Antalya Sights

Every year, thousands of tourists choose Antalya as their holiday destination not only for its clean beaches and convenient transfers. There are plenty of sights to enjoy the Oriental flavour of Turkey, as well as experience its culture and history without having to leave the resort.

Historical Sights

Antalya is a descendant of the town of Attalia, which was founded around 200 BC. So it is no wonder that there is a whole area in the centre of the resort, where the historic sites are concentrated.

Ancient cities near Antalya
Aspendos

The ruins of the ancient city of Aspendos are situated 35 km from the centre of Antalya. A major trading centre of the Roman Empire, it was built in the 5th century B.C. The Byzantine Empire buried this wonderful city. But even today, tourists can still enjoy these preserved artefacts:

the amphitheatre;

an aqueduct;

the acropolis;

stadium;

baths;

gymnasium.

After a leisurely stroll through the sights of Aspendos you can relax in one of the restaurants on its borders.

Termessos

The ruins of the ancient city of Termessos are considered to be one of the largest remaining in Turkey. It was built in the third century before Christ. During its heyday, Termessos had a population of 150,000. Because of its impressive size, this ancient city was able to retain its autonomy: its own coins were in circulation here.

A major earthquake in the 9th century buried most of the buildings underground. What remains can still be admired by tourists today.

Olympos

The ruins of Olympos, surrounded by the intricacies of greenery, are found about 70 km from Antalya. Olympos was built in the 3rd century B.C. and is one of the oldest cities in the world. The city neighbours with Mount Chimaera, which is a mountain that gives fire by day and by night, due to gas vents in the ground and crevices in the rocks. Because of this, the inhabitants of Olympos chose as their patron god of smithery Hephaestus.

Perge

Ancient Perge is located 18 km to the centre of Antalya. Tourists can visit it with the following sights

an amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 12,000;

several arched gates and mighty towers;
a park with statues of the gods;
a Roman bath.

Kaleici

This is an area in the city that attracts travellers because of its amazing Byzantine and Ottoman structures. It can be explored either on its own and for free, or by booking a guided tour from 60 EUR.

Despite the plethora of shops and shopping malls, Kaleici's architectural ensemble is undisturbed. All the infrastructural buildings perfectly blend in with the existing harmony. The neighbourhood is surrounded on one side by a wall. We could admire the charming combination of flowers, glass, wood and stone.

Hadrian's Gate

The gate which unites the ancient Old City with the new districts of Antalya is the landmark of the resort. Built one and a half centuries B.C., it was ordered by Hadrian, the emperor of those times.

The luxurious construction consists of three layers. Inside the fortified wall are three arch-shaped portals. The architectural ensemble is complemented by the following decorations:

marble columns;

several statues;

the crenellated towers.

Yivli Minaret (Ivli)

The fluted minaret (this is what the word 'Yivli' means in translation) is considered to be the first of the religious buildings built after the advent of Ottoman rule. Its height is 38 metres. Due to its imposing parameters, one can admire this religious treasure from almost any corner of the resort.

The jewel of Yivli is the staircase, which has 99 steps, according to the number of names of God in Islam.

Kesik Minaret

The truncated minaret has been a Byzantine temple, mosque and minaret. After a massive fire in the 19th century damaged the structure, it is no longer functional and is only a historical monument.

Hıdırlık Tower

During its centuries-long history, the 13-metre high round tower has served several purposes - it was a lighthouse, a pantheon, a burial mausoleum for the local elite, a defence fort, a church, a prison and a miniature museum. Today it is a historical value, with signposts leading to it throughout the town.

Also very interesting is the construction of the tower itself. Its square foundations are complemented by several circular eminences united at the top.

Museums in Antalya

Ataturk Museum

The recent history of the last centuries of Turkey is just as fascinating. A visit to the museum, named after one of the greatest rulers of the country, Kemal Ataturk, is a good way to see it.

