Antalya Layover Guide (AYT)

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Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Antalya Airport (AYT), an international airport in Antalya, Turkey, is located 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of the city center. It was first opened in 1998. Antalya, along with Bodrum and Dalaman, is one of the major airports in southwestern Turkey. It is located along the country’s most iconic beaches and has a charming old quarter full of superb food, music, and boutique hotels. Antalya is popular for its attractions including the coastline, ancient sites, and the famous Lycian Way.

Can you leave Antalya Airport (AYT) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
It's possible to leave the Antalya Airport during a layover. However, certain travelers may require visa. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Antalya Organized Tours

Antalya City Tour and Duden Waterfalls Visit with Boat Trip

Enjoy a stroll through the lovely park while admiring the majestic 15-meter-high Duden Waterfall. A natural cave may be found behind the waterfall where you can view the cascades. You’ll take a one-hour boat ride from Antalya’s historic harbor to the stunning Karpuzkaldiran Waterfall, also known as the Lower Duden Waterfall. It is the highest cascade in the Antalya region, with a height of 30 meters. As you approach the harbor, you’ll be able to see the coastline of Antalya’s old city. » book this tour

Quad Bike Fun in the Taurus Mountains

Spend a wonderful day together while enjoying an exceptional and interesting experience. The rugged mountains provide ideal terrain for a quad bike, which can carry you to places that other vehicles can only dream of. There will be plenty of twists and turns as you go through the limestone bluffs. Don’t worry if you’ve never driven an ATV before. You don’t even need a driver’s license to participate, and everyone over the age of 16 is welcome. You’ll quickly learn the essentials and be on your way after a brief orientation and practice session. » book this tour

Full-Day Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up from your Antalya hotel and driven to Pamukkale for a full-day tour. The calcite-laden waters that formed this surreal environment originate from springs on a 200-meter-high cliff overlooking the plain. Admire the mineral woods, petrified waterfalls, and terraced basins that these waters have produced. The thermal spa of Hierapolis was founded by the rulers of Pergamon towards the end of the 2nd century B.C. The site contains the remnants of baths, temples, and other Greek monuments. For ancient Hierapolis, the temples were important commercial centers. » book this tour

Antalya Things to do / Sightseeing

Konyaalti Beach

With a magnificent backdrop of mountains sloping down to the shoreline beyond, Konyaalti Beach is one of Antalya’s two premier stretches of beach. There are sun loungers with umbrellas for rent, adequate bathroom, and shower facilities, and a palm-lined promenade behind the beach dotted with snack stores, cafés, and restaurants for when you feel hungry. The beach is easily accessible from town, making it a popular beach option for visitors staying in Antalya’s old town district’s evocative boutique hotels, as well as those staying at beach hotels.

Time required: 2 to 3 hours.

Airport to here: 24 minutes via Private transport

Old Marina

The Old Marina, situated among rugged rocks and packed with boats that float upon its turquoise seas, is located in a wonderful little scenic bay. It’s an evocative area to stop by, with little, winding alleys twisting out from the marina and a plethora of small cafes and restaurants surrounding the coastline. It was formerly Antalya’s main business hub, but now it’s the ideal spot for a coffee or dinner while admiring the stunning environment. You can also take a boat ride from here to explore the Turkish coastline.

Time required: 3 to 5 hours.

Airport to here: 22 minutes via Private transport.

Antalya Archaeological Museum

Antalya boasts a world-class archaeological legacy due to its location in the ancient Pamphylia region, which stretched from the Mediterranean coast to the Taurus highlands. It’s no surprise, however, that the Antalya Archaeological Museum is one of the best in the country and a must-see for anyone visiting the city on vacation. At any given moment, more than 5,000 objects are on display in 13 halls, spanning prehistory to the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, as well as life in the Antalya countryside in the early twentieth century. Of course, ancient artifacts, ranging from money to status, sarcophagi, wine bowls, jewelry, and figurines, arouse the most interest.

Time required: 2 to 3 hours.

Airport to here: 20 minutes via Private transport.

