Time to Rent a Car for Travelling Antalya

Stretching along the Mediterranean coast, When called summer tourism in Turkey, Antalya is the first the place comes to mind.

Antalya, with its vast beaches and unique bays, rich historical heritage, exquisite natural beauties and magnificent views, is a paradise for history, culture and nature lovers.

Antalya, which has the most ancient city in our country, is a popular tourism center where the local and foreign tourists get enough of the sea, sand and sun with its climate.

Places to Visit in Antalya

1. Kaleiçi

Antalya's historic district is a sight in itself and you could happily spend an hour or so strolling the narrow lanes here while admiring the mix of finely restored and creakily dilapidated Ottoman-era architecture.

The district begins at the main square, Kale Kapısı, which is marked by the old stone Saat Kulesi and statue of Attalus II, the city's founder. To the north is the İki Kapılar Hanı, a sprawling covered bazaar dating to the late 15th century. Walk south along Uzun Çarşi Sokak, the street that starts opposite the clock tower. Immediately on the left is the 18th-century Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Camii, a mosque built by the Beylerbey (Governor of Governors), Tekeli Mehmet Paşa, and repaired extensively in 1886 and 1926. Note the beautiful Arabic calligraphy in the coloured tiles above the windows and along the base of the dome.

Wander further into this protected zone, where many of the gracious old Ottoman houses have been restored and converted into pensions, boutique hotels and shops. To the east, at the top of Hesapçi Sokak, is the monumental Hadrian's Gate, also known as Üçkapılar or the 'Three Gates', erected for the Roman emperor's visit to Antalya in 130 AD.

The Roman Harbour at the base of the slope was Antalya's lifeline from the 2nd century BC until late in the 20th century, when a new port was constructed about 12km to the west, at the far end of Konyaaltı Plajı. The harbour was restored during the 1980s and is now a marina for yachts and excursion boats. An elevator descends the cliff to the harbour from the western end of Cumhuriyet Meydanı.

At the southwestern edge of Kaleiçi, on the corner of Karaalioğlu Parkı(a large, attractive, flower-filled park with panoramic sea views) rises Hıdırlık Kalesi, a 14m-high tower dating to the 1st or 2nd century AD. It was built as a mausoleum and later, due to its excellent position above the bay, played an important role in the city's defences as a watchtower and lighthouse.

2. Antalya Museum

Do not miss this comprehensive museum with exhibitions covering everything from the Stone and Bronze Ages to Byzantium. The Hall of Regional Excavations exhibits finds from ancient cities in Lycia (such as Patara and Xanthos) and Phrygia, while the Hall of Gods displays beautiful and evocative statues of 15 Olympian gods, many in excellent condition. Most of the statues were found at Perge, including the sublime Three Graces and the towering Dancing Woman dominating the first room.

The sarcophagi, including one for a third-century dog from Termessos, are also stunning. Upstairs are coins and other gold artefacts recovered from Aspendos, Side and various Byzantine and Ottoman sites, including the so-called Elmalı Treasure of almost 2000 Lycian coins. This was looted from Turkey in 1984 and returned from the USA 15 years later.

3. Yivli Minare

This handsome and distinctive 'fluted' minaret, erected by Seljuk Sultan Aladdin Keykubad I in the early 13th century, is Antalya's symbol. The adjacent mosque (1373) is still in use.Within the Yivli Minare complex is a craft centre in the restored 13th-century Imaret Medresesi (seminary); the heavily restored Mevlevi Tekke, a whirling dervish monastery dating probably from the 13th century; and two türbe (tombs), one from the late 14th century and the other from 1502. The broad plaza to the west with the equestrian statue of Atatürk is Cumhuriyet Meydanı.

4. Konyaalti Beach

West of Antalya you will find refreshment in the cool water of Konyaalti Beach and Aqualand. While there is a great offer for kids to play in the waterpark, it promises a fun experience for the whole family. Relax in a beach chair with a drink in hand or drop in the Migros MMM shopping center nearby. The Konyaalti neighborhood will be worth a visit.

5. Lara Beach

Lara Plaji, about 6 miles east of Antalya, is a nice shallow sand beach. The rubble-stoned beach, Konyaalti, lies a little bit closer west of the city. Boat excursions start in the harbour and go to the Düden Waterfalls and the Lara Beach.

6. Termessos Ancient City

About 30 km northeast of Antalya lies the ancient city of Termessos. Besides breathtaking views and a rare flora and fauna, here you can find the remains of once great temples, forts and city walls. A walk along the mountain fortress will lead you across impressive sights such as the Necropole or the Odeion Theater. 

You can rent a car from our Antalya Airport branch and reach Termessos through Burdur or Korkuteli (D350/E87) highways.

7. Perge

Perge, 11 miles east of Antalya, was the home of the Hittites about 1500 AD, before the Greeks colonized the region after the Trojan War. On a very large area of ruins, there is a Roman theatre, an enormous stadium and several streets with columns dating back to the days when the apostle Paul supposedly has stopped here on one of his missions. 

You can reach Perge by using our car rental service or transfer service.

8. Antalya Aquarium

Discover the magical underwater world at Antalya Aquarium, a place where you can admire ten thousands of underwater creatures, make snowballs from real snow in "Snow World" or why not swim with sharks and rays? Also features the world’s biggest underwater tunnel that should not be missed.

