Old Town, Waterfalls, Highlights
Which sights in Antalya will immediately captivate you
1.1 Mini orientation
1.2 How to plan your day without stress
Kaleiçi: Old town flair, alleys and hotspots
2.1 The best start
2.2 Experience Kaleiçi properly
2.3 The finale that always works: Old Harbour (Kaleiçi Marina)
Waterfalls around Antalya: Düden & Kurşunlu as natural highlights
3.1 Düden Waterfalls: What is the difference between Upper and Lower Düden?
3.2 Kurşunlu Waterfall
3.3 How to plan your day around the waterfalls
Antalya highlights outside the old town: views, beaches & culture
4.1 Konyaaltı Beach: coast, promenade and quick break by the sea
4.2 Antalya Museum: cultural highlight and perfect break from the heat and hustle and bustle
4.3 Tünektepe: the view over the city and coast
4.4 If you still have time: the best day trips from Antalya
Getting to Antalya: how to get there relaxed – and start sightseeing straight away
5.1 Arriving at Antalya Airport (AYT)
5.2 Transfer from the airport: which option is really worthwhile
5.3 With LEAV to Antalya
6.1 Which sights in Antalya are worth seeing if I only have one day?
6.2 When is the best time to visit Kaleiçi and Hadrian’s Gate (without the crowds)?
6.3 Düden or Kurşunlu – which waterfall should I choose?
Which Sights in Antalya Will Captivate You Instantly
Antalya combines the old town (Kaleiçi), nature (waterfalls) and the sea in a small area. This is precisely why Antalya’s sights are so popular: you can walk through historic alleys, enjoy nature and watch the sunset by the water in the evening, all in one day.
Mini Orientation
If you’re unsure where to start, this mini checklist will help: If you’re looking for an old town feel, then Kaleiçi is the place for you – including classics such as Hadrian’s Gate and lots of little photo spots in the alleys. If you’re more into nature, it’s best to plan a trip to the Düden Waterfalls or the Kurşunlu Waterfall to get away from it all and take a deep breath. And if you prefer to take it easy, combine the most important highlights with breaks by the sea – for example, with a detour to the coast and a sunset to finish.
How to Plan Your Day Without Stress
The most relaxing way to do this is to plan your route in blocks: Kaleiçi in the morning, while it is still pleasantly empty and you can enjoy the alleys in peace. In the afternoon, a natural highlight such as the waterfalls is perfect for a change of scenery before heading to the sea or a viewpoint in the evening – ideal for golden hour, photos and a peaceful end to the day.
Which sights in Antalya will immediately captivate you
1.1 Mini orientation
1.2 How to plan your day without stress
Kaleiçi: Old town flair, alleys and hotspots
2.1 The best start
2.2 Experience Kaleiçi properly
2.3 The finale that always works: Old Harbour (Kaleiçi Marina)
Waterfalls around Antalya: Düden & Kurşunlu as natural highlights
3.1 Düden Waterfalls: What is the difference between Upper and Lower Düden?
3.2 Kurşunlu Waterfall
3.3 How to plan your day around the waterfalls
Antalya highlights outside the old town: views, beaches & culture
4.1 Konyaaltı Beach: coast, promenade and quick break by the sea
4.2 Antalya Museum: cultural highlight and perfect break from the heat and hustle and bustle
4.3 Tünektepe: the view over the city and coast
4.4 If you still have time: the best day trips from Antalya
Getting to Antalya: how to get there relaxed – and start sightseeing straight away
5.1 Arriving at Antalya Airport (AYT)
5.2 Transfer from the airport: which option is really worthwhile
5.3 With LEAV to Antalya
6.1 Which sights in Antalya are worth seeing if I only have one day?
6.2 When is the best time to visit Kaleiçi and Hadrian’s Gate (without the crowds)?
6.3 Düden or Kurşunlu – which waterfall should I choose?
Kaleiçi: Old Town Charm, Alleyways and Hotspots
If there’s one area of Antalya you really want to ‘feel’, it’s Kaleiçi. This is where you get that typical holiday feeling: cobbled streets, small courtyards, bougainvillea over balconies – and every few minutes a spot that automatically makes you stop in your tracks. Best of all, the main highlights are so close together that you can easily explore Kaleiçi on foot.
The Best Start
Hadrian’s Gate is not only a photo spot, but also the perfect ‘entrance’ to the old town. If you start here, you will almost automatically end up in the most beautiful alleys, instead of having to search for them first. It’s best to do this early in the morning, because there are usually far fewer people around and Kaleiçi still feels really relaxed.
