The Ancient Cities of Antalya and Which Suits Whom

There are dozens of ancient cities within Antalya province and no holiday fits them all. Which one suits you depends on what you enjoy; the following are different answers for different expectations.

The easy and impressive one is Aspendos. It has the best preserved theatre to survive from the Roman world, its stage building standing to roof height with the acoustics still working. Minimum walking, maximum effect. The right choice for families with children and anyone short of time.

For seeing a city plan, Perge. The Hellenistic gate, the colonnaded street with its central water channel, the agora and the baths follow in order; nowhere shows more clearly how a Roman city was laid out. There is no shade, so come in the morning.

For combining ruins with the sea, Phaselis. A Lycian port with three harbours where the remains open straight onto the sand. You can walk the main street, swim and carry on, which few places in Turkey allow.

For escaping the crowds and climbing, Termessos. At a thousand metres among the pines, the city Alexander could not take. It asks for a steep thirty minute climb and repays it with a theatre at the cliff edge and hundreds of sarcophagi scattered across the slope.

For a plan that carries into the evening, Side. Its streets run through the ancient city, so sightseeing and town life are interleaved. The five columns of the temple of Apollo get very crowded at sunset, so it pays to arrive early.

Shared notes: almost none of these sites has shade and the ground is stony throughout. Visit early or late, and wear shoes with support. The museum pass is valid at most of them, and seeing the Antalya Museum on the first day gives the rest their meaning, because most of the sculpture came from these very places.