Antalya is one of Turkey’s popular cities that has a lot to show travelers: a contrasting city with an old quarter, surrounded by forests and mountains with ancient Greek and Roman ruins, waterfalls and hiking trails.
It is located next to the majestic Taurus Mountains and is washed by the azure Mediterranean Sea. The beach season in Antalya lasts from May to September – during this period a real avalanche of tourists hits the resort. The rest of the time it is freer here: cold weather does not attract guests, but the temperature during the day does not drop below +14 °C. If a beach holiday does not interest you, it is better to visit the resort capital of Turkey in the off-season. After the excursion, you can always relax and bask in the spa centers with hammams.
Entry rules
Russians will only need a foreign passport to enter the country. Without a residence permit, you can stay in Turkey for up to 60 days within six months. The local currency is the Turkish lira, 1 TRY is equal to approximately four rubles.
How to get there
There are direct flights between Moscow and Antalya. Russian airlines Pobeda, S7, IrAero and Aeroflot fly for 5.5 hours, Turkish Airlines for 4.5 hours. Round-trip tickets cost from 20,000 rubles*.
Where to stay
Trend Suites — spacious apartments on the first line with a kitchen and a swimming pool, a room for one night costs from 4,800 rubles*.
Palmenhaus — cozy hotel in the center of the old town, rooms are designed in different style: from modern classics to lofts with graffiti-painted walls. A night in a standard room will cost at least 5,000 rubles*.
Afflon Hotels Loft City — small loft style hotel. A night in a suite with breakfast and a private jacuzzi costs from 7,900 rubles*.
Akra — five-star hotel with swimming pool, spa, fitness center and sea view. Prices for a deluxe room start from 7,900 rubles*.
Doubletree By Hilton Antalya City Center— five-star hotel with an indoor pool and panoramic views of the city. A night in a standard room costs from 10,700 rubles*.
Hadrian’s Gate Arc
Hadrian’s City Gate is located on Ataturk Boulevard in the center of Antalya. They were built in 130 AD in honor of the visit of Emperor Hadrian. This triumphal arch is worth seeing if only to see how it managed to survive so many centuries.
The gate, once part of the city’s outer walls, proves that history is more than just words in a book. They now connect two towers that were built independently of each other in different eras, almost 700 years apart.
Kaleici
This is a real gem of Antalya – the old quarter of the city, home to some of the best restaurants and nightlife. The cobbled streets form a labyrinth and wind past restored Ottoman mansions and other ancient buildings, which are now home to cafes, souvenir shops, Turkish carpet shops, concert venues and cozy boutique hotels. You can’t drive cars in the old town, so the walk will be calm and comfortable. It’s nice here even in the heat – on some streets there are umbrellas strung between houses.
Glass elevator
In Kaleici there are stairs that connect the old city with the new Antalya and lead to Republic Square, where there is an observation deck overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains. You can go up in a glass elevator with panoramic views of the harbor. It’s free, but there are queues during the summer season. The elevator is easy to find if you look from the pier – you will see a glass box going up along the stone wall. And if you get lost, ask passers-by about the “panoramic elevator” – that’s what the locals call it.
Kaleici Pier
The old town harbor is worth seeing not only from the observation deck, but also going down to it and strolling past the moored boats that gently sway as they await departure. There are many restaurants here with stunning views of the harbor where everyone can relax and enjoy fresh seafood.
The boats are there for a reason. Both private luxury yachts and public boats offer boat trips and sightseeing tours from the water. And there is a lot to see in Antalya from the sea – for example, the Duden Waterfalls.
Duden Waterfall
This cascade of waterfalls is a real miracle of nature. Its height is 45 m and it is the highest freshwater waterfall that flows into the sea. Getting to this amazing location is easy. Visit a natural park on top of a cliff where a river flows. The observation deck is located on the side of the waterfall, so you can only admire the view from above.
And to see all the beauty of the Duden Cascade, take a boat excursion in any port of Antalya. Such a trip costs about 350 TYR (about 1,400 rubles*) and lasts two to three hours. Most of the time is occupied by the road, but this does not interfere with the impressions. The boats sail so close to the cascade that splashes of water reach all passengers.
