Antalya Old Town Cruise: Local Guide, History & Waterfalls

Summary

See Antalya’s old town from the water with a guide and waterfall stop

You’ll set off from Antalya’s old harbor with a local guide who brings Kaleici’s layered history to life as you cruise past Roman ramparts and Ottoman houses. There’s time to soak up views of Antalya Marina and pause at Duden Waterfall for photos (or just to listen). With entry fees included and stories along the way, this is one of those experiences you’ll remember long after your shoes are dry.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left the old harbor in Kaleici when the sea breeze hit — salty, a bit sharp, almost like it wanted to wake you up. Our captain, Mehmet, was already telling stories about the city walls before I’d even found a good spot to sit. He pointed out some tower where, apparently, lovers used to leave secret notes (I’m still not sure if he made that up or not). The boat moved slow enough that you could really see the layers of Antalya’s history stacked on each other — Roman stones under Ottoman balconies, all squeezed together along the waterline.

I didn’t expect how different everything would look from out on the water. The old town feels busy and tangled when you’re walking those alleys, but from here it was almost peaceful — roofs in faded reds and oranges, laundry flapping over stone courtyards. Mehmet kept switching between Turkish and English so everyone could follow along (he laughed when I tried to say “Kaleici” right — I definitely didn’t). There was this moment when we drifted near the marina and all you could hear was gulls and the slap of waves against wood. It smelled like sun-warmed pine mixed with engine oil — weirdly comforting.

The highlight for me was getting close to Duden Waterfall. You hear it before you see it — this low thunder that gets louder as you approach. We stopped long enough for everyone to take photos but honestly I just watched the spray catch sunlight for a while. Some kid on board tried to count how many rainbows he could spot in the mist (I lost track at three). On the way back, someone shared dried apricots they’d bought at the bazaar earlier; sweet and sticky fingers everywhere.

I keep thinking about that view of Antalya’s old city from the sea — how different it felt seeing those ancient walls from outside looking in. If you want a break from wandering crowded streets but still want to feel close to all that history, this sightseeing cruise is… well, it surprised me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Antalya Old Town and Waterfall

• Boat trip through Antalya Old Town
• Photo stop at Lower Duden Waterfall

Top questions

How long is the sightseeing cruise in Antalya?

The boat trip lasts approximately two hours.

Does the tour include a visit to Duden Waterfalls?

Yes, there is a photo stop at Lower Duden Waterfall during the cruise.

Is there a local guide on board?

Yes, a local guide explains historical landmarks during the tour.

Are entrance fees included in this Antalya boat trip?

Yes, entrance fees are included in your booking.

Is this sightseeing cruise suitable for families with children?

Yes, infants and small children can join; infant seats are available.

Where does the cruise depart from in Antalya?

The tour departs from Old Town Harbor (Kaleici Yat Limani).

Can I use public transportation to reach the departure point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes entrance fees for all sites visited during your two-hour boat trip through Antalya’s old town harbor and out toward Duden Waterfall; there’s also a local guide sharing stories throughout so you won’t miss any details along the way.