Antalya, once the Roman port of Attaleia, is today the sun-drenched gateway to Türkiye’s “Turkish Riviera.” Within minutes you can pass from marble gates raised for Emperor Hadrian to a yacht-studded marina where the Taurus Mountains meet the sea. Ancient theaters still host summer performances, while café-lined alleys whisper with Ottoman-era courtyards.

Beyond the old city, waterfall-fed parks, pebbled beaches, and pine-clad canyons frame a coast made for lingering. Day trips lead to Perge, Aspendos, and Side—classics of Pamphylia—while glass-bottom boats skim above the sunken Lycian harbor of Kekova. It’s history you can swim next to.

Expect generous Turkish breakfasts, grills and mezes that linger into the night, and regional specialties like Antalya’s tahini “piyaz.” Summer is hot and dry; carry water, sunscreen, and a hat. Local trams are easy, taxis are plentiful, and tours simplify longer excursions. Most sites take cards, but small change is handy for markets and beach loungers.

Antalya

Antalya blends living museum and resort town. Kaleiçi, the walled old quarter, folds Roman gates, Seljuk minarets, and Ottoman houses into a compact maze that spills to a pretty marina. West lies long Konyaaltı Beach beneath the mountains; east, Lara Beach’s golden arc and lively beach clubs.

• Top sights: Hadrian’s Gate, Hıdırlık Tower, Antalya Museum (one of Türkiye’s best archaeology collections), Düden and Kurşunlu Waterfalls, Konyaaltı and Lara beaches, Aspendos Theatre, Perge, Side, Phaselis, Termessos (weather/park status permitting).
• Why go now: Spring and autumn bring warm seas, green hills, and quieter ruins. Summer is all about long, bright days on the water.
• Food to try: Tahinli piyaz with köfte, fresh sea bream and bluefish, gözleme, sac kavurma, and goat-milk “burnt” ice cream (yanık dondurma).

Where to stay: For hotels and apartments, browse Hotels.com Antalya and VRBO Antalya.

• White Garden Hotel (Kaleiçi): Atmospheric Ottoman-style house with a quiet courtyard, perfect for old-town wandering. Book via Hotels.com.
• Rixos Premium Belek: A polished, family-friendly all-inclusive with a broad beach and strong dining. Book via Hotels.com.
• Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort: A splurge-worthy resort with standout suites and a top golf course. Book via Hotels.com.

How to get there: Antalya Airport (AYT) has frequent flights. For flights to/from Europe, compare on Omio. For flights from non‑European origins, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From Istanbul, it’s about 1h20 by air; from London, roughly 4h30.

Day 1: Arrival, Kaleiçi First Look, and Marina Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Head through Hadrian’s Gate into Kaleiçi’s cobbled lanes. Pop into Yivli Minaret square and browse small ateliers for ceramics and copperware. Coffee break at The Sudd Coffee (Old Town) for Turkish coffee or a flat white.

Evening: Descend to the old marina for golden-hour views. Dinner at Arma Restaurant (terrace above the harbor; order grilled sea bream, atom meze, and seasonal salads). For a more casual vibe, try Pio Gastro Bar & Bistro for meze plates and wood-fired pita. Nightcap at Castle Cafe & Bistro near Hıdırlık Tower—great lights over the bay.

Day 2: Antalya Essentials Tour (Old Town, Boat Trip, Waterfalls)

Full-day tour: Cover the city’s highlights efficiently on this guided experience:

Antalya: City Tour with Boat Trip, Old Town & Waterfalls

This typically includes hotel pickup, Old Town walk, a short boat cruise from the marina, and time at Upper/Lower Düden Waterfalls. It’s a smart Day-2 overview, especially if you arrived late on Day 1. Bring a hat and water; paths by the falls can be misty.

Evening (post-tour): Dine at Seraser Fine Dining in a restored mansion—think lamb shank with Aegean herbs and a local wine list. Dessert tip: Try goat‑milk “yanık dondurma.”

Day 3: Perge, Aspendos, and Side—Roman Days by the Sea

Full-day tour: Step into antiquity on a classic triangle of ruins and a waterfall stop:

Perge, Aspendos, Side and Waterfall Full Day Tour

Wander Perge’s colonnaded streets and stadium; stand center-stage at Aspendos, one of the world’s best-preserved Roman theaters; then stroll Side’s seafront Temple of Apollo. Expect 8–10 hours with hotel pickup. Wear grippy shoes and bring small cash for fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice.

Evening (back in town): Feast at Antalya institution 7 Mehmet near Konyaaltı: grilled lamb chops, “piyaz” with tahini, and seasonal mezes. If you prefer seafood, book Lara Balık for meze spreads and daily catch.

