Perge from Antalya: half a day by tram

Perge is an ancient city in the Aksu district, roughly 15 to 18 km east of central Antalya. Most of its standing buildings date from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, when the city was under Roman rule. The site is on the UNESCO Tentative List. With the tram ride there and back, a visit takes about half a day.

Getting there by tram

The AntRay tram runs from the city centre east past the airport branch to Aksu and EXPO. Board at İsmetpaşa in the centre; guides count 14 stops to Aksu. From the tram stop it is a walk of about 2 km, roughly 30 minutes, on a signposted road. Taxis are rare in Aksu, so do not plan on one for this stretch.

Fares are paid with an AntalyaKart, the city transport card. It is sold at kiosks and machines at the larger stations, including the airport stop.

What to see

Coming from Aksu, the stadium is the first monument on the path. It held up to 12,000 spectators and is one of the best-preserved stadiums of the ancient world. The theatre stands nearby, outside the city walls. The ministry lists it as temporarily closed for restoration.

The city entrance is the Hellenistic gate with its two round towers. In AD 121 the courtyard behind it was rebuilt as a courtyard of honour, with statues in wall niches. Much of this work is linked to Plancia Magna, a leading benefactor of Perge in the time of Hadrian.

From the gate, a colonnaded street of about 500 m leads to a monumental fountain at the foot of the acropolis. A stone water channel runs down its middle and once supplied fountains, baths and the shops along the street. The agora, a square market with shops around a courtyard, and the South Baths are among the best-preserved buildings.

The Antalya Museum

Many statues from Perge were shown in the Antalya Museum in Muratpaşa. The building closed in July 2025 after it was judged not earthquake-safe, and demolition began in September 2025. The collection was moved to temporary storage on the museum grounds. A larger new museum is planned on the same site. In September 2026 the newspaper Vatan reported that its foundations had not yet been laid.

Heat, walking and what to bring

The site is spread out but mostly level. In summer the sun reflects off the stone paving, and midday is the hardest time to walk. Go in the morning or late afternoon. One guide spent two to three hours on site, which is enough for the main buildings.

Opening hours change with the season, and the theatre may still be closed for restoration. Check current hours on muze.gov.tr before you go. Check there too whether the new Antalya Museum has opened.