Day 1: April 8 – Coastal Drive & Kaleiçi Charm
After an unforgettable stay in Göreme, we bid farewell to Cappadocia on the morning of April 8th and set off toward our next destination — the beautiful coastal city of Antalya.
We hit the road around 9 AM after breakfast, excited for the 500 km journey ahead. With a few breaks along the way, the drive took about 6–7 hours. The roads were smooth and scenic for the most part, but as we approached Antalya city, traffic thickened. Maneuvering through some quick junctions was a bit nerve-wracking, but thankfully, no wrong turns were made!
We checked into Toprak City Hotel, a budget-friendly option located just a 10-minute walk from the vibrant Kaleici Old Town and the pier. Check-in was smooth, and the room — clean, comfortable, and spacious — was perfect for our stay. After resting a bit, we set out on foot to explore the neighborhood.
The evening was magical: we wandered through the charming alleyways of Kaleici, admired the views at the port, walked past the historic Clock Tower, and even snapped a picture at the majestic Hadrian’s Gate. After soaking in the sights, we found a cozy place for dinner and returned to the hotel for the night.
Day 2: April 9 – Land of Legends Adventure
Originally planned for later, we decided to visit The Land of Legends Theme Park in Belek the next day — a special treat especially for our daughter, Aanya.
After a modest breakfast at the hotel (the spread was quite limited, especially for vegetarians), we drove about 30–40 minutes to the park. Tickets were booked online through their official site, making entry smooth and easy.
Our plan was to start with the water rides. Aanya had a blast at the spray action and aqua play areas, and we loved the Turtle Coaster, Wave Ball Pool, and Lazy Pool. However, we were a bit disappointed to find many attractions, especially at Aqua Land, closed that day. Only the Wave Shock Pool was operating — and the water was freezing!
After changing into dry clothes, we caught the mesmerizing Dolphin Show, explored Nickelodeon Land, and grabbed a pricey lunch — a simple margherita pizza cost nearly 700 Turkish Liras! (The payment system at the park was wristband-based: load money onto your band and swipe it at food stalls and shops. Unused balances could be refunded at exit.)
Once our lunch settled, we headed toward the bigger rides. We absolutely loved the Sky Fighter ride, followed by the Zippy Zappy Coaster and the Family Coaster. Aanya even braved the Typhoon Coaster solo — and loved it!
The day flew by. Around 7 PM, the main exit had closed, so we had to find another way back to retrieve our locker bags. Rain started pouring just as we began our drive back to Antalya. Exhausted but happy, we returned to the hotel, snacked lightly from our travel stash, and called it a night.
Day 3: April 10 – Waterfalls, Beaches & City Strolls
After a slightly lazy start, we decided to skip the hotel’s breakfast and instead found a gem of a local restaurant nearby, run by a group of warm Turkish grandmothers (“babushkas”). Fresh gozlemes filled with potato, cheese, and spinach paired with pastries made for a perfect, budget-friendly breakfast!
Fueled and happy, we wandered through Hadrian’s Gate once again, explored the charming shops in Kaleici, and climbed up to the viewpoint overlooking the harbor — the views were absolutely breathtaking.
Later, we booked an afternoon boat ride from the port to visit the Lower Duden Waterfalls. The 2-hour boat trip was easily one of the highlights of our Antalya stay. The boat took us very close to the thundering falls, offering spectacular photo opportunities and unforgettable memories.
After returning to the harbor, we enjoyed a relaxing lunch at a portside restaurant (with a few vegetarian options). I took the opportunity to enjoy the local Efes beer — light, crisp, and instantly a favorite!
We spent the late afternoon walking toward Konyaalti Beach, about 2 km away. We loved the vibrant promenade, complete with a dedicated running/cycling track, charming cafes under covered roofs, and a lively, relaxed vibe.
After dinner at one of the beachside eateries, we hopped into a taxi and made our way back to the hotel, wrapping up another perfect day in Antalya.
Day 4: April 11 – Goodbye Antalya!
Our last morning in Antalya was relaxed. We returned to our favorite babushka-run restaurant for breakfast, packed up, and checked out of Toprak City Hotel.
Antalya had been everything we had hoped for — a charming mix of history, beach life, and fun-filled adventures. As we set off toward Pamukkale for the next leg of our Turkey journey, we carried with us some beautiful memories of this stunning coastal city.
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