Antalya is modern hotels, magnificent beaches and fascinating sea voyages, nightlife of bars and discos. But a beach-relaxed type of recreation is not all that the main resort of Turkey is rich in. Antalya is over 2 thousand years old. She saw Hellenes, Romans, Byzantines, Alexander the Great, Seljuks and Ottomans. She has something to surprise.
The historic district of Kaleici, the romantic sea harbor, the majestic Hadrian's Gate and the Hidirlik tower, which remember the Roman emperors, minarets and mosques of the Ottoman times, give the city a unique look. Getting acquainted with the past of Antalya, it is worth visiting the city archaeological museum. Many of his artifacts were found during excavations of ancient settlements - Perge, Aspendos, Termessos. Their ruins are located in the vicinity of Antalya.
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What to see and where to go in Antalya?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Kaleici district
The very heart of the city, its centuries-old history. At every step there are old houses, temples, buildings inherited from different eras and empires. The district consists of 4 blocks. Compact, covers an area of 35 hectares, but there are hundreds of winding streets, among which it is easy to get lost. The pride of Kaleici is the ancient sea harbor, from which the history of Antalya began 2 thousand years ago. Today it is filled with tourist boats and yachts.
Hadrian's gate
The only gates of the city walls, well preserved from the time of the Roman rule, resembling a triumphal arch. They were built in 130 AD. e. in honor of the emperor Hadrian. Decorated with marble columns. Because of the three arches, the Turks call the gate Uch Kapilar, that is, "Three gates". On the sides there are crenellated observation towers made of stone. Today, the ancient Hadrian's Gate separates modern Antalya from the historic district of Kaleici.
Clock tower
It was built at the beginning of the last century. It has retained its original appearance practically unchanged. It is named Saat Kulesi. Decorated with a clock donated to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire by the German Emperor. It is located in the central square, near the entrance to the Old Town. Consists of two different tiers. The lower one is pentagonal, made of rough stones. The upper one is rectangular, made of smooth stone, with teeth at the top. The total height of the building is 14 meters.
Hidirlik tower
A grandiose structure from the Roman period. Built in the 2nd century AD. It is located on the waterfront of the Kaleici district, next to the Karaalioglu park area. Whether the tower served as a lighthouse, a defensive fortress or a burial vault, there is still no consensus about its true purpose. It is made of large stone blocks. Height - 14 meters. The cylindrical part of the building stands on a square base. At the top there is an observation deck, to which a steep staircase leads.
Yivli Minaret
It was erected at the beginning of the XIII century at the direction of the Seljuk sultan in honor of his victories in the conquest of coastal lands. For 8 centuries, it practically has not changed. It has a height of 38 meters and is visible from anywhere in Antalya. Inside there is a staircase of 90 steps leading to a balcony. The structure has an unusual corrugated shape - it consists of 8 semi-cylinders standing on a square pedestal. It is crowned with a conical leaden roof. There is a mosque nearby.
Ancient city of Aspendos
The ruins are located 35 km from Antalya. Presumably, the city was founded in the 5th century BC. The highest flowering reached in the II-III centuries. n. - in the Roman period. After the conquest by the Seljuks, by the XIV century, it ceased to exist. Tourists are shown the Acropolis, the Agora, the stadium, the remains of the gate, the Roman aqueduct, the basilica. The best preserved theater of the 2nd century A.D. It is famous for its excellent acoustics. Nowadays, concerts and festivals are held on its stage, in particular, "The Fires of Anatolia".
The ancient city of Termessos
Located 34 km from Antalya, on a 1 km high plateau. Formed in the VI century BC. It was inaccessible to enemies due to natural barriers and its defensive structures. Since then, many interesting objects have survived: a theater carved into the rocks, the ruins of a gymnasium, the Odeon, 6 temples, a market square, an underground reservoir, an ancient necropolis. The city ceased to exist after several earthquakes in the 9th century AD. e.
