About Kaleiçi
Kaleiçi is Antalya's old town, a walled district perched on the Mediterranean coastal cliffs at the southern edge of the modern city. With foundations reaching back to the 2nd century BC, it carries Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman layers stacked over one another. Restored stone houses with wooden balconies now host boutique hotels, family restaurants and craft shops; the streets are deliberately narrow and many are pedestrianised.
At the heart of the old town is the ancient harbour — once a key port on the Mediterranean trade routes, today a yacht marina hugged by terraced cafés. Above it stands Hıdırlık Kulesi, a 2nd-century Roman tower, while the famous triple-arched Hadrian's Gate (built in 130 AD for the visit of the Roman Emperor) marks the historic land entrance. The Yivli Minare, a Seljuk-era fluted brick minaret, completes the iconic silhouette.
Unlike beach resort areas of Antalya, Kaleiçi is a living, inhabited neighbourhood with a daily rhythm of cafés, galleries and small workshops. Many travellers base themselves here for a city-and-culture holiday, combining old-town walks with day trips to nearby beaches, ancient ruins (Perge, Aspendos) and waterfalls. Its short distance from Antalya Airport makes it a practical first-night stop for any Antalya itinerary.
Antalya Airport to Kaleiçi Transfer
Private transfer from Antalya Airport to Kaleiçi is the fastest and most comfortable way into the old town. Our drivers track your flight, meet you at the terminal and drive you toward the historic district. Because much of Kaleiçi is pedestrianised, transfers stop at the nearest vehicle drop-off point to your boutique hotel, with hotel staff often coordinating the final luggage transfer along the narrow streets.
Despite the protected old-town layout, the modern city roads bring you within a few minutes' walk of even the most centrally located Ottoman-house hotels.
How to Reach Kaleiçi
From Antalya Airport, the route to Kaleiçi runs through the modern city on well-maintained urban roads. As you approach the old town, modern street architecture gives way to historic walls and the first glimpses of the Mediterranean cliffs. Vehicle access is restricted in the protected core, so transfers terminate at the nearest road allowed for your accommodation.
Practical Tips for Visiting Kaleiçi
Kaleiçi is a year-round destination, but the most comfortable visiting periods are March-May and September-November, when temperatures suit walking and the crowds are gentler than peak summer. In high summer, the cobblestone streets get hot in the middle of the day; mornings and evenings are best for exploring.
The old town is small enough to be walked end-to-end in a day, but rewards slower exploration — boutique galleries, family-run restaurants and quiet courtyards reveal themselves over multiple visits. Comfortable walking shoes are essential because of the cobblestones. For dinner in the marina-side restaurants, reservations are advisable in high summer.
- March-May brings orange-blossom scents through the old-town streets — Kaleiçi at its loveliest.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes — cobblestoned streets and small hills are everywhere.
- For sunset, head to Hıdırlık Tower or Karaalioğlu Park — both offer classic Mediterranean horizons.
