Perge

## Overview Perge is a Pamphylian capital founded around 1000 BC, visited by Alexander the Great and Saint Paul, whose Roman phase peaked in the 2nd century AD. This is one of the essential sights in Antalya and rewards visitors who arrive with a little context and a full water bottle. ## A short history Standing on the site today, it is easy to forget that Perge has survived earthquakes, empires and centuries of neglect. What you see is the accumulated work — and loss — of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman hands. Nineteenth-century travellers wrote of overgrown ruins reclaimed by pine forest; modern excavations, most of them Turkish-led since the 1940s, have brought the site back to life while preserving its patina. ## What to see, section by section - **the Hellenistic gate and horseshoe towers.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the 300 m colonnaded main street with water channel.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the Roman baths with intact hypocaust.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the stadium seating 12,000.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the theatre (currently under restoration).** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the agora with intact mosaic paving.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. Give yourself at least 90 minutes to walk between these areas without rushing; two to three hours if you photograph seriously. ## Best time to visit Early morning or late afternoon; there is almost no shade on site so avoid midday in july–august. Shoulder-season months (April–May and September–October) combine mild weather with thinner crowds, and the low-angled light in those months flatters every marble surface. ## Photo spots The most rewarding frames are the colonnade at 09:00 with side-light on the columns, and the stadium tunnel vaults. Bring a wide-angle lens if you have one, and consider a polarizer to cut the Mediterranean glare. ## Tickets and hours - **Hours:** daily 08:00–19:00 (Apr–Oct), 08:30–17:30 (Nov–Mar). - **Admission:** €10 (Museum Pass Antalya included; parking €2). The Museum Pass Antalya is almost always worth it if you are visiting two or more sites — it pays for itself quickly and lets you skip the ticket queue. ## How to get there 18 km east of Antalya near Aksu; local bus AC08 from Meydan (€0.80) plus a 2 km walk, or taxi (€15) from Kaleiçi. Most tours pair it with Aspendos and Side. If time is short, a private guided tour with hotel pickup removes every logistical headache — see our related tours below. ## Insider tips - Bring 2 L of water — the on-site kiosk is unreliable. - The best Perge marbles are actually in the Antalya Museum; visit both to complete the picture. - A wide-angle lens is essential for the colonnade.