks to complete. If you’ve got little ones look out for the workshop where kids can try their hand at creating their own sculpture.
20. Delve into the Altinbesik caves
This cave system is a labyrinth that covers three levels and incorporates a subterranean lake, springs, streams and lots of stalagmites and stalactites. The limestone caves are vast, with the main chamber reaching a height of more than 100 metres. Handily the lake feeds into a river, so the whole place can be accessed by boat. If you’re an experienced climber, clamber up to the hill at the top of the cave for stirring views across the surrounding landscape, which is also worth exploring.
21. Catch the Golden Orange Film Festival
Turkey’s oldest and most prestigious film festival is held annually in October, when the weather has cooled to a comfortable temperature and tourist hordes have thinned out. The packed programme includes Turkish, international and children’s films, screened in open air venues around the city, while the final awards ceremony is held in the sublime setting of the ancient Aspendos amphitheatre. You may catch a number of other international events held in the city throughout the year, including theatre, opera and ballet and piano festivals.
Take me there
Inspired to visit Antalya but yet to book your trip? Here are the best getaways from TUI Holidays and BA Holidays.
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