Day 4: Museum, Konyaaltı Beach Time, and a Traditional Hamam

Morning: Explore the Antalya Museum (check hours; many museums close Mondays). Don’t miss the Roman sarcophagi hall and statues from Perge. Coffee stop at Vanilla in Kaleiçi for pastries, or grab simit from a local bakery.

Afternoon: Make for Konyaaltı Beach. The pebble shore is crystal-clear; rent loungers near Beach Park for showers and cafés. Late lunch at Piyazcı Ahmet for Antalya-style tahini bean salad with köfte—a local classic.

Evening: Unwind with a Turkish bath (hamam) ritual—warm marble, full-body scrub (kese), and foamy wash. Bring a swimsuit if you prefer; most places provide pestemal towels and slippers. After, stroll Karaalioğlu Park for twilight views, then dinner at Mermerli Restaurant perched above the tiny cove of Mermerli Beach.

Day 5: Kekova’s Sunken City, Demre & Myra—Lycian Legends by Boat

Full-day tour: Head west along the coast for ruins-and-blue-sea perfection:

Sunken City Kekova, Demre, and Myra Day Tour from Antalya

Visit rock-cut Lycian tombs at Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas, then cruise above Kekova’s submerged harbor on a glass-bottom boat. Pack swimwear for the turquoise coves and a light cover-up for churches. It’s a long, spectacular day (often 11–12 hours).

Evening: Back in Antalya, keep it simple: grab a casual dinner at Şişçi Ramazan’ın Yeri (skewers and ayran) or mezes and a grilled sea bass at Balıkçı Meyhanesi Kaleiçi.

Day 6: Green Canyon Cruise and Mountain Lake Lunch

Full-day tour: Trade saltwater for a serene mountain reservoir near Manavgat:

Green Canyon Boat Trip w/Lunch From Antalya

Glide between cliffs, spot eagles, and swim off the boat in emerald water. It’s an easy, family-friendly day; bring a light jacket for breezes on deck. Many tours include hotel pickup and a lakeside lunch.

Evening: Return to the city and try Serpme kahvaltı-for-dinner (yes, it’s a thing) at a garden café in Doyran or order sizzling sac kavurma at a neighborhood ocakbaşı grill.

Day 7: Lara Beach, Lower Düden Clifftop, and Last Bites

Morning: Relax at Lara Beach where fine sand and shallow entry suit swimmers. Choose a club with umbrellas and showers; order fresh orange juice and gözleme.

Afternoon: Taxi 15 minutes to the clifftop park by Lower Düden Waterfall where the river thunders straight into the Mediterranean—spectacular photos at midday. Grab a late lunch at Lara Balık (meze parade and grilled octopus) or wood-fired pizza at Il Vicino if you’re craving something non-Turkish.

Evening: Last stroll through Kaleiçi for keepsakes: hand-painted bowls, olive-oil soaps, lokum. Dinner at Seraser if you missed it, or go casual with çiğ köfte wraps and a pistachio baklava finale. Depart in the afternoon or evening—AntRay tram and taxis get you to AYT efficiently.

Optional swap-ins if you want more action or pampering:

• Adrenaline: Antalya Combo Tour 3 in 1: Rafting, Quad Bike, Zipline for a full-day thrill.
• City overview alternative: Antalya: Old City Tour w/Cable Car, Boat, Waterfall & Lunch.

Practical tips: The AntRay tram connects the airport with the city center; buy reloadable cards at stations. Termessos (if you add it) is steep and can close in high fire risk—check status. In peak summer, start early for ruins and retreat to the sea in the afternoon.

Food & coffee shortlist to keep handy:

• Breakfast/coffee: The Sudd Coffee (Kaleiçi), Vanilla (pastries), neighborhood börek shops for cheese-and-parsley börek.
• Lunch: Piyazcı Ahmet (tahini bean salad + köfte), Mermerli Restaurant (sea views), Pio Gastro (modern meze).
• Dinner: Arma (marina views, seafood), 7 Mehmet (classic Turkish), Lara Balık (seafood meze).
• Sweets: Goat‑milk ice cream stands in Kaleiçi; baklava from Gaziantep-style patisseries around İsmetpaşa tram stop.

Getting in and out: For Europe routes, compare fares on Omio. For global options beyond Europe, search Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Travel insurance is wise for boat and outdoor activities.

Summary: In one sun-filled week, you’ll trace Antalya’s timeline from Roman colonnades to Ottoman courtyards, swim beneath cliffs where rivers meet the sea, and idle away long lunches of meze and grilled fish. With day tours to Perge–Aspendos–Side, Kekova’s sunken city, and Green Canyon, the Turkish Riviera reveals both its history and its deep-blue heart.