Things to do in Antalya

Green Canyon boat cruise with lunch and shopping

The star attractions of this full day excursion are shopping, riverside dining and a beautiful, wild canyon. You'll take a canyon boat trip and stop for a swim at Oymapinar Dam Lake. Narin, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Oymapinar Dam Lake is one of the largest reservoirs in Turkey, covering an area of approximately 19 square kilometres. The lake is fed by the Manavgat River, which flows south from the Taurus Mountains and eventually empties into the Mediterranean Sea at Side.' Your tour starts with a spot of shopping at Dickman Textile Centre. If fashion is your thing, then you're in luck as you can enjoy browsing for clothing and accessories from leading brands with attentive shopkeepers. Next, we'll head to a riverside restaurant for a freshly prepared meal made with locally sourced ingredients. Afterwards it's all aboard, ready for a cruise down the canyon waterway. Spectacularly rugged rock formations tower around you and the river, in shades of turquoise and green, snakes away into the distance. It's a tranquil slice of Turkish natural beauty and the colour of the water is spellbinding. You'll cruise the canyon, admiring the views, before the boat slows - you'll be able to swim in these wild surroundings once the boat reaches the Oymapinar Lake.

Antalya Old Town tour with Karpuzkaldiran Waterfall visit

Thundering over the cliffs into the Mediterranean Sea, the Karpuzkaldiran waterfall is a sight to behold. This leisurely tour will take you to snap the falls before heading into Antalya's old town for a guided walk and some free time to explore.

Ormana Tour including button houses and lunch

Uncover the secrets of Ormana village and its surrounds. On this cultural group tour, you'll visit viewpoints and villages as well as have the chance to see the famous Ormana wild horses. There is also a trip to see local caves by boat - summer only - and in winter a local village . This is an experience with a special focus on sustainability and community engagement, but it's also rewarding for you. As Muzzafer, one of our local guides, says, "wild horses running freely and epic natural scenery – these mountains have so much to offer you and your camera."We begin the day by taking freshly brewed Turkish tea in a traditional Anatolian house in Ürünlü, a charming hamlet of red-roofed wooden and stone homes. In the summer months the next activity involves visiting Altinbesik caves by boat, wheras in winter you'll stop at a village and museum. Then, it's on to Ormana, with its wooden mosque and its unusual ‘button houses'. Contributions from this tour support the villagers' efforts to restore these centuries-old dwellings. Soak up Ormana's laidback vibe before sitting down for a lunch of ‘KM0' products in a family-owned restaurant.In the afternoon, we'll head to the nearby ruins of an ancient caravanserai – a medieval motel for travelling traders. To round off this immersive countryside tour, we'll venture to the desolate landscapes of the Eynif Plains, where you'll hopefully witness the majestic wild horses roaming in their natural habitat.

Full-day self-driving 4x4 tour of the Taurus Mountains

Inland Anatolia and the Taurus Mountains are a paradise for outdoors lovers. This full day tour includes a self-drive off-road safari, a walk through the Canyon of the Eagles, plus visits to ‘Green Cappadocia' and ancient Selge.

Half-day guided tour of Side with Temple of Apollo visit

Ancient Side has hardly changed since its days as a getaway for legendary lovers Antony and Cleopatra. Uncover one of southern Turkey's best-kept secrets with this tour. You'll get to snap photos by the Temple of Apollo, discover the huge Roman theatre and explore modern Side, too. As Muzaffer, one of our guides, says, ‘You'll walk all over history. On the way to the Temple of Apollo, there are glass walkways over ancient Roman streets.'Side's location on a compact little headland is as romantic as it gets. Our expert local guide will give you the lowdown on the long history of this once-busy Roman port. You'll see the marketplace where slaves were traded, the Byzantine hospital and the Vespasian Gate. Then you'll head inside either the ancient theatre, which is a sight to behold – it seated up to 20,000 spectators – or the former bathhouse, which is now a museum with a small but impressive collection of the artefacts dug up here.But one of the most-photographed spots is the Temple of Apollo. Legend says that this second-century seafront shrine was a gift from Antony to Cleopatra. And just beside it is the Temple of Athena – zoom in on the frieze of Medusa heads. Once you've explored the ruins, there'll be free time in modern Side to buy a sizzling kebab at one of the street stalls, or haggle for bargains in the backstreet bazaars. What's more, for your convenience, this is a small group tour to help you follow the guide better and avoid agglomerations.