Ruins of Perge
Ancient settlement, capital of the coastal region of Pamphylia. Combines elements of Roman and Hellenistic culture and architecture. The approximate date of foundation is the XII-X century BC. Located 18 km from Antalya. Fragments of towers and gates, a Roman bathhouse, a main street with columns, Agora, an amphitheater, a stadium, several temples and residential buildings have survived. During the Byzantine Empire, and then captured by the Seljuks, the city began to decline and gradually ceased to exist.
Antalya Archaeological Museum
Among the largest repositories of artifacts in the world. It has been leading its history since 1919. The museum building occupies an area of 7 thousand m2, consists of 13 rooms. Located in Konyaalti. 5 thousand exhibits are presented to the attention of visitors. But most of them, about 25-30 thousand units, are stored in storage facilities, since there is not enough free space to place them. Among the most interesting halls are the Prehistoric, Children's, Halls of Gods, Emperors, Mosaics, and the Hall of Burial Culture.
Kaleici Suna and Inan Kirach Museum
The expositions are housed in two mansions in the historic district of Kaleici. In the 90s, Suna and Inan Kyrach bought and restored these buildings. The exhibitions in the first of them give an idea of the everyday life and life of the townspeople during the Ottoman period, as well as the ancient Turkish ceremonies and rituals. The second building, a former Orthodox church, houses a collection of art objects from the collection of Inan and Suna Kyrach.
Ataturk House Museum
A two-story mansion near the sea was presented by the local authorities to the first President of Turkey, who earned the honorary title of "Father of Turks". Kemal Ataturk appeared here only a couple of times, and in 1986 his museum was opened in the building. They managed to preserve the interior of the 30s - furniture, carpets, household items. Personal belongings, photographs, manuscripts of the great Turk are presented. The collection of coins, banknotes and postage stamps depicting the first president is of considerable interest.
Toy Museum
The amusing expositions of the museum will be of interest to visitors of all ages, but primarily to children. Here you can find toys from different countries, peoples, cultures and eras, starting from the 19th century. Lots of Turkish toys. Separate rooms are dedicated to the legendary Barbie doll, heroes of popular cartoons. There are workshops for drawing, making dolls, origami, painting wooden toys. The museum has been opened since 2011 in the historical part of the city of Kaleici, in the port area.
"Museum of Sand Sculptures"
This is an unusual festival held in Antalya on Lara Beach. It is called "Sandland". One of the largest among similar festivals in the world. Annually on an area of 7000 m2, in the open air, dozens of real sand masterpieces are created. The themes of the exhibitions are constantly changing - Hollywood films, Empires of different times, Heroes of myths and legends. They build figures only from river sand and water. Their lifespan is several months. In the evening, they are beautifully illuminated.
Antalya Zoo
Foundation date - 1989. The area is about 330 hectares. Located in a conservation area, 13 km from the center of Antalya, at the foot of the mountain. It is home to about 90 species of animals from different parts of the world. All of them are kept in spacious enclosures with excellent conditions, as close as possible to their natural environment. There is a mini-zoo for children.The entire territory resembles a refined forest; in addition to aviaries, there are many places for recreation and picnics, sports and playgrounds.
Amusement park "Aktur Park"
A great place for a fun pastime. There are more than 40 attractions here. Most of them are designed for children, but there are also extreme entertainment for adults. The entrance to the lunapark is designed in the form of a stone castle with towers. Figures of pirates, Vikings and other characters are placed throughout the territory. The park has a 5D cinema, shooting gallery, restaurant, cafe. Nice music sounds. Located "Aktur Park" in the Konyaalti area.
Aqualand and Dolphinarium
The country's second largest water park was opened in 1996. It is located in the Konyaalti area. Area - 36 thousand m2... Designed for 1500 visitors. Contains over 10 slides, a children's pool, a wave pool, cafes, relaxation and sunbathing areas. The dolphinarium hosts fascinating performances with marine animals every day. After the show, you can take pictures, swim with them in the pool, purchase a picture painted by a dolphin.
