Antalya in 7 Days: A First-Timer's Itinerary with Perge, Aspendos, Side and Alanya

Stroll the narrow lanes of Kaleiçi to get your bearings, passing Ottoman houses, small mosques and quiet little squares between the main streets Hesapçı Sokak and Uzun Çarşı Sokak.

Walk under the marble arches of Hadrian’s Gate, the 2nd‑century Roman entrance to the old city, and check the carved details that locals rush past on their daily commute.

Head down the cobbled slope to Antalya’s old harbor, watch local fishermen and tour boats loading up for cruises, and find a shady bench overlooking the teal water.

Book a short sunset cruise from the old marina to see Antalya’s cliffs and city skyline from the water, a relaxed, touristy but still lovely introduction to the coast.

Join a guided tour of the Antalya Museum to see spectacular Roman statues from Perge, delicate mosaics and artifacts from ancient Pamphylia that give context to your day trips.

Walk the seafront paths of Atatürk Parkı for sweeping views of the cliffs and the Beydağları mountains fading into the distance, with locals out for a jog or an afternoon tea.

Head back toward the center to see the fluted Yivli Minaret, a symbol of Antalya, and step quietly into the mosque courtyard to watch everyday prayer routines.

Wander the clifftop Karaalioğlu Park, where dog walkers, teenagers and older couples share paths beneath pines, with viewpoints looking over the bay and small tea gardens.

Join a small-group guided tour from your hotel that bundles Perge, Aspendos and Side, so you don’t have to juggle transport or tickets between the ancient sites.

Walk the colonnaded streets of Perge, past ruined baths, the stadium and fallen columns while your guide explains how this once‑wealthy Pamphylian city thrived.

Stand at the top row of Aspendos’ incredibly preserved Roman theater and test the acoustics while your guide points out original stone seating and the stage building.

Arrive in coastal Side to wander its compact old town, Roman theater remains and the sea‑hugging Temple of Apollo columns at the tip of the peninsula.

Browse the covered and open-air lanes of the old bazaar, comparing spices, textiles and copperware, and practice your bargaining with patient (and sometimes pushy) vendors.

Head to a neighborhood food market such as Antalya Friday Market or a weekly pazar to see heaps of olives, cheeses, herbs and chatter between regulars.

Hop on the tram line from the center toward the suburbs to watch everyday Antalya life passing by: students, commuters and families juggling shopping bags.

Join a full-day guided excursion from Antalya to Alanya, with transport included, to explore the castle, harbor and coastal viewpoints without stressing about logistics.

Explore the fortifications of Alanya Castle on the rocky peninsula, stopping at viewpoints over Cleopatra Beach and the harbor that justify the drive from Antalya.

Walk down to the 13th‑century Red Tower and the harbor area, where pirate boats, souvenir stands and cafés cluster along the waterfront.

If time allows, join a short coastal boat trip from the harbor to sea caves and viewpoints along the cliffs, popular but still scenic.

Join a guided hike-and-history tour from Antalya to Termessos, a ruined mountain city set inside a national park with sweeping views and cooler air.

Climb through pine forest paths to reach the theater of Termessos perched on the cliff, then wander the agora, tombs and city walls half-swallowed by nature.

Stop at the upper Düden Waterfalls on the way back, walking the shaded paths and viewing platforms to watch the water crash through a lush green canyon.

Head to the coastal park overlooking the lower Düden Waterfall, where the river tumbles straight off the cliff into the Mediterranean with Antalya’s suburbs behind you.

Take a half-day organized trip or shuttle along the coastal road to Kemer, passing beaches and pine forests as the mountains squeeze closer to the sea.

Walk along Kemer’s marina and seafront promenade, watching boats prepping for cruises and locals grabbing coffee with a backdrop of steep green hills.

Join a shared boat tour from Kemer to swim stops and small bays, with lunch on board and plenty of time to float in bright turquoise water.

Back in Antalya, take a final slow wander through Kaleiçi’s lanes to pick up any last-minute gifts and imprint the atmosphere in your memory.