Private boat tour to Kekova’s sunken city and Myra ruins

Authentic cuisine, a lost city and Santa – this trip offers an eclectic mix of attractions. You'll glide along the coast to Kekova island and its sunken town, then visit the church of St Nicholas and the ancient city of Myra. Ahmet, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The highlight of the day for me has to be the ruined Lycian city of Myra. The rock-cut friezes carved with theatrical masks and the stacked tombs hewn into the cliffs are a unique sight. It still takes my breath away that parts of this site are thought to be around 2,500 years old.'Proceedings get under way with a scenic drive with a comfort stop at the Sahin Hill in Kumluca. Next, sail to Kekova island, a protected area famed for its underwater ruins. These are the relics of the ancient town of Simena, partially submerged by an earthquake in the 2nd century. There's time for a swim in the warmer months – the water is clear and inviting – it would be difficult to resist a dip in the sea. But if the weather doesn't permit a boat trip, there's a visit to the fascinating Demre museum instead.After a tasty lunch of typical dishes freshly prepared in a local restaurant, it's time to visit the Church of St Nicholas, who's better known today as Santa Claus. Finally, you'll have time to tour the site of the ancient city of Myra to explore the well-preserved amphitheatre and see the intricately carved rock tombs, high in the cliff face.

Pamukkale, Hierapolis and Lake Salda private tour

This private tour takes you to Pamukkale, which means ‘cotton castle' in Turkish – and you'll see why as soon as you set eyes upon its magical landscape. Heading deep into the Anatolian countryside, you'll also visit ancient Hierapolis, Lake Salda. As with all our tours, we use expert local guides who know the area inside out. Muzaffer, one of the guides, says, ‘I've got a lot of interesting things to tell on this tour that you won't hear anywhere else.'Leaving Antalya early in the morning, you'll arrive at Lake Salda Lake after a few hours' scenic drive. It's been compared to the Maldives for its long white beaches and multi-toned blue waters. You'll have free time to take some photos of this otherworldly spot. And this is just a taster for what's to come in the afternoon.Next, we'll head to Pamukkale for lunch. After your meal, admire of the bright white calcite terraces – they look like icy stalactites dripping from pools of sky-blue water. At the top of these travertines is Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the Byzantine Gate and marvel at the ruins as you stroll towards the vast bowl-shaped theatre. It's an epic scene. Dinner in a forest restaurant on the way back is included. What's more, for every sale of this experience, there's a donation to CYDD, a charity that helps in the education of underprivileged children in Turkey.

Private tour of Sagalassos ancient city and Burdur Museum

Situated in a remote region of southwest Turkey, the isolated location of Sagalassos has helped keep it a hidden gem. An important city to both Alexander the Great and ancient Rome, discover this incredibly well-preserved archaeological site with the added bonus of a Lake Karacaören photo stop and a visit to Burdur museum.You'll travel north through the Turkish countryside on this private tour, kicking off in what is one of the world's largest archaeological sites. But first, there's a stop to admire the almost made-for-Instagram Lake Karacaören – a top Turkish beauty spot.On arrival at Sagalassos, a tour of the impressive mountaintop ruins awaits. Surrounded by crumbling columns, villas, temples and major must-sees like the city centre and the Hellenistic theatre, it's like stepping through the pages of a history book. After lunch, a walking tour of nearby Burdur and a visit to the city museum reveals even more about the region's past.

