Tourist attractions in Antalya offer a plethora of activities suitable for everyone. If you want to enjoy sightseeing, you'll find a fantastic array of attractions that will keep you engaged. The old town is filled with charming historical sites, while the city serves as a perfect base for exploring the surrounding areas, where dozens of remarkable ruins await you. Yet it’s not just about history; the city is also a wonderful place to head out to the white sandy beaches along Turkey’s turquoise coast. Plan your trip with Qaid Travel and Tourism Agency's list of the best tourist attractions in Antalya.

Tourist Attractions in Antalya

Any traveler visiting Antalya Province, whether in Belek, Kemer, or Side, must visit the city center of Antalya, the fifth largest city in Turkey. In fact, the city center is a magical place that welcomes 15 million foreign tourists each year and offers amazing activities for both the young and old.

Old Town (Kaleiçi)

The Kaleiçi area is one of the ideal tourist destinations in Antalya for wandering around. Ottoman houses painted white with red roofs adorn the cobblestone streets, which are now home to many boutique hotels, souvenir shops, art galleries, and restaurants. While the area is more suited for soaking in the old atmosphere, there are also many small attractions for sightseeing enthusiasts. The main square (Kale Kapısı) features a fortress gate and a clock tower adorned with stones, while the Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque from the 18th century is worth visiting just for its stunning interior designs. Along Hıssapçı Street, you'll find the broken minaret, which was destroyed by fire in the 19th century, the last remnant of a building that was originally a Roman temple, then became a Byzantine church, and finally a mosque. You can join a daily city tour with our agency to explore the beauty of Kaleiçi.

Old Harbor

The old harbor in Antalya is a charming spot that features a collection of shops, inviting cafes, and markets, alongside the gently swaying yachts overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. With its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere today, it's hard to imagine that this place was once the economic center of Antalya.

From the 2nd century AD until the mid-20th century, it served as the main harbor, bringing trade and prosperity to the city and its surrounding areas. Today, you come here to shop and watch the sunset over the sea while enjoying a cup of coffee, or set sail on one of the many boats for a trip on the Mediterranean, swimming, sightseeing, or lounging on a quiet beach.

The Famous Antalya Museum

If you're interested in Turkish history, do not miss visiting one of the key tourist sites in Antalya, the famous Antalya Museum. Its brilliant exhibits showcase all the treasures extracted from excavation sites along the Turkish coast. Better yet, the collection is displayed in a distinctive manner, making it easy to understand Turkey's rich and complex history.

The large archaeological section presents artifacts from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine period, with a particular focus on local findings. If you're short on time, head directly to the displays featuring mosaics from Seleucia, silver artifacts from Aspendos, and statues of the gods from Perge. Check out our daily tours and race packages in Antalya.

Hadrian's Gate

Hadrian's Gate is one of the main (and most dramatic) entrances to the Kaleiçi district. Large sections of the Hellenistic and Roman city walls are preserved on the eastern side of the old city, and Hadrian's Gate stands out as the most prominent among these parts. Built to commemorate Emperor Hadrian's visit in 130 AD, this massive three-arched gate, surrounded by large towers, is adorned with decorative reliefs. As you walk through the arches, look up at the ceiling to see the more subdued carvings.

Aspendos

The main reason history lovers visit Antalya is to take a day trip to Aspendos, located about 47 kilometers to the east. This archaeological site is home to a Roman theater believed to be the best preserved in the world and is one of the top tourist attractions in Antalya. The glorious days of this ancient city were during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, when most of the ruins seen today were built. Aside from the fully restored theater, which accommodates 15,000 spectators, most of the remaining site lies in ruins.

If you're short on time but eager to see as many highlights in the Antalya area as possible, the Aspendos, Perge, and Manavgat Waterfalls tour offers a chance to see three of the region's top sites all in one day. The tours include the ruins of Aspendos and a trip to Manavgat (adjacent to Side), lunch, and transportation to and from your hotel in Antalya. You can view our agency's daily tour to Perge, Aspendos, and Manavgat.

Termessos

While Aspendos may enjoy tourist fame, Termessos, located 34 kilometers northwest of Antalya, outshines it in terms of atmosphere. Neither the Greeks nor the Romans managed to subdue the warlike Pisidians, who fiercely defended their independence from their mountain stronghold in Termessos. The remains of this well-preserved ancient city are situated on steep slopes with stunning views across the surrounding countryside. Wear sturdy shoes and carry plenty of water if you want to fully explore this site. The colonnaded street and upper agora are particularly impressive, but don’t miss the theater, where views across the Taurus Mountains are exceptional. Check out our tour packages with the best tourist attractions in Antalya.

