Antalya: Perge, Aspendos, Side & Manavgat Waterfall Day Trip

Summary

Walk ancient streets, taste lamb by the river, listen to stories in Aspendos

You’ll walk through ancient cities like Perge and Side with a local guide who brings their stories alive, sit inside Aspendos’ echoing theater, share lunch by a riverbank, and feel cool spray from Manavgat Waterfall on your skin. This day trip from Antalya includes entry tickets, lunch options (lamb, chicken or fish), hotel pickup and drop-off — plus those small moments you don’t see coming.

What’s the experience like?

We started out from Antalya just after breakfast — I barely finished my tea before the minibus rolled up. Our guide, Cem, greeted us with this easy smile and a quick “Günaydın!” (I tried to say it back but probably messed it up). By the time we reached Perge, the sun was already warming those old marble columns. There’s something about walking where people lived thousands of years ago — you can almost hear sandals scraping on stone if you pause long enough. Cem pointed out some faded carvings on a gate; I wouldn’t have noticed them otherwise. The air smelled faintly of wild herbs and dust.

Aspendos was next — about an hour’s drive, with sleepy fields rolling past outside. The amphitheater is huge; Cem clapped his hands in the center and the sound bounced right back at us. He told us gladiators once fought here (and then joked he’d rather watch football). I sat for a minute on those cold steps just listening to the echoes and thinking about all the crowds that must’ve filled this place. Lunch came after: lamb for me, fish for my neighbor — nothing fancy but honestly good, eaten outdoors with that kind of lazy river smell in the air.

Side surprised me most. The ruins are scattered everywhere — you turn a corner and there’s a bit of column or an old mosaic half-buried in sand. We wandered down to the Temple of Athena near the water; wind whipped at my hat and gulls squabbled overhead. I got lost for a second watching boats bobbing in the harbor (almost missed our meeting point). Then Manavgat Waterfall — not tall but wide and loud enough to drown out any conversation for a moment. Cool spray on my arms felt like a reset after all those ruins.

I still think about sitting quietly above that waterfall, letting everything settle before heading back to Antalya. It wasn’t what I expected — somehow more real than photos or guidebooks make it seem.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Perge, Aspendos, Side, Manavgat Waterfall

• Pick up from hotels at 8:00 am
• Drive 30 minutes to Perge
• Explore Perge for 1.5 hours
• Drive 1 hour to Aspendos
• Visit Aspendos site
• Lunch break around 1 pm for 1 hour
• Drive 1 hour to Side
• Free time in Side
• Visit Manavgat Waterfall
• Free time at waterfall
• Transfer back to hotels

Top questions

How long is the Antalya day trip to Perge, Aspendos & Side?

The tour lasts around 9 hours including transfers from Antalya hotels.

Is lunch included in this Antalya excursion?

Yes, lunch is included with options like lamb, chicken or fish.

Are entry tickets covered for all sites?

All entry tickets for Perge, Aspendos, Side ruins and Manavgat Waterfall are included.

Does the tour include hotel pickup & drop-off?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from most Antalya city hotels is included.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchairs or strollers?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infants can ride in prams or strollers.

Can I join from Alanya hotels?

No transfer service is available from Alanya hotels for this tour.

What time does pickup start in Antalya?

Pickup begins around 8:00 am after breakfast at your hotel.

Are drinks included during lunch?

No, drinks are extra and not included with lunch.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Antalya city center hotels, all entry fees for Perge, Aspendos amphitheater, Side ruins and Manavgat Waterfall; guiding throughout by a licensed local expert; insurance coverage; plus a simple but tasty lunch (lamb, chicken or fish) before returning late afternoon. Drinks aren’t included but everything else’s taken care of so you can just show up ready to wander.