The Most Special Place to Visit in Antalya City Center: Kaleiçi

Kaleiçi is located in the Muratpaşa district of Antalya and is the oldest settlement area of the city. The moment you step into Kaleiçi, you are greeted by narrow streets and historical structures that carry traces of the past into the present. The traditional Antalya houses offer valuable insights into the region’s architecture, lifestyle, traditions, and social structure.

Though some parts of Kaleiçi have been damaged or lost over time, the area is still surrounded by double-layered, horseshoe-shaped city walls extending from the inside out. These fortifications reflect the shared heritage of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. It is believed that there were approximately 80 bastions, nearly 3,000 tiled houses within the walls, and a tower every fifty steps near the outer walls.

In 1972, Kaleiçi and Antalya Marina were declared a Protected Site by the High Council of Real Estate Antiquities and Monuments. On April 28, 1984, the restoration project “Antalya Kaleiçi Complex,” carried out by the Ministry of Tourism, earned the Golden Apple Award, known as the Tourism Oscar, granted by FIJET (World Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers).

Today, Kaleiçi is one of Antalya’s most popular meeting points with its boutique hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, cafés, and vibrant nightlife.

Antalya, located on the Mediterranean coast in southwestern Türkiye, has historically served as one of Anatolia's gateways to the sea. As you walk through Kaleiçi’s narrow streets leading upward from the marina, you will encounter layers of history left by various civilizations.

Because Kaleiçi sits in the heart of Antalya, it can easily be explored in 2–3 hours. Within the same day, you can also visit Cumhuriyet Square, Işıklar Avenue, Güllük, the Atatürk Museum, the Toy Museum, and the Antalya City Museum—all within walking distance. If you wish, you can take the nostalgic tram from Cumhuriyet Square or Güllük for a short city tour.