Archeology Museum

The oldest archaeological museum in all of Turkey displays artifacts from different eras: from Roman sarcophagi to Byzantine statues to the jewellery of Ottoman rulers in 13 rooms.

For those interested in outdoor activities, the Museum also has a pottery studio where visitors can make a souvenir from the clay under the guidance of an instructor.

The official date of construction of the museum building is 1919.

Ethnographic Museum

The Ethnography Museum, or Inan and Suna Karac Mansion, takes visitors back in time to the Ottoman Empire. It is a relatively small private house which reconstructs all the amenities of those times.

Antalya's natural sights

Despite the relatively urban landscape of Antalya, there are plenty of green spots in the city. Not only the visitors to Antalya enjoy strolling through them, but also the locals.

Parks
Ataturk Park

This park-like area connects the Old Town and the newer districts of the resort. There are plenty of places to picnic, go cycling, try the national cuisine in one of the local restaurants and enjoy the sea views.

Children will love the rides.

Karaalioglu

Karaalioglu Park is a tropical paradise with nearly a hundred orange trees and many other citrus and exotic plants. Guests can relax on the park's fancifully shaped benches.

Mini City

For those who wish to discover all that Turkey has to offer, a tour of the Mini City is ideal. At the Museum of Historical and Religious Miniatures, tourists can enjoy the refreshing cool of the greenery in the open-air museum.

Film Park

The film park can be found near the Oceanarium. There are several dozens of attributes of Turkish cinema in the park area.

Düden waterfalls

The upper and lower cascades of the Düden waterfalls, created by nature itself out of limestone, amaze guests not only with their violent streams of water, but also with the jets of water coming right out of the crevices of the rocks. The river that gave them life starts in the Taurus Mountains. The most adventurous tourists can touch the pulsating drops with their hands. Remarkably, the water falling from a height of almost 14 km runs underground.

Upper Düden is also a wonderful viewing point.

Mount Thunektepe

The mountain is only about 600 metres high but it is the best lookout point in and around Antalya. The restaurant at the top helps one enjoy the stunning views of the Turkish Mediterranean Riviera to the full.

Access to the mountain is from 9:00 to 20:00.
Cost to visit the attraction: 5 TRY.

Karain Cave

One of the biggest and most mysterious caves in Turkey is located 30 km from Antalya itself. It is almost 400 metres above sea level. Inside the cave, travellers can discover its highlights:

three grottoes;

seven halls;

several underground labyrinths;

traces of Paleolithic man;

the remains of the oldest man in Turkey;

stalactites and stalagmites from the cave's millennia of existence.

Beaches

Traditionally, the best stretches of coastline are those outside the city limits. But even in Antalya itself there is a place to bask in the sun on the warmed sand or shingle:

Konyaalti. The beach has a Blue Flag for its quality;

Mermerli, located in the heart of the city (entrance costs 12 TRY);

Lara, on the outskirts of the city in the district of the same name (admission is 12 TRY).

Religious Sights of Antalya

In addition to several minarets, which are currently of historical value, Antalya boasts several active mosques.

Iskele

A small, charming Muslim temple is located close to the coast. It is made of stone and rests on 4 columns, which are the gateway to a stream that gushes straight out of the ground.

Tekeli

Tekeli Mosque is considered to be the temple of Murat (Mehmet) Pasha. It was built in the 18th century and is still the main mosque of Antalya.

The number three is ever-present in the architectural ensemble of the temple:

three vaults support the main dome;

Three domes are located in the northern part of the mosque;

Three tiles are found in the stained glass windows.

The Ottoman Mosque

Another mosque, the Ottoman Mosque of Murat Pasha, was built in the 16th century. It is of interest to visitors primarily because of its many calligraphically painted stained glass windows.

Beautiful Antalya has a lot to offer both for the scenic walker and for the history buff. The rich history of this Turkish resort has left its mark on many local buildings and is sure to leave pleasant memories in the hearts of its guests.