Welcome to Antalya, the paradise on earth, the pearl city of the Mediterranean, and the Turkish Riviera. Antalya is Turkey’s 9th largest city that stands for professionalism, experience, diversity and quality. With its history, natural beauty and a rich variety of local lifestyle, the city hosts more than 11 million foreign guests, from all over the world on a yearly basis. As the fourth most visited city in the world, Antalya is one of the world’s foremost tourism destinations, offers you a peerless experience.
With ancient cities hidden among forests with oxygen-rich air, Antalya is a holiday paradise offering much more than one might expect. Antalya is situated at the end of a gulf, the namesake of the city, and extends over a green plateau that lies parallel to the sea. With its blue sea, luminous sky, the ever-changing colour of its mountains and lush green vegetation, the city is a festival of colours.
Today it is one of the world’s best-loved tourist resorts, with numerous five-star hotels, holiday villages and entertainment establishments. Besides the chances Antalya offers for skiing on the mountains and then descending to the shore for a swim, the proximity of a great number of archaeological sites and ruins enhances its appeal.
Enjoy two seasons on the same day. Relish your eternal moment of sunbathing just after an excellent skiing experience. In March and April you can ski in the morning, eat a delicious lunch of fresh fish at Antalya’s marina and then go on to sunbathe, swim and windsurf in the afternoon. Come and become a part of something bigger and magical.
- Sagalassos:
Sagalassos is one of the best preserved ancient cities in Turkey. It is located just 7 km north of Ağlasun. Today, those who visit Sagalassos, in the city’s upper Agora (Square), a monumental fountain that has been restored and Cascades the waters, is about 13m. at its height, honorary columns can see the remains of two arched gates and structures surrounding the Agora. The ancient city also contains a huge Roman bath, a library, a small fountain flowing from the water fountain, an urban mansion, a 9,000-seat theatre and many other works that describe the thousand-year history of the city. The finds and world-famous sculptures recovered during the excavations are exhibited in the Burdur Museum.
- Perge:
In the twelfth century BC, there was a large wave of Greek migration from northern Anatolia (in modern day Turkey) to the Mediterranean coast. Many settled in the area immediately east of the area of modern-day Antalya, which came to be known as Pamphylia, meaning “land of the tribes”. Four great cities eventually rose to promincence in Pamphylia: Perga, Sillyon, Aspendos and Side.
Invaded by Alexander the Great, much of Perge`s architectural splendor is a living proof of the Hellenistic period. It was soon followed by a prosperous Roman Imperial period for the first three centuries A.D. With the arrival and spread of Christianity, Perge played an important and active role in its expansion. A slow disintegration of the Roman rule soon followed and the Byzantines occupied Perge. With the end of the Seljuk rule, which followed soon after, Perge was completely ruined and was soon abandoned.
Perga is today an archaeological site and a major tourist attraction.
- Aspendos:
A stark comparison from the modernity of the Antalya city center is the Ancient City of Aspendos, found 25 miles to the east.
Records hold that Aspendos’ history goes back as far as 1000 BC and flourishing in the 5th century BC, where it became a center of trade and industry with its abundance of oil, wool, and salt.
As with all ancient towns, the ruins are the biggest attraction in Antalya, with most of them being well restored, and perfect for historical and archaeological tours. However, the theater is extremely impressive. It is the most well preserved Roman Theater outside of Italy (it may even be the best-preserved antique theater in the world).
What makes the Roman Theater in Antalya so magnificent is its spellbinding height of 315 feet. The theater is so massive that tourists visiting feel engulfed by its splendour. You will also find remains of ancient basilicas, Roman aqueducts and other splendid architecture.
Every year, the Aspendos theatre is home to an International Opera and Ballet Festival. What a marvellous location to highlight art!
- Düden:
The peaceful sounds of the water splashing against the rocks at Duden Waterfall are just one of the everyday luxuries you experience in Antalya. To enjoy a cool day in Antalya and also see a wonder of nature one should go to the Dudenbasi. The waterfall and picnicking area around it attract both people from Antalya and guests from outside.
