From Antalya: Perge Ancient City & Temple of Apollo Tour

A long Roman day, without the guesswork. I like how this trip packs Perge and Aspendos into one route, so you see big, real sites without juggling tickets or timing all day. Two things I especially like are the professional guide who keeps the story clear, and the fact that lunch is included so your day stays smooth instead of turning into snack math. One consideration: entrance fees are not fully included, so you may have an extra cost to plan for.

You’ll start early at 8:00 am and you should expect a moderate walking day on uneven ancient ground. I also like the pacing built into the schedule, with a solid break for shopping in ARGENTUM before heading to the Temple of Apollo area in Side. If you want minimal driving and maximal downtime, this might feel like a full day, not a slow afternoon stroll.

Key highlights

• Perge Antik Kenti and Aspendos in one tour, two of the best Roman stops near Antalya
• A professional English guide, with well organized timing across multiple sites
• Lunch included, so you do not lose time hunting food during a long day
• ARGENTUM shopping center stop, built in as a useful pause
• Temple of Apollo in Side included, with iconic columns and waterfront views
• Small group size (max 15), which usually makes questions easier

Perge Antik Kenti: Roman streets, baths, and stadium-scale ruins

Perge Antik Kenti is the kind of ancient site that makes you think in straight lines, big crowds, and public life. This is not just a couple of columns. You get grand streets, baths, and a stadium, all tied together by what you can still trace on the ground.

What I like about starting here is the way Perge sets the tone for the whole day. You see how Roman cities worked at human scale. You can imagine people moving between public spaces, then you watch the ruins reveal how planned and official everything felt. That makes the later stops easier to read, because you already understand what you are looking at.

Practical tip: wear solid shoes. Even if the paths seem manageable, you will be moving through stone and uneven surfaces. Also, bring water, because it is a 10-hour day and the schedule includes multiple outdoor ruins.

The one drawback to note up front: the admission ticket for this stop is not included as part of the base listed price. Entrance fees may be paid separately depending on what you selected at booking.

Aspendos Ruins: why one theater still draws everyone

Aspendos Ruins are famous for one reason that actually matters when you are there: one of the world’s best preserved Roman theaters, known for remarkable acoustics. Even if you do not plan to test the sound with dramatic speeches, you can feel why this place earned its reputation.

This stop works because the theater is still legible. You can see the architecture and imagine performances, not just wander through scattered stones. The time allowance is also smart, about 1 hour. It is enough to get oriented, take a few photos, and connect the architecture to the theater experience without turning it into a rushed sprint.

A small consideration: like Perge, admission tickets for this stop are not included in the basic package. Plan for that extra cost so you do not get stuck deciding at the gate.

Lunch included: a real break in a real schedule

This tour includes lunch, which is a quiet but important value point. With a day that starts at 8:00 am and runs roughly 10 hours, the risk with Rome-style itineraries is that you start with energy and end with hanger and stress.

Lunch included means you can keep moving instead of turning the middle of the day into a search-and-wait mission. The one thing to be clear about is drinks at lunch are not included. If you are the type who always wants coffee, tea, or something cold with your meal, budget for that.

If you want the easiest day possible, pack a little patience with you. You will bounce between sites that are outdoors and photo heavy. A good lunch helps, because you still need energy for Side at the end.

ARGENTUM shopping center: not the main event, but a useful reset

You get a 1-hour stop at ARGENTUM shopping center, with admission free. This is not there to trick you into buying stuff. It is mainly a reset between ruins.

Here is how to use it well:

• If you need a restroom stop, this is your chance.
• If you want snacks for later in the day, this is usually the easiest place to do it.
• If you want to buy a small souvenir that is easier than carrying something from a bazaar, this is the time.

The tradeoff is obvious: it is time you could spend looking at another ruin. If you are the type who wants only historical stops, you may wish the schedule had a longer Side or Perge segment. Still, after the morning sites, having a controlled break makes the rest of the day more enjoyable.