Scramble around the Ruins of Termessos

While Aspendos has the most tourism fame, Termessos, 34 kilometres northwest of Antalya, has the best atmosphere. The warlike Pisidians zealously preserved their independence from the mountain eyrie of Termessos, and neither the Greeks nor the Romans were able to subdue them. This ancient city’s well-preserved ruins are strewn around a rocky mountainside with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. If you wish to fully explore this place, wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of drinks. The colonnaded roadway and upper agora are particularly magnificent but don’t overlook the theatre, which offers breathtaking views of the Taurus Mountains.

Time required: 2 to 3 hours.

Airport to here: 36 minutes via Private transport.

Yivli Minaret

Yivli Minaret, one of Antalya’s most famous attractions, rises above its surroundings, an exquisite monument that wonderfully displays Seljuk architecture. Yivli is located in the historic center and is part of a 13th-century mosque that is still in use today. There are beautiful views of the red roofs all around it from the top. Yivli, which means ‘fluted minaret’ in Turkish, is a 38-meter-high structure that today houses the Antalya Ethnographic Museum, which has a wealth of antique and intriguing objects.

Time required: 1 to 2 hours.

Airport to here: 22 minutes via Private transport.

Hadrian’s Gate

Hadrian’s Gate, the major gateway leading into the old town’s eastern part, is the most striking entrance into Antalya’s old town district. On the eastern side of the old town area, segments of the Hellenistic and Roman town walls have been maintained in incomplete form, but Hadrian’s Gate is the most renowned of these pieces. This majestic three-arched marble gateway, flanked by imposing towers and embellished with lavish sculptural ornamentation, was erected in celebration of Emperor Hadrian’s visit in CE 130.

Time required: 1 to 2 hours.

Airport to here: 20 minutes via Private transportE.

Kursunlu Waterfalls

The Kursunlu Waterfalls, about 12 kilometres from Antalya, are located in the same-named nature park and are definitely worth visiting. The water comes from the Aksu River and runs across the countryside before flowing into the lovely turquoise lake below Kursunlu. The pool is surrounded by lush foliage, and the water wall only adds to the picture-perfect setting. Wildlife abounds in this remote and serene location, and the perfection on display makes you feel as if you’re in a storybook.

Time required: 2 to 3 hours.

Airport to here: 13 minutes via Private transport.

Vast Ancient City of Perge

This was the ancient capital of Pamphylia, which flourished under Greek and Roman authority. The ruins here, some 17 kilometers east of Antalya, are not as well-known as those along Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast, which means there are fewer visitors, allowing visitors to enjoy the long colonnaded streets and half-collapsed temples in solitude. For independent tourists, this is the simplest ancient city site to get from Antalya, as the tram network now goes all the way to Aksu, from whence you can walk the final two kilometers to the site’s entrance gate.

Time required: Half day to Full day.

Airport to here: 10 minutes via Private transport.

Things to Do in Antalya Airport (AYT)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
CIP lounge" is located at multiple terminals at Domestic and International both. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
"IC Airport Hotel" is located at 800m from the terminal. » view all or book an airport hotel online

Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones at the Antalya Airport.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: WiFi is available at Antalya Airport through DorukNet. Free WiFi is available in the CIP Terminals.

SIM Card: SIM Card is available to buy in various shops at the Antalya Airport. » buy a global sim card for Antalya, Turkey that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Taxi ranks are located outside of the Arrivals Hall exits of each terminal.

Train: There is no train service available at the Antalya Airport.

Bus: AYT airport has two bus lines that operate from the airport. Public bus route 600 runs between Antalya Airport and Antalya Otogar. Bus 600 departs every 30 minutes. (more info).

Shuttle: Airport shuttles are available at the Antalya airport.

Car rentals: "Avis, "Aytucar", "Budget", and "Cizgi" are some of the best companies of car rentals. » view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: A parking area is available near the Antalya Airport.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

There are lockers located in Terminal 1, Arrival Hall of Domestic Terminal. » book a luggage storage or locker at Antalya Airport (AYT) online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Antalya Airport (AYT) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks