Antalya Tourism: Why Visit Antalya? Discover Antalya
Antalya is the largest city on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. True Turkish Riviera, it welcomes millions of visitors a year.
This Turkish gem boasts a myriad of natural sites and historical remains, many of which date from the Hellenistic period.
Antalya, beauty queen
Antalya is a large tourist city in southern Turkey. Its Mediterranean climate means that its winters are mild and very rainy and its summers hot and dry. It is a dream destination with its steep cliffs, its crystal clear sea, its beautiful beaches adorned with green vegetation and its mysterious caves.
The international airport served by many foreign airlines plays a major role in the development of tourism. The majority of the passengers who disembark there are tourists.
Antalya is one of the largest cities in Turkey. There are just over 800,000 inhabitants for an area of 141,700 ha. It is also the seat of the district and the province of the same name.
Antalya history, cultures and traditions
The history of Antalya began to be written in 150 BC. J.-C when king Attale II, king of Pergamon, founded the city. Since the city has always been inhabited. The Romans and Byzantines occupied the city before it fell under Ottoman rule.
These different populations have left many traces that can be found through the large number of ancient ruins.
What to see and do in Antalya
Not-to-be-missed sites include Turkey's best-preserved Aspendos Theater, Termessos, a wild site of special beauty, and the waterfall on the Duden River.
Other monuments are interesting to see, such as the minaret of the Yivli Mosque with its 90 steps representing the symbol of Antalya, the old town with its narrow streets, its Roman clock tower and Hadrian's Gate. made of marble. The Municipal Park and the Museum also contain collections of antiques.
The old town of Kaleiçi is the ideal place to do various shopping. It shelters the old port which has become a magnificent marina.
The city offers activities such as exploring the Koprulu Canyon, visiting the ancient ruins of Perge, Hierapolis, Pamukkaleballade and its flea market or a walk in Karaalioglu Park.
You can also take a small panoramic cruise on the Mediterranean from the boats anchored in the port.
To have a beautiful panorama of the city climb up the hill of Tünektepe, at the top you will find a hotel, a revolving restaurant, and a nightclub.
You can also discover:
- The ancient Roman theater
- Karatay
- The Hidirlik Tower
- Ahi Yusuf Mescidi
- Iskele Mosque
- Pasha Murat Mosque
- Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque
- The Balibey Mosque
- The Musellim Mosque
Mandatory hot-air balloon: If Istanbul is the best-known destination in Turkey, Antylia is not to be outdone, and in this region, the unmissable and essential activity for your stay: it is the hot-air balloon above peaks and peaks rocky! With a high cost, this activity is not given to everyone and you will impose a very early rise before sunrise in general to get to the site. Take a little wool! You will share the basket with around ten people most of the time and a drink is usually provided on board. Your pilot may even start chanting "O sole moi!" "When it appears.
Main events in Antalya
The main festival in Antalya is the Antalya Film Festival, the largest of its kind in Turkey. It has been held every year since 1964 in September or October. The prizes awarded are the “Golden Oranges”.
Where to go out in Antalya?
In the summer the nightlife in Antalya is very lively, you will find a lot of hookah bars, bars with live music, trendy discos, etc.
The best places to go out are: Konyaalti beach and the old town (Kaleiçi).
Cuisine and culinary specialties / best restaurants
In Antalya the food offered in restaurants is generally very decent and inexpensive. A full meal will cost you between 5 and 10 Turkish liras, or around 3 to 7 euros. You will mainly find seafood and fish restaurants.
Many restaurants offer a variety of cuisines ranging from Turkish cuisine to international cuisine.
The traditional drink is raki, nothing to do with Greek raki, in fact Turkish raki is more or less the same as ouzo.
Practical information
A short travel guide to Antalya
Antalaya no longer needs to be presented to frequent travelers. For those looking for a getaway with family, friends or lovers, why not go to Antalaya, especially if you are planning a few lazy days.
Antalaya is a seaside resort that has become a tourist hotspot in recent years. Its clement sky and its excellent geographical location make it an ideal destination.
As soon as you arrive on the scene, you will see the emblem of the city, the Minaret of the Yivli Mosque in this case, a building over 35 meters long. This architecture will bring you to visit the old town of Antalaya with other mosques, Ottoman houses or Hadrian's Gate.
While doing so, continue the visit with the Old Port and its ramparts then with the archaeological museum.
A successful stay also requires comfort. On this point, be aware that the quality of hotels in Turkey, and therefore in Antalaya, is not always in line with the number of stars. So do not hesitate to raise the standard especially if the option fits into your budget. Moreover, you can always find good cheap hotels on our site.
If before enjoying the comfort of your room you need a nightcap, you will easily find bars by the sea.
And if you feel like it, you can let off steam in a nightclub.
Before departure, don't forget to make a detour to Kaleiçi for a little shopping session. Here you will find the wonders of local craftsmanship.
Tips for travelers to Antalya
A word of warning about the export of antiques, it is prohibited and is punished with heavy fines. On the other hand the sale is authorized, do not believe the salesmen who can try to convince you otherwise.
Antalya hotels: where to stay
Antalya has around 200 luxury hotels. The superb Titanic Beach Resort, the Delphin palace Hotel, the Concorde De Luxe Resort or the Marmalia Antalya are sure to please wealthy visitors.
In Antalya, we recommend hotels near Lara beach, 15 km from Antalya. The beach is very beautiful and you have a choice of hotels. In addition, this area is not yet completely assaulted by mass tourism.
In another register, Antalya also has super-luxury hotels, huge and flashy, on the coast, such as the Delphin Palace and the Mardan Palace, count more than 300 euros per night. If not for something cheap, you'll be spoiled for choice among homestays in the city center.
Identity record
Country: Turkey
Population: around one million inhabitants
Telephone code: + 90.
Useful links:
Official website of the Turkish tourist office.
Turkish Embassy in Paris.
The old town of Antalya
The old town of Antalya is home to beautiful wooden Ottoman houses with white facades dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of these houses are now open to visitors as guesthouses, restaurants or hotels. You can discover their patios where orange trees, cypresses or jasmines are planted. The symbol of the city, which can be seen from any part of Antalya, is the minaret of the Yivli Mosque (13th century), more than 30 meters high. Also worth seeing are the Archaeological Museum, Hadrian’s Gate and the truncated minaret of the Cumanun Mosque. A walk in the old port is a must.
To see in Antalya ....
Antalya is rich has a rich heritage. In the old quarter, Kaleiçi, the narrow, winding streets flanked by ancient walls that shield it from the noise of the concrete metropolis of a million inhabitants. Do not miss the Hadrian's Gate built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian which marks the entrance to the old city. There is also a large archaeological museum and many historical buildings and ancient ruins nearby. (Aspendos Theater (ancient Roman theater), Medresesi Minaret Yivli, Karatay, Hidirlik Tower, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Pasha Murat Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh, the Clock Tower. structures date back to the Hellenistic period, or you can take a small panoramic cruise across the Mediterranean from the boats anchored in the harbor.
