Antalya Day Trips: Day Trip Routes and Tour Selection
Antalya day trips guide: ancient cities, nature and sea routes, durations, who they suit and how to book.
If you are searching for "Antalya day trips", you are most likely looking for an answer to a single question: I'll be staying in the city for a few days, so what can I see on a day out from the beach? Antalya is lucky in this respect. In a single day, you can choose between the Roman theatre, a mountain road, a turquoise cove and a canyon. In this article, we have sorted day trips by type. For each one, we explain how much time you should set aside and who it suits. At the end, there are practical notes on booking.
Types of day trips from Antalya
Tours departing from Antalya can be grouped under three main headings. Which one you choose depends on whether you are travelling with children, whether you enjoy walking and how many hours of the day you want to spend on the road.
Ancient cities and history
The area around Antalya is full of ancient cities. The best-known routes are:
- Perge: A large archaeological site. Sections such as the colonnaded street and the stadium are easy to explore.
- Aspendos: Famous for its well-preserved Roman theatre. Impressive even for those who are not history enthusiasts.
- Side: Known for the Temple of Apollo on the seafront. It is also possible to spend time on the beach after visiting the ruins.
- Termessos: A city on a mountainside. Suited to those who want to combine a nature walk with history; the paths are steep, so comfortable footwear is essential.
Entrance fees and opening hours on these routes may change over time. Check the current information before you go.
Nature and canyons
Outside the city centre, cool valleys, rivers and canyons begin on the foothills of the Taurus Mountains. Köprülü Canyon is the most celebrated of these. In the summer heat, mountain air and riverside settings offer a good escape. On nature routes, travel time and terrain vary. For families with small children or people who find walking difficult, it is worth finding out the difficulty level of the activity in advance.
Sea and islands
For many visitors to Antalya, the best part of the day is the sea. Swimming in coves, having lunch on a boat and being collected directly from your hotel are often the least tiring options. The option in our catalogue is [Antalya: Suluada Island Cruise w\/Lunch & Hotel Transfer](\/tour\/antalya-suluada-island-cruise-w-lunch-hotel-transfer-103) Antalya: Suluada Island Cruise w\/Lunch & Hotel Transfer. Lasting about 7.5 hours, this tour includes swimming in the turquoise coves around Suluada, lunch on the boat and return hotel transfers. Prices start from 55 EUR. It suits those who want to spend the whole day in the water and do not want to get off the boat for walks or museum visits.
How should you choose based on duration?
- Half day (4–5 hours): Suitable for those who want to set off early in the morning and return to the beach or city in the afternoon. Short boat trips and brief cultural tours fall into this group.
- Full day (6–8 hours): If you want swimming, food and scenery in a single day, this length offers a comfortable balance. The Suluada tour falls into this category.
- Long day (9 hours or more): Remote routes such as the Kekova–Demre–Myra route fall into this group. For very distant places such as Pamukkale, consider staying a night if possible. It can be done in one day, but it will be tiring.
We generally estimate journey times as shorter than they really are. Allow a buffer for traffic and breaks.
If you are staying in Alanya
Antalya province is very large. Alanya is also within the same province, but it operates as a separate holiday base, far from the city centre. The tours below depart not from central Antalya but from hotels in Alanya. If your accommodation is in Alanya, these will suit you well:
- [Alanya: Pirate Boat w\/Transfer, Lunch & Soft Drinks](\/tour\/alanya-pirate-boat-w-transfer-lunch-soft-drinks-101) Alanya: Pirate Boat w\/Transfer, Lunch & Soft Drinks: About 4.5 hours. Pirate-themed boat, lunch, soft drinks, swimming and snorkelling. Prices start from 20 EUR. A favourite with families and those wanting a short day at sea.
- [Alanya : Jeep Water Fight Safari w\/Lunch](\/tour\/alanya-jeep-water-fight-safari-w-lunch-102) Alanya: Jeep Water Fight Safari w\/Lunch: About 6 hours. A jeep adventure in mountainous terrain. Prices start from 25 EUR. A fun option for thrill-seeking groups and teenagers.
If you are staying in central Antalya, do not add these to your day trip plans. For Alanya, you will need to consider accommodation there or a separate transfer plan from the outset.
Notes for October and autumn
In mid-October, Antalya generally moves into milder weather after the most intense summer heat. The sea is often still suitable for swimming, and the crowds thin out. Even so, keep a few points in mind:
- It gets dark early. Take this into account for trips that return late.
- Departure days for boat and outdoor tours may vary by season. Check the current schedule before you book.
- The midday sun can still be strong at ancient sites. Bring a hat, water and comfortable shoes.
- Weather conditions can affect sea tours. Read the cancellation and change conditions when you book.
How do you book?
On TurB2C, tours are listed as products offered by licensed local agencies in Türkiye. Before booking, check the following:
- Starting point: Is pick-up from your hotel, or do you meet at a specific point?
- Duration: Is the transfer included in the total time?
- What's included: Lunch, drinks, equipment.
- Departure area: Central Antalya or Alanya?
Finalising your dates and booking early makes things easier, especially at weekends and during holiday periods.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest day trip from Antalya?
Boat tours generally require the least planning. You are collected from your hotel, and there is swimming and lunch throughout the day. The Suluada tour is a good example.
Which trip is suitable with children?
Short boat trips and easy-to-walk ancient sites are more comfortable for children. Long journeys and steep walks can tire little ones. Read each tour's age limit and conditions before booking.
Can I visit more than one place in a day?
It's possible, but I wouldn't really recommend it. Once travel times are taken into account, one main route a day and perhaps a short break works well. Sightseeing without rushing is more enjoyable.
Are entrance fees included in the tour price?
This varies from tour to tour. Read the "what's included" section on the tour page. Check before your visit, as ancient site entrance fees and museum opening hours may change.
