Dental Tourism Recovery: 7-Day Antalya Itinerary

Many patients ask "what do I do in Antalya during the lab phase?" This is a realistic 7-day itinerary covering treatment days and gentle recovery activities — what is appropriate and what to avoid.

Many patients ask: "What do I do in Antalya during the lab phase between treatment appointments?" This is a realistic 7-day itinerary for a typical Hollywood smile or implant treatment trip. It covers what to expect each day and what activities are appropriate during recovery.

Day 1 — Arrival

You land at Antalya International Airport (AYT). Mercedes driver from WeCare Transfer waits at arrivals with your name sign. Direct transfer to your 4-star hotel (typically Lara, Belek, or Konyaaltı area, 20-45 min depending on hotel choice).

Hotel check-in by early afternoon. Multilingual coordinator visits you at the hotel to confirm treatment schedule and answer any questions. Light lunch at hotel or nearby restaurant.

Late afternoon: clinic shuttle picks you up for the first appointment — typically photography, 3D CBCT scan, and digital smile design (DSD). For implant patients, also clinical examination and treatment plan finalisation.

Evening: Free time. Many patients walk along the hotel beach or visit the Mediterranean coast. Light dinner. Early sleep — surgery or major treatment usually scheduled for next morning.

Bright arrivals hall at Antalya airport with travellers and palm trees beyond the glassIllustration

Day 2 — Treatment Day 1 (Surgery / Tooth Preparation)

Clinic shuttle pickup mid-morning. The major treatment happens today.

For implants, surgery, anaesthesia and appointment length are case-specific. For full-arch work, a provisional bridge is fitted immediately only when the responsible clinician confirms the required stability, health and bite criteria. Veneer preparation and temporisation also depend on the agreed plan; do not book travel around a generic duration.

Mild swelling and soreness expected for the next 2-3 days. Painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen) handle this well.

Afternoon: Return to hotel to rest. Soft diet only — soup, smoothies, mashed potatoes. No alcohol. No smoking. Lots of water.

Evening: Stay in. Watch a movie. Early sleep.

Day 3 — Lab Phase Begins

If you had implants, today is the recovery day — minimal activity, soft food, ice packs as needed for swelling.

If you had veneers/Hollywood smile, today is the lab phase — your master ceramist is hand-layering each veneer in the laboratory. You have no clinical appointment.

Approved activities:

Walking on the beach (gentle, 20-30 minutes)
Hotel pool (lounging, no swimming if you had any oral surgery)
Massage at hotel spa (avoid face/jaw)
Light reading by the sea
Early dinner at hotel

Activities to avoid:

Swimming (until 5+ days post-surgery)
Heavy hiking or activity that raises heart rate
Alcohol
Smoking
Spicy or crunchy foods
Sun exposure on incision areas (wear hat for All-on-4 patients)

Day 4 — Optional Sightseeing (Treatment Permitting)

By day 4, swelling has reduced significantly. You may have a brief clinic appointment (suture check or veneer try-in preview) or it may be another lab day.

Gentle sightseeing is fine if you feel up to it:

Antalya Old Town (Kaleiçi) — Cobbled streets, marina, Roman gate. Walking only, easy pace. 2-3 hours.
Düden Waterfalls — 30 minutes from city centre. Photo opportunity, light walk.
Antalya Museum — Indoor, air-conditioned, gentle activity. Good if it is hot outside.
Konyaaltı Beach — Long pebble beach with Mediterranean views. Walking, light coffee.

What to skip on day 4:

Aspendos amphitheatre (90 min drive each way, too tiring)
Hot air balloon rides (changes in pressure not advised post-surgery)
All-day excursions

Kaleici old town harbour in Antalya seen from the cliffs aboveIllustration

Day 5 — Treatment Day 2 (Final Bonding / Try-In)

Clinic shuttle pickup mid-morning.

For Hollywood smile / veneers: Try-in step — veneers placed in your mouth without bonding. You see the result in different lights, mirrors, photos. After your written approval, each veneer is acid-etched and bonded with light-cured resin cement. Bite adjustment, polish.

For implants: Suture removal (around day 7-10, may extend visit by a day). Final post-op check.

Lunch back at hotel. Photos of your new smile.

Afternoon: Light shopping in old town if you have energy. Many patients buy small gifts to take home.

Evening: Final dinner in Antalya. Try a Turkish meze restaurant near your hotel — soft foods only, but the cuisine is generally gentle on healing teeth.

Day 6 — Buffer Day or Final Check

Some treatments end on day 5. Others have a final check on day 6 (especially All-on-4 patients who need post-op X-ray and final adjustment).

If your treatment is complete, this is a free day:

Beach time — by day 6, swimming is usually approved (check with your treating doctor)
Spa day at hotel
Long lunch at a sea-view restaurant
Last-minute souvenir shopping

If you still have a clinic appointment, it is typically short (30-60 min).

Evening: Pack. Confirm transfer time for tomorrow with WeCare Transfer.

Konyaalti beach promenade in Antalya with the mountains across the bayIllustration

Day 7 — Departure

Mercedes transfer to AYT airport — typically 3 hours before your flight time. Driver helps with luggage.

Multilingual coordinator sends you off with:

Take-home aftercare kit (special toothpaste, polish, night guard if applicable)
Written aftercare instructions in your language
Brand certificates (for implant patients)
Follow-up schedule (1 week, 1 month, 6 months)
WhatsApp contact for any questions after you fly home

Fly home with your new smile.

What Companions Can Do

If you are travelling with a partner or family, they have full flexibility while you are in clinic:

Beach day — Hotel beach or Konyaaltı beach. Most hotels have beach service.
Old town walking tour — Self-guided or hotel-arranged.
Day trip to Side or Belek — 45-60 minutes by taxi. Beach + Roman ruins at Side.
Hammam (Turkish bath) — Traditional spa experience.
Boat tours — Half-day Mediterranean cruise from old town marina.

Companions are welcome at all clinic appointments if you prefer support. We have a comfortable waiting area.