The word Duden means a hole that swallows water sources. Some of these potholes can be so big that they can engulf a whole river and lake. Starting at Dudenbasi the Duden stream diverges into many rivulets that finally flow into the Mediterranean from the eastern side of a more than 40 m high travertine forming a waterfall. Dudenbasi is not simply a waterfall. The cave you enter via a narrow staircase and the verdant environment will impress you.
- Yivli Minare:
Antalya Ulu Camii (Antalya Grand Mosque), also called Yivli Minare Camii (Yivli-Fluted- Minaret Mosque), is a historical mosque in Antalya. It is part of a külliye (complex of structures) which includes the Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev Medrese, Selcuk and Dervish lodge, and the vaults of Zincirkıran and Nigar Hatun. The mosque’s fluted minaret called the Yivli Minaret, which is decorated with dark blue tiles, is a landmark and symbol of the city. The mosque was first built in 1230 and fully reconstructed for the second time in 1373. The minaret is 38 metres (125 ft) high, built on a square stone base, with eight fluted sections and has 90 steps to the top. The first building (1230) was built around 1225-7, during the reign of the Selcuk Sultan Ala ad-Din Kay Qubadh I (1220-1237). The original mosque was destroyed in the 14th century and a new mosque was built which, with its six domes, is one of the oldest examples of multi-dome construction in Anatolia. Today the building houses the Antalya Ethnographic Museum and contains clothing, kitchen utensils, embroidery, tapestries and looms, socks, sacks, kilims, ornaments, and nomadic tents. It was opened to the public in 1974.
- Kaleici:
Start your visit to Antalya in the historical city centre, which takes in Hadrian’s Gate, Hidirlik Tower, Yivli Minaret, Kesik Minaret, and Kaleici with its narrow streets and historical houses and the ancient port. All are within an area of one square kilometer. You can cover all this on foot, which is a good thing as cars are banned on certain streets.
Kaleici can be visited at all hours of the day but the best time is towards evening. Many of the historical houses and mansions of Kaleici have been restored and a large number of them are being used as hotels, pensions, bars and shops.
Antalya is not a city with just sun, sea and sand. Antalya’s old city, Kaleici has everything you want in the perfect seaside town, offers great things to do for everyone.
- Side:
With its history dating back to the 6th century B.C., Side brags of one of the earliest settlements of the Anatolia region. Side (means pomegranate), due to its situational advantage served as an important harbor during the Hittite period and hence was a significant commercial town. Side large merchant fleets carried on business with the eastern and western Mediterranean countries. Earlier, the region served as a slave market, which traded in African slaves and as a hideout for pirates! This is because its long sandy beaches were perfect hideouts for pirates and slave traders. However, later it also flourished as a legitimate commercial center. Culturally too, the region was quite progressive and till date the ancient amphitheater, the temples of Gods and Goddesses, the Roman baths and various archeological finds bear the proof of that.
- Natural Attractions:
Antalya’s natural features provide excellent opportunities for local and foreign visitors. From beautiful national parks and valleys to amazing canyons and gurgling waterfalls, Antalya offers numerous unique experiences for your nature holiday. Do not miss the natural beauties of Antalya where sea, mountains and pine forests meet in harmony.
Besides its attractive natural features, Antalya has spectacular waterfalls which are very famous in the world.
- Historical Areas:
Antalya has many well preserved historical sites and ancient settlements dating back to thousands of years. These historical structures give you a number of options for daily activities. In the heart of the city, you will experience the spirit, fragrances and the beauty of the past coming alive all around you. You can be sure that you are never far away from the ancient settlements. Therefore Antalya is the most important stop in Turkey for visitors who are keen on archaeology and history. Come and visit the historical places of Antalya.
- Blue Flag Beaches:
Antalya, known as the Turkish Riviera is the most stunning part of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast with its perfect sun, endless clean beaches, ultra luxury resorts, nature and history.
Antalya is among important tourism destinations of the world, is increasing the number of its clean and safe beaches every year. Antalya, in which 202 beaches, 5 marinas and 8 yachts received the Blue Flag in 2019, has become the leading city of Turkey and the world.
