One of Turkey's largest and finest archaeological museums, housing artifacts from the region's ancient cities including Perge, Aspendos, and other sites spanning thousands of years. The Hall of the Gods features remarkably preserved Roman-era statues, while the Children's Gallery houses unique child burial artifacts.
The Antalya Archaeological Museum, located on Konyaaltı Caddesi near the western edge of the city, is one of the largest and most significant archaeological museums in Turkey and houses an extraordinarily rich collection spanning from the Palaeolithic era through the Ottoman period. The museum's collection is drawn primarily from the ancient cities of the Antalya region, including Perge, Aspendos, Side, Xanthos, Myra, and dozens of smaller sites, reflecting the remarkable density of ancient civilization in the area. The Hall of the Gods, one of the museum's standout galleries, contains a series of over-life-size marble statues of Olympian deities excavated from the nymphaeum at Perge and displayed in a darkened, dramatic setting that emphasizes the sculptural quality. The emperor portraits gallery displays a sequence of realistic marble busts from the Roman period. The sarcophagi hall contains elaborately carved funerary monuments, including the Sidamara-type sarcophagus with scenes of mythological battles. The Perge Gallery displays findings from that site including architectural fragments, portraits, and decorative stone. A separate ethnographic section covers the Ottoman and post-Byzantine periods with traditional crafts, carpets, and domestic objects. The Children's Gallery, unique in Turkey, displays artifacts related to child burial and childhood in antiquity. The garden contains large architectural fragments and column capitals. Exhibits are well labeled in English. The museum is air-conditioned, making it a natural choice for the hottest part of the day. The museum is closed on Mondays; Tuesday through Sunday hours run from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Good to know
- Hours
- 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Tue-Sun), Closed Monday
- Best time
- afternoon
- Best for
- history lovers, families, art enthusiasts
Location
Konyaaltı Caddesi No:1, Konyaaltı, Antalya
36.8824, 30.6880 View on map
Highlights
- Hall of the Gods: over-life-size marble statues of Olympian deities excavated from Perge's nymphaeum
- One of Turkey's largest archaeological collections, spanning Palaeolithic to Ottoman periods
- Dramatically carved sarcophagi including Sidamara-type with mythological battle scenes
- Children's Gallery, the only dedicated child-archaeology display of its kind in Turkey
- Air-conditioned galleries providing cool refuge during Antalya's hot summer afternoons
Tips for visiting
- Air-conditioned interior perfect for hot afternoons
- Audio guides available for rent
- Photography allowed in most galleries
When to visit
Afternoon visits are ideal, as the air-conditioned galleries provide relief from the midday heat and most outdoor sites are most conveniently visited in the morning. The museum is least crowded on weekday afternoons outside the peak July-August season.
Accessibility
The Antalya Archaeological Museum is largely accessible for wheelchair users, with ramps at the main entrance, wide gallery corridors, and elevator access between levels. The garden area contains some uneven paving. Staff are available to assist at the entrance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Antalya Archaeological Museum take?
A thorough visit covering all galleries takes two to three hours. Visitors with a particular interest in specific periods or sites could spend longer; those with limited time can focus on the Hall of the Gods and the Perge galleries.
Is the Antalya Museum closed on any days?
Yes, the museum is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with last entry typically 30 minutes before closing.
Is photography allowed in the museum?
Photography without flash is generally permitted in most galleries. Some specific gallery sections may restrict photography; signs are posted at the entrance to each hall.