Antalya City Guide: Old Town, Harbour and Waterfalls

7 min read · Published: September 2, 2023 · Updated: October 29, 2026 · Prices and details checked: October 2026

Antalya works as a city break in its own right: the walled old town of Kaleiçi, a Roman gate, a first-rate archaeological museum and a harbour below the cliffs fit into two relaxed days. Most visitors only see the airport and a resort further along the coast. This guide covers the city itself, with the beach resorts left out on purpose.

Table of contents

1. What is there to see in Kaleiçi, the old town?
2. Why is Hadrian’s Gate worth a stop?
3. What does the Antalya Archaeological Museum offer?
4. How do you spend time at the harbour and the clifftop parks?
5. Can you visit Düden Waterfalls from the city?
6. What should you eat in Antalya?
7. Where do you stay and how do you get around?
8. FAQ
9. Plan your Antalya stay

What is there to see in Kaleiçi, the old town?

Kaleiçi is a walled quarter of narrow lanes, restored Ottoman houses and small courtyards above the old harbour. It is compact and fully walkable, and you cannot get lost for long because the walls and the sea frame it on every side.

Give it half a day. The streets are best in the early morning and after about five in the afternoon, when day-trippers have left and the stone cools down. Look for the Yivli Minaret, a fluted brick minaret from the Seljuk period in the 13th century, which has become the symbol of the city. Next to it you will find a mosque and a small exhibition space that belong to the same complex.

Many old houses are now guesthouses, cafés and craft shops. Prices in the shops near the main lanes are higher than a few streets away, so walk one lane further before you buy.

Why is Hadrian’s Gate worth a stop?

Hadrian’s Gate is a triple-arched marble gateway built in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who visited the city in 130 AD. It marks the old entrance to Kaleiçi from the modern town, and the carved details on the arches are still easy to read.

You pass through it on foot, so it takes ten minutes, not an hour. Come early or late for photographs without crowds. From here the lane leads downhill towards the harbour, which makes the gate the natural starting point for a walk through the old town.

What does the Antalya Archaeological Museum offer?

The Antalya Museum is the place to understand the region you are sitting in. Its collections cover everything from early settlements to the Roman and Byzantine periods, and it is known for statues recovered from Perge, one of the great ancient cities nearby.

It sits outside Kaleiçi, in the Konyaaltı direction, so take the city tram or a taxi instead of walking in summer heat. Check current opening days and ticket prices on the official museum page of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism before you go, as they change. If you plan to visit Perge afterwards, seeing the museum first is a good idea, because you will recognise what the ruins once held.

How do you spend time at the harbour and the clifftop parks?

The old Roman harbour sits at the foot of the cliffs and is the most atmospheric spot in the city around sunset. Fishing boats, tour boats and a row of cafés share the quay, and the cliffs rise directly behind it.

Above the harbour, Karaalioğlu Park runs along the clifftop with lawns, pines and wide views over the bay to the Taurus mountains. It is free to walk and cooler than the streets. The Hıdırlık Tower, a round Roman tower on the cliff edge, is a short walk away and makes a good viewing point at the end of the park.

Short boat trips leave from the harbour and show you the cliff face and the coast from the water. Agree the route and duration before boarding.

Can you visit Düden Waterfalls from the city?

Yes. Düden Waterfalls are inside the metropolitan area, and a visit is easy by taxi or city transport. There are two parts: the Upper Falls in a park north of the centre, and the Lower Falls, where the river drops over the cliff straight into the Mediterranean.

The Upper Falls are the more relaxed visit, with shaded paths and a river you can walk beside. The Lower Falls look best from the sea, so consider combining them with a harbour boat trip, or view them from the clifftop park. Water levels are lower in late summer and fuller in spring.

What should you eat in Antalya?

Start with Antalya piyaz, white beans dressed with tahini, garlic, vinegar and egg, which is a local speciality and appears in most traditional restaurants. Add şiş köfte, grilled minced meat skewers, and tandır, slow-cooked lamb, for a typical lunch.

Another local item is hibeş, a creamy tahini dip served with bread. For sweets, order künefe, a cheese pastry in syrup that is served hot, and try dondurma, the stretchy Turkish ice cream, in the evening.

For better value and food that locals eat, choose a lokanta (a simple restaurant with dishes displayed at the counter) away from the harbour front. The harbour is the place for the view, a drink or a fish dinner at a higher price, so decide before you sit down which of the two you want.

Where do you stay and how do you get around?

For a city break, stay in or next to Kaleiçi so that everything is on foot. Guesthouses in restored houses suit couples and short stays. Hotels along the edge of the old town offer lifts and air conditioning, which helps in summer. Resort hotels in Lara or Konyaaltı suit you better if the beach is the main aim, and they are a short ride from the centre.

The city has a tram line, buses and taxis. Ask for the meter to be used in taxis. Antalya Airport lies outside the city, so confirm the transfer option with your hotel before arrival. For trips to ancient Perge, Aspendos and Side, see our guide to the Turkish Riviera, which covers those sites as part of the coast. If your budget matters, our tips for cheap travel in Turkey show where to save.

FAQ

Plan your Antalya stay

Decide first whether you want the old town or a beach resort as your base, then choose the dates around spring or autumn. Travelissimo books hotels, flights and packages for Turkey, and you can send us your dates through our booking page.

Image credits: Erik Karits, Unsplash; Stefan Gogov, Unsplash; Pixabay / Hans; Gulin Esen, Unsplash