General Information Antalya

 
Brief travel information about Antalya, online maps, videos, tourist attractions, museums, mosques, historical sites, old churches, sightseeing places, and more…
 
 

The Antalya Region, offering all the mysticism of the past in our day, is now called the "Turkish Riviera" due to its archaeological and natural beauties. Antalya is where the sea, sun, history, and nature,e constitute a perfect harmony and includes the most beautiful and explicit coast along the Mediterranean. The city still preserves its importance as a center throughout history on the country’s south coast and its incredible natural beauties. The mythological town which housed the Gods and Goddesses now exhibits all its secrets and marvels to humanity.
 
Antalya is located in the west of the Mediterranean region. In ancient times it covered all of Pamphylia, which means "the land of all tribes.” The land deserves its name since it has witnessed many successive civilizations throughout history. In the 1st century BC, the Pergamum king Attalus ordered his men to find the most beautiful piece of land on earth; he wanted them to see "heaven on earth.” After a long search worldwide, they discovered this land and said, "This must be 'Heaven,' " and King Attalus founded the city, giving it the name "Attaleia.” From then on, many nations kept their eyes on the town. When the Romans took over the Pergamene Kingdom, Attaleia became a wonderful Roman city that the great Roman Emperor Hadrian visited in 130 AD; an arch was built in his honor which is now worth seeing. Then came the Byzantines, after which the Seljuk Turks took over the city in 1207, gave it a different name, Adalya, and built the Yivli Minaret. The Ottomans followed the Seljuks and finally became a Turkish city and an important port within the Turkish Republic. Antalya has been overgrowing since 1960; its population is 1,146,109, according to the 1990 census.
 
The province’s climate is typical Mediterranean: hot and dry in summer and temperate and rainy in winter. Sunshine is guaranteed from April to October, and the winters are pleasantly mild. The humidity is a little bit high, about 64%, and the average water temperature is 21.5 °C. Antalya is a heavenly place where the summer season is about 8-9 months long.
 
 
 
 

Transportation

You may reach Antalya from almost every city in the country and even from little towns; coach companies going to Antalya are available. Antalya has an international airport that may connect you to major cities. Modern facilities include waiting rooms, restaurants, a cafe-bar, and a shopping center. One can use the Antalya Venice Ferry Boat line when traveling by sea.
 

Tourist Attractions

Antalya and its surrounding are important and noteworthy touristy centers on the Mediterranean Coast with their perfect climate and splendid harmony of archaeological, historical, and natural beauties throughout the year. Daily tours to surrounding touristy areas like Side, Alanya, and Termessos are available, in addition to more extended tours to Pamukkale or Cappadocia or anywhere you would like to go. Professional tourist guides are also available.
 

Sightseeing

City Walls: The memorial Hadrian Arch and The Clock Tower are remarkable and date back to the Hellenistic era.
 
Kaleici: This is the nucleus of a city that embraced many civilizations. It is now restored and has become a most attractive touristy center with its hotels, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment facilities. Kaleici retains all the original ancient Turkish archaeological characteristics. The port's marina has been completely restored and is well worth visiting. The restoration activities in Kaleici won the Golden Apple Prize and the Oscar for tourism.
 
Antalya Museum: A prize-winning museum and one of the most notable archaeology museums in the world. It is also the only museum in Turkey with a children's department exhibiting ancient monuments appealing to children.
 
Hadrian's Gate: This ornamental marble arch was constructed in the 2nd century BC by the Romans in honor of Emperor Hadrian. It is the most fantastic area in the whole ancient Pamphylia region.
 
Kesik Minaret (Broken Minaret): Once a Byzantine Panagia church, later converted into a mosque.
 
Yivli Minaret: The Seljuks built this fluted minaret in the 13th century. Decorated with dark blue and turquoise tiles, the minaret eventually became the city’s symbol.
 
Karatay Medresesi, Hidirlik Tower, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Murat Pasa Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Bali Bey Mosque, Muslim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi Mosque, and Osman Efendi Mosque are other places to be visited.
"Han"s are Seljuk or Ottoman inns that have architectural significance. Some worth visiting are the Evdir Han, Klrkoz Han, Alara Han, Castle, and Sarapsu (Serapsu) Han.
 

Ancient Cities

Termessos: It is a Pisidian city with remnants of an agora, theater, and an odeon. It has a reputation for being the most magnificent necropolis in the Mediterranean, 35 km northwest of Antalya.
 
Perge: 18 km northeast of Antalya. The ruins are spread over two hills, the theater on one and the acropolis on the other. According to the legend, the city was built by three heroes from Troy.
 
Salon: 34 km from Antalya in the Alanya direction. It is situated between Aspendos and Perge and dates to the 4th.century BC.
 
Aspendos: One of the important Pamphilian cities. It is situated on the point where the Kopru River meets the sea. Once an important port and a commercial center, it has a reputation for raising the best horses on earth. The odeon, basilica, galleria, and fountains are worth seeing.