REVIEW · ANTALYA
Antalya Perge Aspendos Side Daily Tours with lunch
Book on Viator →Operated by Gref Travel · Bookable on Viator
Three ancient stops in one day. That mix is the fun: you start with a big Roman city at Perge, then switch to the mind-bending acoustics of Aspendos, and end in Side with the Apollo Temple. If you like ruins that feel human-scale instead of rushed, this route fits well.
I especially like how the day is paced: Perge gets 1 hour 30 minutes, then Aspendos gets a focused 1 hour, and Side’s Apollo Temple is another easy 1 hour. I also like that you’re not traveling in a hot van all day, since the tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, and lunch.
One thing to plan for: entrance fees are not included for Perge and Aspendos, and they’re listed as 26 euro per person. Also, the quality of the guide can affect the tone of the day, so if you prefer strictly neutral explanations, you’ll want to go in with your expectations set accordingly.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- The 8:00 pickup: why an early start matters here
- Perge Antik Kenti: stadium energy, Roman baths, and a city you can picture
- Aspendos ruins: the theater that still makes sense
- Side’s Apollo Temple: free admission with a story you can walk through
- Lunch is included—so use it like a reset
- Cost and value: what $60.21 really buys you
- Group size and guide tone: small group, big difference
- Timing at each site: how to avoid feeling rushed
- Who this tour fits best
- Should you book the Antalya Perge–Aspendos–Side day tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- Is pickup included, and where do I meet?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Is lunch included?
- Are entrance fees included?
- How big is the group?
- What if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?
Key things to know before you go
- Small group size (max 15 travelers) keeps the pace comfortable and questions doable
- 8:00 am start helps you arrive early and avoid the worst crowds
- Lunch is included, but drinks are not, so budget a little extra
- Aspendos theater acoustics are the big wow moment, plus you’ll see Roman-era engineering like the aqueduct
- Apollo Temple is free admission, making the Side stop feel like good value
- Perge and Aspendos tickets cost extra, so factor in the listed 26 euro per person
The 8:00 pickup: why an early start matters here
This tour runs for about 9 hours, with pickup at 8:00 am. If you’re staying around Antalya, that early launch is a practical advantage—these sites get busy, and arriving sooner usually means more time to wander without feeling herded.
Pickup is simple: you meet at your hotel security gate, at the tour operator’s door. You’ll be asked for your WhatsApp number so you can be reached fast if anything shifts.
Other Antalya tours we've reviewed in Antalya
Perge Antik Kenti: stadium energy, Roman baths, and a city you can picture
Perge is the first stop, and you get about 1 hour 30 minutes on site. This ancient city is known for its layout, and you’ll walk past major pieces like the stadium, Roman bath, and agora—the kind of landmarks that help you visualize daily life instead of just reading about it.
What I like about Perge on a guided day is the way the ruins line up with your imagination. A stadium instantly tells you what people gathered for. A bath complex does the same for everyday routines—social time, relaxation, and big-city behavior—so the stones start feeling less like rubble and more like a working world.
A practical consideration: entrance isn’t included for Perge, so you’ll need to pay at the site. If you’re the type who hates ticket lines, keep a little patience buffer for that first payment.
Aspendos ruins: the theater that still makes sense
Aspendos is where the tour turns into the headline act. You’ll spend about 1 hour here, and the reason it’s famous is the theater’s acoustics—it was built to carry voices clearly even in an open-air setting.
You’ll also see other Roman touches, including what’s described as a nice aqueduct and the overall Roman build quality. Standing in the theater area, you can get a real sense of why the Romans were so serious about engineering: this isn’t just an impressive stage. It’s a system designed for crowds and sound.
The drawback to keep in mind: because the time is tight (1 hour), you’ll want to move with purpose. If you love slow, long photos, you might feel a little time pressure—but the upside is you’ll still get the main highlights without burning half the day traveling.
Side’s Apollo Temple: free admission with a story you can walk through
Your third stop is Apollon Temple, and it’s 1 hour with free admission. Since it’s in Side, this is a nice way to connect the ruins of Perge and Aspendos to a more recognizable old-town feel—an easy place to slow down and take photos.
This stop is described as an interesting Apollo Temple, and that matters because it gives you a change of pace. Perge and Aspendos are big, dramatic Roman remnants. Apollo Temple feels more like a focal point you can wrap your head around—place, purpose, and symbolism—without needing a long checklist of features.
