Planning to spend three days in Antalya? You’re in for a treat!
With its beautiful beaches, fascinating history, and gorgeous Mediterranean coastline, Antalya has plenty to keep you busy. But how do you fit it all into just three days? Well, that’s where we come in!
We’ve put together an itinerary that combines the best of Antalya’s charming Old Town with some incredible adventures beyond the city. Of course, we’ve also made plenty of time for delicious Turkish food along the way – we’ve got our priorities straight! So, keep reading to discover how to spend three unforgettable days in Antalya.
Don’t miss out!
Our Top Choice
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our FAVORITE thing we did in Antalya was this guided sightseeing tour! From watching waterfalls tumble into the Mediterranean to wandering the charming Old Town and cruising along the coast, it was the perfect intro to the city. Talk about starting our trip on a high note!
Itinerary Overview
First things first: this itinerary assumes you’re staying in Kaleici, Antalya’s Old Town. Staying here means you’ll have easy access to tour pickups and meeting points, so transport is largely taken care of, and you won’t need to rent a car. For the second day, you can use taxi rides to hop around, which are usually pretty reasonably priced, or there are buses and trams that you can use with an AntalyaKart if you’d prefer to save some money!
🌊 Day 1: Waterfalls, Old Town Charm & Sunset Drinks
Discover Antalya’s beautiful waterfalls and historic Old Town on a guided city tour, then enjoy sunset drinks and a delicious dinner, finishing up with an evening stroll along the Old Marina.
🐎 Day 2: Colorful Bazaars, Beach Time & Horseback Riding
Explore Kaleiçi’s colorful bazaars, then relax on the beach before finishing the day with a sunset horseback ride along the Mediterranean coast.
🏛️ Day 3: Ancient Ruins & Unforgettable Day Trips
Choose between a day trip to Pamukkale’s famous white terraces and Hierapolis or a guided tour of the ancient cities of Perge, Aspendos, and Side.
Day 1
Breakfast – Tarihi Ankara Simit Fırını
We love a long, leisurely Turkish breakfast, but we’ve got a busy day of sightseeing ahead! So this morning, we’re keeping things simple with a visit to Tarihi Ankara Simit Fırını.
This little local bakery is just outside Kaleiçi Old Town, making it a convenient stop if you’re staying nearby. It’s nothing fancy, but that’s part of its charm.
We suggest trying a freshly baked simit, a traditional Turkish bread ring covered in sesame seeds, alongside a glass of Turkish tea. Or if you’re feeling hungrier, they also serve omelets and menemen, a delicious Turkish egg dish with tomatoes and peppers.
It’s a tasty, affordable way to start the day without spending hours over breakfast. Just make sure you leave enough time to get back for your tour pickup!
Morning – See Antalya’s top sights in one day
We’re kicking off our Antalya itinerary with a bang! And what better way to get acquainted with the city than on this guided sightseeing tour?
The tour starts around 9 am, with hotel pickup included, and you can choose between a half-day and full-day experience depending on how much you want to squeeze in.
We recommend the full-day option, which takes you to three of Antalya’s beautiful waterfalls. The most impressive is Lower Düden Waterfall, where the water plunges straight off the cliffs into the Mediterranean Sea! You’ll also visit Upper Düden Waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery, and Kurşunlu Waterfall, tucked away in a peaceful nature park.
But Antalya has more to offer than waterfalls! You’ll also explore Kaleiçi Old Town and see the ancient Hadrian’s Gate, then enjoy free time to wander the historic streets on your own. The full-day tour also includes lunch and a one-hour boat trip from the Old Marina, which is a fantastic chance to admire Antalya’s dramatic coastline from the water. You’ll finish around 5 pm, just in time to freshen up before sunset drinks!
Alternatively, you can choose the half-day tour, which also starts at 9 am but finishes once you reach Kaleiçi, without lunch or the boat trip. This is a great option if you’d rather spend the afternoon relaxing in a traditional Turkish bath. Decisions, decisions! Whichever you choose, all the glowing five-star reviews suggest you’re in for a fantastic start to your Antalya adventure.
