Antalya in 7 Days: The Turkish Riviera from Kaleici to Pamukkale

Day one is check-in and getting to know historic Antalya.

Morning

Antalya Airport is one of Turkey's largest. Taxi to the center 300-500 lira, the HAVAS bus 80-100 lira. Check into a hotel or apartment in Kaleici (the old town) — the best base. Historic houses inside Roman walls, narrow streets, the marina.

After check-in — straight to Konyaalti Beach (3 km of pebble beach on the Mediterranean) or Lara Beach (sandy, 12 km, more crowded). Water in July hits 28-29°C / 82-84°F — ideal.

Breakfast: cafe Kaleici Restaurant or any of the many spots in the old town. Turkish breakfast: menemen eggs, cheeses, olives, honey, fresh tomatoes, bread, and bottomless cay.

Day

Walk through Kaleici: the Old Harbor with yachts and fishing boats, Hadrian's Gate (a triumphal arch from 130 AD), the Hidirlik Tower with views over the bay. It's all compact — you'll cover everything on foot in 2 hours.

Lunch: restaurant Yemenici (Kilicarslan Cad.) — kebabs, meze, fresh pide. Or just street corn and a simit by the harbor.

Evening

Dinner at one of the rooftop restaurants in Kaleici — views over the lit-up harbor. Try tavuk sis (chicken skewer) and grilled swordfish with meze of grilled eggplant and haydari.

Waterfalls in the city — an unusual start to a beach day.

Morning

The Upper Duden Waterfall (Duden Selalesi) is 15 km from the center, taxi 150-200 lira. The Duden river forms a scenic canyon and falls into an artificial lake. Park entry is free, cafe by the waterfall. Almost empty in the morning.

The Lower Duden Waterfall — the river falls straight into the sea from a 40 m cliff. View it from a boat tour (500-800 lira per person, 2 hours) or from a free observation deck.

Breakfast: at the cafe by the Upper waterfall or bring your own.

Day

Lara Beach (Lara Plaji) — wide, golden sand, 12 km long. Major hotels and paid beach zones are here (200-400 lira for lounger + umbrella + entry), but there are free sections too. Calm water, no waves. Ideal for kids.

Lunch: at a hotel beach restaurant or grab gozleme (flatbread with cheese and spinach) from a street vendor — 50-100 lira.

Evening

Back to Kaleici. Evening stroll through the old town bazaar — leather goods, spices, dried fruit, Turkish lamps. Dinner at Vanilla (Ugur Mumcu Mahallesi) — one of Antalya's best, modern Mediterranean cuisine.

The most photogenic trip: cotton castles and ancient Hierapolis.

Morning

Pamukkale is 200 km from Antalya — organized tour (1,200-2,000 lira, departure 6:30) or a rental car (5-6 hours round trip). Arrive at Pamukkale by 10:00, before the heat and the crowds.

The white limestone terraces with hot mineral water are a natural phenomenon that's been forming for thousands of years. Walk the terraces barefoot (mandatory to protect the limestone) — bring a towel.

Breakfast: on the bus or at a cafe in Pamukkale on arrival.

Day

Hierapolis (the ancient Greco-Roman city) sits on the hill above Pamukkale — entry is included in a combo ticket with the terraces (about 20-25 euros). The 12,000-seat theater is beautifully preserved, plus the necropolis with sarcophagi and the colonnaded main street. Allow 1-1.5 hours.

Cleopatra's Pool (Antik Havuz) — a natural hot pool among ancient columns. Entry around 25 euros, but the experience is unique: swimming over marble ruins in 36°C / 97°F thermal water.

Lunch: a restaurant in Pamukkale — meze, grills, fresh vegetables.

Evening

Back to Antalya. Dinner and an early bedtime — long day.

A pure beach day — rest after the packed trips.

Morning

Head to Alanya — a resort city 130 km from Antalya. Dolmus from Antalya bus station — 100-130 lira, 2 hours. Or a rental car.

In Alanya: Cleopatra Beach (Kleopatra Plaji) — one of the most beautiful spots on the Turkish Riviera. Fine pebbles, crystal-clear water, a scenic headland with the castle behind. Lounger + umbrella 200-300 lira, a free section is also available.

