This article may contain compensated links. Learn more in our disclaimer.
What are the best day trips from Antalya?
Antalya is a popular resort city in Turkey. A lot of people traveling to Turkey visit Antalya. It’s a popular destination for package holidays in Turkey. And, if you ask me, it’s also an interesting destination for independent travelers. For solo travelers, couples or families with kids. There are a lot of things to do in Antalya — there’s something for everyone.
Here you can see our favorite walks and hikes in Antalya.
Below are 6 great Antalya day trips you can book online.
More: Best Hotels in Antalya For Every Budget (For Independent Travelers)
Table of Contents
Great Day Trips From Antalya, Turkey
What are the options? What Antalya excursion you must not miss?
Check out some of the coolest day trips Antalya has to offer.
1. Perge, Side, Aspendos & Waterfalls (click for more details)
A sightseeing day trip to Perge, Side, Aspendos and Kursunlu Falls.
Overall, one of the very best day trips from Antalya.
Not many people know that, but Antalya has some very impressive historical sites. On this day trip you are going to visit three of the most impressive Roman ruins in Antalya. It’s basically an Antalya Roman ruins day trip. With chilling by a waterfall at the end of the day. I, personally, have been to Perge and Aspendos and I can highly recommend those places. You can visit Perge and Aspendos on your own too (more time consuming).
By the way, Perge is the biggest of the three and the more popular. This ancient town is also the easiest to get to Roman ruins near Antalya.
DURATION: 9 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Visiting the ancient town of Perge
- Aspendos theater
- Kursunlu falls
2. Full Day Antalya – Pamukkale Tour (click for more details)
Pamukkale tour from Antalya (long day trip).
It’s a very long trip. And it’s also one of the most popular Antalya trips / excursions. A lot of people do a day trip to Pamukkale from Antalya, despite the long travel time. During the day trip you stop at several ancient sites. However, the highlight of the trip is Pamukkale with its impressive snow-white cliffs. The only other similar place in the world is in Oaxaca, Mexico (Hierve el Agua).
DURATION: 12 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Swimming in the thermal pools (Pamukkale)
- Ancient Hierapolis
3. Taurus Mountains Jeep Safari (click for more details)
A full day jeep tour from Antalya (partly off-road).
One of the more fun and adventurous Antalya sightseeing tours.
Tourism hotspots isn’t your thing? Or maybe you just want something more adventurous? And you aren’t afraid to get dirty. Then this off-road jeep safari is a great option to check out. You don’t visit any of the top Antalya tourism hotspots on this tour, you head to small villages instead. And go swimming in a waterfall.
DURATION: 8 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Off-road driving
- Visiting small local villages
- Ucansu waterfall
4. Full-Day City Tour of Antalya (click for more details)
An all-in-one Antalya day tour with a boat ride.
There are many options for boat trips from Antalya harbour. The harbour is right next to the old town. This day tour gives you a little bit of everything — you go on a sightseeing tour through the old town, there is a boat ride, and you visit both the Upper and Lower Duden waterfall. By the way, the latter you can also easily visit on your own, it’s in the city.
DURATION: 10 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Visiting Antalya Old Town
- Upper and Lower Duden waterfall
- Boat ride
5. Whitewater Rafting in Köprülü Canyon (click for more details)
A full-day excursion with white water rafting in Antalya.
One of the more adventurous boat trips Antalya has to offer. Paddling through the fascinating scenery of Köprülü Canyon. Then swimming in crystal clear spring water. And afterwards chilling in the nature. In short, this is what your day can look like in Antalya. It isn’t only about 5-star resorts, lounging by a pool and endless cocktails here in Antalya.
DURATION: 7 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Rafting near Antalya
- Swimming
- Taurus mountains
6. Antalya City Tour and Duden Waterfalls (click for more details)
An full-day Antalya day tour with a boat ride.
It’s a tour that’s very similar to number 4. One of the all-in-one Antalya day tours where you see a bit of everything, from walking through the old town to going on a boat trip to visit an impressive waterfall (Lower Duden waterfall, known also as Karpuzkaldiran waterfall). You also visit the Upper Duden waterfall on this trip. Lunch is included.
DURATION: 8 hours
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Visiting Antalya Old Town
- Upper and Lower Duden waterfall
- Boat ride
Our Best Antalya Travel Tips
Antalya is one of our favorite cities in Turkey.
In 2021, we spent two weeks in Antalya. Half of the time we were in the city, another half — exploring the surroundings. And we loved it. We loved to see how modern Antalya is. How walkable it is, and also how cyclable it is (not everywhere, but great for tourists). There are also many interesting things to do and places to visit in Antalya. Here are some of the things we have learned about this city – our best Antalya tips.
- It’s not only all-inclusive resorts. There’s a lot more to Antalya.
- Public buses in Antalya are good. They go more or less everywhere. They are reliable. And they are cheap. Just get yourself a bus card, top it up for whatever amount you want, and off you go. To find the right bus in Antalya, use Moovit app. At least in 2022, Google Maps isn’t showing public transportation in Antalya.
- Cycle and walk in Antalya. It’s a great way to see the city.
- Try local food in Antalya. Turkish food culture is one of the best in the world. Turkey is one of the few places where we have been surprised in a good way at almost any meal (dine-in, takeaway, takeout). It feels like in Turkey you always get so much for your money. Our favorites include their lentil soups and lahmacun (Turkish pizza).
- Antalya old town can get busy. So, visit it early in the morning. Or even stay there. Here’s one budget hotel in Antalya old town we have stayed at – Efsali Hotel Kaleiçi. It’s simple, but okay, the staff are welcoming and it’s located on a quiet street.
- Take a tram from the airport. When it’s running again… It’s the most convenient and cheapest way to travel from Antalya airport to the old town.
- There are two cable cars in Antalya. You can easily go the nearest one, Tunektepe Teleferik Tesisleri Cable Car in Antalya. It’ cheap and it’s worth it. There is also a scenic hike near the cable car station.
Have you visited Antalya? Did you go on any boat trips in Antalya, Turkey? Did you do any day excursions from Antalya? Which, in your opinion, are the best day trips from Antalya?
Book Your Trip Like a PRO
1. Book Your Flight. Find cheap flights using Kiwi.com, Momondo.com. Or subscribe to Dollar Flight Club, if you don’t want to be searching for the flights yourself. Kiwi currently is my first choice.
2. Book Your Accommodation. Booking.com, Agoda.com and Airbnb. I use Booking and Agoda at least a dozen times a year, and Airbnb – when looking for a long-term stay. My best tip is to ALWAYS compare the price. Sometimes the same hotel is cheaper on Booking.com, other times – on Agoda. Always compare the price!
3. Buy Your Travel Insurance. Ekta and SafetyWings are two companies I can recommend. Ekta offers some extra benefits, that will be important for those doing some higher risk activities (make sure to choose the right plan!), while SafetyWings is better for digital nomads. SafetyWings is also very affordable.
Disclaimer for Amazon Associates: MakeAdventureHappen.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