Afternoon – Relax in a Turkish Bath
If you’ve chosen the half-day sightseeing tour, we think there’s no better way to spend your afternoon than relaxing in a traditional Turkish bath! And if you opted for the full-day tour, don’t worry. You can always swap some of tomorrow’s beach or shopping time for this experience instead.
Known as a hammam, a Turkish bath is one of the country’s oldest traditions, and we’d go so far as to say it’s a must-do while you’re here! But it isn’t quite your usual spa experience. You’ll start by relaxing in a warm, steamy room, usually on a heated marble platform. Once you’ve warmed up, an attendant will give you a thorough scrub using a special exfoliating mitt called a kese – and we mean thorough!
Next comes a wonderfully fluffy soap massage, followed by a rinse. Some hammams also offer relaxing oil massages if you fancy a little extra pampering. The whole thing should take about two hours, depending on the exact package you choose.
There are several great places to try this in Antalya. DEMIRHAN Bath offers a traditional experience, while FALEZ Hamam & Spa is ideal if you’re after something a little more luxurious. There’s also Onay Hamamı, a popular local bath in the Kepez area.
Just remember to bring a swimsuit and check what’s included when booking. You should leave feeling squeaky clean and very zen – we certainly did!
Sunset drinks – Old Town Terrace Restaurant
After a busy day exploring Antalya, we think you’ve earned a drink with a view! Luckily, Kaleiçi has gorgeous cliffside restaurants and terraces overlooking the Mediterranean, and Old Town Terrace Restaurant is a lovely spot to watch the sunset. Grab a table overlooking the water and sip on a cold beer or glass of wine as you enjoy those beautiful coastal views. Of course, plenty of other terraces are around here, so if somewhere else catches your eye, go for it!
We recommend coming for drinks rather than dinner, though. The views are the real attraction here, and we’ve got somewhere even better in mind for food!
Dinner – Pastorale Restaurant
For dinner, it’s just a short walk to Pastorale Restaurant, a charming little spot tucked away in Kaleiçi Old Town. One of our favorite things about this restaurant is its peaceful garden courtyard, because it feels like a little oasis from the busier streets outside.
The menu has a great selection of Turkish and Mediterranean dishes, including grilled meats, kebabs, and vegetarian options. We definitely recommend trying one of the traditional Turkish dishes while you’re here.
It’s a wonderful place to enjoy a leisurely dinner after a full day of sightseeing. And the best part is that you don’t have far to walk afterward!
Evening – Walk along the Old Marina
We weren’t quite ready to call it a night yet, so before we went back to our hotel, we stopped at simple & basic for some ice cream. Ice cream is very popular in Antalya, and there are lots of spots around, but this one was definitely our favorite.
Once you’ve got your ice cream in hand (we recommend the cherry flavor!), head down to the Old Marina for a relaxed evening stroll. We loved this part of Antalya, especially in the evenings when it felt extra atmospheric.
And if you’re not ready for bed, Kaleiçi has a pretty lively nightlife scene, with plenty of bars tucked into its narrow streets. Feel free to stick around for another drink or some live music!
Otherwise, head back to your hotel and get some rest. We’ve got another fun day planned tomorrow!
Day 2
Breakfast – Kahvaltı Noktası
Yesterday we had to grab a quick breakfast before our tour, but today we’ve got time to slow down and enjoy a proper Turkish breakfast! And we think Kahvaltı Noktası is the perfect place for it.
Traditional Turkish breakfasts are quite the experience. Instead of ordering one dish, you’ll typically get a huge spread of little plates to share, piled high with cheeses, olives, fresh vegetables, jams, honey, and warm bread. Oh, and plenty of Turkish tea, of course!
Kahvaltı Noktası is especially known for its generous breakfast spreads, which also include delicious hot dishes like menemen (Turkish-style scrambled eggs with tomatoes and peppers) and pişi, little pieces of fried dough. Come hungry, because you definitely won’t leave that way.
The restaurant opens around 8 am, but today’s schedule is pretty flexible, so we’d recommend arriving around 9 am and taking your time. After all, a leisurely breakfast is one of the best ways to experience Turkish food culture!