Full-day tour of Phaselis and Tahtali Mountain with Dino Park visit

If you'd like an insight into Antalya's past and present, then this day tour will tick all the boxes. You've got history at the ancient ruins of Phaselis and panoramic views with a ride on the Olympos Aerial Tram. What's more, there's time to visit one of Antalya's best beaches and enjoy lunch at the top of Mt Tahtali.

Manavgat River pirate cruise with swim stops

All aboard this Manavgat river cruise for a family-friendly day out on the waves. Pirate-themed games, swimming and the chance to get up close to the Apollo Temple – both kids and grown-ups are in for an action-packed day. Isra, one of our expert local guides, says, “there's something for the whole family on this cruise – kids will love the pirate-themed activities, and the adults have time to relax and enjoy the views of the Apollo Temple ruins from the deck of the ship.”The fun begins the moment you step on the boat. All dark wood and sturdy sails, it's every bit the authentic pirate ship. Accompanied by a crew of Jack Sparrow-style sailors, we'll cast off down the River Manavgat. The kids will be busy learning pirate language and having their faces painted by the entertainment team, while adults can sit back and sip on a refreshing drink from the bar. We'll anchor for a spot of swimming, before tucking into a tasty lunch served on board.After lunch, the route sees us venturing into the Mediterranean. Here, you'll get to admire the spectacular Apollo Temple ruins, dating back to 150 AD. The temple was dedicated to Apollo, the Greek god of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing – you'll be able to recognise it easily from the ship's deck because of its tall columns. To round the day off, we'll continue to our final swim stop location. Cool off in the fresh waters while the kids have fun hunting for a treasure chest buried on the shore. It's a family day out like no other.

Summer tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis with Lake Salda

This summer tour takes you to Pamukkale, which means ‘cotton castle' in Turkish – and you'll see why as soon as you set eyes upon its magical landscape. Heading deep into the Anatolian countryside, you'll also visit Hierapolis, and stop en route at dazzling Lake Salda. Muzaffer, one of our expert guides, says, ‘Pamukkale is like something out of a fairytale – a spectacle of terraces formed over thousands of years that look like a cascading snowy waterfall. Legend has it, the hot thermal springs here have healing properties.'Leaving Antalya early in the morning, you'll arrive at Lake Salda after a few hours' scenic drive. It's been compared to the Maldives for its long white beaches and multi-toned blue waters. You'll have free time to take some photos of this otherworldly spot. Then we'll continue to Pamukkale for lunch. Afterwards, admire the bright white calcite terraces – they look like icy stalactites dripping from pools of sky-blue water.At the top of these travertines is Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the Byzantine Gate and marvel at the ruins as you stroll towards the vast bowl-shaped theatre. On the way back, you'll tuck into a tasty dinner in a forest restaurant, too. What's more, for every sale of this experience, there's a donation to the TUI Care Foundation charity.

Winter tour to Pamukkale and Hierapolis

This winter tour takes you to Pamukkale, which means 'cotton castle' in Turkish – and you'll soon see why as you set eyes upon this magical landscape. You'll also visit the adjacent ancient city of Hierapolis. Both are UNESCO-listed, so it's a two-in-one deal on Turkey's historical gems. And, like all of our tours, we use expert local guides who know the area inside out. Muzaffer, one of the guides, says, ‘I've got a lot of interesting things to tell on this tour that you won't hear anywhere else.'A sight to behold, Pamukkale is a series of mountainside terraces where natural springs have solidified into snowy-white stalactites and cliffs. The effect is a winter-like wonderland of petrified tiers and pools. People have bathed here for thousands of years, including Roman emperors. Follow in their footsteps and bathe in one of the thermal pools or simply stand at the top of Pamukkale and drink in the magnificent views.Then it's on to the ruins of ancient Hierapolis – a theatre, necropolis, temples, baths and much more. After lunch, you'll have free time to head to the archaeological museum or take a dip in Cleopatra's Bath, where you'll swim among ancient columns. And, if you're peckish on the way back, you'll be treated to dinner at a local forest restaurant.