You have got every right to search for the best places to visit in Antalya because there are hundreds of them!
Antalya has become a major tourist destination, in Turkey, for both families and couples. This is probably partly due to its fantastic beaches and remarkable preservation of its historical and cultural past.
Antalya has a wealth of history, dating back to the Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age). It has been ruled by the Lydian Kingdom, the Persians, Alexander the Great, and the Roman Empire.
The weather in Antalya is fantastic all year round, especially from June to September, when you can enjoy hot days and warm nights, thanks to the Mediterranean climate.
You’ll be able to live in shorts and a t-shirt. Be sure to pack sun cream and sunglasses.
As the holiday season fast approaches, we wanted to share the best places to visit so that you can plan the best experience, in Antalya, for you and your family.
Best Places to Visit in Antalya – TOP 8
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Hadrian Castle Gate
The time needed: 1 to 2 hours.
Step back in time to walk through the ‘Three Gates’ built for Hadrian, a Roman Emperor. This incredibly preserved attraction is simply breathtaking. You’ll need an hour or two to explore it and read about its legends.
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Antalya National Museum
The time needed: 2 to 3 hours.
For the most fun history lesson ever, visit the well-established Antalya Museum, which houses thousands of important artifacts, from the many eras of the city, in chronological order. Be sure to include an audio guide with your ticket.
Throughout intriguing exhibition halls, you can discover everything you need to know about Antalya by viewing the evolution of its ceramics and clothes.
Plus, by admiring ancient coins, impressive statues of the gods, and unique mosaics of Philosophers. The museum has a children’s section making it a fantastic family day out.
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Duden Waterfalls
The time needed: 1-2 hours.
The Duden River, which flows through the city, has two beautiful and unmissable waterfalls: the Upper and Lower Duden Waterfall.
The Lower Duden Waterfall, located close to Karpuzkaldiran Beach, is slightly more impressive as it has a longer drop. But the Upper Duden Waterfall is part of peaceful greenery, making it perfect for a relaxing picnic in nature. It also has caves underneath it.
You could choose to visit one, but both are worth a look.
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Aquapark Antalya
The time needed: 4 to 8 hours.
Let your hair down and let the adrenaline run wild at the Aquapark Antalya. This is one place you can never get bored as there are so many different open and closed slides and swimming pools to choose from.
If you fancy a relaxing float in the sun, visit the traditional pool, but for more on an adventure, don`t miss out on the Hurricane Pool. The most popular slides include the:
- Blackhole
- Black lightning
- Flying lizard
- Bermuda triangle
Depending on the day, you can expect to queue for these slides, making them a priority, and visit at the start of the day before the park fills up. You don’t need to worry about eating as there is an excellent buffet.
The facility also includes a cinema and shops. Free transportation to and from the aquapark is also available for locals and hotel guests.
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Konyaalti Beach
The time needed: 2 hours to unlimited days!
The best beach in Antalya is Konyaalti. Less than 10km from the city center you can sunbathe on fine sand and swim in the warm Mediterranean Sea.
The beach stretches along the coastline and is dotted with restaurants, a park, and the Taurus mountains’ backdrop. The coastline has a promenade perfect for a long walk or bicycle ride.
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Mermerli Beach
The time needed: 2 hours +
For a beach that is closer to the city, visit Mermerli Beach. This beach is located in old town Antalya, which is called Kaleiçi in Turkish. The only downside is it is tiny!
There isn’t a sandy area, so sun loungers are added to decks. But if you love to swim, this could be perfect as the water is right under you.
Mermerli Beach is incredibly popular and fills up quickly. As the sun loungers are available on a first-come-first-served basis, be sure to get there early!
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Tünektepe Teleferik Tesisleri
The time needed: 4 hours.
Before heading home, immerse yourself in the great outdoors with a trip to Tunektepe Teleferik Tesisleri.
This mountainous park is full of hiking trails helping all those who visit get back to nature. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced hiker, this is a fun day out.
In addition, to hiking, you can take a ride on a cable car, which leaves from the Tunektepe Teleferik Tesisleri cable station.
It’s a slow ride high above the trees and provides exquisite views of the mountains around you, the city below, and the sea. You`ll want your camera for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
If you don’t have a car, don’t fear! You can easily take a public bus or a taxi to Tunektepe Teleferik Tesisleri.
It’s only 14km away from the city center of Antalya, so your journey will take approximately 40 minutes.
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Antalya Aquarium
The time needed: 2 – 3 hours.
If you need a few hours out of the sun, head to the Antalya Aquarium, which allows you to learn about the many creatures that live in the local waters. This is an enjoyable place to visit with kids.
Antalya offers a variety of activities, making it perfect for anyone and everyone. Whether you’re a history buff or want to lounge around and get a tan, you won’t be disappointed with a holiday in Antalya.
Perhaps you wish to visit Antalya but stay outside of the city to experience a little more Turkish nature.
If this is the case, check out our family-oriented all-inclusive Limak Hotels and Resorts!
- Limak Arcadia (Belek)
- Limak Atlantis (Belek)
- Limak Limra (Kemer)
- Limak Lara (Lara)
Thank you for checking out the best places to visit in Antalya; if we missed your favorite activity or attraction, let us know on Facebook.