Antalya Oceanarium
One of the attractions of the Konyaalti area. The opening date is 2012. Occupies an area of 12 thousand m2... There are 40 thematic zones - in accordance with the different ecosystems of the planet. About 10 thousand species of marine life are represented. The underwater panoramic tunnel is the longest in Europe - 131 meters. The scenery for it was made by an Italian sculptor. There are other areas in the aquarium: cinema, terrarium, paintball, snow room, outdoor pool.
Cable car
Leads to Mount Tunektepe on the outskirts of Antalya. Here is one of the best viewing platforms in the city. The cable car opened in 2017. Consists of 36 panoramic booths in a cheerful orange color. The maximum capacity is 8 people. The total length of the road is a little over 1,700 meters, the height of the mountain is 605 meters. Travel time is about 10 minutes. In addition to viewing platforms, there are several cafes with very affordable prices.
Antalya Panoramic Elevator
A comfortable modern lift connects the central Republic Square with the Old Town, in particular, with the seaport. It was built in 2014. The elevator car can accommodate up to 15 people. The walls are glass, allowing you to admire the surrounding landscapes. The floor is made of frosted glass. Lifting height - 30 meters. There are wheelchair ramps. The lift is free. Nearby there is an observation deck with excellent panoramic views.
Mermerli beach
Not very popular with visitors to the city. Although located in the very center, in the historical part of Kaleici. One of the oldest beaches in Antalya. Small, narrow, equipped with antique breakwaters. The entire coastline is lined with umbrellas, sun loungers, showers. All inventory is in excellent condition. There is a shop and a small cafe. The descent into the water is gentle. On the border of the beach, a rock rises, from which an ice spring with drinking water gushes. The entrance is paid through the restaurant.
Lara beach
Located in the eponymous district of the city, in its eastern part, 12 km from the center. It is a 10-kilometer coastline, equipped for recreation. The beach is covered with sand, the descent into the water is comfortable and gentle. Has a Blue Flag of quality for cleanliness and well-developed infrastructure. Plots with free placement are interspersed with paid ones. Venue for the annual sand sculpture competition. Nearby - Lara Kent Park with equipped picnic areas.
Konyaalti beach
One of the best beaches in the city. Located in the western part, in the area of the same name. The length is 8 km, the width is about 50 meters. Covering - sand and pebbles. Divided into "civilized" and "wild" parts. Awarded with the Blue Flag sign for cleanliness and livability. The water is clear, colder than in other areas, due to underground sources. The descent is gentle, but the depth begins immediately. A cozy promenade, framed by low palm trees, stretches along the beach.
Karaalioglu park
Located in the center of the city, in the picturesque area of Kylycharsan, along a rocky cliff. It opened in 1943. A popular recreation area with citrus trees, exotic palms, vibrant flowers, sculptures, fountains and ancient monuments. The main attractions are the Hidirlik Tower, the Ataturk Museum, the municipality and the city theater. There are many cafes, restaurants, tea establishments here. A staircase leads down to the seaside.
Kursunlu waterfall
It is located 18 km from Antalya, in the territory of the national park. Formed by a tributary of the Aksu River. Especially full after rains. The height is about 18 meters. It is better to admire the views from the bottom of the gorge. Here is a bowl of a waterfall with turquoise water. There are many fish in it, ducks swim. Swimming is prohibited. But you can go behind the falling stream of water and make a wish - this is a local tradition. In the vicinity there is a fabulous nature, there are picnic areas, a restaurant, souvenir shops.
Duden waterfalls
The most famous waterfalls in Antalya. Located on the Duden River. There are more than two dozen of them in total, but the largest are Upper and Lower, they are separated by 14 km within the city. Lower Duden from a height of 40 meters falls directly into the sea, it is best to admire its views from a boat or yacht. There is a national park nearby. The upper waterfall is also located in the park of the same name. In two streams, it falls into the bowl of the lake. Directly behind him, in the rock, is a cave.
