Best Things To Do in Antalya

Without a doubt, Antalya is a city that will surprise you and you won't hesitate to return. From its old town to its turquoise water coves, every corner is unique. Here you can live a relaxing experience where your only concern will be to enjoy yourself.

There are many things to do, such as taking advantage of a paragliding jump and feel the adrenaline rush, or relaxing in the sauna and massages typical of a Turkish bath. Waterfalls and mountains are also among the highlights and can be explored by jeep or quad. Ready? Here is a guide to the places and activities not to be missed.

It is impossible to go to Antalya and not pass by Kaleiçi, its wonderful old town. Its colourful, rustic, colonial houses contrast beautifully with the beaches. You wouldn't even think it was once just walls and ruins. It is also the commercial centre of the city and I wouldn't leave without buying some souvenirs, such as the mythical Turkish spices.

You have to go over Hadrian's Bridge and learn about the history of the Roman emperor and travel through 2000 years of history by climbing the Hidirlik Tower, as well as enjoying the panoramic views of the harbour. And as the past is a part of the essence of Antalya, I wouldn't miss the Broken Minaret which is the remains of an ancient mosque.

One experience I suggest for visiting this area is to book a guided tour of Antalya. This type of experience can include a visit to the attractions I mentioned, but can also be combined with a boat trip. Plus, you'll conquer the heights aboard the Tunektepe cable car that connects Kaleiçi to Tunektepe Mountain. All from just €34 per person.

When you arrive in Antalya, the first thing you'll notice is the greenery surrounding the city. The Lower Düden Waterfalls are ten minutes away from the local hustle and bustle and are a treat for the senses. What makes them doubly special are the daily rainbows that occur due to the weather conditions. In fact, one is likely to form every hour.

They are a favourite for comfortable swimming, but if you don't know the area it's best to visit with professionals and don't attempt to reach remote areas without the right equipment. Another option is to book a bike tour of Antalya, as they usually visit the main tourist attractions and then make a detour to the city's lovely beaches and waterfalls.

Turkish baths are a tradition that dates back to ancient civilisations and were an obligatory stop for the Ottomans. Luckily, they are still performed and are a complete moment of bliss. During this ritual the idea is that you can relax and socialise, as well as reap the benefits of the Turkish bath for body, soul and mind. They are usually held in stone buildings that have dim lighting, soft aromas and even traditional music.

Booking a traditional Turkish bath experience in Antalya allows you to enjoy relaxing massages, enter the steam room and enjoy a sauna. You may also be invited inside the salt chamber and enjoy special Turkish massages with oil, scrubs or foam.

If I were planning a trip to Antalya the first thing I'd pack in my suitcase would be swimwear. Although if you've forgotten, there are plenty of places to buy them in the local shops, with a variety of prints and at a great price. The Turquoise Coast is well worth a dip in the crystal clear waters and a summer tan.

You can choose from private beaches such as Lara Beach or central bays such as the incomparable Olympos Beach. They are also full of attractions and it is possible to connect with the animal world. If you have enough time, you could book a diving experience for beginners in Antalya.

This way, you will ensure an unforgettable adventure with a professional instructor. For a couple of hours you will go on guided dives to see reefs, fish and all that the depths of the Mediterranean Sea have to offer. It is completely safe, as during the training you will learn movements, safety procedures, how to communicate underwater and how to stay calm in case of an emergency.

I regret to inform you that you can only dive if you are going to be in Antalya for several days. There should be an interval of 12-48 hours between a flight and a dive. It will depend on the type of dive and the decompression techniques used but in general the aim is to avoid decompression sickness.

There is no better place for quad biking than the Taurus Mountains. They are special for their peaks, deep valleys and rivers that appear out of nowhere. Although you can explore on foot, it's more convenient to book a quad bike tour through Antalya, which often explores such mountainous destinations and makes it easier to negotiate the rugged terrain.

The area is also popular for rock climbing, rafting and mountain biking. You will probably witness the Göynük Valley, famous for its spectacular cliffs. This experience is ideal in the morning, when the coolness floods the mountains and the sun is at its most pleasant. Plus, if you do it with experts, you may find remote places that are largely unexploited by tourism.

Paragliding over Antalya is a fun and safe activity. It is done in the surrounding area, where there are terrains with ideal conditions for take-off and landing. It is also important to do it with a professional instructor who will train and guide you before and during the experience.

During the jump you will feel the cool breeze and probably see some natural attractions, such as Babadag Mountain and the nearby cliffs. While you are in the air you will see the city and the Mediterranean Sea, but also Mount Olympos.

It will surely bring out some screams of adrenaline and happiness, but you will be safe at all times. When booking a paragliding flight in Antalya you might land on Cleopatra Beach. This bay is famous for its sand brought from Egypt, but not only is it beautiful, but also because this type of sand does not get hot, which reduces the risk of burns when the descent is faster.

Museums are interesting and a great way to learn about local history, but nothing compares to Sandland. This open-air museum is located on Lara Beach. Here you'll step out of the ordinary and explore hundreds of gigantic sculptures moulded into the seashore.

Some depict nature, but there are also striking mythological figures. The surprising thing is that they are all made of sand, with a technique that allows them to be preserved over time and in any type of climate. Can you imagine the amount of sand that was used? Although it sounds crazy, it is estimated to be over 10,000 tons.

You can buy tickets for Sandland in Antalya and take advantage of its proximity to the beach to enjoy a dip and eat at the nearby beach bars.

