COP31's Day Off: Where to Go from Antalya on Sunday 15 November
The COP31 venue is closed on Sunday 15 November. Day trips from Antalya that fit one free day: Perge, Aspendos, Kaleiçi, Düden and Side.
COP31 has one day built into the middle when nothing happens at the venue. On Sunday 15 November, the conference premises at the Antalya EXPO Center are closed, registration desk included. For many participants it is the only free day in two weeks, and Antalya is a good place to spend it: there is a Roman theatre, an ancient city and an old town within an hour of most conference hotels.
This guide covers day trips from Antalya that fit into that one Sunday, with realistic timings and a few ways to combine them.
Why Sunday 15 November is different
Two things make this Sunday unusual. First, a large share of the city's visitors are free at the same time, so the obvious sights will be busier than on a normal November weekend. Second, the days are short: in mid-November the sun sets around five in the afternoon, and outdoor sites are best seen in the morning and early afternoon.
The practical answer to both is the same. Start early, do the open-air sites first, and keep the old town or a museum for the late afternoon. November is also when the autumn rains arrive, so it helps to have an indoor option in reserve.
Perge: the ancient city next to the venue
Perge lies in Aksu, the same district as the conference venue, which makes it the easiest visit of the lot. The site is known for its long colonnaded street, the towers of its Hellenistic gate, a large stadium and a theatre. You can reach it by car in a few minutes from the venue area, and the AntRay tram has an Aksu stop within reach of the site.
Allow one and a half to two hours to walk the main street properly. There is little shade, which matters less in November than in summer.
Aspendos: the Roman theatre near Serik
The theatre at Aspendos, near Serik, dates from the second century AD and is one of the best-preserved ancient theatres anywhere, with its stage building still standing to full height. Remains of the Roman aqueduct stand in the fields nearby.
From Belek it is a short drive, and from the city centre allow roughly 45 minutes each way. Perge in the morning and Aspendos after lunch make a comfortable day with time to eat in between.
Kaleiçi and the old harbour
Antalya's old town, Kaleiçi, is the natural choice for the afternoon. Enter through Hadrian's Gate, built for the emperor's visit in the second century, and walk downhill through the lanes to the old harbour. The cliff-top parks above the harbour are where people gather for the sunset.
This is also where the crowds will be heaviest on the Sunday, so arrive in the afternoon rather than at midday if you can, and book a table for dinner.
Düden waterfalls and the Antalya Museum
The Düden river ends in two waterfalls. The Lower Düden falls drop straight off the cliffs into the sea in Lara, and the Upper Düden falls sit in a park in Kepez. Either takes under an hour.
If it rains, the Antalya Museum in Konyaaltı is the best indoor alternative. Many of the finest statues found at Perge are displayed here, so it pairs well with a morning at the site. Check the opening hours before you go, as they change with the season.
Side, if you want a full day out
Side is roughly an hour east of the venue, on a small peninsula with an ancient theatre and the columns of the Temple of Apollo standing on the shore. It is a longer trip, but it combines well with Aspendos on the way. Arrive at the temple in the late afternoon, when the light is lowest.
Three day trips from Antalya for one free Sunday
| Plan | Stops | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Close to base | Perge in the morning, Aspendos after lunch | Anyone staying in Lara, Kundu or Belek |
| City day | Lower Düden, Antalya Museum, Kaleiçi at sunset | City-centre hotels and rainy weather |
| East coast | Aspendos, then Side for the late afternoon | A full day with a driver |
A car with a driver for the day saves you from hunting for taxis between sites on the busiest Sunday of the month. Tell us where you are staying and which plan you like, and we will send a price for the day. If you are still getting to grips with the daily commute, our guide to reaching the venue from outside the official hotels covers the working days.
Want a driver for Sunday 15 November?
Send us your hotel and your plan for the day, and we will reply with a fixed price.
Frequently asked questions
No. According to the UNFCCC, the conference premises, including the registration desk, are closed on Sunday 15 November.
Yes. The AntRay tram has a stop in Aksu within reach of the ancient site. Check current running times, as Sunday services can differ.
One to two hours on site is usually enough. It is a short drive from Belek and roughly 45 minutes each way from the city centre, so it pairs well with Perge in the morning.
The major sites and the Antalya Museum are generally open every day, including Sundays. Opening hours change with the season, so check them before you set out.
Yes. Message us your hotel, group size and the plan you have in mind, and we will reply with a fixed price for the day. It saves hunting for taxis between sites.