Perge (Perga) is one of the largest ancient cities on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, about 15 km east of central Antalya in Aksu. You walk in through monumental city gates and along a colonnaded main street with a water channel down the middle, past baths, an agora and a large stadium.
It’s an easy half-day from Antalya, and pairs well with Aspendos on the same day.
Plan your visit to Perge
- Entry: about EUR 11 (check for increases)
- Open 08:00–19:00 in season (shorter in winter)
- Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
History of Perge
The site was settled in the Bronze Age, and Hittite texts mention it as Parha. A bronze tablet found in 1986 records it in a treaty of the Hittite king Tudhaliya IV. Later it became a Greek city of Pamphylia; it was home to the mathematician Apollonius of Perge (c. 262–190 BC), whose work on conic sections shaped mathematics for centuries.
Perge flourished under Rome in the 1st–3rd centuries AD. In the early 2nd century the wealthy priestess Plancia Magna paid for the monumental rebuilding of the Hellenistic gate. St Paul passed through around 46 AD on his first missionary journey, and the city later became an important Christian centre.
As the Aksu river silted up, Perge declined, and it was abandoned around the time the Seljuks arrived. Excavations since 1946 have uncovered fine statues and mosaics, many of which are now in the Antalya Museum.
Attractions at Perge
- Hellenistic Gate: two round towers from the 3rd century BC, with the oval courtyard remodelled by Plancia Magna behind them.
- Colonnaded street: the main street with a central water channel that fed a series of cascading pools.
- Southern Baths and agora: well-preserved Roman baths and a square market with shops around a central round building.
- Stadium: one of the best-preserved ancient stadiums in Anatolia, just outside the walls, with seating for about 12,000.
- Nymphaea: monumental fountains, including one dedicated to Emperor Hadrian.
- Roman theatre: large and richly carved, but temporarily closed to visitors for restoration; you can see it from outside.
Things to Do at Perge
- Walk the main street: follow the water channel from the gates to the nymphaeum at the foot of the acropolis.
- Look for details: carved columns, shop fronts and inscriptions along the streets.
- Visit the Antalya Museum: see the statues found at Perge, displayed in the city’s archaeology museum.
- Combine sites: day tours from Antalya often add Aspendos, Side and the Manavgat waterfall.
Perge – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Ticket: about EUR 11 for foreign visitors (check for increases). MüzeKart is valid for Turkish citizens; the MuseumPass Türkiye covers state sites.
- Hours: 08:00–19:00 in season, last tickets 18:30; shorter hours in winter. Check muze.gov.tr before you go.
- Note: the ancient theatre is temporarily closed for restoration.
- Tips: there is very little shade; go early or late in summer, and wear good shoes for the uneven paving.
Tours to Perge
- Day tour from Antalya (Perge, Aspendos, Side and Manavgat waterfall, hotel pickup, with or without entry tickets) on Klook
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
How Long to Spend at Perge
Allow 1.5–2.5 hours to walk the main street, baths, agora and stadium.
How to Get There
- By tram: the AntRay tram line to Aksu brings you close to the site; finish with a short taxi ride. Pay with an Antalyakart transport card.
- By car or taxi: about 20–30 minutes from central Antalya, depending on traffic. There is parking at the site.
- By tour: day tours from Antalya combine Perge with Aspendos and Side, with hotel pickup.
Arriving at Antalya Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Perge
There is a small café at the entrance. For a proper meal, head to Aksu town nearby or back into Antalya. Bring water, especially in summer.
Other Attractions Nearby Perge
- Aspendos: one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, about 30 km further east.
- Kurşunlu Waterfall: a nature park with a waterfall and woodland paths, a short drive away.
- Antalya Museum: home to many statues and finds from Perge.
- Lara Beach: Antalya’s long sandy beach, on the way back to the city.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Antalya: Lara and the eastern districts are closest to Perge, while Kaleiçi is best for the old town.
- Get a Turkey eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Perge is a large Greco-Roman city just east of Antalya, with monumental gates, a colonnaded street with a water channel, Roman baths and a great stadium. The theatre is currently closed for restoration, but there is still plenty to see.
Combine it with Aspendos for a full day of ancient sites, and finish at Hadrian’s Gate in Antalya’s old town.