Perge

The vast, ruins-filled square of Perge, with its partially destroyed temples and the grand colonnaded plaza, exudes an air of past glory. This once was the capital of ancient Pamphylia, thriving under Greek and then Roman rule. The ruins here, located about 17 kilometers east of Antalya, aren't as well preserved as others along Turkey's turquoise coasts, but that also means they attract fewer crowds, allowing visitors to explore freely inside the long colonnaded streets and partially ruined temples. The Roman baths, Hellenistic Gate, and acropolis are particularly interesting. You can join our beautiful daily tour with Qaid Travel and Tourism Agency to Perge, Aspendos, and Manavgat!

Visiting the Yacht Harbor

This is the second largest harbor on Turkey's southern coast, after Mersin harbor, where ships can dock. Currently, only yachts anchor in the harbor. You can spend a lovely evening strolling along the marina, watching the waves and colorful yachts in the bay. You can also take part in daily trips or hour-long excursions from the yacht harbor.

Karpuzkaldıran Waterfall (Düden Lower Falls)

If you’re looking for the most beautiful tourist attractions in Antalya for a wonderful walk in stunning scenery, you should visit the Düden Waterfall. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural displays you can see in the city. The Düden Lower Falls, a unique beauty located in Düden Park in the Lara area of Antalya, is a powerful water attraction that can be viewed from the dock and also from a boat in the water.

Shopping Centers in Antalya

As a large city with a population of 2.5 million, Antalya boasts high-quality shopping centers to explore throughout the city. In fact, Turkey is expert at building luxurious shopping malls, and every major city has several centers that operate with various styles, purposes, and locations. Among these centers are Antalya Mall, Agora Shopping Center, TerraCity, MarkAntalya, and Nova Mall.

Tunektepe Cable Car

One of the best ways to see Antalya from a high vantage point is to ride the Tunektepe cable car, known in Turkish as "Tunektepe Teleferik." You should definitely add Tunektepe to your itinerary, as it is one of the best tourist attractions in Antalya. You can enjoy a magnificent view of Antalya while receiving a refreshing breeze scented with pine trees.

AquaLand and DolphinLand

Founded in 1994, AquaLand is the oldest of its kind in Antalya. Located in a large green area surrounded by shady trees, it offers a wide variety of water slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. Dolphin shows last about an hour, showcasing the animals performing acrobatic tricks. Those interested can swim with the dolphins after the show.

Swimming at Mermerli Beach

Mermerli Beach lies next to Antalya Marina in the old town of Kaleiçi. This small beach is notable for its golden sand and abundance of adjoining sun loungers. The beach can sometimes become crowded due to its proximity to the city. The clear waters and the view of the cliff on the opposite side are particularly beautiful. Mermerli Beach is near the boutique hotels in the old town of Antalya, Kaleiçi, making it very attractive, especially for visitors staying here or in the surrounding areas.

Atatürk House Museum

The Atatürk House Museum is dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's visits to Antalya. It is located in the Muratpaşa area and does not require an entrance fee, allowing for visits any day except Mondays. The two-story house features many memories and items related to Atatürk, such as newspapers, photographs, and documents related to his visits to Antalya. The museum also highlights the early years of the Republic of Turkey, with exhibits including banknotes, commemorative coins, and postage stamps released after the proclamation of the republic.

Yivli Minare Mosque

Yivli Minare Mosque immediately catches the eye as you enter the old town of Antalya, as it is built at the highest point above sea level in Kaleiçi. This mosque is one of the most important tourist sites in Antalya. Constructed in 1230 by the Anatolian Seljuk governor Alaeddin Keykubad I, it particularly attracts attention for its smooth minaret, which is considered unique in Anatolian Turkish architecture.

Düden Upper Waterfall

Temperatures in Antalya can reach 60 °C in summer, and on some days, you may simply want to go to a refreshing place with cool waters. How about spending the day at a waterfall that refreshes? The Düden Upper Waterfall is one of the best refreshing recreational areas, located about 12 kilometers northeast of Antalya. It is a stunning natural beauty where you can breathe fresh air and enjoy its beautiful green colors.

Aktur Park

If you’re tired of the beach and want to experience fun tourist attractions in Antalya, Aktur Park is an amusement park located in the Konyaaltı area of Antalya. To add excitement to your time in Antalya, Aktur Park offers a wide range of rides and attractions available for both children and adults. You can plan a visit to Aktur Park with our agency for an enjoyable experience.

While visiting the charming and largely romantic tourist attractions in Antalya, you'll notice how easily you can navigate through and see many important landmarks while enjoying some shopping and fantastic local dining. You will find the best things to do in central Antalya and the top tourist attractions to visit, including ancient ruins, museums, sightseeing opportunities, and so much more.