Top 7 Cheap Things To Do In Antalya | My Experiences

Before my trip to Antalya, I had heard from people who had visited that it was an expensive city and that enjoying it required a substantial budget. So, I decided to visit Antalya myself and find the most affordable activities available to share with others in hopes that people wouldn’t be discouraged from exploring this beautiful city due to its high costs. Below, I have shared a list of things I did in Antalya that are either free or low-cost, and in the following sections of this article, I will go over each one and share my personal experiences visiting them.

Karaalioglu Park

Through online research and conversations with some locals, I learned about Karaalioglu Park and found that visiting it is free of charge. Karaalioglu Park is located near Adalar Beach, slightly removed from the city center. Speaking with locals there, I discovered that many Antalya families spend their evenings strolling in the park so their children can play together in the open space.

The park’s expansive layout piqued my curiosity, and I asked a security guard about its size. He explained that the park covers approximately 70,000 square meters and houses more than 120 species of plants.

There was no entry fee, and the park is open 24 hours, though it may not be entirely safe late at night, so it’s best to return to your hotel before midnight.

One of the park’s highlights is its array of stone statues, which make for memorable photo opportunities and lasting memories of your trip to Antalya.

One of the great features of Karaalioglu Park is its wonderful view of the sea. I recommend doing what I did—grab a drink from one of the park’s kiosks and enjoy it as you stroll along the seaside. The peaceful and pleasant atmosphere of the park offers an unforgettable experience of tranquility and natural beauty.

I highly recommend a visit to this park for anyone seeking peace and an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. If you’re interested in staying active during your trip, consider visiting the park early in the morning. Running or exercising by the sea in the quiet, peaceful morning hours is both a refreshing and energizing experience.

Address: Kılınçarslan, Park Sk., 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Türkiye

TerraCity Shopping Center

Antalya is filled with vibrant shopping centers, which may not typically fall under free activities, but I found TerraCity Mall to be a more budget-friendly option. Upon entering TerraCity, I was impressed by its size and popularity; the mall was vast and bustling. One of the shopkeepers mentioned that TerraCity houses over 180 diverse stores and restaurants. In my view, TerraCity is more than just a shopping center; it’s an entertainment venue with amenities like a cinema, a small amusement park, and massage chairs for relaxation.

What I found interesting about TerraCity was that it offered options for every budget. For example, I bought a hat for just 7 lira and was quite pleased with my purchase. Even if you’re not planning to shop or don’t want to spend much during your trip to Antalya, visiting this mall and simply browsing the stores and watching the shoppers can keep you entertained for hours.

• Address: Fener, Tekelioğlu Cd. No:55, 07160 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Türkiye
• Website: www.terracity.com.tr

Konyaaltı Beach

Konyaaltı Beach is one of the free activities in Antalya that I highly recommend to anyone visiting the city during the summer. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a swim in its waters. Even if you’re visiting in the cooler seasons, walking along this beach will still be a memorable experience.

The combination of coarse sand and pebbles made walking along the shore quite relaxing. At the same time, I watched surfers performing impressive stunts, adding life and energy to the beach atmosphere.

I visited the beach early in the morning for some exercise and was greeted by the stunning sight of the beach shrouded in mist. Watching the fog in the early hours was a delightful and unique experience that created a lasting memory, one that I will always cherish and feel happy recalling.

This beach also has clean showers and toilets, which I was able to use for free. You can take advantage of these facilities to wash off after swimming, although the seawater is very clean, so you probably won’t need a thorough rinse.

There are many cafes and restaurants along the beach, and if you get hungry, you can buy Turkish street food from them. From what I gathered, there are very few metro and bus lines near this beach, so I opted to take a taxi to get there.

