A 3-Day Antalya Road Trip

To explore Antalya in three days, you can plan your route around the city centre, the ancient cities to the east and the coastline. This structure adds a different experience to each day while helping you avoid a long and tiring travel pace.

You can start your trip by collecting your car from Antalya Airport Domestic Arrivals, Antalya Airport International Arrivals or the Antalya City Centre Office. Coder Mingle Rent A Car offers car rental options for travellers who want the flexibility to get around the city and surrounding districts.

Day 1: Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı and Düden Waterfalls

Spend your first day getting to know Antalya city centre. In the morning, explore the historic atmosphere by walking through Kaleiçi’s narrow streets, then leave your car in one of the convenient parking areas nearby.

When exploring around Kaleiçi, parking in a central location is more convenient than trying to drive right up to every spot. Breaking up your walk with short breaks in hot weather, stopping for water and spending the midday hours somewhere cooler will help you keep a comfortable pace.

Head to Konyaaltı in the afternoon. Placing this area in the middle of the day is a good choice for relaxing along the beach, spending time by the sea and taking a break from the day’s activities.

You can add Düden Waterfalls to your route towards the end of the day. Check traffic conditions in your navigation app before visiting the waterfalls; congestion in the city can mean that the same route takes different amounts of time depending on the hour.

Day 2: Perge and Aspendos

Dedicate your second day to two important ancient cities around Antalya. Starting with Perge and continuing to Aspendos creates a more organised route that moves in a single direction throughout the day.

Visit Perge in the morning so you can explore its extensive ruins more comfortably. Setting off before the sun gets too high will make walking through the open-air site easier. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes.

After visiting Perge, continue towards Aspendos. Before setting off, check the latest traffic information in your navigation app for the journey between the two stops; this will help you plan your break and sightseeing times more realistically.

Don’t rush your visit to Aspendos. Allow time from the outset for photography, walking and relaxing at the ancient sites. Planning your return journey around daylight and your energy levels will make the second day more comfortable.

Day 3: A Side option and a relaxed coastal pace

For your third day, you can combine history and the coast on the same route by choosing Side. Keeping the pace more flexible than on the first two days will help you avoid feeling worn out at the end of your trip.

After exploring the ancient site in Side, leave time to relax around the coast. Park as close to the central area as possible in an authorised parking area; avoiding unnecessary manoeuvres in narrow streets will save time and reduce driving stress.

If you would prefer a quieter day instead of a Side itinerary, take a long beach break in Konyaaltı and visit any remaining stops in central Antalya. This way, rather than spending the whole day on the road, you can devote more time to the places that interest you.

What should you consider when choosing a car for your route?

When planning an Antalya car rental route, consider more than just luggage space: driving comfort and ease of parking matter too. Narrow streets in the city centre and longer routes outside the city come with different requirements.

• If you are travelling in a large group, choose a car that suits your passenger and luggage needs.
• If you will be parking frequently in the city, choose a car that is easy to manoeuvre.
• For visits to the ancient cities, prioritise air-conditioning comfort in the sun and heat.
• Before setting off on a long journey, check the fuel level, tyres and basic vehicle functions.
• Review your navigation route each morning and update your plans according to traffic and road conditions.

Practical planning for comfortable driving in Antalya

Choosing the first stop of each day in advance and scheduling rest breaks ahead of time will make your itinerary run more smoothly. In particular, for visits to the open-air sites at Perge, Aspendos and Side, it is useful to carry water, sun protection and light clothing.

Don’t try to complete the route in one continuous stretch. An Antalya car rental itinerary is more enjoyable when you leave some flexibility between stops; you can change the order of certain stops according to traffic, the temperature and your energy levels.

Check for personal belongings before returning the car and allow plenty of time in your navigation app to reach the drop-off location. This will ensure that your three-day Antalya trip ends as planned, without a last-minute rush.