Antalya City Tour from Side
Full-day Antalya city tour from Side featuring Kaleiçi Old Town, Düden Waterfall and a scenic boat cruise along the Mediterranean cliffs. Enjoy around 5 hours of free time in Antalya to explore the old town, shop, take photos or discover the city at your own pace.
Experience Highlights
About This Tour
Discover Antalya on a full-day city tour from Side or Manavgat, combining the Mediterranean coastline, Lower Düden Waterfall and the historic centre of Antalya. The tour is designed for travellers who want to see the city's main highlights while still having plenty of time to explore independently.
After morning hotel pickup from the Side and Manavgat area, travel west along the Mediterranean coast to Antalya. Your first major stop is Lower Düden Waterfall (Karpuzkaldıran), where the Düden River flows over the cliffs directly into the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy time at the viewpoint to take photos and see one of Antalya's most distinctive natural landmarks.
The tour then continues to Kaleiçi (Antalya Old Town), the historic heart of the city. Walk through Hadrian's Gate, see the Clock Tower and Yivli Minaret, and explore the narrow streets leading down to Kaleiçi Marina. The historic quarter combines Ottoman-era houses, traditional shops, cafés and views across the old harbour.
One of the highlights is a scenic boat cruise from Antalya's Old Harbour. The boat follows the Mediterranean coastline and Antalya's dramatic cliffs, offering views of the historic city walls and coastline from the water. This is primarily a sightseeing cruise rather than a swimming excursion.
Around 5 Hours of Free Time in Antalya
A major advantage of this Antalya tour from Side is the generous free time in the city. With around 5 hours to explore Antalya at your own pace, you can revisit your favourite parts of Kaleiçi, walk down to the marina, enjoy a Turkish coffee or lunch, shop in the old town, take photographs or simply experience the atmosphere of central Antalya without following a tight guided schedule.
After your free time, meet your group and begin the return journey to your hotel in Side or Manavgat. Arrival is generally in the late afternoon, depending on traffic and the day's schedule.
This Antalya day trip is a good choice for couples, families and first-time visitors who want to combine nature, history, coastline views and independent exploration in a single day. It offers a broader experience of Antalya without making the day entirely focused on museums or archaeological sites.
What's Included
Itinerary
Collection from Side, Manavgat, Titreyengöl, Sorgun, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı and Gündoğdu hotels (approx. 08:30–09:15)
Comfortable air-conditioned bus, roughly 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic and pickup order
Photo stop and short walk at the platform where the waterfall meets the sea (30–45 minutes)
Arrival in the historic centre. Free time to explore Hadrian’s Gate, Clock Tower, Yivli Minaret, harbour and streets (2–4 hours)
1-hour sightseeing boat trip along the cliffs and coastline from the old harbour (included on most departures)
Simple Turkish lunch at a local restaurant (included on most packages – drinks extra)
Drive back to Side-area hotels, drop-off usually between 17:30–18:30
Good to Know
In Kaleiçi the best light for photos is usually before 13:00. After that the streets get busier and the shadows longer. If you want clean shots of Hadrian’s Gate and the harbour, use the first part of your free time for photos and leave shopping for later.
Guest Reviews (7)
Really well organised day. The waterfall dropping into the sea was amazing, and having around five hours of free time in Kaleiçi meant we could explore without rushing.
A very good mix of sightseeing and free time. We enjoyed the boat cruise along the cliffs and walking through the old town. Pickup from Side was right on time.
Lovely day trip from Side. Düden Waterfall was beautiful and the boat gave us a different view of Antalya. Lunch was basic, but overall everything was well arranged.
Perfect option if you want to visit Antalya without renting a car. The children especially enjoyed the boat ride, and there was plenty of time to walk around Kaleiçi.
We loved having so much free time in Antalya. Hadrian’s Gate, the old harbour and the small streets of Kaleiçi were our favourite parts. Very enjoyable day for first-time visitors.
Good tour from Manavgat with a nice balance between the organised stops and exploring on our own. The waterfall was impressive and the boat trip was relaxing.
One of the best ways to see Antalya in one day from Side. We liked that the tour was not too rushed and had plenty of time for coffee, photos and shopping in Kaleiçi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Antalya city tour from Side go and what is included?
The standard itinerary includes Lower Düden Waterfall, Kaleiçi Old Town, Antalya Old Harbour and a one-hour scenic boat cruise along the Mediterranean cliffs. You also have around 5 hours of free time to explore central Antalya independently.
How much free time do we get in Antalya?
Around 5 hours of free time is normally provided in central Antalya. You can explore Kaleiçi, visit Hadrian’s Gate and the old harbour, have lunch or coffee, shop and take photos at your own pace.
Is the Lower Düden Waterfall included in the Antalya tour from Side?
Yes. The tour visits Lower Düden Waterfall (Karpuzkaldıran), where the Düden River flows over the coastal cliffs directly into the Mediterranean Sea. Time is provided for photos and a short visit.
Is the Antalya boat trip included and where does it depart?
Yes. A one-hour sightseeing cruise is included on standard departures and normally leaves from Antalya Old Harbour. The cruise follows the cliffs and coastline and is mainly focused on sightseeing rather than swimming.
Can I explore Kaleiçi Old Town independently?
Yes. The long free-time period allows you to explore Kaleiçi at your own pace, including Hadrian’s Gate, the Clock Tower, Yivli Minaret, narrow historic streets and the old harbour area.
Is hotel pickup available from Side and Manavgat?
Yes. Pickup is normally available from hotels in Side, Titreyengöl, Sorgun, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu and surrounding Manavgat areas. Exact pickup arrangements depend on your hotel location.
How long does the Antalya day trip from Side take?
The full experience usually takes around 8–9 hours including transfers. Return to Side and Manavgat-area hotels is generally in the late afternoon, around 17:30–18:30 depending on traffic and the day's schedule.
Is lunch included and is the tour suitable for families?
Lunch is included on most standard departures and is usually a simple set meal with grilled chicken or fish, rice and salad. The tour is suitable for families, although Kaleiçi involves walking on uneven and cobbled streets.