Morning – Shop around Kaleici Old Town
While we love exploring a new city with a guide, we also think it’s worth taking some time to wander around on your own. And Antalya’s beautiful Kaleiçi Old Town is the perfect place to do just that!
Start by exploring the bazaars, where you’ll find everything from colorful Turkish rugs and handmade ceramics to clothes, jewelry, and little souvenirs. Don’t be afraid to bargain a little, either! It might feel awkward at first, but it’s all part of the experience.
As you wander, keep an eye out for the little Cat Garden near the panoramic elevator. It’s a sweet spot where local street cats are looked after, and we think it’s well worth a visit if you’re a cat lover!
We’d also recommend stopping at Umbrella Street, where colorful umbrellas hang overhead. Grab a seat at one of the nearby cafés and order a traditional Turkish coffee. It’s strong and rich, and it comes served in a tiny cup, so don’t expect your usual latte!
Finally, make sure you ride the panoramic glass elevator. It connects the historic harbor with the upper part of the city, offering gorgeous views of the Old Marina and Mediterranean coastline along the way. There’s even a viewing platform at the top, and best of all, it’s completely free!
Lunch – Paul’s Place
After our big Turkish breakfast, we weren’t exactly starving by lunchtime! Luckily, Paul’s Place is a lovely little café in Kaleiçi Old Town with plenty of lighter options to tide you over.
Tucked away inside the St. Paul Cultural Center, this café has a peaceful garden that feels worlds away from the busy streets outside. It’s the perfect spot to put your feet up after a morning of shopping and exploring! They’ve got a varied menu, with fresh spring rolls and salads, plus excellent coffee and homemade cakes.
Just a heads-up: Paul’s Place is generally closed on weekends, so check the opening hours before visiting. If your second day in Antalya falls this way, Luna Garden is another good alternative nearby that’s open daily.
Afternoon – Enjoy the beach
After a morning of exploring Kaleiçi, it’s time to hit the beach! Luckily, Antalya has gorgeous stretches of coastline where you can spend a few hours soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine.
One of the most popular options is Konyaaltı Beach, a long, pebbly stretch with beautiful mountain views. The water is very clear, and there are plenty of beach clubs where you can rent loungers and umbrellas. It’s a great choice for a leisurely afternoon in the sun, and we had so much fun here.
However, we’d actually recommend Lara Beach for today’s itinerary! Unlike Konyaaltı, Lara has a sandy shoreline, and it’s much closer to the meeting point for this evening’s horseback riding tour. We’re all for less time traveling and more time on the beach!
A quick note: You might have seen photos of the incredible Kaputaş Beach and Patara Beach. They’re both stunning, but they’re around three hours from Antalya, so you won’t have time to visit them today. If either is high on your bucket list, we’d suggest setting aside a separate day!
Evening – Get the best views on a sunset horseback ride
Watching the sunset over the Mediterranean is always lovely, but doing it on horseback is really something special! For this evening, book this guided horseback riding experience, which takes you through scenic forest trails and along Lara Beach. It’s a pretty magical way to see another side of Antalya!
You’ll spend around an hour on horseback, starting with a gentle ride through the forest before heading towards the coast. Once you reach the beach, you’ll get beautiful views of the Mediterranean and have the chance to stop for photos. And if you book the sunset departure, you’ll hopefully catch that gorgeous golden-hour light.
And don’t worry if you’ve never ridden a horse before. This experience suits beginners, and your guide will show you the ropes. The horses are used to guided rides, so you don’t need any previous experience to join in.
The tour time changes throughout the year with sunset, so plan accordingly. The meeting point is roughly a 30-minute drive from central Antalya, so allow plenty of time to get there and confirm your pickup arrangements beforehand. It’s a dreamy way to wrap up your second day here, and definitely worth a little extra effort!
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Dinner – La’Vera Restaurant & Bar
After your sunset horseback ride, we recommend dinner at La’Vera Restaurant & Bar. It’s around a 10-minute drive from Lara Beach, so you won’t have far to go after your adventure!
