Antalya and the Ancient Cities of the Mediterranean
Roman cities, Lycian tombs, and the maritime heritage of Antalya. Explore the Mediterranean coast through its ancient streets, monumental theater, and sacred traditions. Based in Antalya, the journey combines Kaleiçi’s living old town with Perge and Aspendos, then follows the coast to Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas. The changing scenery provides a setting for stories of trade, public life, and religious memory.
- Route: Istanbul → Antalya and Kaleiçi → Perge → Aspendos → Demre and Myra → Antalya Airport
- Format: Private or escorted group
- Tour Focus: Classical archaeology, Lycian heritage, historic coastal settlements, and early Christian traditions.
Places You’ll Visit
- Antalya — The streets of Kaleiçi, Hadrian’s Gate, and the old harbor.
- Perge and Aspendos — Public spaces and monumental architecture from the ancient cities of Pamphylia.
- Demre and Myra — Lycian rock-cut tombs and the later Christian tradition of St. Nicholas.
Important Historical and Biblical Context
Antalya, ancient Attalia, and Perge appear in the account of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13–14. Much of the visible architecture belongs to the wider Roman history of the region. Aspendos is renowned for its Roman theater, which should not be confused with an amphitheater. St. Nicholas is traditionally associated with fourth-century Myra; the surviving church reflects later construction and rebuilding.
Why This Route
Two nights in Antalya provide one base for the old town and the Pamphylian sites, while the final coastal journey introduces the distinct heritage of Lycia and St. Nicholas.
Who Is This Tour For
Cultural travelers, archaeology enthusiasts, and small groups seeking a short Mediterranean program that combines ancient cities with Christian heritage.
Practical Information
Flights: A morning arrival and late-evening departure are essential for the full three-day itinerary. The return or onward destination is confirmed with your booking.
Final-day travel: The return journey to Demre is substantial and subject to traffic and road conditions. An additional Antalya night provides a more relaxed finish and greater flexibility.
Walking and season: Sites include steps, exposed surfaces, and uneven paths. Summer visits are timed with heat in mind. Religious buildings follow their own access arrangements.
Services: Domestic airfares, hotel category, meals, guiding, vehicle, and entrance fees are detailed in the quotation.
FAQ
Can we take an afternoon flight on Day 3?
The standard Demre program does not suit an early departure. Add a night or revise the final day.
Is the Aspendos monument an amphitheater?
It is a Roman theater, designed around a stage and semicircular seating.
Can this be combined with a beach stay?
Yes. Extra nights in Antalya or a suitable coastal resort can be arranged.
Can the tour focus more on biblical history?
Yes. Guiding can give greater attention to Perge, Attalia, and the region’s Christian traditions while retaining the archaeological visits.
Tour Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
3 DaysTake a morning flight from Istanbul to Antalya and meet your guide. Explore Kaleiçi, passing Hadrian’s Gate and visiting selected mosques according to access and worship times. Walk toward the historic harbor and consider how its sheltered setting supported the growth of the city. The old town’s streets and changing architecture connect the ancient port with later Ottoman and modern life.
Overnight: Antalya
Travel to Perge and explore its gateways, baths, and colonnaded streets. Your guide will explain how these spaces organized movement, social life, and civic display in an ancient city, alongside its place in the New Testament narrative. Continue to Aspendos to study the scale and design of its Roman theater. Return to Antalya after a day focused on public architecture and the communities that used it.
Overnight: Antalya
Depart early along the Mediterranean coast for Demre. Visit the Church of St. Nicholas and discuss the traditions surrounding the bishop whose memory spread far beyond this region. Continue to Myra to see its rock-cut tombs and theater, contrasting Lycian funerary architecture with the later Roman city. Return toward Antalya Airport for a late-evening flight. This is a long road day; an earlier departure requires an extra night or a revised itinerary.
Overnight: No overnight included