Antalya Old City and Kurşunlu Waterfall Day Trip from Side

Kurşunlu Waterfall nature park

Kurşunlu Waterfall lies in a protected nature park east of Antalya, on a stream feeding the Aksu River. The main fall drops about 18 metres over a mossy ledge into a turquoise pool, and smaller cascades and ponds follow the stream through a shady forest of pine, plane and laurel trees. Wooden bridges and stone paths make a pleasant loop, and the air is noticeably cooler than on the coast.

On this tour Kurşunlu Waterfall is the first stop of the day, reached after about an hour on the coach from Side. Plan on roughly an hour for the walk and photos; the entrance fee is paid on site. Many travellers ask whether Kurşunlu Waterfall is worth visiting compared with the city waterfalls: it is quieter and greener, and a lovely contrast with the old town that follows.

Kaleiçi, Antalya old town

Kaleiçi, 'inside the castle', is the historic heart of Antalya, wrapped by old walls on a cliff above the sea. Its cobbled lanes are lined with restored Ottoman houses with wooden bay windows and courtyards full of bougainvillea, many now small hotels, craft shops and cafés. It is the most atmospheric part of the city and the main reason for an Antalya city tour from Side.

On this trip you have about four hours of free time in Kaleiçi, so you can explore at your own pace without following a group. Wander the lanes, visit a small museum, shop for ceramics, mosaic lamps and spices, or sit in a shady courtyard for lunch. Restaurants serve halal Turkish dishes such as grilled meats and piyaz, Antalya's white bean salad.

Hadrian's Gate and the Clock Tower

Hadrian's Gate is the grand entrance to Kaleiçi, a triple-arched marble gateway built in 130 AD to welcome the Roman emperor to the city. Its carved columns and side towers have survived nearly two thousand years, and the paving beneath still shows wheel ruts from ancient carts. Walking through it is the classic way to enter the old town and a favourite photo spot.

A short walk away, the Clock Tower rises at Kale Kapısı square, once part of the city walls and now a meeting place at the top of the old town. Close by stands the Yivli Minaret, a fluted brick minaret from the Seljuk period that has become the symbol of Antalya. All three sit within a few minutes of each other, easy to see during your free time.

The old harbour and the cliff tops

From the Clock Tower, lanes wind down through Kaleiçi to the old harbour, sheltered by an ancient stone breakwater. In Roman times this was one of the main ports on the southern coast; today it is lined with wooden boats and restaurant terraces, with the old town rising in tiers behind and the Taurus Mountains across the water.

The cliff-top terraces near Hıdırlık Tower and the park beside it give some of the best views in Antalya, especially in late afternoon. If you want to see more, leave enough time to climb back up from the harbour, as the walk is steep. Your guide tells you the regrouping point and time before the free time begins, so you can plan your route confidently.