I think Side would be better for you

there is not much around the resort area of antalya only a couple of shops. u can catch a dolmus to the old antalya or to terra city mall.

you can stay inside of the Old city center call the Kaleiçi

I think the best area is the old city center inside of the Kaleiçi. it can be a bit touristy but it reflects old selcuk and ottoman history.

Kaleiçi, has narrow, winding streets enclosed in ancient city walls, which now protect the peaceful quarter from the noise of the concrete metropolis of a million people. The northern part (Selçuk and Tuzcular sections) of Kaleiçi is mostly touristy shops and restaurants lining the narrow mazelike streets. The Kilinçarslan section is a little more quiet and still charming. Although there are other entrances, it is best to enter and exit the old quarter from charming Hadrianus Gate, built by the Roman emperor Hadrianus as the entrance arch to the city. Hadrian Gate will lead you to Kilinçarslan district.

Fluted Minaret Yivli Minare - In this area, you can see the famous 125 feet tall fluted minaret and the mosque. Nearby is an old market building with an interesting entrance, and a ruined gate or two.

Clock Tower area Saat Kulesi - Ottoman-era clock tower and 18th century Paşa Camii mosque.

Fortified Roman port Yat Limanı - A beautiful harbour surrounded by town walls built during the Roman Era. Nearby is the İskele Camii mosque.

Broken Mınaret Mosque Kesik Minare - beautiful ruins of an old Roman temple, which eventually was converted into a Christian church and finally a mosque.

Hıdırlık Tower Hıdırlık Kulesi - a tower on the edge of the town walls with scenic views of the marina and the harbour.

Atatürk's Home Atatürk Evi (just outside the Kilinçarslan district, walk to Karaalioglu Park along Atatürk Cd.) - house where the first president of Turkey stayed at during his visits in Antalya.

Come in late Sept and October, ( great time to visit as its not as hot as the summer months ), and the town makes a great base for excursions out to the surrounding attractions, including some of Turkey’s finest archaeological sites

the major attractions in the city are easily accessed by foot or tram..however for trips to perge, side and aspendos you are better off to join a group tour as public transport is more limiting..more so to the historical sites of Perge and Aspendos..but you can get buses to Side..

Most tours so all those three places in one day and are not that expensive..however book locally and you will find lots of travel acencies in the old city ( kaleiçi ) area

Historic sites in the city center

The Atatürk Monument at Cumhuriyet Meydanı (Republic Square.)

Kaleiçi: the historical center of the city.

Ancient monuments include the City Walls, Hıdırlık Tower, Hadrian's Gate (also known as Triple Gate), and the Clock Tower.

Hadrian's Gate: constructed in the 2nd century by the Romans in honor of the Emperor Hadrian.

İskele Mosque: A 19th century Mosque near the Marina.

Karatay Medrese: A Medrese (Islamic theological seminary) built in 1250 by Emir Celaleddin Karatay.

Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret) Mosque: Once a Roman temple then converted to a Byzantine Panaglia church and finally into a mosque.

Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque: A 18th century Mosque built in honor of Tekeli Mehmet Paşa.

Yat Limanı: the harbour dating to Roman era.

Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) Mosque: Built by the Seljuks and decorated with dark blue and turquoise tiles, this minaret eventually became the symbol of the city.

[edit]Museums

Antalya Museum: Prize winning archaeology museum.[citation needed]

Kaleiçi Museum:[15] Opened in 2007 by the Mediterranean Civilizations Research Center (Akdeniz Medeniyetleri Araştırma Merkezi)[16]

Atatürk's House Museum

Antalya Toy Museum. The Antalya Metropolitan Municipality opened the exhibition facility in 2011.[17]

Suna & İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum : A ethnographic museum run by the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation.

In the city of antalya there are 2 main beaches..Konyaalti beach and Lara beach...plus there is a very small beach inthe city center call mermerli beach.

but for one of the best uncrowded beaches in the area go to Cirali ( Olympos )..If you are looking for a small resort you could look at Cirali as a quiet alternative....stunning beach, lush forests..an idyllic, concrete-free paradise, and sparkling clear seas. The Cirali Beach is also a rare opportunity to visit one of the Med’s few remaining nesting sites for loggerhead turtles.

and yes if you get a good deal on a car take advantage and get out and do some sightseeing..there are many worthwhile places to visit

As for the amount of days it is up to you. One can easily spend 10 days just exploring the Antalya coastal areas ( Lycian coastline ) with the vast amount of historical and rural villages with lovely beaches..The entire coastline of Antalya is a wonderful way to spend a vacation. And some with spendid beaches and historical areas. Here are some great places to visit south west from Antalya - Phaselis, Cirali, Myra, Kekova, and Kas

On the other side of Antalya going east you have Perge, Aspendos, Side to explore

Stay perhaps 1 or 2 nights in the city center and then venture out to Say Cirali for a couple of nights to explore that area..Cirali is 30 minutes drive from the resort of Kemer

Also nearby to Çıralı is the Ulupınar region, which is rich in rivers and creeks. Cirali / Çıralı is one of the last unspoilt natural areas along the Antalya coastline.

You can see my photos and the historicals sights in and around Antalya plus other places in Turkey at these pages;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/canmom/sets

If you want to see a place were time has stood still in Turkey and experience what Turkey used to be like about 15 to 20 yrs ago before the influx of all-inclusive and package holidays of the last decade, then Cirali is the place for this..

Cirali is a great little village, nice clean beach and a mix of sand and pebbles, ruins of Olympos and the flames of "Chimaera" the world''s oldest and best-known natural "eternal flame".

This is the Chimaera or Yanartaş as it is know in Turkish .....Yanartaş - The mystical flames at the Chimaera. The Chimaera, a series of flames issuing out of cracks in the bare hillside, is one of the most unusual sites in the whole of Lycia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanarta%c5%9f

check out these photos here; http://tinyurl.com/mo7fr6r

http://turkishtravelblog.com/cirali/

hope this helps a bit to get you started in planning

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