Antalya (Turkey) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main sights of Antalya with a description, guides and cards.
Contents
Antalya City (Turkey)
Antalya is a city in southern Turkey, the center of the province of the same name and sea port. Located on the Mediterranean coast and is the capital of the popular resort region is the Turkish Riviera. Antalya – colorful city that is famous for its turquoise sea and golden sandy beaches, sophisticated roman architecture and magnificent prehistoric ruins. In the maze of the old city is full atmospheric places, and in the vicinity there are many antique monuments. Antalya – the perfect place for those who love the beach rest and antiquities.
- Geography and climate
- Best time to visit
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- Shopping and shopping
- Food and drink
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Antalya is located in southwestern Turkey and is considered the center. Turkish Mediterranean. Relief advantage is hilly and mountainous. The climate is subtropical Mediterranean. Summer is hot and dry. During the three summer months, only 20 mm of precipitation falls. Winter warm and very rainy. The beach season lasts from May to October. The water temperature in May reaches 20-22 ° C. At the height of summer the sea warms up to 26-28 ° C.
Waterfall on Antalya coast
Best time to visit
The best time to visit is from May to September. Most comfortable weather for a beach holiday in june and september when not so hot. Sea in June around 24 ° C, average air temperature about 30 ° C. In September, the sea is a couple degrees warmer.
Practical information
- The population is over 1.2 million people.
- Area – 1417 square kilometers.
- The language is Turkish.
- The currency is Turkish Lira.
- Visa – for up to 60 days it is enough to have a passport whose actions are more than four months from the date of entry into Turkey
- Time – UTC +3.
- The export of antiques is strictly prohibited and may cause a lot of problems. It is better not to buy dubious antiquities.
Story
The territory of modern Antalya was inhabited since the bronze century. In ancient times, these lands belonged to the Hittites, in the Hellenistic period – Lycia and Pamphylia. In the era of the Pergamon kingdom in the 2nd century before AD was founded the city of Attalia, which in four centuries was conquered by the romans. Roman emperor Adrian even made it its winter residence.
Port
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Antalya began to belong Byzantium. In the 8th century, earthquakes, raids by Arabs and pirates led to the decline of the city and region. Despite the constant threat of conquest from the Seljuks, from the 9th century to the beginning of the 13th century belonged to the Byzantine Empire.
Old city Antalya – Kaleici
In 1423, the Ottoman Turks conquered the city. In the Ottoman period Empire Antalya was an important trading city and a major port. After World War I, the city was occupied for some time. Italy Antalya is now one of the most dynamic developing cities of Turkey and the most popular Turkish resorts.
How to get there
Antalya Airport is one of the leaders in Turkey on passenger traffic. It serves many charter flights from most of the largest cities in Europe. Also supported regular air service to Istanbul and Ankara. Simplest and the cheap way to get to Antalya from the airport is the tram, departing from terminals 2 and 3 to the station (Otogar). Also Approximately along this route there is a bus line 600. Antalya does not have access to the railway. Nearest railway station located 120 km to the north. Main intercity transport is the bus.
Shopping and shopping
Popular souvenirs are kilim carpets, evil eye charms (Nazar), leather goods, ceramics and glass products, shoes, aromatic herbs. On the coast a lot of shops with replicas famous brands. When buying in these stores we recommend to bargain. Bargaining can sometimes reduce the cost of goods by 40-50%. One large modern shopping center TerraCity located on the way to Lara (resort area 10 km east Antalya), another – not far from the old city (called MarkAntalya).
Antalya
Food and drink
Food in Antalya is quite inexpensive and high quality. It’s easy here You can eat well for 20-30 liras per person. Lots of excellent restaurants with fish and seafood. From traditional dishes various types of kebap, köfte, flour products and sweets are popular, sandwich with fish (balyk-ekmek).
Hotel in Antalya
sights
Antalya is an ancient city with a rich history and interesting attractions, some of which belong to the ancient period.
Old city
Antalya’s old city is called Kaleici. He is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets with beautifully restored Ottoman mansions with red tiled roofs and a combination Roman and Ottoman architecture.
Hadrian’s Gate
The main entrance to the old town is the Adrian Gate, built in the 2nd century in honor of the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The gates are perfectly preserved and are a great example of Roman architecture. They are impressive marble arches, decorated with carvings and surrounded by towers.
