Immerse in the land of light: A 24-hour city guide to Antalya
In the crown jewel of the Turkish Riviera, 300 days of sunshine illuminate wellness destinations, cultural sights and secluded coves.
07:00
Stretch out on Olympos
Wellness
Start your day with outdoor yoga on Olympos Beach, an unspoilt stretch of coastline. This part of Antalya is the antidote to the province’s many luxury resorts. As an important turtle nesting site there are restrictions on building and loud music, making it the best place to experience the region’s slower side. Tahtalı Mountain (Mount Olympos) stands over the area – climb the summit or take a cable car for views over the bay.
10:00
Discover the historic sites
Heritage
As a hub of civilisation and trade for millennia, ancient sites abound in Antalya. All are captivating, but our favourite is Perge, which dates to the 3rd century BCE and hosted visitors such as Alexander the Great and St Paul the Apostle. Perge’s walls encircle a well-preserved town that boasts an ancient theatre, a stadium and baths, as well as infrastructure including a colonnaded street.
13:00
Explore a sublime coast
Sailing
Lazy afternoons are the best time to discover Antalya’s coastline. Charter a boat to reach the hidden coves and beaches that are inaccessible from the land. If you opt for a skippered charter, tell your captain where you’d like to go, then linger as long as you like to swim and sunbathe. The stretch between Kalkan and Kas is sublime, taking in some of the area’s most beautiful beaches, as well as the best scuba diving locations. Ancient cities, shipwrecks and gorgeous rock formations are waiting to be discovered just below the water.
16:00
Visit a hub of creativity
Culture
Antalya’s often-overlooked old city is a gem. Enter through Hadrian’s Gate before discovering a warren of alleyways and courtyards lined by beautifully restored buildings. Until recently this area was passed over by visitors, but today it hums with ateliers, cafés and rug shops. A few small museums sit inside the walls too. One of the most charming is the Suna and Inan Kirac Museum, which is set in an old church and displays vignettes of 19th-century Antalya life.
19:00
Taste a unique spread
Cuisine
Antalya’s food scene draws upon both Mediterranean and Anatolian influences. Local specialties include piyaz, a fresh bean salad that pairs perfectly with meat dishes, and burned ice-cream, made with slightly scalded goats’ milk. For an atmospheric dinner, book a restaurant with outdoor tables near the harbour or within Seraser’s 300-year-old courtyard.
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