TURKEY
Antalya

Antalya

Antalya is one of the most visited holiday resorts in Turkey. Antalya is a pleasant seaside resort on the Turkish Riviera with wide pebble and sandy beaches and clear blue sea water. The place is the capital of the province of the same name and has over 677 thousand inhabitants.

Antalya is a perfect destination for a holiday. The population is very hospitable, the Turkish culture is attractive and the climate is very attractive. For tourists, there is a lot to do in Antalya. You can sniff culture, discover the beautiful nature, enjoy the sun, sea and beach and much more.

Location

Antalya is located in southwestern Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea. Antalya is also the capital of the province of the same name. The Bay of Antalya is named after this city. Antalya is not far from the cities of Denizli, Burdur, Isparta and Konya, all of which are more inland.

Antalya Harbor_{Photo: Nilfanion CC 2.0 Generic no changes made}

Weather

Summers are hot and dry in Antalya. The sun shines more than 300 days a year. The annual temperature is on average 18.7 degrees Celsius. April, May and October are ideal months to visit Antalya. It is then most dry and the temperatures are still pleasant.

History

The area around Antalya has been inhabited since the 5th millennium BC. Antalya was founded in the 2nd century BC. founded by Attalos II of Pergamon as a port city. This empire subsequently became part of the Roman Empire. The Seljuks conquered Antalya in the 13th century. The Ottomans took power at the end of the 14th century and retained it until 1923, after which Antalya became part of the republic of Turkey. For a complete overview of the history of Turkey see the history page of Landenweb.

Sights

Antalya Kaleici_{Photo: Ingo Mehling CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

Antalya's Old Town is the historical district of the city, where visitors can admire the most interesting sights. The old town is called Kaleici and in the narrow streets you will find the Seljuk Karatay Mosque, the Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque and the Kesik Minaret. This beautiful monument is part of a building from the 2nd century AD. It was originally a temple. In the Byzantine period it became a church. Later, in the Ottoman period, the Kesik Minaret became a mosque. Then the minaret was also added. Despite earthquake damage, the minaret has retained much of its original charm.

Hadrian's Gate Antalya_{Photo: Ingo Mehling CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

On the eastern side of Antalya's old town you can still see large parts of the old wall that date back to both Roman and Hellenistic times. One of the main stretches is interrupted by Hadrian's Gate, which was built to honor Emperor Hadrian on his visit in AD 130. The gate is made of marble and features three arches and is flanked by two beautiful towers.

In and around Antalya, two beaches are particularly worth a visit. Konyaalti Beach is a vast beach close to the city center of Antalya, where the most luxurious hotels and resorts are located. It is a lively beach where you will not be bored for a second. Lara Beach can be found in the village of Lara, which is close to Antalya.

Düden Waterfall Antalya_{Photo: Arno Prüllage CC 1.0 Generic no changes made}

Antalya has an impressive nature, the Düden waterfalls in Lara near Antalya are the most famous natural phenomenon of Antalya and the surrounding area. The Düden River falls into the sea at Lara Beach from forty meters high rocks. The river rises about ten kilometers from Antalya in the Taurus Mountains and flows both underground and above ground through the mountains, giving the water an enormous speed before it ends up in the sea. In 1992 the Turkish government decided to officially designate the falls as a nature reserve. The area around the falls is well maintained by the Turkish state; there are good hiking trails and several options for a picnic. In the vicinity of Antalya there are more special natural attractions: the Kurnsunlu Waterfalls and Lake Nilüfer.

Many trees and plants grow in and around Antalya. Olive and pine trees in particular thrive here and there are also colorful exotic plants and flowers. In the Atatürk Park and the Karaalioglu Park you can see the nature of Antalya in all its glory.

Mountain goats and deer live in the wild in the mountains near Antalya. The underwater world of the Mediterranean also has various inhabitants such as many different fish species and even dolphins. In the Düzlercami Park you can see different animals.

Tips

For the sporty holidaymaker, various exciting activities are possible in Antalya. Thus, all imaginable water sports can be practiced in Antalya. Some examples: diving, water skiing, jet skiing, rafting and parasailing. Golf is also a much-practiced sport in Antalya and the surrounding area. In Antalya itself there are several golf courses and within forty kilometers from Antalya in Belek there are no fewer than nine golf courses, all of which are very well known. What many do not know is that at a distance of fifty kilometers from Antalya on the Bakirli you can ski in March and April. After skiing, you can relax on the beach in Antalya at that time of year.

Hamam Antalya_{Photo: Marsyas CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

Do you want to enjoy a day? Then visit one of the many authentic Turkish bathhouses in Antalya. The Turkish Hamam is a steam bath with nice scents. You can also get Turkish (foam) massages in most bathhouses. The Hamams all look equally beautiful and neat and they still breathe that real Turkish atmosphere.