It’s no secret that Antalya is a unique city with beaches, mountains, historical sites, and natural beauty all packed into one place. But many people don’t know, it also has an abundance of hidden gems tucked away in various corners of the city, and they don’t know what are the best places to visit in Antalya.

Behind those sandy beaches and towering hotels are hidden valleys, beautiful parks, and ancient relics that will leave you speechless. As you explore this stunning coastal city, keep your eyes peeled for these eight places that showcase Antalya at its best.

1.The Coyote’s Whistle, The Legendary Carp Lake

Best Places to Visit in Antalya

The Southern Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Antalya, that every tourist should visit on his/her trip to Antalya. What really sets this beach apart from the others beaches in Turkey and makes it one of the best places to visit in Antalya?

The secret is its legendary carp lake. Yes, you read that right: there is a lake in the middle of the beach that is home to hundreds of fish, including carp. 

How and why did this happen?

It all has to do with the fact that Southern Beach doesn’t have a coastline; it is situated inside a cove surrounded by cliffs that shield it from the sea. Because of this special geography, when the tide drops, the freshwater from the canals in the area mixes with the seawater and creates brackish water. 

The result is great suitable water for carp, there you can see lots of corps living in that water, healthy and disease-free. The carp also help keep the water clean. So, as you enjoy a swim in the clean water at Southern Beach, be sure to check out this unique feature!

2. Karain Cave

Karain Cave in Antalya

One of the best natural place attractions in Antalya is the Karain Cave, which is located near the village of Kemer. This cave is one of the largest and most impressive tourist attractions that has been attracting tourists since the 19th century. 

The cave’s diameter ranges is between 8 and 15 meters and its depth between 5 and 12 meters. When you want to enter the cave you see an entrance which is an irregularly shaped hole in the ground, and its mouth is large enough that  even a large adult can pass and enter the cave. 

The cave’s length is approximately 200 meters, with an average width of 5 meters. Its height is about 10 meters from the cave floor to the ceiling of the narrow passage near the entrance. The Karain cave is located on a seaside cliff at a height of about 35 meters above sea level.

3.The Karakum Desert is one of the best places to visit in Antalya

Karakum Desert in Antalya

If you’re already in the Kemer area, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the nearby desert. This is one of the top attractions in Antalya, and it boasts a wide variety of plant and wildlife species. At more than 1,000 hectares, the Karakum Desert is the largest sand desert in Turkey.

Golden time to visit The Karakum desert

This is an amazing place to visit any time of the year, but it is particularly stunning during the spring and fall. In the winter months, the desert gets very cold, with temperatures dropping as low as -18 degrees Celsius. The desert is best known for its sand dunes, which are said to be some of the highest in the world. The highest sand dune here measures approximately 440 meters.

We’re pretty sure that not any tourist wants to miss the chance of visiting and taking stunning photos in one of the highest sand dunes in the world.

4. Ruins of the Roman Forum and the Temple of Artemis

Ruins of the Roman Forum and the Temple of Artemis

For those of you who are history buffs, Antalya has a special gift too. you’ll be happy to know that there is one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey situated in Antalya. 

It hosts one of the best preserved Roman forums from the 2nd century AD, along with the remains of a nearby temple that is believed to be dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of hunting and wild animals. This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013, and it is definitely one place that you should add to your list of must-see places in Antalya. To reach the archaeological site, you can hop on a tram and get off at the Forum stop.

5. Antalya Marine Museum is one of the best places to visit in Antalya for culture lovers

The Antalya Marine Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, and it is also the largest maritime museum in Turkey. This museum hosts a wide variety of exhibits, including a full-scale replica of a Byzantine ship, an amphora gallery, ethnographical material, and an archaeological park that features pieces from the Hellenistic and Byzantine periods. The museum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free on Mondays.

6. Konyaalti Beach

Konyaalti Beach is another popular beach in Antalya, and it is home to the city’s iconic sand dunes. This beach is located near the old town area, and it is just a few steps away from Konyaalti Public Park. 

The beach is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, and there are lifeguards stationed throughout the beach to keep an eye out for swimmers and other beach-goers. So, if you’re looking for a lovely beach to relax and swim safely, then the Konyaalti Beach is the perfect place for you.

7. Masal park is one of the best places to visit for your kids in Antalya

As you may know, Antalya’s weather is hot and humid, especially during summer. At this time, you may want to visit a place with cooler weather. Masal park has cool weather, in this park, you can enjoy the relaxing environment and enjoy the beautiful view of Antalya.

Masal park is one of the best places to visit in Antalya, especially for those who travel with children. There are lots of cartoon model characters in this park that can be attractive to children. 

8. Antalya Aquarium

Are you an animal lover? Are you interested in sea mammals’ life? Antalya Aquarium is a perfect choice to visit for you. This aquarium opened in 2012 since then it has grabbed many people’s attention. 

The Antalya aquarium has the biggest tunnel glass in the world which is 131 meters. You can see sharks, tropical fishes, and rays swimming around you. They are everywhere, above your head, under your feet, and…This is a little chilling trip to the deep and mysterious underwater world.

Trip to Antalya

Antalya is one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey. A trip to Antalya can be a historical, delightful adventure with a lot of nature and beach fun. Don’t forget, when you go to Antalya, use every moment of your trip cause there are lots of wonders waiting for you.

Besides these seven places we suggest you visit, there are lots of other places in this town that you don’t want to miss visiting.