This beautiful restaurant sits along Antalya’s dramatic coastline, with a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. We think it’s a fantastic setting for your last evening in the city before tomorrow’s big day trip.
The restaurant has a stylish, bohemian feel, with cozy seating and a menu featuring Turkish and international dishes. Whether you’re in the mood for pasta, pizza, or something from the grill, there’s plenty to choose from. And we’d definitely recommend lingering over a cocktail afterward to enjoy the atmosphere.
We suggest booking ahead and requesting a table with a sea view. After all, that’s half the reason we’re coming here!
Day 3
Choose a day trip
For your final day in Antalya, we’ve got two incredible day trips to choose from! And trust us, it won’t be an easy decision.
You can head to Pamukkale to see its famous white terraces and explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, or stay a little closer to Antalya and discover the spectacular Roman ruins of Perge, Aspendos, and Side.
Both tours are fantastic, but they’re also pretty long, lasting around 10-12 hours. We recommend choosing just one and making it your main activity for the day. After all, we don’t want you needing another vacation to recover from this one!
Option 1: Take a day trip to see Pamukkale, Hierapolis, and Cleopatra’s Pool
Pamukkale’s incredible white terraces look like something from another planet, and today you’ll get to see them for yourself! We recommend booking this guided day trip from Antalya, which runs from around 7 am to 7 pm. It’s a big day, but with hotel transfers, lunch, and entrance fees to Pamukkale and Hierapolis all taken care of, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the adventure!
Pamukkale means “cotton castle” in Turkish, and when you see those dazzling white terraces, you’ll understand why! They’ve formed over thousands of years as mineral-rich thermal water has flowed down the hillside, leaving behind beautiful pools and some pretty extraordinary scenery.
But there’s more to discover here! We also explored Hierapolis, an ancient Roman spa city built around the area’s hot springs. You’ll find fascinating ruins, including an enormous Roman theater and a sprawling necropolis.
There’s also Cleopatra’s Pool, where you may be able to swim in warm thermal water among ancient stone columns. How cool is that? Swimming costs extra, and unfortunately, the pool was closed when we visited. We’d recommend checking whether it’s open before getting your hopes up!
Now, we won’t pretend this is a quick little outing. It’s a long day, but with transport, lunch, and a knowledgeable guide included, it’s much easier than organizing everything yourself. Plus, THOUSANDS of five-star reviews should give you a pretty good idea of just how special this experience is. Those white terraces are SO worth the early alarm!
Option 2: Explore the cultural landmarks of Perge, Aspendos, and Side
If ancient history is more your thing, we’ve got another fantastic day trip for you! And the good news is that this one doesn’t involve traveling quite as far as Pamukkale.
We recommend this full-day guided tour of Perge, Aspendos, and Side, which takes you to three of the region’s most impressive archaeological sites. Hotel pickup is around 8 am, and you’ll return at approximately 6 pm, with transport, lunch, and entrance fees included.
First up is Perge, an ancient city where you can walk along Roman streets and explore the remains of grand buildings. It’s pretty incredible to imagine what life was like here thousands of years ago!
Next, you’ll visit Aspendos, home to one of the world’s best-preserved Roman theaters. The sheer size of this place is impressive, not to mention that it’s almost 2,000 years old.
Then there’s Side, a beautiful coastal town where ancient ruins sit alongside modern shops and restaurants. And don’t miss the Temple of Apollo overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, because that’s one heck of a photo opportunity. You’ll also stop at Manavgat Waterfall and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
We love that you get a knowledgeable guide to bring all this history to life. After all, ancient ruins are fascinating, but they’re even better when someone can tell you what you’re actually looking at!
Dinner – Hare Restaurant
After a long day exploring, you might be ready to collapse into bed, and we wouldn’t blame you! But if you’ve still got some energy left, we recommend heading to Hare Restaurant for one final dinner in Antalya.