If you want the most out of this hour, don’t treat it like a quick stop-and-go. Use it to look around and connect the setting to the rest of the day. Even when the structures are smaller than a theater, they still help you understand what people came to these places for.
Lunch is included—so use it like a reset
Lunch is included on this tour, which is a big value point. When you’re doing ruins all day, food stops matter. They keep your energy steady and help you enjoy the afternoon instead of pushing through hunger and heat.
The one catch: drinks are not included. So if you plan to have bottled water or any other beverage with lunch, add it to your mental budget before you go.
A helpful detail from real-world experience: there can be time for a quick snack or bakery stop during the ride, depending on timing. Don’t count on it as a guarantee, but it’s worth going with the mindset that you might get a small food break beyond lunch.
Other Aspendos tours we've reviewed in Antalya
Cost and value: what $60.21 really buys you
The price is listed as $60.21 per person, and the included items are what make it work: an air-conditioned vehicle, guide service, transfers, and lunch.
Here’s how I’d think about the value. If you were to do these stops on your own, you’d still spend money on transportation between sites, plus you’d have to manage tickets, timing, and navigation. This tour removes most of that friction, and the guide helps you connect what you’re seeing—especially at Aspendos, where the acoustics are the star.
What’s not included is the entrance cost for Perge and Aspendos (listed as 26 euro per person), plus any drinks. Since Apollo Temple is free, that helps offset some of the extra ticket cost. Bottom line: you’re paying mainly for logistics and interpretation. If you want a smooth day without coordinating multiple pieces yourself, the price makes sense.
Group size and guide tone: small group, big difference
This tour caps at 15 travelers, which is a sweet spot. You still get the social vibe of a group day, but it’s small enough that you’re not disappearing into a crowd. That often means better pacing and more chance to ask a question if something doesn’t click.
The guide is part of the package, but there’s one caution to keep in mind based on feedback received: one guide’s presentation style can shift the mood. In at least one case, the commentary was reported as too opinionated, including inappropriate generalizations and unprofessional moments. That doesn’t mean every day is like that, but it does mean you should pick this tour with your expectations tuned toward a guided day where personality matters.
If you prefer a strictly factual, calm tone, I suggest you start the day with a simple goal: focus on the sites. Let the guide interpret, but keep your attention on the theater, the stadium, and the temple. Even when the delivery isn’t perfect, the locations still do most of the heavy lifting.
Timing at each site: how to avoid feeling rushed
The day is structured with clear time blocks:
- Perge: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Aspendos: 1 hour
- Apollo Temple: 1 hour
That’s enough time to see the highlights without turning it into a long slog. Still, you’ll enjoy it more if you show up ready to walk. Wear shoes you trust on uneven stone, and plan on moving steadily—especially at Aspendos where the key is to get into the theater viewing zone and take in the acoustics idea.
If you’re the type who likes to linger for details, prioritize Perge. It’s the most “walkable story” stop because it includes multiple features like bath, agora, and stadium in one sweep.
Who this tour fits best
This is a great pick if you want:
- A compact day trip from Antalya that hits the top Roman-era stops
- A guide to help you make sense of ruins quickly
- Lunch taken care of, plus transport handled
It’s also a strong choice if you like small-group touring. With up to 15 people, you’re less likely to feel like you’re standing in a parade line.
If you’re traveling with someone who loves architecture or ancient engineering, Aspendos will be your moment. If they’re more into atmosphere and everyday life in ancient cities, Perge is your anchor.
Should you book the Antalya Perge–Aspendos–Side day tour?
Yes—if you want an efficient, guided way to see Perge, Aspendos, and Side with lunch included and hotel pickup. The combination works because each stop scratches a different itch: city layout at Perge, sound-and-crowd engineering at Aspendos, and an easy Side temple visit at Apollo.
I’d think twice only if you’re extremely sensitive to guide personality. The sites themselves are the main reason to come, and at least one report shows how guide tone can sour the experience. If you can roll with that and keep your focus on the ruins, this tour is good value for a full day.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
It starts at 8:00 am.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 9 hours.
Is pickup included, and where do I meet?
Yes. You’ll be picked up at the hotel security gate, at the tour operator’s door.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch is included. Drinks are not included.
Are entrance fees included?
Entrance fees are not included for Perge and Aspendos. Apollon Temple admission is listed as free.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.
What if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.
