12 Must-See Things to Discover in Türkiye

Located on the southern coast of Turkey, Antalya is one of the main tourist destinations in the country. In this seaside resortyou will be able to enjoy the joys of the seaside but also find the traditional Turkish atmosphere in the maze of small authentic streets of the Kaleiçi district. Before you fly to this magnificent destination, we suggest you discover our selection of must-sees for visiting Antalya.

#1 The Kaleiçi district

The first must-see when visiting Antalya, the Kaleiçi district is quite simply the historic city center. In the old town, you will have the opportunity to stroll through a maze of small streets charming and enjoy all the authenticity of Antalya. In Kaleiçi, we advise you to take your time and get lost in the neighborhood as you wish. You will be able to admire the typical architecture of old Ottoman houseswalk the pedestrian streets or even have a Turkish coffee in a traditional establishment. You can also discover local crafts since many artisans have a small shop in the streets of Kaleiçi. During your visit to the historic center, don't miss the famous clock towerone of the symbols of Antalya. Also take the time to discover the Yvliminare and Kesik Minare mosques as well as the famous Hadrian's Gate.

#2 Hadrian's Gate

In the Kaleiçi district, Hadrian's Gate is a triumphal arch built in 130 to commemorate the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Superbly preservedthe building is made up of three arched arches and allows entry into the old town. To enjoy all the beauty of Hadrian's Gate, we advise you to take your time to admire the remarkable architecture of the whole and the details of the structure.

#3 Antalya Port

Below the historic district, the marina is a another unmissable place to visit Antalya. With its mix of luxury yachts and traditional boats, Antalya Marina offers a superb decor to walk, have a drink, eat seafood or admire a sunset. On a day when the climate in Antalya is pleasant, be sure to plan some time along the marina to enjoy it as you wish.

#4 The Antalya Archaeological Museum

Among the most beautiful visits to be made in the Turkish seaside city, the Antalya Archaeological Museum offers visitors a a real dive into the history of Turkey. By visiting this museum, you will be able to observe numerous pieces excavated during archaeological excavations in the region. These objects bear witness to different eras and the country's extremely rich history. From the Neolithic to the Byzantine Empire via the Gallo-Roman period, you will discover pieces from all periods and you will be able to better understand the history of the city during your visit. Founded in 150 BCE by the Pergamon king Attalus II, Antalya was later occupied by the Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottoman Empire before Turkey's independence.

#5 Place de la République

In the center of Antalya, Republic Square is the venue for all celebrations in the city. It is also a perfect place to take a break before continuing your exploration of Antalya. On the Place de la République, you cannot miss the Ataturk monument which was built in homage to Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkey.

#6 Düden Falls

Located about 10 km north of Antalya, the Düden Falls are among the spectacular natural places to admire in the region. Fed by the Düden River, these falls are actually made up of two parts. The upper falls are inland while the lower falls are by the sea. During your excursion, we especially recommend discovering the lower falls which flow into the sea from the top of a cliff. With the sublime surrounding nature around these falls which can reach 40 meters in height in some places, expect to be amazed.

#7 Antalya Bazaar

Another good idea for visiting Antalya, we recommend strolling through the historical city bazaar. You can discover an authentic atmosphere, numerous handicrafts and local food. Heading towards the Antalya bazaar will also allow you to test your skills. negotiation. To control your budget in Antalya, you can obviously negotiate everything before buying your souvenirs or local products in this traditional and colorful place.

#8 Antalya beaches

Antalya is one of the main seaside resorts in Türkiye. If you choose to visit Antalya, you can treat yourself to beautiful moments of relaxation on one of the city's beaches or pleasant swimming in the waters of the Mediterranean. You will indeed find many beaches in Antalya and its surroundings to enjoy on a day when the climate in Türkiye is sunny. If some are extremely busy like Örnekköy Beachothers are calmer like the superb beach of Lara Beach with its 12 kilometers of sand. Among the most famous beaches in Antalya, we can cite Örnekköy Beach, Konyaalti Beach, Marmara Beach and Lara Beach.

#9 Köprülü Canyon

If you like nature and thrills, we suggest heading towards the Köprülü canyon. Located north of Antalya, this natural canyon allows you to enjoy a beautiful rafting session and sublime landscapes. Please note, we advise you to go with professional supervision and to only do this activity if you have a minimum physical condition. The descent of the Köprülü canyon is in fact 14 kilometers long in the relatively rough waters of the Köprüçay river.

To fully experience nature, try the 400 km Lycian Way hike from Antalya!

#10 A day on a boat

For an idyllic day in the waters of the Mediterranean, we recommend renting a boat or enjoying a boat trip. You will be able to step back from the coast, marvel at magnificent landscapes and swim far from the crowds. Note that you can plan different excursions from Antalya to discover, for example, Cyprus or certain Greek islands.

#11 An excursion to Aspendos

Among the most beautiful excursions to plan during your visit to Antalya, we suggest the city of Aspendos. Located about 45 kilometers from Antalya, Aspendos is an ancient Greco-Roman town known for its superb ancient theater. The Greco-Roman theater of Aspendos is in fact the best preserved in all of Asia Minor. You can visit it and go back in time to when more than 12,000 people attended gladiator fights. Note that if you travel to Türkiye in September, the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival is held every year in the ancient theater.

#12 Other museums in Antalya

Beyond the Antalya Archaeological Museum that we have already presented to you, the city is home to many other very interesting museums. Among these cultural buildings, we advise you, for example, to visit theAntalya Museum. This museum is one of the largest in the country and traces the entire history of the region. We also recommend the Atatürk House Museumdedicated to Kemal Atatürk, the first president of the republic and the founder of Turkey. For an idea for an activity with children in Türkiye, you can visit the toy museum which will surely delight them. Still with your family, don't hesitate to head to the Antalya Aquarium.

And you, what are the must-sees that attract you the most when visiting Antalya? Before your next trip, do not hesitate to discover our advice for preparing a trip to Türkiye and for establishing your budget in Türkiye. Also take the time to organize a tailor-made program to discover other places in Türkiye such as Istanbul.