Antalya in 3 Days: Old Town, Konyaaltı and Düden

A relaxed Antalya itinerary combining old-town streets, a proper beach day and one waterfall visit, with practical advice on choosing a base.

Who this itinerary suits

This plan is for a first visit based in Antalya city rather than an all-inclusive resort stay. Each day has one geographical focus: Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı, then a Düden visit. The point is to enjoy the coast without reducing the old town to a photo stop. Suggested blocks are flexible planning advice, not fixed departure times or a promise about how long any attraction will take.

We deliberately leave Kaş, Side and Alanya out. Sharing a province does not make those destinations quick additions to a city walk. If one matters more to you than a beach day, replace that day completely and research the journey separately. A shorter list is especially useful when arrival and departure reduce your three calendar days to two full days.

Day 1: Hadrian’s Gate to the old harbour

Start near Hadrian’s Gate and give the lanes of Kaleiçi an unhurried morning. Rather than heading straight down to the water, follow smaller streets, pause at courtyards and look at the houses between the landmarks. Continue towards the old harbour when you are ready for a break. The descent and return are not a flat promenade; check an appropriate approach if travelling with a stroller or mobility needs.

Make lunch a real pause. In the afternoon, choose a short walk towards Karaalioğlu Park or return to your room before going out again later. A boat trip is optional, not a required connection in this route. Confirm the actual duration, departure point and weather arrangements with the operator before paying or committing the rest of the afternoon.

Day 2: give Konyaaltı a full day

Choose a section of Konyaaltı that works for your transport and facilities rather than trying to cover the entire waterfront. Pack a towel, sun protection and footwear suitable for the shore. Decide whether to swim using the conditions and posted warnings that day, not an assumption that the Mediterranean will always be calm. Keep valuables to a minimum and agree on a meeting point if your group splits up.

After lunch, a shorter waterfront walk may be enough. If you prefer an indoor attraction, check its current opening status before travelling there; the day does not depend on any museum being available. Dinner on the same side of the city can save a return crossing. Leave enough energy for the next morning instead of turning a beach day into another checklist.

Day 3: choose the right Düden

Lower Düden and Upper Düden are different locations. Research Lower Düden if your priority is the waterfall meeting the sea, or Upper Düden for a different park visit. Enter the full destination and entrance into your map rather than accepting the first result for “Düden”. One is a sensible choice for this three-day route; both are not compulsory.

Use the morning for your chosen visit and keep the afternoon open for packing or a short stop on the Lara side. On a flight day, allow separate time for collecting bags, road conditions and airport procedures. Do not rely on a waterfall stop fitting into an uncertain gap before departure. Removing an optional stop is better than rushing the transfer.

Where to stay and whether to rent a car

Begin with Kaleiçi if historic surroundings and evening walks matter most; start with Konyaaltı if beach time is the priority. Neither label guarantees the right hotel. Check the exact street, the walking route to the shore, slopes, evening noise and vehicle access. A property described as central may still be inconvenient for the particular days you have planned.

Confirm air conditioning, luggage storage and lift access before booking. If renting a car, ask whether parking is genuinely provided rather than simply available somewhere nearby. A car is not automatically necessary for this city-focused itinerary. Compare public transport and occasional taxis with the full rental cost, parking and the effort of driving unfamiliar streets.

Heat, rain and your spending plan

In hot weather, move exposed walks to the morning or later afternoon and protect a long midday break. With children, one substantial activity can be a better daily target than two. Wind or rain may make a boat ride or extended coastal walk unsuitable; keep an indoor alternative whose opening status you have checked.

Divide spending into accommodation, transport, paid experiences and food. Do not assume private beach services or sunbeds are included with your room. Ask for the price before using a service. This guide intentionally avoids fixed daily cost claims: season, hotel location and the experiences you choose matter more than a single headline budget.

Before you go

With two days, keep the old town and coast and drop the waterfall day. With longer, add a separately planned excursion rather than stretching every city day. Save the hotel address and return route offline, and give everyone in your group the meeting point. These simple decisions are often more useful than another attraction on the map.

Consult GoTürkiye Antalya for destination information and the Antalya Governorate’s Kaleiçi page for historical context. Verify current transport, access, opening and weather details close to travel. This is an editorial itinerary, not an operator schedule.