Antalya — detailed information about the city with photos. Main sights of Antalya with descriptions, guides, and maps.
City of Antalya (Turkey)
Antalya is a city in the south of Turkey, the capital of the province of the same name and a seaport. It is located on the Mediterranean coast and is the capital of the popular resort region known as the Turkish Riviera. Antalya is a vibrant city famous for its turquoise sea and golden sandy beaches, complex Roman architecture, and magnificent prehistoric ruins. The labyrinth of the old town is full of atmospheric places, and many ancient landmarks are located in the surrounding area. Antalya is the perfect place for those who love beach holidays and antiquity.
Geography & Weather
Antalya is situated in southwestern Turkey and is considered the heart of the Turkish Mediterranean. The terrain is mostly hilly and mountainous. The climate is subtropical Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry. Only 20 mm of rain falls during the three summer months. Winters are mild and very rainy. The beach season runs from May to October. The water temperature already reaches 20-22°C in May. In the height of summer, the sea warms up to 26-28°C.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is from May to September. The most comfortable weather for a beach holiday is in June and September, when it is not as hot. The sea in June is about 24°C, with an average air temperature of about 30°C. In September, the sea is a couple of degrees warmer.
We recommend checking out: The Sea in Turkey in May: where you can swim and the weather
Practical Information
- Population — over 1.2 million people.
- Area — 1,417 square kilometers.
- Language — Turkish.
- Currency — Turkish Lira.
- Visa for up to 60 days — you only need a foreign passport valid for more than four months from the date of entry into Turkey.
- Time zone — UTC+3.
- Exporting antiquities is strictly forbidden and can cause many problems. It’s better not to buy dubious ancient artifacts.
History & Interesting Facts
The territory of modern Antalya has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. In ancient times, these lands belonged to the Hittites, and in the Hellenistic period — to Lycia and Pamphylia. During the era of the Pergamon Kingdom in the 2nd century BC, the city of Attalia was founded, which was conquered by the Romans four centuries later. The Roman Emperor Hadrian even made it his winter residence.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Antalya came under the rule of Byzantium. In the 8th century, earthquakes, Arab raids, and pirate attacks led to the decline of the city and region. Despite the constant threat of conquest by the Seljuks, from the 9th century to the early 13th century, Antalya belonged to the Byzantine Empire.
In 1423, the city was conquered by the Ottoman Turks. During the Ottoman Empire, Antalya was an important trading city and a major port. After World War I, the city was occupied by Italy for a while. Today, Antalya is one of the most dynamically developing cities in Turkey and the most popular Turkish resort.
How to Get There
Antalya Airport is one of the leaders in Turkey in terms of passenger traffic. It serves numerous charter flights from most major European cities. There are also regular air connections with Istanbul and Ankara. The easiest and cheapest way to get to Antalya from the airport is by tram, which departs from Terminals 2 and 3 to the bus station (Otogar). Bus line 600 also runs approximately along this route. Antalya has no railway access. The nearest railway station is located 120 km to the north. The main intercity transport is the bus.
Shopping & Purchases
The most popular souvenirs are carpets, evil eye amulets (nazar), leather goods, ceramics and glassware, shoes, and aromatic herbs. There are many shops selling replicas of famous brands along the coast. When buying from such shops, we recommend haggling. Bargaining can sometimes reduce the price of an item by 40-50%. One large modern shopping center, TerraCity, is located on the way to Lara (a resort area 10 km east of Antalya), another is near the old town (called MarkAntalya).
Cuisine & Food
Food in Antalya is quite cheap and of good quality. You can easily have a good meal for 20-30 lira per person. There are many excellent restaurants serving fish and seafood. Popular traditional dishes include various types of kebap, köfte, baked goods and sweets, and a fish sandwich (balik ekmek).
Hotels in Antalya
The main advantage of Antalya, like any Turkish resort, is the all-inclusive holiday system loved by everyone. This regime is ideal for family vacations, giving women a rare opportunity to step away from worries about daily bread and fully devote themselves to the sea, sun, and relaxation. In good hotels, nannies always look after the children, and fun animators give parents precious moments for a romantic dinner alone. Among the best five-star hotels in Antalya are “Wow Kremlin Palace,” “Club Hotel Sera,” “Venezia Palace Deluxe Resort Hotel,” “Sea Life,” “Titanic Beach & Resort,” “Falez,” “Club Sera,” “Sherwood Breezes Resort & Beach,” and others. Here, tourists are offered every possible service, of the highest standard.
Independent rating of 5-star hotels in Kemer
Sights & Landmarks
Antalya is an ancient city with a rich history and interesting landmarks, some of which date back to the classical period.
