On foot is the best way to explore the old town and the promontory. The harbour area, the Red Tower, the Seljuk shipyard, and Damlatas Cave are all within easy walking distance of each other. The climb up through the old town to the castle is steep — count on 30 to 45 minutes of uphill walking from the harbour — but the lanes are interesting and the views at the top reward the effort.
Minibuses (dolmuş) are the workhorse of local transport. They run along the main coastal road (Atatürk Caddesi) from the bus terminal westward past Cleopatra Beach and on toward Kestel and beyond. Fares are very cheap and you flag them down on the street. The same route runs in reverse back toward the centre. For getting between the western beaches and the old town, dolmuşes are both fast and inexpensive.
Taxis are widely available in the town centre and around the harbour. They are metered, but agree on the fare before getting in for trips outside the centre. Taxis are the practical option for the airport and for reaching places not on minibus routes.
Boat tours from the harbour are a popular — and genuinely worthwhile — way to see the cliffs, sea caves, and grottoes that line the promontory. Boats leave in the morning and return in the afternoon, visiting Cleopatra Cave, Pirates' Cave, Lovers' Cave, and Phosphorus Cave. Full-day tours are available, or you can arrange shorter trips to specific caves.
Bicycle and scooter rental is available in the resort strip. Cycling on the main coast road is possible but traffic is heavy in summer; the roads in the old town are too steep and narrow for comfortable cycling.