From Antalya you can reach three Roman cities (Perge, Aspendos, Side) and a 2,365 m summit by cable car (Tahtalı) in under an hour. In two hours: Alanya east or Olympos west. In three: Kaş and Kaputaş. And with a long day: Pamukkale. Pick one or two depending on your days.
| Trip | Direction | Distance | Drive | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perge | East | 17 km | 25 min | Ruins, mornings |
| Aspendos | East | 45 km | 50 min | The best-preserved Roman theatre |
| Side | East | 65 km | 1 h | Ruins + beach |
| Tahtalı cable car (Kemer) | West | 60 km | 1 h | Mountain and views |
| Olympos & Çıralı | West | 80 km | 1.5 h | Nature and beach |
| Alanya | East | 130 km | 2 h | Castle and Cleopatra Beach |
| Kaş & Kaputaş | West | 190 km | 3 h | Photos and sea |
| Pamukkale | North | 240 km | 3.5 h | White terraces and Hierapolis |
Aspendos, Perge and Side: a Roman day
All three lie on the eastern road and fit into one day. Start with Perge, its colonnaded street and theatre, continue to Aspendos for the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world (15,000 seats, still hosting concerts and the summer opera festival), and finish at Side with the Temple of Apollo by the sea at sunset.
Tahtalı cable car and Kemer
From Kemer the Olympos cable car climbs to the 2,365 m summit of Tahtalı in ten minutes: the sea on one side, the Taurus on the other, snow in winter while you look down on a beach you'll swim at an hour later. Combine it with Kemer's bay or the ancient city of Olympos and Çıralı beach.
Kaş and Kaputaş
The coastal road west is long but one of the most beautiful in Türkiye. Kaş is a small town of white lanes and harbour restaurants, and Kaputaş, the famous turquoise beach, lies just before it. Leave before 8 am, or stay a night in Kaş.
Alanya
The Seljuk castle on the headland, the Red Tower and harbour, Damlataş cave and Cleopatra Beach. A full, relaxed day for families, and a good look at the city for anyone considering a long stay.
Pamukkale
White travertine terraces, warm pools and the ancient city of Hierapolis with its theatre and Cleopatra's pool. UNESCO-listed and worth the distance. Walking barefoot on the travertine is compulsory, so bring a bag for your shoes.
A private car or van with an Arabic- or English-speaking driver, pick-up at your hotel, entrance tickets and a guide on request at the ancient sites. For families we add stops and choose child-friendly timings.
Keep reading: Complete Antalya guide · Where to stay in Antalya · Antalya airport to the city · Best beaches in Antalya · Living & residency in Antalya
Frequently asked questions
What is the best day trip from Antalya?
For history: Aspendos, Perge and Side in one day (all east of the city). For nature: the Tahtalı cable car with the Kemer coves. For photos: Kaş and Kaputaş. With a long day to spare: Pamukkale.
Can you visit Pamukkale from Antalya in a day?
Yes, but it's long: 240 km and about 3.5 hours each way. Leave at dawn and return in the evening, or better, stay one night in Pamukkale.
Is Cappadocia a day trip from Antalya?
No — Cappadocia is 550 km away and needs at least two nights. You can fly from Antalya to Kayseri or Nevşehir.
Are the trips suitable for children?
Aspendos, Side, the cable car and Alanya are very suitable. Kaputaş has a long staircase and Pamukkale is a long day in the car. We adapt the programme to the children's ages.