How to Experience Kaleiçi Properly
The most common mistake in Kaleiçi: rushing through because everything looks so appealing. Be smarter: consciously walk through 2–3 side streets without a destination, instead of just taking the main routes. That’s where you’ll find the corners that feel like ‘your Antalya’: small cafés, quiet courtyards, mini boutiques – and those perspectives that immediately scream ‘holiday’ in photos.
The Perfect Finale: Old Harbour (Kaleiçi Marina)
If you only explore Kaleiçi up to the point where you think, ‘Okay, that was nice,’ you’ll miss the best part: the Old Harbour (Kaleiçi Marina). It looks impressive from above, and below you get that coastal feeling right in the middle of the city. Perfect for a break, a drink or just to sit down for a moment and realise, ‘Okay, now I’ve really arrived.’
Our mini route:
Hadrian’s Gate → drift through Kaleiçi (side streets) → Clock Tower/Saat Kulesi as a quick landmark → viewpoint above the harbour → Old Harbour (Kaleiçi Marina) to finish
Waterfalls Around Antalya: Düden & Kurşunlu as Natural Highlights
After Kaleiçi, the waterfalls are the quickest way to get away from it all. There are two main places to visit around Antalya: the Düden Waterfalls (with upper and lower spots) and the Kurşunlu Waterfall. If you’re only planning one nature trip, this is the place to go.
Düden Waterfalls: What Is the Difference Between the Upper and Lower Düden?
The Düden Waterfalls consist of two separate spots. The Upper Düden is located in a park with lots of greenery and shade. Here you can relax, take photos from different perspectives and take a breather. The Lower Düden is the more spectacular part because the water here falls directly into the sea – this is the spot for the ‘wow’ moment and the most impressive pictures. Important to know: These are not two spots right next to each other, but two different locations that you have to visit separately.
Kurşunlu Waterfall
The Kurşunlu Waterfall feels more like a ‘little nature trip’. Instead of the city and coast, here you get wooded surroundings, walking trails and a quieter setting. This makes it particularly pleasant if you’ve already walked around the old town a lot and just want to incorporate a bit of nature that doesn’t feel like a ‘tourist checkpoint’.
How to Sensibly Plan the Waterfalls into Your Day
The waterfalls are best visited in the afternoon, after you’ve spent the morning in Kaleiçi. This way, you can enjoy nature when the old town gets busier and still have time in the evening to visit the coast, enjoy the view or go out for dinner. If you don’t have much time, it’s better to plan a visit to one waterfall rather than rushing to see several spots. And here’s another tip that really helps: take water and allow for some extra time, because you almost always end up staying longer than you think.
Antalya Highlights Beyond the Old Town: Views, Beaches & Culture
Once you’ve ticked off Kaleiçi and the waterfalls, all that’s left is the part that makes Antalya complete: a bit of coastline, a good viewpoint and – if you feel like it – a cultural highlight for in between. It’s precisely this mix that ensures your list of sights in Antalya doesn’t just remain ‘old town + waterfall’.
Konyaaltı Beach: Coastline, Promenade and a Quick Break by the Sea
Konyaaltı Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Antalya and is especially great if you want to combine sightseeing with the sea. You don’t have to spend the whole day here – often a short detour is enough to take in the coast, have a drink or just relax for a while. The long promenade is also practical: you can stroll along it, take photos and slowly wind down the day. If you want to plan your day efficiently, Konyaaltı is particularly suitable as an evening stop after a full programme, because you can then move straight on to dinner or your accommodation.
Antalya Museum: Cultural Highlight and the Perfect Break from Heat & Hustle
The Antalya Museum is the best place to go if you want to learn more about the region in addition to seeing the classic sights in Antalya. It’s also a great place to visit when it’s hot outside, as you can take a break in the pleasant air-conditioned environment. You can keep your visit short and still learn a lot – ideal if you don’t plan on spending hours in museums but want to add a cultural highlight to your trip. Especially after visiting the old town and waterfalls, the museum adds variety and rounds off your trip to Antalya.
Tünektepe: The View over the City and Coast
Tünektepe is worth a visit if you want to see Antalya from a bird’s eye view. From above, you get a completely different feel for the city, the coastline and the mountains in the background – and that’s exactly why it’s a great way to end the day. Tünektepe is especially worthwhile later in the day, when you no longer want to ‘tick off items on your itinerary’ but simply want to enjoy a clear view and take a good photo. It’s best to plan so that you can go straight to dinner or back to your hotel afterwards.
