How Many Days In Antalya Is Enough?

If you are planning to visit this beautiful city, you might be wondering how many days in Antalya you will need to see the best of its attractions.

Scenically located on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, Antalya is the fastest-growing city in the country. A great mix of traditional culture and sun-soaked beaches makes it popular with tourists from around the world.

Will 2 days be enough to see the main sights and get a feel for the atmosphere? Or should you plan for longer?

The easiest way to decide is to consider how much you’re prepared to pack into each day.

If you don’t mind visiting attractions back to back – with very little downtime in between – then you could see quite a bit of Antalya in 2 days.

But if you’d like a more relaxing visit, then we’d recommend a stay of 3 or even 4 nights.

How To Decide How Long To Stay In Antalya

To help you plan the ideal length of your visit to Antalya, we’ve put together this simple guide.

As well as offering recommendations for the best things to see in the city, it outlines the factors you need to consider when creating an itinerary.

We’ve also suggested how long to set aside for each activity. This will help you plan to see your favorite attractions at a comfortable pace.

Time Of Arrival, Hotel Check-In Time, And Time Of Departure

When deciding how many days for Antalya you’ll need, the first things you’ll need to think about are your arrival and departure times. A late arrival time won’t allow for much sightseeing on your first day, so that’s something you’ll need to take into account.

Similarly, an early departure time on your last day will limit what activities you can do. So consider adding an extra night if necessary.

You will also need to plan what to do with your luggage if your arrival time is much earlier than your check-in time. After all, it’s not much fun dragging your bags around with you!

The same will apply on your departure day, if you need to vacate your accommodation ahead of the time you actually leave the city.

In most cases, your accommodation provider will be happy to store your bags for you, either before or after check-in. It’s a good idea to clarify this in advance and check if a fee is involved.

If you are unable to leave your bags at your hotel, then you have a few other options.

A storage service and lockers are available at Antalya airport. These are located in Terminal 1 and the Domestic Terminal (Arrivals Hall).

Alternatively, you can find plenty of online companies through whom you can book storage at various locations throughout the city. This is often the easiest option and ensures your spot in advance!

Activities In Antalya

There are lots of cool things to do in Antalya so don’t wait until you get there before deciding which ones to pick! Be organized and plan your schedule in advance.

That way, you’ll know exactly how much time you’ll need to do all the things you want to.

Don’t forget to factor in the time spent traveling between destinations. You’ll also need to account for time spent queuing, particularly in June, July, and August when the number of visitors is high.

Pace Of Activities

If you like to do things at a relaxed pace and have the time to linger in places that interest you, we’d recommend spending 3 or 4 nights in Antalya. Trying to squeeze lots of activities into less time might feel stressful, defeating the object of a vacation!

But if you have plenty of energy and want to see as much as possible in a short space of time, you might find that 2 days in Antalya are all you need.

Transportation

Knowing how you’ll get around is a big consideration when deciding how many days in Antalya is enough.

Fortunately, you have several options. The one you choose really depends on how much you want to spend, and how much time you want to allow for travel.

The bus is the cheapest option. What’s more, the service is efficient and the buses are comfortable.

You need to buy a bus card to use them, which you can find at kiosks near the major bus stops. You can also use your bus card on the trams.

If you want to reach each destination a little more quickly, then you could use a local taxi. This will, of course, be more expensive, especially if you travel late at night when the fares can be twice as much as during the day.

For more independence, consider renting a bike, or even an electric scooter. These are ideal for shorter distances and you simply need to download an app from the relevant company to use one.

What To Do In Antalya

Here are some of Antalya’s best attractions. We’ve indicated the ideal amount of time to spend at each one, which will make it easier to plan your itinerary.

Hadrian’s Gate And The Old Town

Hadrian’s Gate is a white marble triumphal arch dividing modern Antalya city from The Old Town, Kaleici. It was built in honor of the Roman Emperor Hadrian following his visit to the city in 130 AD.

Its condition is amazing considering its age. This is probably because it wasn’t revealed until the city walls built around it finally collapsed.

After admiring the gate, take the time to stroll through the winding streets of Kaleici, a protected area filled with historical buildings and picturesque houses. It surrounds the old Roman Harbor which now houses a modern marina packed with lovely restaurants.

Suggested time: 2 hours

Antalya Museum

This archaeology museum is an absolute ‘must-see’ when in Antalya, with one of the best collections of Greco-Roman artifacts in the world.

Here you can see in situ archaeological excavations, carved sarcophagi, mosaics, prehistoric items found in the Karain Cave, and much more.

The Hall of Ceramics is particularly fascinating, filled with exhibits from the Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. It’s interesting to see how styles and techniques developed over time!

Suggested time: 2 to 3 hours

Ruins of Olympos

Turkey has an impressive collection of ancient ruins, most of which belonged to the Lycian empire. The Ruins of Olympos are a great example, located right beside a village with the same name.

Set amidst a dense forest, the ruins date back to the Hellenistic period but were abandoned in the 15th century. You can see the sarcophagus of a seafarer named Captain Eudemos near the entrance and a dried-up riverbed where ships would have once sailed inland.

You can also see the ruins as part of a jeep safari tour, which includes a swim at Olympos Beach and dinner.

Suggested time: 2 hours, or 8 hours for the jeep safari tour

Termessos And Duden Waterfalls

Another fascinating archaeological site can be found at Termessos, an ancient Pisidian city built 1,000 meters above sea level.

Join a tour to explore the ruins and see the rare plants and animals in and around the area, all of which are under the protection of the Termessos National Park.

The ruins are quite spectacular, with a fire lookout tower, theater, temples, and lower city walls all still visible.

From there, the tour takes you to the awesome Duden Waterfalls, where the water rushes down from the mountains and into the Mediterranean.

Suggested time: 6 hours

Konyaalti Beach

This is one of the most famous beaches in Antalya and starts at the cliffs of the Old Town. The shore is a mixture of fine pebbles and sand whilst the waters are clean and perfectly clear.

The amenities are extensive, with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and changing facilities all available. There are also plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and children’s playgrounds, making this a great place for the whole family to visit.

Suggested time: Minimum 3 hours

Karain Cave

The Paleolithic archaeological site of Karain Cave has UNESCO World Heritage status and is composed of a complex of caves with many chambers. It is located around an hour from Antalya by car.

This is the largest cave in Turkey to have been inhabited and is where the first Anatolians lived.

You can see ancient drawings and tools here, along with fossilized human and animal bones.

Suggested time: Under 1 hour

Traditional Turkish Bath And Massage

You simply cannot leave Antalya without experiencing the delights of a hammam. This is a type of steam bath designed for cleansing and relaxation.

We recommend booking a complete experience that combines a session in the sauna and steam room with a full-body aromatherapy oil massage.

Suggested time: 2 hours

Final Thoughts On Antalya Getaways

So, how many days do you need in Antalya to see the best of its attractions at a pace that suits you?

We hope this guide has been helpful in deciding on the length of your stay and that you enjoy your time in this beautiful and welcoming city.

If you are traveling here soon, we recommend using an itinerary to make the most of your time in Antalya.

Visiting Turkey soon? Read one of the following guides:

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