Itineraries for Your Trip to Antalya
3 Days in Antalya for Families
The first place I traveled in Turkey after I moved to Istanbul was Antalya. It was early spring, and while Istanbul was still gray and raw, Antalya was all sunshine. I remember the first time I saw the ridge of dramatic mountains on Antalya’s skyline, framing its blue harbor.
I’m grateful that my first trip to Antalya is one I took with my family. I’ve returned to Antalya many times since that first trip, and it often feels like a homecoming. Every time I see those jagged peaks and that blue Mediterranean water, I remember my parents and sister. It’s a great place to travel with the people you love.
Antalya has hot, dry summers and cool, mild winters.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Hadrian’s Gate, a ruin in the center of Antalya.
Spend your first day getting acquainted with the city of Antalya. Family members of all ages will enjoy walking through the cobblestoned streets of the old city neighborhood of Kaleici, but a bike ride could be fun for older kids.
In the afternoon, head just out of the city to the Duden Waterfalls, a nearby natural attraction with good infrastructure that makes it easy to take children around the site.
On your second day, head out onto the water on a pirate-themed, family-friendly boat tour. Some of the Antalya area's most interesting sites are best seen from the water, and children will enjoy spotting turtles and dolphins in the sea.
When you’re back on land, kids and family members of all ages will love Sandland, a museum of sand sculptures located right on Lara Beach.
Antalya is a great gateway to the beautiful nature of southern Turkey, and the best way to experience it with your family is on an all-ages buggy safari. This is an easy way to have an off-road adventure that is safe and enjoyable for the whole family.
Alternatively, head to the Land of Legends theme park. Older kids will enjoy the roller coasters and water slides, while younger kids will enjoy the animal encounters and shows.
