Exploring Antalya and Beyond: A Perfect Spring Road Trip
In mid-April, the weather around Antalya was wonderfully unpredictable—ideal for a bit of adventure! Rain came and went, but there were no fully rainy days; the clouds would roll away, leaving room for blue skies. With temperatures reaching a comfortable 17-18°C, it was perfect for walking and hiking.
Antalya is surrounded by so many incredible sites, both natural and historical, that it’s a shame not to take advantage of them. Our trip was planned for nine days, though it could easily be shortened to a week if you skip Kemer.
Antalya and Nearby Wonders – 2 Days
Our first days were spent exploring some local highlights:
- Duden Waterfalls: A refreshing and picturesque stop.
- Aspendos Amphitheater: An ancient marvel that’s still remarkably preserved.
- Antalya Archaeological Museum: An absolute must for history lovers, showcasing artifacts from Turkey’s rich past.
With these spots close by, Antalya is an excellent starting point for a memorable journey through Turkey’s coastal gems.
Over two days, there’s plenty of time to see the awe-inspiring waterfall by the sea, the remarkably well-preserved Aspendos Amphitheater, and the ancient aqueduct with its siphon system (where water was pushed uphill through stone pipes due to pressure).
It’s lovely to relax at a hotel near the airport.
Driving along the Lara coast toward Belek, you’ll pass a series of hotels with mind-blowing architecture. There’s a replica of the Kremlin with a history museum, Venice’s Doge’s Palace, a Japanese-style hotel, and even one shaped like the Titanic. It feels like a slice of Las Vegas right on the Turkish coast.
A trip into Antalya itself is also worth it to explore the old town. On our last visit, we were amazed by the archaeological museum, filled with sculptures unearthed from the ancient city of Perge.
Day 3: Kemer, Phaselis, and Göynük Canyon
We wandered through the ruins of the ancient Greek port of Phaselis, nestled between two sea bays. That same day, we made it to Göynük Canyon, where we walked along the path between rocky mountains and crossed the river on suspension bridges.
To my surprise, I agreed to my son and husband’s suggestion to zip-line across the gorge. Luckily, it all ended well!
Day 4: Perge, Road to Pamukkale, and Lake Salda
We returned to Antalya to meet up with my sister’s family. In the morning, we explored another ancient Greek city—Perge. It amazed us with its long street featuring an intricate system of water channels and drains, lined by a beautiful row of columns.
I can only imagine how captivating it would be to stage immersive theater scenes there!
After visiting Perge, we set off for Pamukkale.
The beautiful highway, with two lanes in each direction and a median strip, winds through mountains that rival the Alps in beauty. Despite the rain, we decided to take a small detour to see the otherworldly Lake Salda, often called the “Turkish Maldives.” The weather was on our side—just as we arrived, the rain stopped, a rainbow appeared, and the sun came out, letting us admire the lake’s stunning blue waters and the brilliant white of the shores. We discovered that this “sand” isn’t sand at all but unique formations created by local algae.
Day 5 – Pamukkale: White Travertines, Hierapolis, Cleopatra’s Pool, and Red Travertines
We arrived the evening before and stayed in a small hotel right across from the cliffs, which we saw in all their splendor in the morning. Bathed in sunlight, they truly look like bright white sheets or lace draped over the landscape.
It was nice to leisurely check off each item on the classic tourist itinerary: wandering through the ancient city of Hierapolis, admiring the vibrant spring poppies against the ruins, walking through the warm water pools, and even dipping in Cleopatra’s Pool, where the water is a cozy 35 degrees—though I was the only one who didn’t swim, opting instead to stay bundled up in my jacket and take photos of everyone else.
Day 6: Journey from Pamukkale to Kaş with a Stop in Patara for an Adventurous Hike
We set off right after breakfast, reaching a small village near the sea and the ancient city of Patara after a four-hour drive. Following lunch, we embarked on an exciting hiking route that took us through a pine forest, a sandy beach with massive dunes resembling a seaside desert, a stretch of the Lycian Way, and a visit to the ancient silted harbor and city of Patara, the birthplace of Saint Nicholas. My husband found the route on the Komoot app, and I highly recommend it—a remarkable variety of sights packed into just two hours!
Day 7: Kaş to Uçagız (a small harbor) and Cirali
By evening, we arrived in the charming seaside town of Kaş, which reminded me of the cozy Mediterranean towns in Greece, Croatia, or Italy. It turned out that just across the way on an island lies Greece, accessible by ferry, though a visa is required. The town’s streets wind upward into the mountains, lined with small, historic houses adorned with lovely balconies. The air is filled with the scent of blooming orange and other delightful trees, while the calls of the muezzin from the mosque remind us that we are in Turkey.
Just a 40-minute drive from Kaş toward Antalya, there’s a tiny harbor where you can take a boat trip to the sunken city. It’s only an hour and a half to two hours, but it feels like you’ve been on the water for a week. Not far from there is the Byzantine fortress of Simena, which is also worth a climb—the views from up there are breathtaking!
By evening, while it was still light out, we arrived in the seaside village of Çıralı, which feels like a cozy cottage community with simple wooden houses nestled among greenery between the cliffs and a pebbly beach that has no beach amenities. It’s said that this spot was initially discovered by yoga enthusiasts, and now it’s become quite popular. But the best part is that the beach has remained in its pristine condition. I heard that they organize family camps there.
Day 8: Çıralı, Stroll Through Ancient Olympus, and Hike to Mount Chimaera
The highlight of the day was the hike to Chimaera—an unforgettable experience with the magic of flames flickering up from beneath the ground.
We were amazed by the sheer number of cats everywhere, even on the mountain! It was surprising to see them up there, considering we had to climb to reach it, and there were no houses nearby.
And so, our journey comes to an end. Day 9, Morning: The drive to Antalya Airport takes about 1.5 hours. Time to head home!