Located on the Mediterranean coast, with the Taurus Mountains just a quick 40-minute drive away, Antalya is the perfect destination for nature lovers, rock climbers, daredevils and, well, just about everyone. And shockingly, temperatures on this breezy coast are a few degrees lower at the end of June than in continental Europe.
Here are three day trips to escape the city’s crowds and fully immerse yourself in Turkey’s great outdoors:
Geyikbayırı crag
Geyikbayırı crag is named after the nearby village of Geyikbayırı and is one of the most popular climbing destinations in Turkey. This place is home to a variety of routes for all levels, ranging from 4a to 9a. You can reach this destination by taxi from the center of Antalya in about 40 minutes. This shouldn’t cost you more than 3000 Turkish lira (about 60 euros) for a return trip. However, keep in mind that I paid this amount in 2025, and since Turkey has one of the highest inflation rates in the world, prices are likely to rise quickly.
If you visit the Geyikbayırı crag during weekends, your chances of finding other international climbers are extremely high.
People usually choose to stay at one of the many on-site campsites, such as Kezban’s Camping for Climbers, The Land Geyikbayiri, and Rido Camping. You can either pitch your own tent or rent a cabin for a few nights.
Once there, I recommend trying Geyikbayırı Alabalık, a local fish restaurant serving delicious food (with a few options for vegetarians, too). What makes this place truly special is its unique scenery, as you will be surrounded by the many pools where fish are farmed daily.
If you have time, make sure to visit the Trebenna Antik Kenti ruins as well, which can be reached with an easy one-hour hike from the campgrounds. This is the perfect place for a group photo, offering a breathtaking view of Antalya.
Phaselis Örenyeri
If you prefer the sea to the mountains, then Phaselis Örenyeri is the place for you. This archaeological site is about an hour’s drive from Antalya’s city center, so I suggest you rent a scooter or a car to get there.
There, you can enjoy a relaxing day at the beach while exploring the ancient ruins of Phaselis. This city was founded in the 7th century BC by the Rhodians and served as the busiest port in eastern Lycia. Over the centuries, it has been ruled by the Persians, the Romans, and even pirates! Phaselis was also captured by the famous Alexander the Great, who spent a month in this beautiful city. Ruins of the city’s infrastructure still survive today, including its gates, main street, aqueduct, theater, and more.
Once you’re done exploring Phaselis’ archaeological sites, you can spend the rest of your day chilling on the sandy beach and making the most of the Mediterranean Sea.
This site is equipped with toilets and stands where you can buy a refreshing drink, some snacks, and a few souvenirs for your relatives and friends. A ticket for the day costs 10 euros for foreigners.
Tazı kanyonu
Last on our list is Tazı kanyonu, the perfect choice for adrenaline seekers. This beautiful canyon can be reached in a 90-minute drive from Antalya, so once again I recommend you rent a car for the trip. If this is not an option, keep in mind that as of June 2026, a one-way taxi ride costs about 6,000 TL (roughly 120 euros).
Tazı kanyonu is about 300-400 meters deep and features dramatic cliffs overlooking the Köprüçay River below. Here, you will find several trail paths for different hiking levels. I suggest you download the Maps.me app to see all the available options. Once at the site, you will find a few stands selling local food, snacks and drinks.
However, I recommend bringing plenty of water with you as the Turkish heat can be very intense.
Tazı kanyonu is also home to the world’s highest and Europe’s longest zipline. While this can be a great adrenaline boost, it’s worth mentioning that the experience is quite pricey, and currently costs $85( about 74 euros) per person. Tazı Kanyonu is also a great option for those who want to try rafting. You can find several tours available once you’re in Antalya, or book your adventure in advance, on websites such as GetYourGuide.
I hope these three options will keep you busy for a few days while ensuring you make the most of your trip to Antalya and discover all the different landscapes this province has to offer.
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Read more about Antalya here in Dispatches’ archives.
Cristina Miceli
contributors, and her work has been featured on several publications, including The Cabo Sun,
Bookmundi, SleepingInAirports, and more. Cristina is a huge promoter of slow travelling and
prefers long train rides to quick flights, analogue photography to selfies, and unknown towns to
massive metropolises. When she’s not writing breaking news or reporting her latest adventures, you may find her
drinking way too much tea, reading whatever book she found on the road, or playing her
classical guitar. Cristina has travelled to more than 30 countries on three continents, always slowly. One of her proudest achievements is a trip from Italy all the way to Gambia, avoiding planes.
