10 Most Popular Tourist Attractions In Antalya: Turkey’s Land of Legends

Antalya is a wonderful city in Turkey that sits on the Mediterranean coastline. There is a wealth of picturesque tourist attractions in Antalya. The city is admired by tourists for offering a range of stunning beaches, incredible coastlines, breathtaking waters, and much more.

Nonetheless, its historical locations are worth visiting and it will surely give you a heavenly experience. However, most visitors prefer to avoid historic attractions and consider hitting the beaches.

Antalya is one of those Turkish cities that not only represents modern Turkey but also the numerous civilizations that once lived here.

Read along to know more about the 10 highly rated tourist attractions in Antalya including some of the magical natural wonders.

10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions In Antalya

Goynuk

Goynuk is one of the most admired tourist attractions in Antalya. It offers the most idyllic natural wonders with plenty of hiking trails.

Situated in the Kemer region of Antalya province, Goynuk is also one of the most popular holiday spots in Antalya.

It is now designated as a natural adventure park where you can indulge in a range of activities such as canyoning safari, rafting, paintball, and many more.

There are several beaches in Goynuk which are considered ideal for sunbathing and swimming.

Apart from this, Goynuk is known for its lively night scene making it the most entertaining spot for nightlife in Antalya.

Things To Do:

Canyoning
Swimming
Sunbathing
Rafting
Zip Fly
Cable Car Tour

Best Time To Visit:

Location: Kemer

Kaleici

Kaleic is an ancient town of Antalya situated in the Mediterranean region. The historic town represents the history of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.

The city’s main center of attraction is a cobbled street encompassed by several stone houses, cafes, and parks.

Furthermore, there are a plethora of historical sites in Kaleici including Kesik minarets alongside some ruins of Seljuk, Ottomans as well as Greek.

Kaleici was one of the main centers of trade in the East Mediterranean for several years. The town witnessed numerous development including buildings and roads after becoming the Roman State in the 1st century.

Highlights:

Hadrian’s Gate
Yivli Minaret Mosque
Kesik Minaret
The harbor

Location: East Mediterranean

Karst Springs

Karst Springs is a gorgeous natural setting which is houses limestone farms, sinkholes, and waterfalls.

The formation of these lime deposits first occurred a million years ago, which later resulted in the creation of a pool deck.

You can find Karst springs in regions like Pinarbasi and Kirkgoz in the northwestern part of Antalya. The most popular Karst Springs is the Dudenbas which outpours the canyon.

Without a doubt, these Karst Springs are visiting for a perfect Instagram picture.

Best Time To Visit: Mid-September to Early September

Location: Pinarbasi/Kirkgoz/Dudenbas

Karaaliouglu Park

One of the most remarkable tourist attractions in Antalya is the breathtaking Karaalioglu Park. Just like most tourist sites in Antalya, the national park is worth visiting if one is seeking Instagram worthy picture.

Not only this, Karaaliouglu Park is an ideal spot for a picnic with the family. Here you’ll have one of the most beautiful picturesque views of majestic mountains and the Mediterranean sea.

There is a Roman tower dating back to the 2nd century that sits at the top of the park.

Though, it is still unknown for what purpose this tower was built except for some who call it a watchtower or lighthouse.

Today, it is a great location for spotting sunset or enjoying panoramic views of the old harbor.

Visiting Hours: 24 Hours

Notable Highlights:

Hidirlik Tower
Ataturk House Museum

Location: Kiilincarslan MH, Park SK

Also Read: 10 Most Beautiful Mosques In Turkey That Are Not To Be Missed

Perge

Situated east of Antalya, the Perge is yet another ancient site in Turkey with an abundance of ruins and impressive architecture.

The city is believed to be settled by Hittites in 1500 BC and was later invaded by Alexander the Great. It witnessed the imperial period of the Roman Empire for the first three centuries A.D.

Perge is widely popular for being a significant city among Christians during the era of the Byzantine Empire.

