Best Day Trips from Antalya 2025
Discover the best day trip destinations and excursions from Antalya.
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 10 Day Trips
The best excursions from Antalya.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day Trips by Distance
Plan based on how far you want to travel.
Under 1 Hour
Quick Escapes
Termessos (37km by car), Perge (17km), Upper Düden Falls (12km) - accessible for half-day trips
1-2 Hours
Easy Day Trips
Aspendos (47km), Side (75km), Kemer/Phaselis (55km) - ideal full-day trips with dolmuş or car
2-4 Hours
Full Day Adventures
Alanya (133km), Köprülü Canyon (90km), Kaş (193km) - early start needed for day trips
4+ Hours
Extended Trips
Pamukkale (280km) - consider overnight; Cappadocia (450km) - fly or overnight bus
Complete Day Trips Guide
20+ destinations with detailed itineraries and transport info.
Getting There
Transport options for day trips.
Guided 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 Car & Driver
Private car hire with driver from $80-120/day; excellent for combining two or three sites
Public Transport
Dolmuş minibuses connect Antalya to Side (every 30 min), Kemer (every 30 min), Alanya (every 30 min); from Doğu Garajı terminal
Self-Drive
Car rental from $30/day; essential for Termessos, Phaselis, and the Kaş-Kalkan coastal route
Tours vs. Independent Travel
Decide the best approach for you.
🎫 Organized Tours
- ✓ All logistics handled
- ✓ Expert guides with local knowledge
- ✓ No navigation worries
- ✓ Often includes meals
- ✓ Meet other travelers
- ✗ Fixed itinerary
- ✗ Less flexibility
- ✗ Larger groups
- ✗ Higher cost
🚗 Independent Travel
- ✓ Complete flexibility
- ✓ Set your own pace
- ✓ Can be cheaper
- ✓ Personalized experience
- ✓ Spontaneous discoveries
- ✗ Navigation challenges
- ✗ Language barriers
- ✗ More planning required
- ✗ Miss expert insights
Day Trip Planning 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
Explore Beyond Antalya
Get our complete day trips guide with detailed itineraries, transport guides, and insider tips.
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