Located on the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is one of Turkey’s most stunning destinations. It has beautiful beaches, intriguing history & culture, thrilling water sports, tasty food, and lots of fun. Plus, there are many incredible places around Antalya that even a week’s not enough to explore. I believe 2 days in Antalya are enough to see the city’s best. In this 2-day Antalya itinerary, I’ll show you how!
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2-Day Antalya Itinerary
We have been to Antalya quite a few times now (the recent one was a quick one-day stop during our road trip across Turkey), and each time it surprises us with something new. It’s a unique destination equally loved by explorers and vacationers. There are so many things to see and do, and then there are breathtaking beaches to laze around doing nothing.
This itinerary for Antalya is created keeping in mind the first-time visitors who are short on time, like just a weekend, and want to experience the best of what the city has to offer – a mix of exploration and relaxation.
On the first day, you’ll explore the old town, mostly on foot. The second day is all about beaches. You’ll spend time on one of the beautiful beaches in Antalya, enjoying the sun and sea.
Day 1: Explore Kaleici (Antalya Old Town)
Kaleici, or the Old Town in Antalya, is the heart and soul of the city. Here, winding cobbled streets dotted with beautiful historic attractions, urban parks, charming cafes, lovely restaurants, and a picturesque harbor create a unique atmosphere that’s as relaxing as lively.
You can stroll the town all day and still not feel tired. That’s the vibe!
To make the most of your time, choose accommodation in or around the old town. We stayed at the Zemira Garden Hotel right in the heart of Kaleici.
After a scrumptious breakfast at your hotel, walk (assuming you are staying in the old town) to Hadrian’s Gate. Built around 130 CE to honor Roman Emperor Hadrian’s visit to the city, it’s a majestic stone archway with three arches.
Strolling down the maze, you’ll find little stores selling eye-catching souvenirs, quaint cafes, and restaurants brimming with tourists, and a host of historical architecture, mostly mosques, sprinkled in between. Some highlights include the Yivli Minare Mosque, Saat Kulesi, and Hidirlik Tower.
Featuring a tall, grooved minaret with colorful tiles, Yivli Minare is a symbol of the city and dates back to the 13th century. The Saat Kulesi, or Clock Tower, adds to the town’s historic heritage. It features a wall clock gifted to Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid by German Kaiser Wilhelm II.
And about Hidirlik Tower, built in the 2nd century, this ancient stone tower is situated at a strategic point where the city walls meet the sea, offering great views of the Mediterranean and the city.
Karaalioglu Park is a great spot to pause and relax if you feel tired. Grab a place on the wall around the park to enjoy the panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and Antalya’s cliffs.
For lunch, try Yemenli Meyhanesi. It’s a great restaurant that welcomes visitors with utter love and warmth, and the food is classy. What clicked for me was that they are one of the few restaurants in Antalya that cater to vegetarians like me.
Don’t forget to snag some souvenirs to take back home.
Now that you still have half a day on hand, you can pack one more attraction into your day based on your interests. If you love nature, Duden Falls (the Lower Duden Falls were my favorite, but the Upper Duden Falls are also amazing) is perfect. If you have a thing for art, check out the incredible sand sculptures at Sandland.
For culture lovers, the Antalya Archeological Museum is perfect for teens, while the Antalya Toy Museum is fun with younger kids. For something different, visit the Upside Down House. Or you can take a cable car ride up to Tunektepe Hill to enjoy breathtaking views of the city and its coastline.
Head back to the old town and make your way down the steep stairs to Antalya Marina, also known as the Roman Harbor.
This lively spot is lined with cafes, restaurants, and bars right by the water. It’s the perfect place to grab a coffee and some snacks while watching the sun go down.
End your day with a lovely dinner at Vanilla Restaurant. We ate there a few times while in Antalya, and it just kept drawing us back. We also love and recommend Velespit Cafe. It has an artsy vibe!
Day 2: Discover the Beautiful Beach or Beaches
With a coastline stretching 640 km, you’re in luck if you love the beach. I’m not usually a beach person, but even I enjoy the calm and relaxing vibe of a beach break now and then.
Although there are beaches right in town, such as Mermerli and Lara, some of the most beautiful ones require you to drive a bit further out. Konyaalti Beach, Patara Beach, and Kaputas Beach are my favorites. Other famous ones include Cirali Beach, Olympos Beach, Kleopatra Beach, and Incekum Beach.
Not too far from the city, Konyaalti Beach is a beautiful spot with a pebble shoreline and clear, calm waters. Plus, the well-organized facilities, along with attractions nearby such as Antalya Aquarium, Aqualand & Dolphinland, Beach Park, Ataturk Park, and Antalya Mini City, make it one of the best beaches for families in Antalya.
Stretching over 18 km, Patara Beach is one of the longest beaches in Turkey. The beach is utterly scenic. Its soft sand, shallow, crystal-clear waters, unspoiled (as it’s part of a national park and a protected area for wildlife, including loggerhead turtles that nest here), peaceful vibe (it’s less touristy), and stunning dunes give Patara a unique, otherworldly appearance. The ruins of the ancient city of Patara add a touch of history and culture.
Located at the foot of a gorge between the towns of Kas and Kalkan in southwestern Turkey, Kaputas Beach might be small but breathtakingly gorgeous. The beach looks so charming as you first catch sight of it from the road, and you can’t help but pull the car over and take the flight of stairs from the main road to this golden sand beach. The facilities here are limited, so it’s a good idea to bring what you need for the day.
Cirali Beach is another peaceful beach located in the quaint village of Cirali. Then there’s Olympos Beach, located within the national park and surrounded by the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Olympos. It’s more of a backpacker-friendly kinda beach.
Located in Alanya, a district of Antalya, Kleopatra Beach is named after the legendary Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, who, according to local legend, swam in the area during her visit with Roman general Mark Antony. The beach is quite close to Alanya’s city center.
Particularly known for its fine, golden sand (Incekum literally translates to fine sand) and calm, shallow waters, Incekum Beach is another family-friendly beach in Antalya.
You can pick any one beach that suits your mood and spend the entire day there trying water sports, relaxing with a book, or just soaking up the sun.
If you’ve got the luxury of a car, or if you’re someone who hates missing out like me, you could go beach hopping and spend your day checking out as many as you can 😉
PS: If you have an extra day in Antalya, you can take a day trip to Pamukkale-Hierapolis, one of Turkey’s most visited tourist attractions.
Now that you’ve had your dose of the sea and sand. It’s time to head back to the old town. Enjoy delicious food, sip on some fine wine, listen to music, and reflect on your time in this beautiful city on the Turkish Riviera.
While exploring Turkey, it’s easy to see why this country is a favorite among travelers worldwide. Curious about what other destinations make the list? Check out our guide on the world’s most visited countries to see how Turkey compares.
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