A One-Day Walking Route Through Kaleiçi, Antalya's Old Town

You can comfortably see Kaleiçi, Antalya's old town, in a single day. Our suggested route starts in the morning at Hadrian's Gate, takes in the Clock Tower and the Yivli Minaret, drops down to the old harbour, and in the afternoon visits the Kesik Minaret and Hıdırlık Tower before ending with sunset in Karaalioğlu Park. The total walk is only a few kilometres; allow 5–6 hours including breaks.

Kaleiçi, the historic heart of Antalya, is a walled quarter of narrow lanes that slope down towards the harbour. The order below uses the hills sensibly and puts you in the right place for the best light of the day.

At a glance

• Duration: 5–6 hours with breaks
• Start: Hadrian's Gate (Üçkapılar)
• Finish: Hıdırlık Tower and Karaalioğlu Park at sunset
• Stops: Clock Tower, Yivli Minaret, old harbour, Kesik Minaret
• Surface: stone paving, steep in places
• Most comfortable seasons: spring and autumn

Where should the route start?

Stop 1: Hadrian's Gate

Start the day at the triple-arched gate built to mark Emperor Hadrian's visit in AD 130. In the morning there are fewer people, and the carving on the marble looks its best in soft light. For the full story, read our guide to Hadrian's Gate.

Stop 2: The Clock Tower

Walk north-west along Atatürk Caddesi towards Kalekapısı. The Clock Tower here was built on one of the old wall towers and converted into a clock tower in 1901. This spot, opening onto Cumhuriyet Meydanı (Republic Square), is where the old town meets the modern centre.

What should you look for at the Yivli Minaret?

Stop 3: The Yivli Minaret

Just by the Clock Tower stands the Yivli Minaret, the symbol of Antalya. Built in the 13th century during the reign of the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, it is recognisable from all over the city thanks to its eight fluted sections and its height of about 38 metres. The adjoining mosque was rebuilt in 1373 by Mehmet Bey of the Hamidid dynasty. The complex is on UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List. Please visit the mosque outside prayer times and dress modestly.

How do you get down to the old harbour?

Stop 4: The old harbour (marina)

After the Yivli Minaret, head downhill to the natural harbour that has been in use since Roman times. Now a marina, this cove is the most photographed corner of Kaleiçi. If your legs are tired, use the free panoramic lift between Cumhuriyet Meydanı and the harbour, which opened in 2014; note that it occasionally closes for maintenance.

Boat trips from the harbour head out along the coast, and many go to see the Düden Waterfall from the water, where it plunges into the sea. A one-hour trip makes a pleasant break halfway through the route.

Lunch break

For lunch, pick one of the restaurants around the harbour or in the inner lanes of Kaleiçi. Eating in the courtyard of a restored old house is very much part of the Kaleiçi experience.

Optional stop: the Suna-İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum

A good way to escape the midday heat is the Suna-İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum, which opened in 1996. It consists of a restored traditional Antalya house and the Church of Aya Yorgi (St George), renovated in the 19th century. The house has ethnographic displays on old Antalya life, while the church shows a ceramics and porcelain collection. Check the current opening hours before you go.

Which stops come in the afternoon?

Stop 5: The Kesik Minaret

Climb up from the harbour towards Hesapçı Sokak. The Kesik Minaret sums up Kaleiçi's layered history in a single building: it began as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD, became a Byzantine church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was converted into a mosque in the Seljuk period and later took the name of Prince (Şehzade) Korkut. A fire in 1896 left it badly damaged and the top of the minaret broken, which is where the name "kesik" (cut off) comes from. After a thorough restoration, it reopened for worship in 2022, 126 years later.

Stop 6: Hıdırlık Tower

At the end of Hesapçı Sokak, on the south-western tip of Kaleiçi, rises Hıdırlık Tower. Scholars still debate whether this Roman tower of about 14 metres, built in the 2nd century AD, was a lighthouse or a mausoleum. The view across the bay to the Beydağları mountains is one of the highlights of the route.

Stop 7: Sunset in Karaalioğlu Park

End the day in Karaalioğlu Park, right next to Hıdırlık Tower. With its palms and wide lawns, the park stretches along the cliff top and is one of the city's favourite spots to watch the sun set behind the Beydağları.

Practical tips

• Shoes: The stone lanes can be slippery; wear comfortable shoes with good grip.
• Heat: In summer, spend the middle of the day in the shade or in a museum, and carry water.
• Getting there: Driving into Kaleiçi and finding parking is hard; come on foot or by public transport. The nostalgic tram has been suspended since summer 2026.
• Mosques: Try not to arrive during prayer times, especially Friday midday prayers.
• Get lost: The route is only a skeleton; wandering into the side lanes is the real pleasure of Kaleiçi.

If you are coming to Antalya to look at property, it is easy to fit this route in as one day of your trip. In our 4-day plan for a property viewing trip to Antalya we explain how to combine a day like this with viewings.

Living close to Kaleiçi

For those who find one visit to Kaleiçi is not enough, the area around the old town is also popular as a place to live. If you want a base within walking distance or a short ride of the old town, Meridien Nova, about 1 km from Hadrian's Gate as the crow flies, is a central choice with advantageous payment options. If you would rather live on the seafront, take a look at Sirius Manzara, a 10-apartment boutique building in Işıklar, about 700 metres along the cliffs from Hıdırlık Tower.

Frequently asked questions

How much time do you need to see Kaleiçi?

Three to four hours is enough for the main sights. For a relaxed pace with a boat trip, a museum visit and a long lunch, allow 5–6 hours.

Is there an entrance fee for Kaleiçi?

No. Kaleiçi is an open neighbourhood; the streets, Hadrian's Gate, Hıdırlık Tower and Karaalioğlu Park are free. Museums and boat trips are paid separately.

What is the best season to explore Kaleiçi?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. In summer, stick to early mornings and late afternoons; in winter, mild and quiet days are ideal for walking.

Is Kaleiçi suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs?

Most lanes are paved with stone, narrow and steep in places. The panoramic lift between Cumhuriyet Meydanı and the harbour makes the descent easier, but getting around the inner lanes on wheels can be difficult.

Cover photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons (cropped).