Three days is the sweet spot for Antalya. It is long enough to see the old town properly, take in the finest ancient sites on the Turkish coast and still spend a few hours on the water, but short enough that you do not need to choose between culture and relaxation. This plan assumes you are based in Kaleiçi or in the central districts, and it keeps the long drives to one day.
Day one: Kaleiçi, the harbour and the clifftops
Start early, before the heat builds, at the Clock Tower and Hadrian's Gate, then follow the lanes of the old quarter downhill toward the marina. Take your time: duck into courtyards, look for the fluted Yivli Minaret and stop for Turkish coffee in a shaded garden. By late morning the harbour is busy, so this is the moment for a boat trip from the old harbour, which gives you the best view of the cliffs and, on some routes, a pass by the lower Düden falls from the sea. Eat lunch a few lanes back from the water for better value, then rest during the hottest hours. In the late afternoon walk to Karaalıoğlu Park and the Hıdırlık Tower, where the light on the bay and the Taurus Mountains is the reward for the climb, and finish with dinner overlooking the marina.
Day two: Perge, Aspendos and Side
This is the big ancient-sites day, and the easiest way to do it is a guided tour with hotel pickup, which usually also includes a waterfall stop and lunch. Perge comes first, with its colonnaded street, stadium and monumental gate. Aspendos follows, with the best-preserved Roman theatre in Anatolia, still almost complete, with remarkable acoustics. Side is the final stop, where the Temple of Apollo stands beside the sea at sunset-friendly light. The day is long, often ten hours, so wear comfortable shoes, carry water and sun protection and treat the lunch break as a proper rest. If you prefer a slower pace, split the sites over two days with a hired car or private driver.
Day three: choose your own adventure
The third day is for the experience that suits your style. If you want mountains, take the Olympos cable car to the summit of Tahtalı and combine it with Phaselis on the way back. If you prefer the sea, a full-day boat trip to a bay or island, or a day at a beach near the city, is a gentle finish. Families can choose the aquarium or a theme park, and walkers may prefer the waterfalls and a hike in the hills. If you only have two days, combine day one and day three in a single day by doing the old town in the morning and a boat trip or waterfall in the afternoon.
Where to stay
For an itinerary like this the old town is the logical base, because the walk-in-the-evening day one is effortless and tour pickups can still reach you. Choose a Kaleiçi guesthouse or boutique hotel if atmosphere matters most, or a resort in Lara if you want a pool and beach and are happy to use transfers for sightseeing.
Pacing and seasons
In July and August start every day early, rest in the middle and plan your evening around the cooler hours. In spring and autumn you can walk longer and add a second old-town evening. In winter some boat trips and seasonal pools close, but the ancient sites are quiet and the light is lovely.
If you have more time
A fourth day makes room for Termessos, the mountain city with the dramatic theatre, or the Myra and Kekova trip along the Lycian coast. A fifth day can go to Pamukkale, which is a long but unforgettable excursion. Whatever you add, keep one slow evening free in the old town, because the harbour at dusk is what many people remember best.
Booking advice
Reserve the ancient-sites tour and any boat trip a day or two ahead, especially in spring and autumn, and keep the cable car flexible so you can pick a clear day. Check entry arrangements at each site, since fees and hours change.
Sample timings
Day one works well with a start around nine, a boat trip before lunch, a siesta and an early-evening walk to the park. Day two usually begins with a hotel pickup between eight and nine and returns around six or seven, so plan a light dinner. Day three can start later if you choose a beach or aquarium option, or early if you choose the cable car or an island boat. Leaving a gap between big days is the surest way to enjoy the whole trip.
Money and logistics
Carry some Turkish lira for small purchases, taxis and tips, and keep a card for hotels and larger restaurants. Taxis and ride apps are easy in the city. Bring a refillable bottle, as water is the most important thing to have at every ancient site, and keep a photocopy or photo of your passport for tours that ask for ID.