All the ancient ruins are accessible to visitors including the Greco-Roman theatre and the Perge Stadium. The Perge stadium used to accommodate 12,000 people at once till 1946.

The most popular site to take pictures of is the massive gate of Hellenistic due to its unique structure and historical significance.

Notable Highlights:

Perge Stadium
Hadrian’s Garden
The Hellenistic Gate
Roman Theatre
Colonnaded Street

Best Time To Visit: March to May

Location: 18 km from Antalya and 2 km from Aksu Village.

Saklikent

If you are traveling during winters, then consider visiting the ski resort of Saklikent which is just 30 km away from Antalya.

Saklikent is considered an ideal place to visit in Antalya for those seeking an adrenaline rush.

Now a national park, it covers a massive area of 1,643 hectares and will surely leave you awestruck with wild rivers rapids, wonder vegetation, high cliffs, and natural springs.

For food lovers, there is a range of restaurants near the canyon offering traditional food and the famous Turkish drink “Ayran”.

Do spend time in the hot spring water which is quite beneficial for the skin and may prevent several skin-related diseases.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM

Entrance Fee: 10 Turkish Lira

Notable Highlights:

Dumanlidag Mountains
Natural Mud Ponds
Forests

Things To Do:

Rafting
Canyoning
Bungee Jumping
Ziplining

Best Time To Visit: April to November

Location: Kayadibi, Saklıkent Sokak

Kaputas Beach

Kaputas is one of the most stunning sandy beaches not only in Antalya but also in Turkey. Kaputas is not less than a paradise for beach lovers surrounded by high cliffs and blue waters.

To come here, take the staircase leading downwards from the coastal road. The beach area is unspoiled making it a perfect destination for swimming and sunbathing.

The temperature here is usually cool due to the presence of spring waters. These waters are as deep as 8 meters to 10 meters.

During the peak season, you can hire sunbeds and umbrellas without paying any extra cost. Showers and changing rooms are also available.

Those looking for refreshments should not be worried as their several snack bar caters near the beach site.

Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Location: 20 km from Kas/ 7 km from Kalkan

TerraCity Antalya

One of the biggest malls in Antalya, TerraCity houses more than 200 stores including outlets of some international brands.

There is a diverse range of products available within the mall complex such as jewelry, clothing, toys, gadgets, etc.

The mall opened in 2011 and since then it is among the top highlights in the city for both locals and travelers.

Among the top brand outlets in TerraCity include Armani, Adidas, Jack & Jones, Douglas, and various others. Besides this, they're more than 30 restaurants and food outlets in the food court zone.

Opening Hours: 10:00 till midnight

Top Food Outlets:

Burger King
Pizza Hut
KFC

Top Clothing Brands:

Zara
Adidas
Armani
H&M
Douglas

Location: Tekelioglu

Kursunlu Waterfalls

Kursunlu Waterfalls is around 12 km away from the city of Antalya and is situated within the Kursunlu Nature Park.

It originated from the Aksu River which flows all over the countryside before falling into the turquoise pool.

The wonderful serene spot is surrounded by lush vegetation, a natural pool, and a wall of water.

If you are accompanied by your family then Kursunlu waterfalls is a place not to be missed. There are various playgrounds for kids and several playing rooms for kids within the park.

For the Best photography session, come early in the morning as it is lesser crowded during that time.

Best Time To Visit: March to May

Visiting Hours:

April to October: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
November to March: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Cost:

Adult: 12 Tl

Highlights:

Hidden Caves
Waterfall Ponds
Main Park

Location: Aksu

Also Read: 10 Most Beautiful National Parks in Germany To Visit For Adventure Lovers

Taurus Mountains

If you are tired of visiting beaches and islands, then do check out the Taurus Moutain range. Taurus covers a total area of 560 km in the Mediterranean region and is bordered by the Anatolian plateau.

The mountain was formed after the collision of African and European plates.

Plan a Jeep tour which will take you within the mountains encompassed by pine forests and hidden villages.

Best Time To Visit: April to October

Location: Southern Turkey on Mediterranean Coast