If You Have More Time: The Best Day Trips from Antalya
If you are staying in Antalya for more than two or three days, it is worth taking at least one day trip – simply because it will give you a completely different impression of the region. The important thing is to plan one trip properly rather than rushing through three spots. These three destinations are classics because they are easy to reach from Antalya and offer something really special:
Perge – the classic ancient site (easy to plan, lots to see)
Perge is ideal if you want to see ancient ruins without it being too complicated. You get a real ‘city feeling’ from ancient times because you are walking around a large area and can easily imagine how it used to be. Perge is particularly suitable if you have already celebrated Kaleiçi and want to experience an even stronger historical contrast.
Aspendos – a must-see because of the theatre
Aspendos is mainly visited because of its famous Roman theatre – and that’s exactly the point: you don’t have to be a culture fan to be impressed by it. The theatre is extremely photogenic and looks much bigger in person than in pictures. If you just want one ‘wow’ cultural spot in the area, Aspendos is often the best choice.
Termessos – the upgrade for those who want nature + history
Termessos is less of a ‘quick stop, quick photo’ and more of an excursion that feels like an adventure. The ruins are located in a mountainous area, which is more pristine and often much quieter than the classic spots. However, you’ll need to allow a little more time and energy, as it’s not as convenient as Perge/Aspendos. If you enjoy walking and like the combination of nature and ruins, Termessos is a great choice.
Getting to Antalya: How to Arrive Relaxed and Start Sightseeing Straight Away
If you don’t want to waste any time visiting the sights in Antalya, a lot depends on your arrival: when will you arrive, how quickly can you get to your hotel, and how close are you to the old town, waterfalls and coast?
Arriving at Antalya Airport (AYT)
Antalya Airport (AYT) is the main arrival point for the region and is located in such a way that you can get to the city or the coastal areas relatively quickly. To ensure that your first day is not ‘just about travelling’, it is worth choosing a flight that does not arrive late in the evening. If you land in the morning or at midday, you can often visit Kaleiçi on the same day.
Transfer From The Airport: Which Option is Really Worthwhile
Depending on your accommodation, you can get from Antalya Airport (AYT) to your holiday destination fairly quickly. The easiest and usually fastest way is by taxi or private transfer, especially if you are travelling with luggage or want to set off immediately after landing.
- Taxi / private transfer (direct & fast)
- AYT → Kaleiçi (old town): approx. 15–25 min
- AYT → Konyaaltı: approx. 22–35 min
If you want to travel more cheaply, you can also use public transport, but depending on the connection and destination, it usually takes longer and is not always convenient with suitcases.
- Public transport (cheaper, but usually longer)
- Depending on the connection and destination: approx. 30–45 mins
- Important note about the time of day
- In the morning, the times are often at the lower end of the range.
- Late afternoon can mean significantly more traffic – it’s better to allow for a little extra time.
With LEAV to Antalya
If you’re planning a trip to Antalya, you can start your journey directly via LEAV and check out suitable flight options. This way, you can quickly take the first step towards the sun – and once you’re there, you can focus directly on Kaleiçi, the waterfalls and the most important highlights. A little bonus: feel free to check out our social media channels – on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, there are occasional competitions and travel updates that may be useful for your trip.
FAQ
Which sights in Antalya are worth seeing if I only have one day?
If you only have one day, this itinerary works best: Kaleiçi (including Hadrian’s Gate and the narrow streets) in the morning, then down towards the Old Harbour (Kaleiçi Marina). In the afternoon, plan a visit to a natural spot (ideally the Düden Waterfalls, as they are the most famous). In the evening, round off the day with Konyaaltı or a viewpoint so that you have not only ‘seen’ Antalya, but also ended the day in a relaxed manner.
When is the best time to visit Kaleiçi and Hadrian’s Gate (without the crowds)?
Early morning is best for Kaleiçi and Hadrian’s Gate, as there are usually far fewer people around and you can explore the alleys at your leisure. Later in the day, it often gets busier (especially when there are lots of day visitors). If you want to take photos, the morning is also more convenient, as you can get peaceful shots without crowds more quickly.
Düden or Kurşunlu – which waterfall should I choose?
If you can only manage one, go for the ‘classic’ Düden Waterfalls, as they are one of the most famous natural highlights around Antalya and can easily be incorporated into a day of sightseeing. Kurşunlu is particularly worthwhile if you are looking for a quieter nature trip and would rather go for a walk than just make a quick photo stop. The ideal approach is to choose one and allow enough time for it, rather than rushing to ‘tick off’ both.