Antalya in 3 Days: Day-by-Day Plan, Tour Costs and Where to Stay

Three days in Antalya is enough for the essentials: day one in the old town of Kaleiçi and at the Düden waterfalls, day two at the Roman cities of Perge, Aspendos and Side, and day three on the Lycian coast at Myra and Kekova or on a boat to Suluada. Done with our shared tours, the guided parts of this plan cost from $236 per person, or from $183 per person if you take the Suluada boat on day three. Day one starts with our Antalya Old City Tour with the waterfalls and a harbour boat trip, from $52 per person. Below is the plan hour by hour, what it costs, where to stay, and how to change it for the season.

The three days at a glance

All three days work from central Antalya, Lara, Konyaaltı or Belek. If you stay in Kemer or Side, see the note on where to stay below.

Where to stay for this plan

Where you sleep decides how long you spend in a vehicle. For three days, stay in or near the city.

• Kaleiçi. Small hotels in restored Ottoman houses, inside the old walls. You walk to everything on day one and the evenings are lively. Rooms are often small and some lanes are closed to cars, so ask about luggage access.
• Konyaaltı. West of the centre, along the long pebble beach, with larger hotels and a seafront promenade. A short taxi ride to Kaleiçi.
• Lara. East of the centre, sandy beaches and big all-inclusive hotels, close to the airport and the Lower Düden falls. Good for families who want a pool between sightseeing days.
• Belek. About 40 km east of Kaleiçi, but well placed for day two: Aspendos is about 17 km from Belek. It is a longer trip for day one and day three.
• Kemer or Side. Fine for a beach week, less good for this plan. Kemer is far from Aspendos, and Side is over 200 km from Demre by road. If you are based there, swap day three for something closer, or book private cars.

Our Antalya destination guide has more on each area. For the drive from the airport, see our Antalya airport transfer guide.

Day 1: Kaleiçi, the harbour and the Düden waterfalls

Morning. Start at Hadrian's Gate on Atatürk Avenue, the Roman triple arch built for the emperor's visit in AD 130. Walk into Kaleiçi, go down to the Clock Tower at Kalekapısı and the fluted Yivli Minaret just below it. Then lose yourself in the lanes, which are at their best before the midday heat.

Late morning. Walk down to the old harbour. Small boats leave from here for a ride along the cliffs, with a view of the Lower Düden waterfall from the water.

Afternoon. Take a taxi or join a tour to the waterfalls. The Lower Düden falls drop off the cliffs into the sea near Lara. The Upper Düden falls, inland, are in a shaded park with a path behind the water. Our Düden Waterfalls guide explains how to get between them.

Evening. Come back to Kaleiçi for sunset at Hıdırlık Tower, on the old walls above the sea, then dinner in one of the courtyard restaurants.

With a tour. Our Antalya Old City Tour covers Kaleiçi, both waterfalls and the harbour boat from $52 per person with lunch. For your own guide and van, the private Antalya Old Town tour starts from $90 per person.

Day 2: Perge, Aspendos and Side

This is the history day, and timing matters. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism lists Perge and Aspendos as open every day from 08:00 to 17:00, with ticket offices closing at 16:30. Arrive at Perge close to opening and you see it before the heat and the coaches.

08:00, Perge. About 18 km east of Kaleiçi. Walk in through the Hellenistic gate towers and along the colonnaded street with its central water channel. Allow two hours. Note that the theatre is closed until restoration work is finished.

Late morning, Aspendos. About 30 minutes further east. The Roman theatre is so complete that it is still used for performances. Climb to the top rows for the view of the stage building, then walk up to the aqueduct remains if you have time.

Lunch, then on to Side. The town grew up inside the ancient city, so you walk past Roman walls and the theatre to the Temple of Apollo at the tip of the peninsula. The Side theatre is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00.

Late afternoon. Most tours stop at the Manavgat Waterfall near Side on the way back. Expect to reach central Antalya in the early evening.

With a tour. Our Perge, Aspendos and Side day tour with lunch starts from $81 per person. The version that adds the Manavgat Waterfall starts from $90 per person; its site entry fees are paid separately.

Day 3: Myra and Kekova, or a boat to Suluada

Choose between more history or a day on the water.

Option A: Demre, Myra and Kekova. A long day west along the coast, about 145 km each way. In Demre you see the Church of St Nicholas, the bishop behind the Santa Claus story, and the rock-cut tombs and theatre of Myra. After lunch a boat takes you over the sunken ruins at Kekova and past the village of Kaleköy below its castle, with a stop to swim.

Our Demre, Myra and Kekova tour with sunken city boat trip starts from $103 per person. The private Demre, Myra and Kekova tour, with your own guide and van and museum tickets included, starts from $140 per person.

Option B: Suluada by boat. Drive to Adrasan harbour, then spend the day at sea: Suluada island, the Blue Cave, swimming stops and lunch cooked on board. Our Suluada island boat tour starts from $50 per person. This is the better choice in July and August, when walking around ruins at midday is hard.

If neither appeals, spend day three on Konyaaltı or Lara beach, or try the rafting, zipline and jeep safari combo in Köprülü Canyon from $67 per person. Our Antalya day trips page compares every option.

What three days cost

These are the guided parts of the plan, per person, at our real starting prices. Hotels, dinners, drinks and any site tickets not included in a tour are extra.

For a couple, that is $472 on shared tours or $640 with the fuller option. Swap Kekova for the Suluada boat and the shared total drops to $183 per person. Check each tour page for what is included: lunch and entry tickets vary from tour to tour.

Changing the plan for the season

The Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) gives Antalya an average daily high of 34.2°C in July and 34.1°C in August. In those months, keep day two as early as possible and choose the Suluada boat for day three. Drink more water than you think you need at Perge and Aspendos, where there is little shade.

April, May, October and early November are the best months for this plan, with average highs between 21.4°C and 26.6°C. From December to February it is mild, about 15°C to 17°C, but it is the rainy season, with around 12 rainy days in December and January. The ruins are quiet then, but boat days may not run, so keep the Myra option for day three. Our list of things to do in Antalya includes ideas for a rainy afternoon.

With more time, add a fourth day for Pamukkale from Antalya, or two nights in Cappadocia from Antalya. Families can follow our 5-day Antalya itinerary for families, and if you are pairing the coast with the city, read our Istanbul and Antalya holiday guide.

Tours that cover this

• Antalya Old City Tour: Kaleiçi, Waterfalls and Harbour Boat Trip: from $52 per person.
• Perge, Aspendos and Side Day Tour from Antalya with Lunch: from $81 per person.
• Demre, Myra and Kekova Tour from Antalya: Sunken City Boat Trip: from $103 per person.
• Suluada Island Boat Tour from Antalya: Adrasan, Blue Cave and Lunch: from $50 per person.

All our tours in the region are on the Antalya tours page.

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