Antalya and its environs are among Turkey’s most popular holiday destinations, white sandy beaches stretch along the the coastline of Antalya. The beaches in Antalya, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, are some of the world’s best beaches
- Entertainment & Nightlife:
Turkey, as well as one of Europe’s most popular tourist cities attracting Antalya Nightlife, in addition to the natural beauty of life with endless entertainment welcomes millions of visitors each year. Antalya is the number one holiday destination for Russian tourists especially for everyone! You can find nightclubs that are entertaining to the first light in the morning, small concerts for those who like live music, or rock-filled rock bars for every taste.
Enjoy the holidays in Antalya Nightlife, where the indispensable details of summer months are combined with the night life of the sea and the sun!
- Food & Drink:
Many of the restaurants in the Antalya region specialise in making homemade and authentic Turkish cuisine, particularly in the smaller resorts. But you’ll also find an array of European and international foods such as Italian, Indian, and British restaurants. Dinners are available that suit all wallets, from a delicious kofte or light meal at a beach bar right up to those offering fine dining.
- Shopping:
Known for its beautiful beaches and historic sights, Antalya is much more than just one of Turkey’s most popular summer resort towns. The city’s colorful street markets and bazaars offer a way to not only become acquainted with the locals but to also shop like them.
If you’re more of the shopping center kind of person, Antalya won’t disappoint you with its many options. The city’s largest shopping malls with over 150 stores and 30 restaurants, and you’ll be sure to find whatever it is you’re looking for.
- Rafting:
Koprulu River is one of the most striking rivers in Antalya, also the country’s most popular rafting area. Come and join the white water rafting on the Koprucay River, with the boat guide, and have barbecue lunch at the heart of the nature.
- Golf:
Its accommodation facilities blend in with the kilometres of forest and beach, and almost all of them are high standard. Belek is also regarded as the centre of golf tourism in Turkey, with several courses of international standard being located there. The courses of the Belek region have hosted several European Seniors Tour Championships.
Well designed golf courses, a spectacular scenery, high quality accommodation, combined with wonderful weather and surrounded by history – these are the ingredients of a Golf holiday in Belek.
- Diving:
Whilst swimming in the coastal waters of Antalya, you can come across dolphins anytime! But not only dolphins! Hundreds of species, among them the Mediterranean monk seal that is highly endangered and under protection in our country, are ready to embrace and welcome you. Keep your camera ready to take a picture at any moment!
Five of the top ten recommended diving sites in Turkish waters are located in Antalya. The region also includes 12 major world renowned diving spots. A temperate climate in the area lasting 12 months of the year allows for year-round diving and offers excitement for adrenaline lovers. However, in some areas diving is prohibited, in which case those who want to dive individually should get prior information from diving schools. There are a number of professional diving schools that stand out, and more than half a million dives take place every year. One of the most popular features of Antalya is that it provides a wealth of options for divers of all levels. We have compiled for you a list of the most outstanding diving spots located in the Antalya region.
- Skiing:
Antalya is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to ski in Saklıkent and swim in the deep, blue waters of the Mediterranean all on the same day! There are two slopes of varying levels of difficulty: easy and medium. The resort has two lifts with a capacity of 240 and 340 people per hour and reaches an altitude of 2550 meters. The ski season in Saklıkent does not last very long, but it receives snowfall ranging from 50 to 100 cm.
- Sooty Ice Cream:
Some kind of delicious ice cream made from burnt milk.
- Shish Kebab:
The unique flavour of the marinated lamb is cooked in a charcoal fire and put into iron skewers.
- Pumpkin Dessert with Tahini:
The pumpkin is cooked in a sugary mixture and garnished with tahini. It’s a very preferred kind of dessert.
- Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms:
A type of dish derived from filling pumpkin flowers with a mortar consisting of products such as rice, dill, parsley, tomatoes. It is also served as an appetizer.
- Bean Salad with Tahini:
Piyaz is a traditional Turkish bean and onion salad, typically garnished with slices of tomato and hardboiled egg. The recipe varies from region to region – in Antalya they add tahini to the dressing, which gives it a pleasing mellowness.
