Things to do — Antalya

Antalya offers a diversity of experiences on 4 pillars: old town, beaches, waterfalls, ancient sites nearby.

Kaleiçi (old town): Hadrian's Gate (free, iconic photo), Yivli Minare (fluted Seljuk, city symbol), Roman port turned marina (1h to full-day boat cruises, €15-50/person, swimming and lunch on board possible), boutique hotels and gastronomic restaurants (Vanilla, Castle Café Restaurant). 3-4h visit.

Antalya Archaeological Museum — one of Turkey's best museums: exceptional Roman sarcophagi (Heracles of Antalya), statues from Perge, mosaics from Zeugma. Entry 350 TRY (€11). 2h.

Antalya beaches: Konyaaltı (west, sand + pebbles, 5 km, exceptional mountain backdrop, free public beach with seaside restaurants and bars, 10 min by taxi from Kaleiçi) and Lara (east, fine sand, 12 km, 5-star resort hotels, public access to Lara Beach Park).

Düden Waterfalls: Lower Düden (in Lara, 40 m high, falls directly into the sea from the cliff — rare phenomenon, visible from seaside or by excursion boat). Upper Düden (14 km north of Antalya, green park, walk behind the waterfall possible). Entry 50 TRY (€1.50).

Ancient site excursions: Aspendos (best-preserved Roman theatre of the ancient world, 15,000 seats, 40 km/45 min), Termessos (ancient city perched at 1,050 m, never conquered by Alexander, 30 km/45 min), Phaselis (ruins on 3 turquoise bays, swimming, 60 km/1h), Side (iconic Apollo temple by the sea at sunset, 75 km/1h15), Olympos and Chimera (1h, hippie beach + eternal flames).

Mount Tahtalı cable car (50 km west, Tahtalı Telefefik): ascent from 700 to 2,365 m in 10 min, exceptional panoramic view of Mediterranean coast. €35-50/person round trip.

Kekova cruise (from Demre or Kaş, 2-3h drive): partially submerged ancient city, ruins visible through transparent turquoise waters, stop at Kaleköy village. €30-60/person with lunch.