Apollon Temple in Side: columns by the waterfront

The Temple of Apollo stop is in Side, and it is timed for about 2 hours. This is the part of the tour that tends to feel more scenic. You get iconic columns and stone structures with a waterfront vibe, so your last major photos often feel different from the earlier Roman city ruins.

Two hours is a nice window here. It lets you slow down. You can walk around, check out the geometry of the columns, and take in how the ruins sit in a more open setting compared with tightly packed city blocks.

One more value note: admission for this stop is listed as included. That means you may not face the same gate fee headache you might run into at the other ruins.

Practical tip: late in the day, you will likely be a bit tired. Bring a smartphone with good battery, or consider a small power bank, so you can keep taking photos without rushing.

Price and what you’re really paying for

The tour price is listed at $35. On its face, that sounds like a budget day trip. But the real value depends on what you pay extra for entry.

What is included:

• Lunch
• Professional guide
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Entrance fees if the option is selected

What is not included:

• Drinks on lunch time
• Entrance fees listed as €30 per person

So here is the honest way to look at it. You are mostly buying transportation, a guided route, lunch, and the Temple of Apollo entry (since that stop is marked included). You may still pay extra for Perge and Aspendos depending on what is selected.

If you are staying in the Antalya, Lara, Kundu, or Kaleiçi areas, the hotel pick-up and drop-off also help the math. Getting a driver for a full day, plus a guide across multiple sites, is usually where the cost savings happen compared to piecing it together yourself.

Small group size helps too. With a maximum of 15 travelers, you are less likely to feel like a human raftsman in a sightseeing cattle car. That matters when you have questions and when timing is tight between locations.

Hotel pick-up timing: how to avoid the first-day scramble

This tour starts at 8:00 am. Pickup is offered from hotels in Antalya, Lara, Kundu, and Kaleiçi. The rule is simple: wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before your pick-up time.

That 10-minute buffer is not a suggestion if you want a stress-free start. In bigger hotels, it can take time to find the right pickup point or locate the driver. If you are early, sit tight in the lobby and keep your phone ready for updates.

Also note: you get a mobile ticket. That usually means less paperwork and fewer last-minute surprises.

Who this tour fits best

This day trip is a strong match if you want:

• Major Roman ruins without complex planning
• An English-speaking guide and a structured route
• A full day with one shopping reset and one scenic finale

It is also a decent choice for couples and first-time visitors who feel overwhelmed by Antalya area history on their own. The route gives you two big Roman anchors in the morning, then Side at the end.

If you have very low tolerance for walking, or if you hate touring ruins on uneven surfaces, you might find it tiring. The tour lists moderate physical fitness, which usually means shoes matter and you should pace yourself.

Should you book this Perge, Aspendos, and Side tour?

I would book it if you want a well-organized day that hits the big Roman highlights near Antalya, then finishes at the Temple of Apollo area in Side with a more open, photo-friendly setting. The value is strongest when you want hotel pickup plus lunch plus guided context, and when you are okay paying entrance fees for the stops that are not fully included.

I would hesitate if you are trying to keep the day strictly low-cost, since entrance fees can add up. I would also think twice if you dislike a mixed schedule that includes a shopping center stop, even if it is only an hour.

If you like structure, clear guidance, and hitting multiple top sites in a single day, this is one of the easier ways to do it.

FAQ

What is the tour duration?

The tour lasts about 10 hours.

Where does the tour take place?

It runs in the Antalya area and includes stops around Kemer and Side, Turkey.

What is the meeting or start time?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Is hotel pick-up and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included, and pick-up is offered from hotels in Antalya, Lara, Kundu, and Kaleiçi.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are included only if you select the option at booking. Entrance fees are listed as €30.00 per person and may apply to some stops.

Is there a shopping stop?

Yes. There is a stop at ARGENTUM shopping center for 1 hour, and it is free.

Will I receive a mobile ticket?

Yes. A mobile ticket is provided.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.