Antalya Travel Guide 2026: Beaches, Old Town and the Turkish Riviera

Antalya is the capital of the Turkish Riviera, a city of nearly all-year sun between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean. It has a walled old town above a Roman-era harbor, one of the best archaeological museums in the country and a ring of ancient cities within day-trip distance. Many visitors only see the beach resorts around it. The city itself and its ancient sites repay a few days.

Antalya at a glance

Detail	Summary
—	—
Best for	Old town, ancient cities, beaches, a Riviera base
Time to allow	3 to 5 days (our suggestion)
Best months	April to June and September to November
Airport	Antalya (AYT)
Base	Kaleiçi (old town), Konyaaltı or Lara for beaches

What to see

Kaleiçi

Kaleiçi is the old town, inside city walls from several periods, and it includes Hadrian’s Gate, built around 130 CE. About 3,000 tile-roofed houses stand inside the walls, many now guesthouses, cafés and restaurants. Walk down the lanes to the harbor at sunset.

Antalya Museum

The Antalya Museum is the city’s archaeological museum, with finds from the ancient cities of the region. It makes a good half-day before or after an excursion to one of them.

Perge

Perge is about 18 to 20 km east of the city center. Visitors see a colonnaded street, a Roman bath, a stadium and a long aqueduct. It is easy to reach and good in the morning.

Aspendos and Side

Aspendos has a theatre that is among the best preserved monuments of its type in the ancient world, and Side, on the coast, has a temple of Apollo and the largest theatre in the area. Both can be combined in a long day.

Termessos

Termessos is a mountain city in the hills northwest of Antalya, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Türkiye, which resisted Alexander the Great. It is a walk up steep paths, so wear good shoes.

Olympos and the Chimaera

Olympos is an ancient city by the sea about 85 km southwest of the city center. The Chimaera, flames that burn from the rock at Yanartaş, is nearby and best seen at dusk. The Lycian Way passes through the area. See our Mediterranean coast guide.

Antalya in four days (suggested plan)

Day 1. Kaleiçi, Hadrian’s Gate and the harbor.
Day 2. Antalya Museum and a beach afternoon.
Day 3. Perge, Aspendos and Side.
Day 4. Termessos, or Olympos and the Chimaera.

When to go

Antalya has a Mediterranean climate: very hot, dry summers and mild but very wet winters, with December rainfall above 250 mm. April to June and September to November are the best months. July and August highs exceed 34°C.

Month	Average high (°C)	Average low (°C)	Rainy days	Sunshine (hours a day)
—	—	—	—	—
Jan	15	6.1	12	4.9
Feb	15.6	6.4	10	5.7
Mar	18	8.1	9	6.7
Apr	21.4	11.3	6	7.9
May	25.7	15.3	5	9.7
Jun	30.8	19.7	3	11.1
Jul	34.2	22.9	1	11.7
Aug	34.1	22.9	1	11.1
Sep	31.2	19.6	2	9.7
Oct	26.6	15.4	5	7.8
Nov	21.4	10.9	8	6.3
Dec	16.7	7.7	12	4.8

Source: Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), Antalya station, 1930 to 2025.

Getting there and around

Antalya Airport (AYT) is one of the busiest in the country, with the city and the resort strip close by. Buses and tram lines run in town, and rental cars, tours and taxis cover the ancient sites. The city is also a cruise port. See our getting around guide.