Breakfast at one of the cafes on Alanya's promenade — try pismaniye (Turkish floss candy with flour, an Alanya specialty).

Day

After the beach — the Alanya Castle (Alanya Kalesi) on the headland: bus or 30-minute walk up the switchbacks. Entry around 10 euros. The view from the castle over the coast is a full 360 degrees.

The Red Tower (Kizil Kule) by the promenade — Alanya's symbol, built in 1226. Entry around 5 euros, you can climb to the top.

Lunch: a fish restaurant by the promenade. Balik ekmek right at the dock or a full meal of local sea bass with meze.

Evening

Back to Antalya. Dinner at home or one of the promenade restaurants — you've earned the rest.

Active day: canyon, trekking through water, and sea caves.

Morning

Goynuk Canyon (Goynuk Kanyonu) — 30 km from Antalya toward Kemer. Dolmus or taxi 300-400 lira. Trek through the canyon with river crossings on small benches, scenic cliffs. Full route: 4-6 hours, easy version: 2 hours to the first waterfall. Entry ticket 500 lira.

Bring: water shoes or sandals (the floor is slippery by the water), a change of clothes, water.

Breakfast: bring your own or eat at the cafe at the canyon entrance.

Day

After the canyon — Kemer (5 km from Goynuk): a small resort with a marina and cozy cafes. Kemer beach with views of the Taurus Mountains — prettier than Antalya's. Swim and rest.

Lunch: a restaurant in Kemer — seafood, meze.

Evening

The Sea Caves of Kemer (Fosforlu Magara) — a boat tour along the rocky coast with a swim into the glowing caves. 1.5-2 hours, 500-800 lira. Bring a snorkeling mask.

Dinner in Kemer or back to Antalya.

An ancient city right on the beach — a unique spot on the Turkish Riviera.

Morning

Side — 75 km from Antalya, dolmus 80-100 lira, 1.5 hours. An ancient city with columns preserved right on the shore. The Temple of Apollo stands at the water's edge — one of the most beautiful views in the Mediterranean. Entry to the ancient zone is free.

Breakfast: a cafe in Side's old town. Try gozleme from the local grandmothers who cook right on the street.

Day

The beach in Side — two beaches on opposite sides of the peninsula. Western (Bati Plaji) is quieter and longer. Eastern (Dogu Plaji) is near the center, with hotels. The water in Side is slightly warmer than in Antalya (the Mediterranean is shallower here).

Sites: Side Theater — one of the largest in Asia Minor (17,000 seats), next to the bazaar. Entry around 10 euros. Side Museum — sculptures from local excavations.

Lunch: restaurant Ocakbasi in the old town — open-fire kebabs with sea and column views.

Evening

Sunset at the Temple of Apollo — six Corinthian columns against the Mediterranean in orange light. One of the most beautiful photos you'll ever take. Dinner by the sea. Back to Antalya.

Final day — shopping and the best beach for the last.

Morning

The Antalya Bazaar (Kalekapisi Bazaar) in Kaleici — leather goods, Turkish lamps, carpets, spices, textiles. Bargain: starting prices are inflated 50-100%. Good shopping targets: a Turkish pestemal towel, natural olive-oil soap, spices (isot, urfa biber, doner-kebab blend), fig jam and lokum.

Breakfast: at a cafe in the bazaar or from simit vendors.

Day

Last beach day at Konyaalti Beach with views of the Taurus Mountains (a unique combination: snow-capped peaks plus the Mediterranean). The amusement park by the beach is great for those with kids. For adults — just the sea and palm shade.

Lunch: a beach cafe or Tekne Restaurant (Konyaalti Sahil) — fresh grilled fish right on the beach.

Evening

Farewell dinner at Pio Ristorante (Hesapci Sokak 30, Kaleici) — Mediterranean cuisine with old town views. Or Hadrianus with its rooftop terrace by Hadrian's Gate. Order sea bass in sea salt and a bottle of Turkish white "Cankaya" from Kavaklidere.

Buy at the airport: Turkish tea "Caykur," baklava, finely-ground Turkish coffee, and lokum — the best edible souvenirs from Antalya. Duty-free alcohol prices are lower than in the city.