Address: Meltem Mh., 07070 Muratpaşa/Konyaaltı/Antalya, Türkiye

Lara Beach

Lara Beach is a vast, sandy beach located to the east of Antalya, and unlike Konyaaltı Beach, it has soft and comfortable sand. Although it took me quite a distance from the city center to reach it, it was definitely worth it. This beach offers many tourist facilities and provides ample space for picnics and relaxation. You can visit with your family and enjoy several hours in its free and pleasant environment.

At Lara Beach, there are designated areas for sunbathing, and many people were relaxing on sunbeds, including myself. Surfing at this beach has its own specific rules, and since I didn’t try surfing there, I don’t have detailed information about these rules. Therefore, if you plan to surf, I recommend checking with the lifeguards on duty for more details.

The parts of Lara Beach with clean water suitable for swimming are marked with a Blue Flag. I recommend that you only swim in the designated areas and avoid swimming outside these zones, as there may be a risk of drowning.

One of the things I really enjoyed at Lara Beach was the amazing Turkish food at the local restaurants. There are so many cafes and restaurants in Lara, and with a reasonable budget, I was able to enjoy Turkish baklava with tea, which helped me relax and recover after my swim.

Website: http://obalarabeach.com/

Duden Waterfalls

Among all the affordable places I visited in Antalya, the Düden Waterfalls, despite the 70-lira entrance fee, were truly worth it, and it’s hard to put a price on this beautiful experience. I had read online that some of the waterfalls reach a height of 50 feet and that a river divides them into two sections, which made me eager to see it in person.

Near the waterfalls, there is a cave that excited many tourists, including myself. When I entered the cave in the summer heat, I felt a refreshing coolness, which was truly enjoyable. The visiting hours for this place are from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM, but it seems that on Tuesdays, the visiting hours may change, so it’s best to check the website for updates.

• Website: https://dudenwaterfalls.com/
• Address: Varsak Mahallesi Düden Şelalesi Parkı içi, Kepez/Antalya, Türkiye

Termessos

Termessos, located in a lush mountainous area, was historically used as a fortress to defend the region against Greek and Roman invasions. While Termessos may not be to everyone’s taste, the ruins are still well-preserved. For me, it resembled a step-like pit, though with a unique geometric shape, which even looked a bit intimidating. This site sparked my interest in the way of life of ancient civilizations and inspired me to buy a related book titled TERMESSOS.

The environment was clean, and exploring the area had a strange and fascinating atmosphere. A safe walking path was provided for visitors. I paid a small fee of about 3 euros to visit Termessos.

One thing I should mention is that this attraction is located outside Antalya, about 30 kilometers from the city center, and you will need to use a private car or taxi to get there.

Address: Şirinyalı, Lara Cd. No:92, 07160 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Türkiye

Old Town Restaurant- KALEIÇI

I was given the address of an old restaurant in the KALEIÇI area, and the affordable prices of its food encouraged me even more to check it out. I couldn’t believe that a restaurant in the midst of the ruins of KALEIÇI could be so popular. The Turkish dishes at this restaurant were famous among the people of Antalya, especially its kebabs, which attracted long lines. There was a play area equipped with tables and benches, and food was served in an outdoor setting. I ordered grilled chicken with a special Turkish-style baked potato and truly enjoyed it. Some of the staff were excellent, though a few others seemed tired and lacked enthusiasm. The restaurant’s opening hours were from 10 AM to 11:30 PM.

Below, you can see the prices of the dishes served at this restaurant. The prices are listed in lira:

Address: Tuzcular, Kaleiçi, 2. İnönü Sk. No:43, 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Turkey

Summary

During my trip to Antalya, I was able to visit local markets with affordable prices in a city known for its high costs, enjoy a delicious meal at a charming, old restaurant for a reasonable price, and explore historical ruins on a budget. I also visited Karaalioglu Park. The beaches and waterfalls of Antalya offered a simultaneous experience of beauty and recreation without spending an extra lira! Therefore, it is possible to have a high-quality and affordable experience in Antalya. The only remaining point is public transportation; for detailed information on prices, you can refer to the article “Antalya Public Transport Price.”