Day Trips From Antalya: Distances and Timings

October 18, 2026

Distances and timings

Use this table to match a trip to the time you have. Distances are approximate road figures from central Antalya, and ticket prices are the foreign adult rate at state sites.

Place	Distance	Road time	Ticket
Perge	about 18 km	20 to 30 minutes	€11
Kurşunlu Waterfall	about 20 km	about 30 minutes	check locally
Termessos	about 38 km	40 to 45 minutes	€3
Aspendos	about 47 km	about 45 minutes	€15
Phaselis	about 55 km	about 1 hour	€10
Side	about 76 km	about 1 hour 15 minutes	€10 combined
Olympos and Yanartaş	about 80 km	about 1.5 hours	€10 for Olympos
Köprülü Canyon	about 90 km	about 1.5 hours	rafting priced by operators

Building a day

An easy half day is Perge in the morning and Aspendos after it, since both are east of the city. Perge’s theatre is closed for restoration, but the stadium, gate towers and colonnaded street are the draw. Aspendos has the Roman theatre that still holds opera and ballet each September.

A full ancient-world day adds Side. Allow a long lunch by the sea and see the temple area on the headland late in the afternoon. The combined ticket for the museum and archaeological site is €10, and one source says the Roman theatre there is closed for restoration while another lists it as open, so ask at the gate.

A hill day points you at Termessos, the quiet mountain city. It opens at 08:00 and the ticket office closes at 17:00 in summer or 15:30 in winter. The path is steep, so bring water and strong footwear.

A coastal day joins Phaselis, where ruins surround three small harbours and the bays are used for swimming, with Olympos and the Yanartaş flames. Yanartaş is a 30 to 45 minute climb that is best after dark with a torch, and the entry fee should be checked on the spot. Çıralı’s turtle-nesting beach is closed to the public at night in season.

An adventure day is Köprülü Canyon rafting. Guide sites call the route suitable for beginners and families, and the river is cold, so operators issue helmets and life jackets.

Pamukkale as a very long day

Pamukkale and Hierapolis lie 225 to 250 km away, about 3 to 4 hours each way. A day tour is possible but means 12 to 15 hours, mostly in a vehicle. The travertine and Hierapolis ticket is €30. Staying a night in the village or in Denizli is much more comfortable. Cleopatra’s Antique Pool needs its own ticket, and you should confirm that it is open before paying.

Places that need more than a day

Cappadocia: 8 to 9 hours by road each way, so plan at least two nights.
Kaş and Kekova: about 3 hours or more each way, so book a night on the coast.
Saklıkent Gorge: this is in Muğla province near Fethiye, not close to Antalya.

The 3-day itinerary shows how an overnight loop can be arranged.

Tips for any day trip

Start at opening time. Summer highs reach the mid-30s to low 40s °C, and the ruins offer little shade. Carry cash for snacks, and a bottle of water per person for each hour outdoors.