The old town of Antalya is called Kaleici. It is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets with beautifully restored Ottoman mansions featuring red tile roofs and a blend of Roman and Ottoman architecture.
The main entrance to the Old Town is Hadrian’s Gate, built in the 2nd century in honor of the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The gate is remarkably well-preserved and is an excellent example of Roman architecture. It features grand marble arches decorated with carvings and flanked by towers.
In the eastern part of the old town, many sections of the old city walls from the Hellenistic and Roman periods have been preserved.
On Saat Kulesi Square, there is an Ottoman clock tower and an 18th-century mosque, whose interior is decorated with beautiful tiles.
Near the square is the Yivli Minaret, which is one of the main landmarks of Antalya. The mosque and minaret were built in the 13th century by the Seljuks. Next to them are the old market building and a ruined gate.
One of the most interesting attractions in Antalya’s old town is the ruined Kesik Minare Mosque. Originally, in the 2nd century AD, a Roman temple was built here, which was converted into a Christian church during the Byzantine period. Later, the Seljuks turned the building into a mosque. This ancient structure was destroyed by fire in the 19th century.
Hidirlik Tower is a powerful 14-meter tower on the edge of the old city walls, offering a picturesque view of the pier and harbor. It was built in the 2nd century BC by the Romans.
No one knows exactly what functions this structure served. Some believe it was a watchtower, others a lighthouse.
One of the most charming places in Antalya is the marina in Kaleici. This picturesque harbor is surrounded by city walls built during the Roman Empire. In ancient times, the port was located here.
The Antalya Archaeological Museum is one of the best museums in Turkey, dedicated to the history of the region. It displays superb collections of ancient artifacts from the Bronze Age to the Roman and Byzantine eras, discovered during excavations. Among the museum’s most interesting exhibits are the ancient sculptures of Perge and the mosaics of Seleucia.
Konyaalti is the western district of Antalya with stunning beaches. Also located here are: the large Aqualand water park, the large Migros MMM shopping center, the world’s largest tunnel aquarium Antalya Aquarium, and the Aktur Lunapark amusement park.
Lara is essentially the eastern suburb of Antalya, with many beaches and a huge concentration of hotels.
Ancient Cities Around Antalya
In the vicinity of Antalya, you can visit several interesting ancient cities with impressive classical ruins.
Aspendos is the pearl of the region and one of the most famous landmarks in Turkey. This archaeological site consists of the ruins of an ancient city founded by the Greeks in the 4th century BC. Most of the ruins are fragments of Roman buildings and structures built between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. One of the symbols of Aspendos is the grand Roman theater, which has been meticulously restored. This ancient structure could seat over 15,000 spectators.
Aspendos is located 35 km from Antalya.
Termessos is the ruins of an ancient city located 34 km northwest of Antalya. The city was founded by the Solymi in the first millennium BC and was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 243 AD. Here, a Roman theater, fragments of street colonnades, and ruins of ancient temples dedicated to Zeus, Artemis, and Hera have been preserved.
The ruins of ancient Termessos are scattered across the mountainside. Therefore, comfortable shoes with good soles are needed to visit it.
Perge is the ancient ruins of the capital of ancient Pamphylia. Here you can see the remains of street colonnades and ancient temples.
Perge is located 17 km east of Antalya city center in the northeastern part of the Aksu district.
Chimera Mountain is a unique natural phenomenon where a natural fire burns on its slopes. This is caused by the release of natural gas. In ancient times, the mountain served as a landmark for sailors. Slightly above the bay, the Lycian city of Olympos was built, which reached its peak during Roman times. Remains of fortress walls, a colonnade, and ruins of a small theater have survived to this day.
The landmark is located 70 km from Antalya near the small village of Cirali.
Phaselis is an ancient Lycian port located 16 km from Kemer. It was founded in the 7th century BC. In the 1st century AD, it was conquered by the Romans, under whom it reached its peak. Here, remains of a theater, an aqueduct, temples, a colonnaded street, and Hadrian’s Gate have been preserved. It is believed that the golden sarcophagus containing the ashes of Alexander the Great might be located here. A couple of kilometers away is a cable car to Mount Tahtalidag (2275 meters).
The distance to Antalya is 60 km.
Side is an ancient Greek city located 15 km from Manavgat. The ancient historical center is now a popular resort where modern buildings coexist with antiquities. Large-scale Greek and Roman ruins have been preserved here: a theater, temple ruins, triumphal arches, and fragments of city walls.
The distance to Antalya is 75 km. In ancient Side, you cannot drive a car. Exceptions are made for vehicles of locals and tourists who need to deliver (or pick up) luggage to their hotel.
