Antalya Turkey
Turkey

56 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Azamara Club Cruises (25 Cruises)

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7 February 19 days Round-trip Eastern Mediterranean Azamara Journey Piraeus Athens
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7 February 19 days Round-trip from Piraeus-Athens, Greece
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15 February 19 days One-way from Piraeus-Athens to Civitavecchia-Rome
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15 February 39 days One-way from Piraeus-Athens to Lisbon
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15 February 11 days Round-trip from Piraeus-Athens, Greece
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15 February 18 days One-way from Piraeus-Athens to Civitavecchia-Rome
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15 February 11 days Round-trip Eastern Mediterranean Azamara Journey Piraeus Athens
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15 February 26 days One-way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona
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15 February 25 days One-way from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona
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15 February 39 days One-way from Piraeus-Athens to Lisbon
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Crystal Cruises (1 Cruises)

Emerald Waterways (3 Cruises)

Holland America Line (4 Cruises)

Oceania Cruises (9 Cruises)

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (6 Cruises)

Star Clippers (8 Cruises)

Over a million people, palm-lined boulevards, urban beaches and a cliff running right along the Mediterranean: Antalya plays in the big leagues. The cruise terminal sits about twelve kilometres west of downtown; shuttle buses and taxis cover the distance in about twenty minutes. The contrast is clear from the moment you arrive: the capital of Turkey's Turquoise Coast runs at a fast pace, which only makes its old town feel more precious.

Kaleiçi, the Old Town Within the Walls

The Kaleiçi district, meaning "inside the fortress," holds everything that's oldest in the city. Its cobblestone lanes wind between overhanging Ottoman houses, many of which now house cafés, workshops and small guesthouses with shaded courtyards. Below, a former Roman basin turned marina shelters excursion boats at the foot of the old walls. It's easy to lose an hour or two here, wandering between a pomegranate juice vendor and a carpet shop.

Hadrian's Gate

Built in the year 130 for the emperor's visit, Hadrian's Gate opens its three marble arches in the eastern wall. Its paving stones, worn down by the wheels of chariots, are crossed on foot today just as ancient travellers once crossed them to enter Kaleiçi. It's one of those eighteen-centuries-in-one-step moments Turkey does so well, just steps from a thoroughly modern shopping street.

From Karaalioğlu Park to Hıdırlık Tower

South of the district, Karaalioğlu Park stretches its flower-lined paths along the top of the cliff, with the Taurus Mountains forming a backdrop to the bay. At its corner stands Hıdırlık Tower, a round structure of Roman origin thought to have once served as a lighthouse. Along the way, the Kesik Minare, or "truncated minaret," sums up the city's history in a single building: an ancient temple, then a Byzantine basilica, then a mosque. The layers can be read directly in the stone.

The Museum of Sarcophagi

Archaeology enthusiasts should set aside an hour for the Antalya Museum, one of the finest in Turkey, just west of the park. Its galleries bring together statues and remarkably well-preserved sarcophagi from Perge and the region's other ancient cities: a condensed tour of Roman Pamphylia just a short taxi ride from the old town. The visit sheds light on everything seen elsewhere in the city, from the old walls to the imperial gate.

Düden Waterfalls

For those with extra time, the Düden River offers an unusual sight: its lower falls drop straight into the sea from the top of the cliff, about fifteen minutes from downtown. Viewpoints look down over the falls, and excursion boats from the marina pass by their base for a view from the water. On a clear day, a rainbow in the mist is almost guaranteed.

Antalya Port Call at a Glance

  • Terminal about 12 kilometres from downtown; cruise line shuttle or taxi, about twenty minutes.
  • Kaleiçi, Hadrian's Gate, Karaalioğlu Park: all walkable from there.
  • Düden Waterfalls: about 15 minutes by taxi, or by boat from the marina.
  • Bring cash in Turkish lira for small purchases at the bazaar.

The way back to the ship passes through a thoroughly modern city, and that may be the real takeaway from this port call: beneath the towers and avenues, Antalya keeps intact an acropolis of narrow streets where the Roman Empire, Byzantium and the Ottomans still cross paths. Few large cities pack this much into a single day.

Frequently Asked Questions

At the maritime terminal, about twelve kilometres west of the centre. Cruise line shuttles and taxis cover the distance in around twenty minutes. You cannot walk to the old town: build that transfer, both ways, into your plans.
The old town inside its walls, its name meaning 'within the fortress'. Cobbled lanes wind between corbelled Ottoman houses that now hold cafés, workshops and small inns with shaded courtyards. Below, the old Roman harbour, now a marina, tucks its boats beneath the ramparts.
Three marble arches set into Antalya's eastern wall, raised in AD 130 for the emperor's visit. Its paving, rutted by chariot wheels, is crossed on foot today: you enter Kaleiçi exactly as ancient travellers did, metres from a thoroughly modern shopping street.
Kaleiçi and Hadrian's Gate, the marina below, then Karaalioğlu park and the Hıdırlık tower on the clifftop. Once you're in town it is all within walking distance. Add the Antalya Museum only if the call runs beyond eight hours.
One of Turkey's richest museums, west of Karaalioğlu park: remarkably preserved statues and sarcophagi from Perge and the ancient cities of the region. Allow an hour at minimum, and note that it is a detour from the old town.
The 'truncated minaret', which sums up Antalya's history in a single building: ancient temple, then Byzantine basilica, then mosque. The layers are readable in the stone itself. It stands in Kaleiçi, on the way from the old quarter toward the cliff.
Yes, Antalya has city beaches, but they are away from the old town and time is usually short. A day call works better in Kaleiçi: the heritage is concentrated there, and the extra trip to the beach costs more than it returns.
The Turkish lira. Cards are widely accepted in this city of more than a million, restaurants, museums and shops included. Still, keep cash for taxis, pomegranate juice vendors and the small stalls of Kaleiçi.
Turkish. English, German and Russian are common in the Kaleiçi tourist area and among drivers; French is rarer. Have the terminal name written in Turkish before taking a taxi back, as the city is large.
April to June and September to October. The heat stays manageable for walking the cobbled lanes of Kaleiçi and following the clifftop. At the height of summer, the Turquoise Coast regularly passes thirty-five degrees and the old town offers little continuous shade.