9. Side

Side, between Antalya and Alanya, is one of the innumerable places where Cleopatra and Markus Antonius are said to have had a rendezvous. At almost every street corner, you stumble over ruins. The theatre, which has a capacity of 25.000 persons, is located on a plain piece of land and is supported by strong walls. The Roman bath next to the theatre is a very beautiful archaeological museum.

You can rent a car from our Antalya Airport branch and reach Side through Alanya (D400) highways.

10. Manavgat

Manavgat is a town which is located 72 km from Antalya. At this sunny coastal city you can explore sandy beaches, historical sites, a waterfall and caves. There are also plenty of restaurants, accommodations and shops in Manavgat.

11. Beskonak

The National Park (between Antalya and Alanya) is very beautiful and has several interesting ruins and trout farms. Here, it is always colder than along the coastline. Why not try white water rafting? Let's hire car from TİME to live this experience.

12. MiniCity Antalya

Stroll around at this mini city park and admire the miniature display of major buildings and attractions in Turkey. This open air exhibition is a great way to get an overview of Turkey. There is also a children's playground and restaurants in the area. Do not forget the camera! and Do not forget to call us to rent a car! :)

13. Tünektepe

Climb the hill of Tünektepe which lies 618 m above sea level. It is a light hike for the whole family and once you’ve reached the top you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Antalya at its best. If you get tired, you can refresh yourself as there is a hotel with a restaurant situated on the hill.

14. Kemer

The Kemer area has two beaches, Moonlight Beach on one side of the marina and Public Beach on the other. Other fine beaches are located north of Kemer in Göynük, Beldibi and Kiziltepe, or towards the south in Camyuva and Tekirova.

15. Olympos and the Chimaera

The near-twin villages of Olympos and Çirali, about 84 kilometers southwest of Antalya, sit on a piece of lovely coastline near the overgrown ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Olympos. As well as the ruins, the famed attraction here is the chimaera, a naturally occurring eternal flame that flickers out of the rocky cliff above. Olympos is popular with young backpackers and has a reputation for being lively at night, while Çirali is more laid-back and all about chilling out on the beach. Both are perfect for anyone seeking a beach holiday well away from Turkey's purposely built-up tourist resorts.

16. Karain Cave (Karain Magarasi)

The Karain Cave, about 27 kilometers northwest of Antalya, near Dösemalti, was inhabited by prehistoric man and has yielded finds from both the Lower and Middle Paleolithic eras. Excavated finds here include bones and teeth belonging to Neolithic man. Some of the finds are on show in the small but remarkably comprehensive museum on-site. The wide, arching caverns here are a good opportunity for some easy caving and are very popular with local families having a break from the city.

If you can, try to come on a weekday, when they're less busy. If you have a rental car, the cave and museum combined with the karst springs a little farther north make a good day trip.

17. Karst Springs

The limestone countryside around Antalya is rich in karst springs, sinkholes, and waterfalls. The lime deposits from these springs have built up over a period of 1.5 to two million years into vast travertine terraces similar to the famed terraces at Pamukkale. Kirkgöz and Pinarbasi (just to the northwest of Antalya) have springs and sinkholes to see, while at Düdenbasi, a cascade of waterfalls tumbles down a narrow gorge. There are both upper falls (Düdenbasi Selalesi) and lower falls (Düden Çayi) to admire, and a trip here makes a nice nature break from Antalya's glut of historic attractions.

18. Phaselis

The old Lycian port of Phaselis, about 60 kilometers southwest of Antalya, is where Alexander the Great set up his winter quarters in 334 BC. There are remains of a theater, aqueduct, temples, a colonnaded street, and a Hadrian's Arch Gateerected in AD 114. The seaside location of the ruins is very pretty, and a museum on-site displays excavated finds.

If you have a rental car and have time, a couple of kilometers before Phaselis is the Olympos Teleferik(cable car), which journeys up the side of Tahtali Mountain to the summit at 2,275 meters for panoramic vistas over the coast.

19. Kaş

Kaş, once an unspoiled fishing village, is now a relatively unspoiled tourist town on the southern bulge of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast two hours’ drive southeast of Fethiye and three hours’ drive southwest of Antalya (map).

Despite dozens of new hotels and pensions, Kaş still has charm, part of which comes from its setting at the foot of a wall of mountains facing the sparkling Mediterranean.

Another part of its charm comes from Kaş’s unhurried ambience. Because it is hours away from the Mediterranean’s two major airports (Antalya airports and Dalaman airport),you can use these two airports to hire car from TİME, it gets fewer visitors than towns that are more quickly accessible.Ruins of the ancient town of Antiphellos mix with modern buildings in Kaş. Across the water to the south lies the Greek island of  Megisti . You can go there easily for a day trip.

Kaş’s beaches are small, pebbly and apt to be crowded, so visitors in search of a broad, long sand beach drive west to Patara and do not forget to visit and take photo in Kaputaş.

Otherwise, visitors to Kaş spend time in waterfront coffee-houses and restaurants, take boat tripsto nearby Üçağız and Kaleköy or the Blue Cave, visit the neighboring village of Kalkan (map), or walk up the mountain to the cliff tombs.

Kaş is also a good base for exploring the plentiful ancient Lycian cities and archeological sites such as Demre (Kale), Patara, Xanthos (Kınık), Letoön, Saklıkent and Tlos.

Come by car, or by bus, perhaps changing at Fethiye or Antalya.