If adrenaline is your thing and you want to explore all the things to do in Antalya, I recommend buying tickets to the Land of Legends theme park This theme park is famous for its water rides which include rides and slides of different intensities.

You can also enjoy roller coasters, such as the Hyper Coaster which takes you up to 115 km per hour and is noted for its loops and unexpected twists and turns. You shouldn't miss the live shows, where you can delight in the animal kingdom in a show of lights, acrobatics and music. I find it easy to navigate because it is divided into two zones:

• Aqualand: the world of water attractions.
• Adventureland: a paradise of mechanical attractions of pure adrenaline.

If you want to explore Antalya's indoor activities, you could make the most of a visit to the Antalya Aquarium and Wax Museum. At the aquarium you can walk through the transparent underwater tunnel, one of the largest in the world with a length of 131 metres, allowing you to walk among sharks and other species.

In addition, there are other interesting exhibits in 40 themed tanks and the possibility of interacting with some marine animals. The Face 2 Face Wax Museum is ideal for having your photo taken with a Turkish celebrity, although there are also Hollywood celebrities, famous sportsmen and historical figures. In total there are 70 figures including Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, Cleopatra and Kobe Bryant.

Buying tickets for the Antalya Wax Museum and Aquarium is a great way to save money. There are even tickets that add other experiences such as:

• Snow and Ice World Museum: you'll delve into the world of ice sculptures, where out-of-the-ordinary attractions such as sub-zero rooms await.
• Tropical Reptile House: a space dedicated to the care of snakes, lizards, exotic turtles and other reptile species.
• Oceanride XD Cinema: a 4D cinema offering special effects projections including water, unexpected twists and turns and wind.

Although Antalya has plenty of great photo spots, it's always a good idea to find some additional ones to capture unforgettable moments of your holiday. At Selfie Park, a creative world of themed scenarios awaits you to explore as a family. There are around 50 sets and scenery that will elevate your photos.

There are also interactive areas, such as the mirror maze where you're sure to have fun with the variety of optical illusions. I recommend buying tickets for Selfie Park online to take advantage of a skip the line pass.

The Temple of Apollo is a historical marvel dedicated to the Greek god of light and prophecy. It is located a short distance from Antalya, in neighbouring Side. Don't expect to see the inside, because nowadays all that remains are the ruins, although I promise you they're a visual spectacle. At dusk, it's impressive how it contrasts with the clear sky and the bright stars in the background.

Annually you can see the famous star shower or Perseid phenomenon. They take place between July and August, although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact time. All indications are that the night of 12 August is the best time to see them, so you could try your luck. People tend to do it at the Temple of Apollo because there is less light pollution.

The Temple of Apollo has always been a popular place, however visits increased because it was a location for the famous Turkish series Sen Çal Kapımı.

During your visit you can delight in a wide range of excursions and get to know Antalya's hidden coves, canyons, mountains and historical ruins.

You'll be surprised by Antalya's connection to Greece, as the city is close to several Greek islands, and some Turkish enclaves were once occupied by the Greeks and Romans. In addition to the Temple of Apollo in Side, you can visit temples dedicated to Apollo in Hierapolis and Aspendos.

Excursion to Pamukkale and Hierapolis

If you're in Antalya, you can't miss a trip to the wonderful Turkish cotton castle known as Pamukkale. This tour also allows you to walk among the ancient cities that once belonged to the gods and marvel at the ruins of Hierapolis, including the Temple of Apollo and Plutonius.

Booking a trip to Pamukkale and Hierapolis from Antalya also allows you to soak in the thermal waters of Cleopatra's Pool to discover the legends surrounding this oasis and take advantage of its benefits for the body.

Excursion to Aspendos, Perge and Manavgat Waterfall

If I were you, I wouldn't miss out on booking a trip to Aspendos, Perge and the Manavgat waterfall. The trip starts in the Greek-Roman city of Aspendos, where the Temple of Apollo and other preserved historical ruins await you. Along the way you can stop to refresh yourself at the Manavgat Waterfall and admire it from the highest point.

Of course, this excursion is ideal to visit Pergue, the home of Apollonius. Consider that nowadays you can only see settlements and archaeological sites, most of which date back to the 12th century BC.

Boat trip to the island of Suluada and Adrasan

During your visit you should take advantage of the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and book a boat trip to Suluada Island and Adrasan. Between the two bays, crystal clear waters and hidden coves await you, where you can enjoy a private evening with your family or friends.

If you like adventure, you'll have a great time exploring pirate caves, cliffs and rock formations. Overall though, it's a relaxing experience combined with magical places like the Düden waterfall.

Excursion to Yumaklar

If you'd like to conquer the wild side of this city, nothing beats booking a jeep tour of Antalya. You'll head out in search of the most suitable terrain for this activity and get to see wonders such as the Taurus Mountains.

Bring clothes that you don't mind getting dirty as you'll be submerged in the dust and mud. You can also explore picturesque villages such as Yumaklar, which is a window into Turkish village life where you can sample Turkish delicacies such as:

• Shish Kebab, which consists of skewered meat with Turkish spices.
• Pide, a thick, wood-fired dough that is prepared with different fillings.
• Burnt ice cream, a refreshing dessert with a light smoky flavour.

Rafting, canyoning and zip-lining adventure excursion.

If there is one thing that characterises the Turks, it is their adventurous spirit. Near Antalya you can book a rafting, canyoning and zip-lining tour Generally, suitable locations are sought in the mountains, allowing you to see the Koprulu Gorge and pass through the Köprüçay River.