Antalya: when to go and what to see besides the beach

Antalya is good for more than its beaches. Near the city are Roman theaters, waterfalls and mountain ruins. Here are the months to choose, and what to add to the program if a week on the sand starts to wear thin.

Weather by season

According to Wikivoyage, the climate is Mediterranean:

• Summer. Hot, sunny and without rain. Usually 30-35 degrees by day, sometimes above 40. Great for the beach, hard for excursions.
• Winter. Mild, but with downpours, storms and strong wind. Too cold to swim.
• April, May, October, November. The best time for sightseeing in the city and around it: warm, but without exhausting heat.

In practice: if you want the sea and a hotel, take June or September. If excursions matter more, look at spring and autumn. In autumn it is worth watching weather news and keeping some slack in your schedule.

What to see near the city

• Kaleici. The old town with its harbor and narrow streets. A good evening: a walk, dinner and sunset over the bay.
• Duden waterfalls. The Lower Duden falls into the sea from a height of about 40 meters, while the Upper Duden comes out of karst tunnels. You can get there on bus KL08, which runs through the center.
• Perge. The ruins of a Roman city about 15 km to the east: a colonnade, a theater and a stadium.
• Aspendos. A well-preserved Roman amphitheater for about 7,000 people, around 40 km from the city near Serik.
• Termessos. An ancient city high in the Taurus mountains among the forest. You need comfortable shoes and a supply of water.

Perge and Aspendos are often combined into one day trip. Excursions are sold by hotels and local agencies, but you can also go on your own or hire a taxi for a few hours.

How to plan a week

1. Three days of beach to rest after the flight.
2. One day for Kaleici and the waterfalls, unhurried.
3. One day of antiquity: Perge and Aspendos.
4. One more day for the mountains or a trip along the coast, for example to Kemer.

Where to stay so that everything is close: Antalya areas, beaches and where to stay. To compare resorts, see Kemer, Belek or Side.

Flights and prices

The season also affects the price of the flight. Look for the cheapest dates in the HotTrip flight search, which also lets you compare options from your city.

Frequently asked questions

Which month is best for Antalya?

For the sea, June and September. For excursions, April, May, October and November.

Can I swim in November?

Sometimes, but the weather is unstable. Bring backup plans in case of wind and rain.

How far is it to Aspendos and Perge?

Perge is about 15 km and Aspendos about 40 km from the city. The road takes less than an hour each way if there is no traffic.

Do I need to rent a car?

Not necessarily. Excursions and taxis solve the question, but a car is convenient if you want to explore the surroundings on your own.

What should I bring on excursions?

A hat, water, comfortable shoes and sunscreen. For mosques and temples you need covered clothing.

Cover: photo by Emrah AYVALI on Pexels