Experience the Mediterranean Allure with the Ancient Marvels

You can fly into one of two convenient airports to begin your coastal adventure: Antalya or Dalaman, both of which provide car rental options that enable you to explore the Mediterranean's scenic wonders immediately. Your first stop, Kaş, is a laid-back coastal town that beautifully combines village charm with stunning natural landscapes. With its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses draped in bougainvillaea, pristine beaches like Kaputaş, listed among “Europe’s Top 40 Beaches”, and ancient Lycian sites like Xanthos, Patara and Myra, Kaş is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s also one of the top ten diving spots in the world, with crystal-clear visibility, vibrant marine life, and intriguing shipwrecks. More or less an hour's drive away from Kaş lies Kekova Island, home to a submerged ancient city nestled in a tranquil, lagoon-like setting. Sea-kayaking excursions are the best way to see the underwater ruins.

 

Heading east for around 40 minutes, you’ll arrive in Demre (ancient Lycian city of Myra), a town steeped in history and home to the Church of St Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa Claus. Here, you’ll also find striking Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs. Nearly a two-hour drive later, the dramatic ruins and wild beach of Olympos will welcome visitors. Just beyond lies Çıralı, known for its long beach where Caretta caretta nest and for Chimaera (Yanartaş) or where eternal flames flicker from the mountainside. After just a short drive—whether for half an hour or an hour—romantic Phaselis, a once-thriving Roman port, and Kemer, a hub for diving or jet skiing, are just a few of the reasons to linger on route to the lively Antalya city centre. You can also reach the majestic Tahtalı Mountain from this stretch of the coast, where a cable car ride takes you to one of the highest peaks overlooking the sea.

 

Layers of History in the City’s Old Town

After approximately a 45-minute drive, the scenic road will lead to the Antalya city centre, a dynamic cultural hub with a charming old town named Kaleiçi. This area offers a journey through the city's layered history within a lively atmosphere. Some of the highlights here include the Ancient Walls, which feature traces of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman eras; Hadrian’s Gate, dating back to the Roman Empire; and Ottoman-era mansions outside the walls. Just south of this area lies a historic Roman harbour, where traditional boats gently sway in the water. Here, you can savour freshly caught seafood, such as fish, oysters, octopus, squid and shrimp, paired with Turkish white wines made from local grapes and a selection of mezes, at one of the marina’s waterfront restaurants.

 

More to see and experience

The road continues eastward, unfolding even more treasures in the ancient maritime district of Pamphylia. About 30 minutes into your journey, Perge, which flourished during the Roman era, will impress with its well-preserved ruins. Another 40 minutes down the road, Aspendos will astound you with its Roman theatre, which continues to host cultural events, and its impressive aqueducts, which showcase the excellence of Roman engineering. Between the two ancient sites, Belek offers lush golf resorts and Blue Flag beaches. Next along the route, after a half-hour drive, is Side, where ancient history and seaside charm come together. The Temple of Apollo, dramatically perched by the water, will especially impress you at sunset. Aspendos and Side also remain open until 10 pm during the summer as part of the country’s Night Museums Project, gaining an otherworldly look amidst the interplay of lights after dark. After an hour's drive, you can also continue exploring the city’s eastern part in Alanya, dotted with natural beauties such as Blue Flag beaches like İncekum and Damlataş Cave.