General Information About Antalya
A 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 past
in our day, is now called the "Turkish Riviera" due to
its archaeological and natural beauties. Antalya is the
place where sea, sun, history and nature constitute a
perfect harmony and which also includes the most
beautiful and clearest coast along the Mediterranean.
The city still preserves its importance as a center
throughout history in the south coast of the country, in
addition to its wonderful natural beauties. The
mythological city which housed the Gods and Goddesses
now exhibits all its secrets and marvels to mankind.
Antalya is located in the west of the Mediterranean
region. In ancient times it covered all Pamphylia which
means "the land of all tribes". The land really deserves
the name since it has witnessed many successive
civilizations throughout history. In 1st century BC the
Pergamum king Attalus ordered his men to find the most
beautiful piece of land on earth; he wanted them to find
"heaven on earth". After a long search all over the
world, 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 city. When the Romans took over the
Pergamene Kingdom, Attaleia became an outstanding Roman
city which 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 and gave it a
different name, Adalya, and built the Yivli Minaret. The
Ottomans followed the Seljuks and finally within the
Turkish Republic it became a Turkish city and an
important port. Antalya has been growing rapidly since
1960 and its population is 1,146,109 according to the
1990 census.
The climate of the province is typical Mediterranean:
hot and dry in summers and temperate and rainy in
winters. 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 really a heavenly
place where the summer season is about 8-9 months long.
Transportation
You may reach Antalya from almost every city of the
country, and even from little towns, coach companies
going to Antalya are available. Antalya has an
international airport which may connect you to major
cities. It has modern facilities including waiting
rooms, restaurants, cafe-bar, and a shopping center.
When traveling by sea, one can use the Antalya Venice
Ferryboat line.
Tourist Attractions
Antalya and its surrounding is an important and
noteworthy touristy center on the Mediterranean Coast
with its 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 longer 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 Hellenistic era.
Kaleici: This is the nucleus of a city which embraced
many civilizations during time. It is now restored and
has became 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, the Oscar of tourism.
Antalya Museum: A prize winning museum and one of the
most notable archaeology museums, of 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 2nd century BC by the Romans in honour of
the Emperor Hadrian. It is the most amazing area in the
whole ancient Pamphylia region.
Kesik Minaret (Broken Minaret): Once a Byzantine
Panaglia church, later converted into a mosque.
Yivli Minaret: This fluted minaret of 13th century was
built by the Seljuks. Decorated with dark blue and
turquoise tiles, the minaret eventually became the
symbol of the city.
Karatay Medresesi, Hidirilk Tower, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi,
Iskele Mosque, Murat Pasa Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Pasa
Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan
Efendi Mosque and Osman Efendi Mosque are other places
to be visited.
"Han"s are Seljuk or Ottoman inns which have
architectural significance. Some worth visiting are the
Evdir Han, Klrkoz Han, Alara Han and Castle and Sarapsu
(Serapsu) Han.
Ancient Cities
Termessos: It is a Pisidyan city with remnants of an
agora, theatre and an odeon. It has a reputation of
being the most magnificent necropolis on the
Mediterranean, 35 kms northwest of Antalya.
Perge: 18 kms northeast of Antalya. The ruins are spread
on two hills, the theatre on one and the acropolis on
the other. According to the legend the city was built by
three heroes from Troy.
Sillyon: 34 kms from Antalya on the Alanya direction. It
is situated between Aspendos and Perge and dates back to
4th.century BC.
Aspendos: One of the most important Pamphilian cities.
It is situated on the point where the Kopru River meets
the sea. Once an important port and a commercial centre,
it has a reputation for raising the best horses on
earth. The odeon, basilica, galleria and fountains are
worth seeing.
Antalya Map
Antalya Travel Activities
Daily Tours and Excursions in Antalya, Turkey
Daily tours including Perge, Aspendos, Side, Manavgat,
Demre, Myra, Cappadocia and Pamukkale tours from Antalya
Blue Cruises Antalya - Kekova - Antalya (7 Nights)
Cruise Price:
240-520 Euro per person per week in double cabins; including tax, accommodation on
gulet boats with en suite
baths, breakfast, lunch, dinner, board games and basic
snorkeling equipments. .
Ephesus - Pamukkale -
Antalya by Plane (4 Days-3
Nights)
Flights from/to Istanbul, hotel transfers, 4 full day tours
with English speaking guides, all connecting transfers,
accommodation at 3 / 4 star hotels, some meals, all tickets of
museums and sites which will be visited.
Departure Days: Everyday departure in Summer. Please ask
for winter season.
Antalya Hotels
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