Antalya City Break: 3 Days in Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı and Lara

Antalya is one of the few Turkish beach destinations that also works as a proper city break. The old town, the harbour, a major archaeological museum, two city beaches and several ancient sites all lie within a short drive of each other, so three days are enough to see the highlights without rushing.

The plan below keeps day 1 on foot in the old town, day 2 on the western side of the city around Konyaaltı, and day 3 for a half or full day out by car. It works in any season; in midsummer, start early and save the walking for the morning and late afternoon.

• Base: Kaleiçi for atmosphere, Konyaaltı or Lara for the beach.
• On foot: day 1 and most of day 2.
• By car: the airport transfers and day 3.

Start at Hadrian's Gate, the triple-arched Roman gate built for the emperor's visit in the 2nd century AD, which marks the eastern entrance to Kaleiçi. From there, narrow lanes run downhill between restored Ottoman houses, small courtyards, boutique hotels and cafés. Getting a little lost is part of the experience: the old town is compact, and every lane eventually leads down to the sea.

Near the Kale Kapısı square you will find the Clock Tower and, just behind it, the Yivli Minaret – the fluted Seljuk minaret that has become the symbol of Antalya. Then walk to the Hıdırlık Tower at the southern edge of the old town for wide views over the bay and the mountains on the far side.

Spend the afternoon at the old harbour, a small, sheltered port below the city walls, lined with fishing and excursion boats. Many of these boats run trips along the coast towards the Lower Düden falls, where the river drops straight off the cliffs into the sea. Ask at the harbour which trips are running that day, then finish with dinner in the old town. More background in our guide to Kaleiçi and the old bazaar.

Head west to the Antalya Museum, one of the most important archaeological museums in Turkey. Its galleries cover the region from prehistory to the Ottoman period, and for most visitors the highlight is the hall of Roman statues found at Perge – a good introduction if you plan to see the site itself on day 3. Allow a good two hours and check the current opening times before you go.

The museum stands just above Konyaaltı beach, a long pebble beach with the Taurus Mountains rising behind it. A promenade with parks, cycle paths, cafés and beach clubs runs along much of the shore, so the rest of the day can be as active or as lazy as you like: a swim, a walk or bike ride along the sea, a long lunch.

Stay for the sunset, when the light turns the bay and the mountains gold – one of the best free shows in Antalya. In the evening, eat along the Konyaaltı seafront or head back to Kaleiçi; the cliff-top Karaalioğlu Park next to the old town is a lovely place for an evening walk.

The last day is the one where a car makes the biggest difference. Pick one of these options:

• Upper Düden waterfall + Perge: the Upper Düden falls lie in a shady park on the north-eastern side of the city, with a path that leads behind the curtain of water. From there it is a short drive east to Perge, a large Roman city with a stadium, colonnaded streets and monumental gates. Together they make an easy half day. See our guides to the Düden waterfalls and Perge.
• Aspendos: further east near Serik, Aspendos has one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. Combine it with Perge for a full day of history – details in the Aspendos theatre guide.
• Lara beach: if you would rather rest before the flight, spend the day on the long sandy beach at Lara, east of the city and close to the airport.

If you fly home in the evening of day 3, Lara or the Upper Düden falls are the easiest choices, as both are on the airport side of the city.

Kaleiçi is the choice for atmosphere: small boutique hotels and guesthouses in old stone houses, with the harbour and restaurants on your doorstep. The lanes are narrow and partly pedestrian, so cars often stop at the edge of the old town and the last stretch is on foot.

Konyaaltı suits travellers who want the beach and mountain views right outside, with the museum within walking distance and the old town a short ride away.

Lara has large beach hotels on a sandy coast and is the closest of the three to the airport. It works well if the beach matters more to you than evenings in the old town.

Antalya Airport (AYT) lies on the eastern edge of the city. Typical drive times: Lara ≈ 14 km / ≈ 20 min, Kaleiçi ≈ 16 km / ≈ 25 min, Konyaaltı ≈ 24 km / ≈ 35 min. In high season and in evening city traffic, allow extra time.

With a private transfer the driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, your flight is tracked and waiting is free if you land late. The price is fixed per vehicle, not per person, and agreed before the trip – no night surcharge, no luggage fee. For Kaleiçi, give us the name of your hotel; where cars cannot enter the lanes, the drop-off is at the nearest point a vehicle can reach. Live prices are on the route pages: airport to Kaleiçi, airport to Konyaaltı and airport to Lara.

Perge, Aspendos and the Upper Düden falls are spread across the eastern side of Antalya, and linking them by public transport takes planning and several changes. With a car and driver you set the order and the pace, leave each site when you are ready, and never think about parking or directions.

• One fixed price for the vehicle – good value for families and small groups.
• Minivan (1–6 passengers), VIP Mercedes-Benz Vito (1–7) or Mercedes Sprinter (8–16).
• Free child seats on request.
• The return airport transfer can be booked at the same time.

Book 24/7 via WhatsApp or the booking form. You receive a fixed-price quote within 1 minute, there is no prepayment, cancellation is free and you pay in the vehicle.