The drying behavior of the Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) petals in a thin layer hot air drying at 35, 45 and 55°C and 0.4, 1.2 and 2 (m•s-1) air velocity levels, was investigated. The Midilli was the most suitable model among 14 different thin-layer models for showing the thin-layer drying characteristics. At the experimental temperature (35-55°C) and air velocity levels (0.4, 1.2 and 2 m•s-1) the effective moisture diffusivity was 2.02×10-12-11.3×10-12 (m 2 •s-1) and the activation energy varied from 56.3 to 64.5 (kJ•mol-1). Total anthocyanin content (TAC) ranged 77-240 (mg•L-1). The rose petal extracts showed higher DPPH (59.51%) and lower FRAP (1213.24 μmol(Fe +2)•L-1), at an increasing temperature from 35 to 55°C. Results showed that the higher temperature caused less TAC. At 45-55°C and air velocities 0.4-1.2 (m•s-1) the number of anthocyanins increased significantly, but at air velocities, 1.2-2 (m•s-1) a decrease was observed.