In the eastern part of the old town, many sites have been preserved. the old city walls of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Clock tower
On the square Saat Kulesi is the Ottoman tower with a clock and 18th century mosque, whose interior is decorated with beautiful tiles.
Minaret Yivli
Near the square is the minaret Yivli, which is one of the main attractions of Antalya. Mosque and minaret were built in the 13th century by the Seljuks. Next to them is the old market building and destroyed gates.
Kesik Minare
One of the most interesting sights of the old city Antalya is the ruined mosque of Kesik Minare. Initially in The 2nd century AD was built here a Roman temple, which in the period Byzantium was rebuilt into a Christian church. Next, the Seljuks They made a mosque out of the building. This ancient structure was destroyed. fire in the 19th century.
Hydyrlyk
Hydyrlyk – a powerful 14-meter tower on the edge of the old city walls with scenic views of the marina and harbor. Was built in 2 century BC by the Romans.
No one knows exactly what functions this structure performed. Some believe – this is a watchtower, others – a lighthouse.
Pier
One of the most charming places of Antalya is the pier in Kaleici This picturesque harbor is surrounded by city walls, built during the time of the Roman Empire. In antiquity here the port was located.
Antalya Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Antalya is one of the best museums in Turkey, which is dedicated to the history of the region. He demonstrates wonderful collections of ancient artifacts from the Bronze Age to the era of the Romans and Byzantium, which were found during excavations. One of the most The interesting exhibits of the museum are the ancient sculptures of Perge and Mosaics of Seleucia.
Konyaaltı
Konyaalti – the western region of Antalya with stunning beaches. Also here are located: a large water park Aqualand, a large shopping Migros MMM, the world’s largest tunnel aquarium Antalya Aquarium and Aktur Lunapark amusement park.
Lara beaches
Lara is actually an eastern suburb of Antalya with many beaches. and a huge concentration of hotels.
Ancient cities in the vicinity of Antalya
In the vicinity of Antalya, you can visit several interesting ancient cities with impressive ancient ruins.
Aspendos
Aspendos – the pearl of the region and one of the most famous attractions of Turkey. This archaeological site is a ruin of an ancient city founded in the 4th century before AD by the Greeks. Most of the ruins are fragments of Roman buildings. and structures built between the 2nd and 3rd century AD. One of Aspendos’s characters is the imposing Roman theater, which was carefully restored. This ancient structure contained over 15,000 viewers.
Aspendos is located 35 km from Antalya.
Termessos
Termessos – the ruins of an ancient city 34 km north-west of Antalya. The city was founded by salt in the first millennium before our era and destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 243. Preserved here Roman theater, fragments of street colonnades, ruins of ancient temples, dedicated to Zeus, Artemis, Hera.
The ruins of ancient Termessos are scattered along the slope. Therefore for his visits need comfortable shoes with good soles.
Perge
Perge – the ancient ruins of the capital of ancient Pamphylia. Here you can look at the remains of street colonnades and ancient temples.
Perge is located 17 km east of the center of Antalya in northeastern Aksu.
Mount Chimera
Mount Chimera is a unique natural feature on the slopes. which burns natural fire. The cause of this phenomenon is natural gas output. The mountain in ancient times served as a guide for sailors. A little higher than the bay was built the Lycian city of Olympos, which reached its highest peak under the Romans. Until our time remains of fortress walls, colonnade, ruins small theater.
The landmark is located 70 km from Antalya small settlement Cirali.
Phaselis
Phaselis is an ancient Lycian port located 16 km from Kemer. It was founded in the 7th century BC. In the 1st century of our era was conquered by the Romans, during which reached its highest peak. There are remains of the theater, aqueduct, temples, colonnade streets and gates of adrian. It is believed that there may be the golden sarcophagus with the ashes of Alexander the Great. Paired with kilometers is the cable car to the mountain Tahtalydag (2275 meters).
Antalya is 60 km away.
Side
Side is an ancient Greek city located 15 km from Manavgat. Antique historic center is now popular resort, where modern buildings are side by side with antiquities. Here preserved large-scale Greek and Roman ruins: the theater, the ruins temples, triumphal arches and fragments of city walls.
The distance to Antalya is 75 km. In ancient Side it is impossible move by car. The exceptions are local cars and those tourists who need to deliver (or pick up) things in hotel.
Video
Maps and guides
City map
