Antalya is Turkey's premier Mediterranean resort province, stretching along the stunning Turquoise Coast and offering a captivating blend of ancient ruins, dramatic waterfalls, and pristine beaches. The region is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world alongside luxurious all-inclusive resorts and a vibrant old town.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Aspendos & Perge Ancient Cities
Combine two of the Mediterranean's finest ancient cities in a single day: the world-best-preserved Roman theatre at Aspendos (47km east) and the excellently preserved colonnaded city of Perge (17km east). Both sites are accessible and manageable in 2-3 hours each.
Highlights: Aspendos Theatre - 15,000-seat Roman theatre from 155 AD · Perge - colonnaded main street · Perge stadium (largest in ancient world) · Perge city walls and gates
Side Ancient City & Manavgat Waterfall
The charming ancient city of Side is built among Greco-Roman ruins with a spectacular Temple of Apollo at the water's edge, a well-stocked museum in a Roman bath, and excellent beaches. Add the nearby Manavgat Waterfall (10km away) for a perfect half-day pairing.
Highlights: Temple of Apollo at sunset · Side Museum in Roman bath · Ancient theatre and agora · Manavgat river-wide waterfall · Side beach for swimming
Köprülü Canyon White-Water Rafting
One of Turkey's premier outdoor adventures, Köprülü Canyon offers Grade 3-4 white-water rafting through a spectacular 14-mile gorge with 400m limestone walls. The ancient Roman Oluk Bridge spans the canyon and beekeeping villages sell incredible local honey along the route.
Highlights: 14km rafting run through spectacular gorge · ancient Roman bridge · local honey tasting · canyon swimming holes · zipline option
Termessos Mountain City
The spectacular mountain city that resisted Alexander the Great sits at 1,050m in Güllük Dağı National Park. A 500m hike through cedar forest leads to remarkably well-preserved ruins including theatre, necropolis, agora, and temples. One of Turkey's most atmospheric and least visited ancient sites.
Highlights: 1,050m elevation views · ancient theatre with mountain backdrop · 2,000-year-old necropolis · cedar forest hike · often shrouded in morning mist
Alanya - Castle, Caves & Cleopatra Beach
The resort city of Alanya offers a full day of sightseeing: the magnificent Seljuk fortress with its Red Tower, pirate and lovers cave boat tours, Damlataş stalactite cave, and the legendary golden Cleopatra Beach. One of the most comprehensive day trips from Antalya.
Highlights: Alanya Castle with 83 towers · Red Tower museum · sea cave boat tours · Damlataş Cave · Cleopatra Beach swimming
Kaş & Kekova Sunken City
The charming harbor town of Kaş with its Lycian rock tombs and tiny ancient theatre combines beautifully with a boat trip to the sunken Lycian city of Kekova where ancient ruins are visible through crystal-clear water. Turkey's premier sea kayaking destination.
Highlights: Kaş Lycian rock tombs · ancient Greek theatre · Kekova sunken ruins from glass-bottom boat · crystal-clear Kaş diving waters · harbor restaurants
Pamukkale Cotton Castle
Turkey's most photogenic natural wonder - bright white calcite terraces cascading down a hillside with warm mineral pools - combined with the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis. A long day trip from Antalya but one of Turkey's most iconic sights.
Highlights: white travertine terraces with bathing pools · Hierapolis ancient city · Hierapolis archaeological museum · ancient thermal bath swimming
Phaselis & Kemer
The ancient city of Phaselis with three harbors and ruins you can swim around sits within pine forest on the coast. Combine with the resort marina town of Kemer for lunch and afternoon relaxation. Alexander the Great wintered here and the setting is extraordinary.
Highlights: Phaselis three-harbor ruins · swimming in ancient harbor · pine forest setting · Roman theatre and agora · Kemer marina lunch
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from hotels and travel agencies run from $30-90 per person including transport, guide, and often lunch; convenient but less flexible
- Private
- Private car hire with driver from $80-120/day; excellent for combining two or three sites
- Public
- Dolmuş minibuses connect Antalya to Side (every 30 min), Kemer (every 30 min), Alanya (every 30 min); from Doğu Garajı terminal
- Rental
- Car rental from $30/day; essential for Termessos, Phaselis, and the Kaş-Kalkan coastal route
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
For Aspendos and Termessos, start early (8 AM) to beat tour groups and avoid the worst midday heat
The Aspendos + Perge combination is best done independently by car for flexibility
Köprülü Canyon tours are nearly always better value than going independently as transport is included
Book Pamukkale tours the day before from hotels; it's a long but rewarding day
The Kaş-Kekova route is best done with a 1-2 night stay to fully appreciate the area