Atatürk Parkı is a green strip of lawns, trees and paths running along the top of the sea cliffs in central Antalya, between the old town of Kaleiçi and Konyaaltı Beach. It is a city park rather than a monument, used by locals for walks, runs and tea in the shade. What makes it special is the view: from the railings you look straight down the cliff to the sea and across the Gulf of Antalya to the mountains on the far shore.
Atatürk Parkı at a glance
- Where: on the coastal cliffs west of Kaleiçi, along the road towards Konyaaltı, within walking distance of Republic Square.
- Named after: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, like many parks and squares across the country.
- What it is today: a public park with shady paths, lawns, benches and viewpoints at the cliff edge, used by residents more than by tourists.
- Time needed: 30–60 minutes for a slow walk, longer if you stay for sunset.
A city built on cliffs
Antalya was founded in the 2nd century BC by Attalus II, king of Pergamon, and named Attaleia after him. Its harbour, now the marina below Kaleiçi, sits in a break in a long line of cliffs that run along the coast on both sides of the old town. For most of its history the city stayed inside its walls around the harbour, and the cliff tops outside were open land.
As Antalya grew in the 20th century, it spread west and east along those cliffs, and long stretches of the cliff top were kept as public green space instead of being built over. Atatürk Parkı is part of that chain, on the western side of the old town. On the eastern side, Karaalioğlu Park plays the same role. Together they give the centre of a big, busy resort city a surprisingly calm edge along the sea.
What to look for
- The cliffs themselves: sheer walls of pale rock dropping straight into the sea, with water so clear in calm weather that you can see the rocks below.
- The view west to the Beydağları, part of the Taurus Mountains, which rise behind Konyaaltı Beach and are often snow-capped in winter and spring.
- Gulls riding the updrafts along the cliff face, and in spring and autumn small migrating songbirds resting in the park's trees.
- The long curve of Konyaaltı Beach to the west, a pebble beach backed by hotels and the mountains.
- Everyday Antalya: families on the lawns, joggers on the paths and people sitting over tea in the shade.
Not to be confused with
Antalya has more than one park named after Atatürk. Further west, at the top of Konyaaltı Beach, is the much larger Atatürk Kültür Parkı (Atatürk Culture Park), with the Glass Pyramid congress hall, an open-air theatre and exhibition grounds; it hosts events such as the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival. If you are meeting someone or following directions, check which of the two is meant.
Tips for your visit
- Come in the late afternoon: the heat of the day has eased and the sun sets over the sea and the mountains to the west.
- In summer, avoid the middle of the day; shade is limited near the cliff edge and the rock radiates heat.
- Stay behind the railings: the cliff edge is a sheer drop, and the ground near it can be uneven.
- Combine it with a walk through Kaleiçi, then follow the cliffs west towards the Antalya Museum and Konyaaltı Beach.
Nearby
- Republic Square (Cumhuriyet Meydanı): the city's main square, with its large Atatürk monument and views over the harbour.
- Kaleiçi and Hadrian's Gate: the old walled town, entered through the triple-arched Roman gate built for Emperor Hadrian's visit in AD 130.
- Antalya Museum: on the road west towards Konyaaltı, one of Turkey's leading archaeological museums, with statues from the Roman city of Perge.
- Konyaaltı Beach: the long pebble beach at the foot of the cliffs, for a swim with the mountains as a backdrop.
See Antalya with World City Trail
Our Antalya scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around 3 hours, with about 40 minutes of walking. It includes Republic Square and the lanes of Kaleiçi.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game in Antalya.
Play the Antalya scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Antalya →
Play the outdoor escape game in Antalya →
Facts checked in October 2026.