This lovely restaurant is tucked away in Kaleiçi Old Town, with a beautiful courtyard that feels wonderfully peaceful after a busy day of sightseeing. The menu focuses on traditional Turkish cuisine, and we’d recommend trying the testi kebabı, a delicious clay-pot kebab filled with tender meat and vegetables. This will definitely wrap up your trip on a high note!
Better yet, Hare Restaurant is generally open until around 11-11:30 pm, so there’s no need to rush back from your day trip. Take your time to get ready, then head over for one last taste of Antalya. Enjoy!
Related Read: Three days not quite enough? We hear you! Check out our best things to do in Antalya guide for even more ways to explore this Turkish gem!
Where to Stay in Antalya, Turkey
For this three-day Antalya itinerary, we’d recommend staying in Kaleiçi Old Town! It’s the perfect base for exploring, with charming historic streets, traditional Turkish restaurants, and plenty of attractions right on your doorstep. Plus, you’ll be within walking distance of highlights like Hadrian’s Gate and the Old Marina, making it easy to make the most of your time here!
Here are three great places to stay, depending on your budget!
Casa Sur Antalya – $$$
If you’re looking for somewhere special, Casa Sur Antalya is a gorgeous boutique hotel right beside the ancient city walls, just steps from Hadrian’s Gate.
What really makes this place stand out is its beautiful botanical garden, filled with orange, mandarin, and banana trees. Imagine enjoying a leisurely Turkish breakfast surrounded by all that greenery! The individually designed rooms are full of character, with a beautiful mix of historic details and modern comforts.
There’s also an excellent on-site restaurant serving Mediterranean and Turkish-inspired food, plus a terrace bar for evening drinks. We think this would be a wonderful choice for a romantic getaway. Rooms typically cost around $200–$280 USD per night, although rates vary by season. Read the amazing reviews and availability at Casa Sur Antalya here!
Saye Konak Hotel – $$
For something charming without a luxury price tag, take a look at Saye Konak Hotel. It’s a small boutique hotel that’s set in a beautifully restored historic mansion in the heart of Kaleiçi. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, and there’s a scenic courtyard where you can enjoy breakfast before heading out to explore.
Speaking of breakfast, the hotel is known for its traditional Turkish spread, complete with homemade local jams. And the location is fantastic! You’re just a few minutes’ walk from Hadrian’s Gate, Mermerli Beach, and plenty of restaurants. We think it’s a great middle-ground option if you want somewhere with plenty of character and a convenient location. Rooms start at around $80–$170 USD per night, making it great value for the location! Check prices and availability at Saye Konak Hotel here!
Kaleici Hotel – $
If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, Kaleici Hotel allows you to stay right in the Old Town without spending a fortune.
The rooms are fairly simple, but they have the essentials, including air conditioning, and the hotel’s location is hard to beat. You can easily walk to the marina, Hadrian’s Gate, and lots of cafés.
But the real surprise here is the outdoor swimming pool. It’s tucked in a cute little stone courtyard and surrounded by shrubs and flowers, and we think it’s a huge bonus for such an affordable stay. Rooms can start from as little as $35 USD per night, which is a fantastic deal for this location! Check prices and availability at Kaleici Hotel here!
Want more choices? Check out all the hotels listed for Antalya here!
Book your Airport Taxi in advance
Start your trip stress-free by booking your airport taxi before you arrive. You’ll skip the long lines, avoid overpriced fares and scams, and won’t have to worry about explaining your hotel address to a driver. Simply prebook your airport pickup online here, and your driver will be ready to take you directly to your hotel!
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Thanks for reading!
Well, that’s three days in Antalya done and dusted! Between chasing waterfalls, getting lost in colorful bazaars, and soaking up those gorgeous Mediterranean views, we’ve certainly kept you busy. Throw in some ancient ruins, a sunset horseback ride, and enough Turkish food to keep you dreaming about it for weeks, and you’ve got one incredible getaway! We loved exploring Antalya, and we hope you have just as much fun!
And if Antalya has left you craving more adventures, why stop there? We have plenty more Middle East guides with our favorite experiences, travel tips, and itineraries. Or just keep scrolling to read some of our most popular guides below!
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The Services We Recommend
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