9 Must-See Historical Sights in Antalya

Most Antalya sightseeing tours start by exploring the sloping streets, bustling bazaars, and maze-like alleyways of the city’s characterful Old Town, Kaleiçi. A walking tour of Kaleiçi is like taking a stroll through Antalya’s history, peppered with Roman ruins, Ottoman architecture, and Byzantine churches. Peek inside the 17th-century Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque; admire the old Clock Tower; and visit the Seljuk Kesik Minare Mosque, famed for its broken minaret; then climb down the steps to Antalya Marina, from where boat cruises set sail along the coast.

Topping the list of things to see in Antalya, the imposing entryway to Kaleiçi is worth a mention of its own. Built in AD 130 for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, Hadrian’s Gate is the last remaining city gate and a remarkably preserved example of Roman architecture. Stroll beneath the three monumental arches, admire the white marble pillars and intricate carvings, or enjoy a coffee break at one of the terrace cafés looking out across the monument.

Antalya’s historical landmarks aren’t only found in the city itself; it’s also the gateway to some of the best-preserved ruins along the Turkish Riviera. Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Antalya, the ancient city of Perge was inhabited since the Bronze Age, but most of its ruins date back to its Roman heyday during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Highlights include the 15,000-capacity theater, the striking Hellenistic Gate, and the Roman Baths, but some of the most prized artifacts unearthed from Perge are actually on display at the Antalya Museum.

Of all the historic places to visit in Antalya, none quite compare to the mighty Aspendos theater, set in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, about a 40-minute drive from the city. Not only is the 2,000-year-old Greco-Roman theater one of the best preserved in Turkey, but it’s still used for performances each summer during the annual Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival.

Insider tip: If you can’t get tickets for a show at the ancient arena, head to the neighboring Gloria Aspendos Arena to watch the spectacular Fire of Anatolia show instead.

Dramatically perched on a mountainside, the ancient Pisidian city of Termessos remains one of the least-visited of Antalya’s ancient cities, but it’s worth the climb for the views alone. It’s a steep but scenic hike through Güllük Mountain National Park to reach the ruins, which include a cliffside amphitheater, agora, and necropolis situated above 3,300 feet (1,000 meters).

Did you know?: The remote location served Termessos well—this was the only city in Pamphylia and Pisidia that wasn’t conquered by Alexander the Great, earning it the nickname of “Turkey’s Machu Picchu.”

A day trip to Antalya ancient ruins like Aspendos and Perge often include a visit to nearby Side, a Mediterranean coastal resort brimful of archaeological treasures. Side’s seafront Temple of Apollo is the pièce de résistance and a magnificent spot to watch the sunset, but there’s plenty to explore within the walled Old Town. Enter through the imposing Roman city gates, browse the Side Museum housed within the ancient Roman Baths complex, and stroll down the colonnaded street between the theater, nymphaeum, and agora.

About a 2-hour drive southwest of Antalya, the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Myra are found in the modern town of Demre, which has a fascinating history of its own. Marvel at the ancient Greek amphitheater, admire the rock-cut Lycian tombs carved high into the cliffside above it, and explore modern Demre on a day trip from Antalya.

Did you know?: Another important historical site in Demre is the St. Nicholas Church, a pilgrimage site home to the tomb of St. Nicholas, aka Santa Claus.

While it’s a long day trip, no Antalya historical sights guide would be complete without a visit to one of Turkey’s most unique ruins. Combine a tour of Demre and Myra with a glass-bottom boat cruise to Kekova Island, where the ancient Lycian city of Kekova was submerged by an earthquake in the 2nd century AD. There’s no swimming or snorkeling allowed in the protected area, but you can clearly make out the remains of buildings, stairs, and streets rising up from the seabed as you float over the top.

Once you’ve explored the best historical sites in Antalya, a visit to nearby Olympos combines sandy beaches, ancient ruins, and panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. The star attraction is a ride on the Olympos Cable Car for a mountain-to-Mediterranean view from the top of Tahtali Mountain, but history buffs can also wander around the ruins of the ancient harbor city of Olympos. Overgrown with lush forest, the atmospheric ruins include Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine structures, among them a necropolis, bathhouses, and a theater.