Kaleiçi: A Short Guide to Antalya's Old Town
Kaleiçi is Antalya's walled old town above the Roman harbour, a horseshoe of lanes with about 3,000 Ottoman-era houses. Walk in through Hadrian's Gate, see the Yivli Minaret and the clock tower, go down to the harbour and end at Hıdırlık Tower at sunset. It is about 14 km from Antalya Airport, roughly 25 minutes by car.
Kaleiçi means "inside the castle". The district grew from Attaleia, the city founded in the 2nd century BC by Attalus II, king of Pergamon. Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans all left their mark, and a double ring of walls still traces its horseshoe shape around the harbour.
What to see
- Hadrian's Gate (Üçkapılar). A three-arched marble gate built around AD 130 for the visit of Emperor Hadrian. It was the main eastern entrance to the old town.
- Yivli Minaret and the clock tower. The fluted Seljuk minaret is the symbol of Antalya; the clock tower stands at the top of the old town near Kaleiçi's upper gate.
- The old harbour. The Roman harbour is now a marina, with boat trips along the cliffs and cafés on the quay.
- Hıdırlık Tower. A 14 m Roman tower from the 2nd century AD at the edge of Karaalioğlu Park, used over the centuries as a fort and a lighthouse. The view over the bay is best at sunset.
- The Ottoman houses. About 3,000 traditional houses line the cobbled lanes that climb from the harbour; many are now small hotels, cafés and shops.
Tips for your visit
- Wear flat shoes: the lanes are cobbled and steep near the harbour.
- Go early or late in summer, when the lanes are cooler and quieter.
- Many boutique hotels cannot be reached by car. Give us the exact hotel name, and the driver stops at the nearest point a car may reach and helps with your bags.
Getting there from the airport
A private car from Antalya Airport to Kaleiçi takes about 25 minutes and costs from €25 per car. The T1A tram goes to İsmetpaşa, a short walk from the old town, in about 50 minutes. More options are in our guide Antalya Airport to the city centre.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Kaleiçi from Antalya Airport?
About 14 km, roughly 25 minutes by car, longer in the evening rush hour.
Can cars drive into Kaleiçi?
Only partly. Many lanes are pedestrian or closed to traffic, so drivers stop at the nearest point a car can reach.
How old is Hadrian's Gate?
It was built around AD 130 for Emperor Hadrian's visit to the city.