Hadrian’s Gate (Üçkapılar, the “Three Gates”) is a Roman triumphal arch on Atatürk Caddesi in central Antalya. It was put up in honour of Emperor Hadrian, who visited the city in 130 AD, and today it is the grand way into Kaleiçi, Antalya’s old town.
It’s free to see at any hour, and it takes only a few minutes to walk from here into the lanes of the old town, so it fits easily into any day in Antalya.
Plan your visit to Hadrian’s Gate
- Entry: free
- Open 24 hours (street monument)
- Time needed: 15–30 min
History of Hadrian’s Gate
The gate formed part of the walls of ancient Attaleia, the Roman city that became Antalya. It has three arches resting on four pylons, with marble columns and carved decoration on both faces. Originally it had a second storey, which may have held statues of the emperor and his family, but that level has been lost.
It is flanked by two towers. The southern one, known as the Julia Sancta tower, dates from Roman times. The lower part of the northern tower is also Roman, but its upper part was rebuilt in the 13th century under the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I.
For centuries the gate was hidden inside later walls. The Irish hydrographer Francis Beaufort described it in 1817, and it was fully exposed and restored in 1959, when the street level was lowered to the original Roman paving.
Attractions at Hadrian’s Gate
- The three arches: look up at the coffered ceilings and carved friezes under the arches, about 8 m (26 ft) high.
- Roman wheel ruts: under the central arch, a see-through floor shows the old paving, with deep grooves worn by carts.
- The towers: compare the Roman masonry with the Seljuk rebuilding at the top of the northern tower.
- Kaleiçi beyond: the gate opens onto Hesapçı Sokağı, a lane of restored Ottoman houses that runs down towards the old harbour.
Things to Do at Hadrian’s Gate
- Take photos: early morning and evening, when the stone is lit, are the calmest times.
- Walk into Kaleiçi: follow the lanes past Ottoman houses, small museums and cafés down to the old harbour.
- Visit the nearby landmarks: the Clock Tower, Yivli Minaret, Kesik Minaret and Hıdırlık Tower are all within walking distance.
- Join a guided walk: many Antalya city tours start here and continue through the old town.
Hadrian’s Gate – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
Hadrian’s Gate is an open-air monument on a public street. There is no ticket and no fence, so you can visit it at any time of day or night, free of charge.
How Long to Spend at Hadrian’s Gate
Allow 15–30 minutes for the gate itself, or 2–3 hours if you combine it with a walk through Kaleiçi and down to the old harbour.
How to Get There
- Nostalgic tram: the Nostalji Tramvay runs along the seafront boulevard from the Antalya Museum (near Konyaaltı Beach) and passes Hadrian’s Gate and Karaalioğlu Park.
- AntRay tram: the İsmetpaşa stop is a short walk from the gate, with direct trams from the main bus station (Otogar). Pay with an Antalyakart transport card.
- From the airport: the airport is about 13 km away, roughly 25–30 minutes by taxi or transfer, depending on traffic.
- On foot: from anywhere in Kaleiçi or the Clock Tower area, it is a few minutes’ walk.
Arriving at Antalya Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Hadrian’s Gate
Kaleiçi is full of places to eat, from simple lokantas to restaurants in restored mansions. A few tips:
- Local dishes: try Antalya’s piyaz (bean salad with tahini) and grilled köfte, or fresh fish near the old harbour.
- Old-town cafés: the lanes behind the gate have many courtyard cafés for Turkish tea and coffee.
- Prices: places right on the harbour and the main lanes cost more; check the menu before you sit down.
Other Attractions Nearby Hadrian’s Gate
- Antalya Clock Tower: the old town’s clock tower on Kalekapısı Square, a short walk away.
- Yivli Minaret: the fluted 13th-century Seljuk minaret, a symbol of the city.
- Kesik Minaret: a ruined mosque that was a Roman temple, then a church, then a mosque.
- Hıdırlık Tower: a Roman tower at the edge of Karaalioğlu Park with sea views.
- Antalya Museum: one of Turkey’s major archaeology museums, about 2.5 km west, with finds from Perge and other sites in the region.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Antalya: stay in or near Kaleiçi to walk to the gate, the old town and the harbour.
- Get a Turkey eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Hadrian’s Gate is Antalya’s best-preserved Roman monument: a three-arched marble gateway built to honour Emperor Hadrian’s visit in 130 AD. It’s free, always open and is the natural starting point for a walk through Kaleiçi.
Pair it with the nearby Antalya Clock Tower in the old town, then head out to the Roman theatre at Aspendos or the ruins of Perge.