Karaalioğlu Park
Another attraction of Antalya near Kaleici is the seaside park. It is said to be one of the best places in the city center with impressive views of the Mediterranean Sea. Lush tree crowns and numerous fountains provide excellent relief from the heat, so in the park you can sit on a bench in the shade in any season. Toward evening, we recommend climbing the Khydyrlyk tower. And many people come to the park to admire the sunset.
Archaeological Museum
Two kilometers west of the old quarter stands one of the largest Archaeological Museums in Turkey. It contains ancient artifacts related to the civilizations of Lycia, Perge, Rome and Byzantium. The museum’s most famous collection is the “Hall of the Gods”, which features statues and busts of Zeus, Athena and Aphrodite.
The museum will appeal to visitors of all ages: there is an interactive children’s area for children, and for adults, the most important exhibits are marked with a red circle inside the display cases. Thanks to this, you can listen to an express audio guide only for key exhibits.
Entrance to the museum costs 90 TYR (about 360 rubles*), there is a free audio guide in English. The museum is open from 8:30 to 20:00, closed on Mondays.
Ruins of the city of Perge
The ruins of the Roman city of Perge are an open-air museum. There are long columns with mosaics on the sides, a swimming pool, two nymphaeums, a stadium, an ancient gate to the city, huge baths with marble trim, an agora with a fountain, a large Byzantine basilica with a mosaic floor and the Acropolis. It’s difficult to explore the city for a long time in the heat, so we recommend planning your visit in spring or autumn.
The entrance ticket costs 100 TYR (about 400 rubles*). You can download a free audio guide upon entering the park, and there are signs and explanatory signs throughout the park. All amenities are available in the museum: cafe, water and ice cream stalls and souvenir shops.
You can get there on your own from Antalya by tram that goes to Expo, get off at the Aksu stop. From there it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the ruins.
Kurşunlu Waterfall
Kurshunlu is located near the city in a large park. The waterfall forms a natural pool that is home to various freshwater animals. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are trails to explore the flora and fauna, and for the rest, there are picnic areas. The distance from the city makes this place quiet and less crowded than Duden Waterfalls.
Entrance to the park costs 12 TYR (about 50 rubles*), but only cash is accepted at the ticket office. There are no ATMs, shops or exchange offices nearby, so take small money in advance. Locals recommend visiting the waterfall in the off-season – at the height of summer it can dry out.
Güllük National Park
Located about an hour’s drive from the city. In the center of Gulluk National Park are the ruins of the ancient city of Termessos. At an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level there are numerous stone structures and imposing walls. The ancient theater is especially well preserved.
Since the city has not survived to this day, it is poorly equipped – there are no shops, cafes or amenities on site. Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy walking shoes. At the entrance they give you a map and detailed instructions in English on how and where you can go.
The cost of entry to the park is 15 TYR (about 60 rubles*). You can get there from Antalya by bus 506, the journey takes about an hour. From the stop to the entrance it’s a two-kilometer walk, and to the top with the ruins is another nine.
Amphitheater Aspendos
35 km from Antalya there is another Roman ancient city, which is much better preserved than Perge. Its main attraction is the amphitheater of the same name, which still hosts performances. In Roman times, the battles of the Persian fleets were fought here, and now the annual International Opera and Ballet Festival is held here, in which groups from all over the world take part.
The city area is well equipped – at the entrance there is a cafe with ice cream and soft drinks, and on the Aspendos stage itself you can watch a performance.
Entrance to Aspendos costs 60 TYR (about 240 rubles*). To get there on your own from Antalya, you need to take a bus from the central bus station to the city of Serik, and from there take a bus to Aspendos.
Cıralı Beach
Cirali or, as the locals call it, Olympos, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. It is framed by powerful trees, and the coastline is long enough, so there is always free space. Cirali differs from the usual Turkish beaches in its natural beauty and lack of the bustle of large resorts.
The secret of this place is that it is considered a nature reserve – large sea turtles lay their eggs here. Therefore, metal baskets are placed on the sand to protect the masonry. In August, early in the morning you can catch a miracle – see small turtles running to the sea.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
