TURKEY
Lara

Lara

Lara Beach_{Photo: Mike Fleming (CC BY-SA 2.0) no changes made}

Often regarded as the most beautiful district in Antalya, Lara is a top-class holiday destination. As a tourist newcomer, it has already acquired the reputation of 'the Las Vegas of Turkey', and with good reason. The city has numerous beautiful themed hotels. There is a replica of Moscow's Kremlin, a copy of Istanbul's beautiful Topkapi Palace and a resort entirely in Venice style. All luxury chains have or want a hotel here. A holiday in Lara is like a holiday in Antalya, but in a more luxurious, more pleasant atmosphere.

Location

Lara is located on the lovely south coast of Turkey, right on the Mediterranean Sea. The town consists of a small center with a few shops and a large street with hotels. There are roughly twenty gigantic resorts on the well-known hotel state. The beautiful historic center of Antalya is located about 5 kilometers west of Lara. A little more to the east is touristic Belek, while driving north you can discover the hospitable interior of Turkey.

Belek Sunset_{Photo: Senol Demir (CC BY 2.0) no changes made}

Weather

As you would expect from a top tourist destination in Turkey, the weather in Lara is fantastic. On average, people here have about 310 days of sunshine per year and the average annual temperature is no less than 18.7 degrees. In the months of June to September the average maximum temperature is around thirty degrees. This is also the period when tourism is in its heyday. April and May are also pleasant, but a little less hot. A wonderful Mediterranean, almost subtropical climate.

History

Lara is a relatively new district in Antalya, which mainly emerged due to the increasing sun tourism that Turkey had to deal with from the 1980s. It is also the only history Lara has. The town was built by hoteliers and is all about sun tourism. The name 'Lara' means 'Sand' and that says enough. Antalya itself obviously has a history that goes back a long way. For a complete overview of the history of Turkey see the history page of Landenweb.

Sights

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

There is plenty to do in Lara and its immediate surroundings. The cozy harbor of Kaleici Marina is within walking distance, as is the Antalya aquarium. As mentioned, the historic center of Antalya is about 5 kilometers away, so you don't have to miss all the beauty that can be seen here. If you go 10 kilometers further, you can also visit unique structures that testify to the long history of the area, such as the ruins of Perge. Interested in all these attractions? Numerous tours are offered.

Tips

Lara Düden Waterfalls_{Photo: Saffron Blaze CC 3.0 Unported no changes made}

However, you don't have to leave Lara at all to enjoy a wonderful holiday. It has a pleasant center with a few restaurants, bars and terraces and also has a fantastic beach park. Moreover, one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in Turkey is right on your doorstep. Almost all resorts in Lara are located directly on this lovely beach. To top it all off are the world famous Düden Falls in Lara. These waterfalls have recently received the status of a protected nature reserve and are well worth a visit.