With its historic houses, narrow streets lined with bougainvillea, and ancient harbor, it is the living memory and heart of Antalya.
Set within Antalya's modern skyline, Kaleiçi is a refuge where time seems to stand still. Its layered history runs from the Kingdom of Pergamon to the Ottoman Empire. Inside the Roman walls, Seljuk minarets, Ottoman mansions with bay windows and an ancient harbour stand side by side. Walking the streets of Kaleiçi, you will find ruins on almost every corner and historic buildings turned into boutique hotels, making the whole quarter an open-air museum.
For guests staying in Belek, Kaleiçi is one of the closest historic routes to round off a holiday of sea and golf with culture. Below you will find where Kaleiçi is, the main things to see, the flavours to try and how to get there from Belek.
Kaleiçi, also known as Antalya Old Town, lies in the Muratpaşa district at the very centre of Antalya, on cliffs overlooking the sea. The old city walls mark its boundaries: the harbour side opens to the sea, the land side to Cumhuriyet and Atatürk avenues.
You can reach Kaleiçi on foot from the city centre, by public transport or by car. Most of its narrow streets are closed to traffic, so the easiest option is to leave your car at one of the nearby car parks and explore on foot. For directions, simply enter "Hadrian's Gate" or "Clock Tower" in your navigation app; both stand at the main entrances to the old town.
The main sights of Kaleiçi are close enough to cover in a few hours' walk. The order below can also be followed as a route that starts at Hadrian's Gate, goes down to the harbour and ends in Karaalioğlu Park.
The streets of Kaleiçi are as enjoyable as the sights themselves. Stone walls covered in bougainvillea, wooden bay-windowed houses and mansions with bitter orange trees in their courtyards sit alongside craft shops, galleries and small cafés. Wandering without a map is one of the best ways to discover Kaleiçi; most of the narrow lanes eventually lead to the walls or down to the harbour.
When planning your route, bring comfortable shoes, water and a hat. Kaleiçi's stone streets slope in places and the way down to the harbour has steps. The best light for photos comes early in the morning and towards sunset, when the streets are also quieter.
Built to mark the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian to the city, this three-arched marble gate is Kaleiçi's best-known entrance. Walking through it feels like stepping on a journey from Roman times to the present day.
Regarded as the symbol of Antalya, the Yivli (Fluted) Minaret was built in the 13th century under the Anatolian Seljuks. Its fluted shaft can be seen from afar, and together with the historic buildings around it, it forms a complex.
The Clock Tower at the land-side entrance to Kaleiçi was added in the Ottoman period on top of one of the old wall towers and is a popular meeting point. The Kesik (Broken) Minaret is a many-layered building used for different purposes over the ages; it takes its name from its broken minaret.
Kaleiçi Marina sits on an ancient harbour in use since Roman times. Reached by steep steps from inside the walls, it is today the departure point for boat tours.
Around the harbour you will find seafood restaurants, cafés and seating with sea views. Looking down on the harbour from the walls in the late afternoon is one of Kaleiçi's best-known views.
Housed in restored historic buildings, the museum presents traditional Antalya life through its exhibitions. It is a good stop to understand the cultural past of Kaleiçi.
Dating from the Roman period, Hıdırlık Tower overlooks the sea at the south-western tip of Kaleiçi. Right next to it, Karaalioğlu Park offers clifftop walkways and sunset views towards the Taurus Mountains, making it the quietest stop on the route.
Kaleiçi's restaurants and cafés range from courtyard restaurants in historic houses to cafés on the harbour front. To get to know Antalya's cuisine, try:
Tahini piyaz: Antalya's own bean salad with a tahini dressing.
Şiş köfte: A local classic, usually served with piyaz.
Hibeş: A spread of tahini, lemon and spices, eaten with bread.
Seafood: The catch of the day at restaurants around the harbour.
Bitter orange jam and sherbet: Made from the bitter orange trees that are a symbol of Antalya.
In the evening, with its courtyard gardens and harbour-view terraces, Kaleiçi also becomes one of the centres of Antalya's nightlife.
Kaleiçi is about 35 km from Belek. Taking the Antalya–Alanya highway, you can get there in a short drive. Hotel transfers, taxis and rental cars are the most practical options. For other distances, see Belek's location.
Belek stands for relaxation, with its golden beaches, golf courses and pine forests; Kaleiçi stands for discovery, with thousands of years of history. Spending the morning at the sea in Belek and the evening in the softly lit streets of Kaleiçi turns a single day into two very different experiences.
With a half-day plan from Belek, you can see Hadrian's Gate, the Yivli Minaret and the Old Harbour and stay for dinner in Kaleiçi. For a longer day, you can add the Düden Waterfall to your route.
If you would like to combine your visit to Kaleiçi with a stay in Belek, you can browse many options, from family-friendly resorts to luxury hotels with spa and golf facilities, on our accommodation in Belek page. Spend the day in the historic streets of Kaleiçi and return to your hotel in Belek in the evening to enjoy culture and comfort on the same holiday.
BETUYAB supports all cultural preservation efforts that ensure protected urban sites like Kaleiçi are maintained with a sustainable tourism approach, so that this ancient settlement can be passed on to future generations intact.
The most comfortable seasons are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November). In summer, visit early in the morning or after sunset to avoid the heat; Kaleiçi takes on a special atmosphere in the evening.
Parking inside Kaleiçi is very limited and most streets are closed to traffic. It is best to leave your car at a car park on the avenues around the old town and explore on foot.
Yes. Boat tours, Karaalioğlu Park and the museums are enjoyable for children. The cobbled streets and the steps down to the harbour can be hard with a pushchair, so a baby carrier or a light stroller is easier.
Kaleiçi is a historic centre by the sea, but it does not have a wide sandy beach. For a beach day, Belek's golden beaches offer much more space.
