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Antalya

Introduction

Antalya offers a wide variety of activities for visitors of all interests. These two destinations, Aspendos and the labyrinthine old town of Antalya, are great places to go for some sightseeing and are well-located for day trips to the nearby ancient tourist destinations.
On the other hand, visitors frequently overlook the city's history. When it comes to beaches and boat tours, Turkey's Antalya is all about the Mediterranean coastline.

Antalya offers a wide variety of activities for visitors of all interests. These two destinations, Aspendos and the labyrinthine old town of Antalya, are great places to go for some sightseeing and are well-located for day trips to the nearby ancient tourist destinations.

On the other hand, visitors frequently overlook the city’s history. When it comes to beaches and boat tours, Turkey’s Antalya is all about the Mediterranean coastline.

Antalya's ancient city center

As you walk down the cobblestone streets, you’ll see beautifully restored whitewashed and red-roofed Ottoman houses, which are now home to a variety of small businesses such as boutique hotels and gift shops as well as galleries and restaurants.

People who want to get out and see the sights can do so in addition to enjoying the old-world charm.

Fortress gate and a stone-clad clock tower can be found in the city’s main square’s Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque, which dates back to the 18th century.

It is possible to see the stunning Kesik Minare from the parallel Hesapçi Sokak (truncated minaret). A Roman temple, a Byzantine church, and finally a mosque were all demolished in the 19th century, leaving only this.

The Old Harbor

Its old harbor, which is located in the old town’s northwest corner, is a beautiful place to sit and people-watch as yachts bobbing in the water await their voyage to the Mediterranean.

To imagine how important Antalya’s port was in the 2nd century AD until the mid-20th century AD is difficult, but it was a bustling commercial center that helped the city and its surroundings flourish.

Many boats offer day trips where you can relax on deck, take in the stunning views of the Mediterranean coastline, and cool off in the warm water of the Mediterranean Sea.

Konyaalti Beach

It is one of the two best beaches in Antalya, Turkey, with a stunning view of the mountains that roll down to the coast from the hillside above.

Locals and tourists alike flock to this pebbly stretch of beach during the summer months because of the abundance of amenities it has to offer.

The palm tree-lined promenade behind the beach is lined with snack shops, cafes, and restaurants where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas.

There are a variety of boutique hotels and beach hotels in Antalya’s old town district, making it a popular destination for tourists.

Aspendos

History buffs flock to Aspendos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 47 kilometers east of Antalya.

The best-preserved Roman theater in the world can be found here, making it Turkey’s top tourist attraction.

The majority of the town’s ruins date back to the second and third centuries BCE, when it was at its peak of glory.

All that’s left of the site is the theater, which has been meticulously restored and can accommodate up to 15,000 people.

The Aspendos, Perge, and Manavgat Waterfalls tour allows you to see three of Antalya’s most popular attractions in one day if you’re short on time but still want to see as much as possible.

Lunch and a visit to Aspendos and the waterfalls (located near Side) are also included in the package, which also includes a visit to Perge’s Roman remains.

Lara beach

There are plenty of watersports and amenities available at Lara Beach south of the city center, including jet ski rentals and stand-up paddleboards, for those looking for a more laid-back day on the water.

Renting sun loungers and umbrellas is an easy option for those who only want to relax in the sun.

Lara Beach is a popular tourist destination because of the abundance of beach resort hotels in the immediate area.

During the peak of summer, this beach can become extremely congested.

The Ruins of Termessos

Aspendos, located 34 kilometers northwest of Antalya, may capture all of the tourists’ attention due to its unique atmosphere. However, Termessos takes the prize.

The warlike Pisidian people, who steadfastly defended their independence from the Termessos mountain eyrie, proved impossible for the Greeks or the Romans to subdue.

Well-preserved remains of this ancient city can be found on a rugged mountainside with breathtaking views of the countryside.

Keep in mind that if you intend to explore this site in its entirety, you’ll need sturdy footwear and plenty of water.

Check out the colonnaded street and the upper agora if you’re in the area, but don’t miss the theater for a spectacular view of the Taurus Mountains.

Antalya Museum

If you’re interested in the region’s ancient history along Turkey’s coast, don’t miss this museum.

Stunning exhibits feature all of the most important discoveries made during the region’s major excavations. An added benefit is that the collection is presented in an eye-catching manner, making it simple to grasp the complicated (and somewhat convoluted) history of this stretch of coastline.

There are numerous exhibits ranging from the Bronze Age to Byzantium on display in the museum’s main area, which is well known for its displays of exquisite statuary from the Hellenistic and Roman eras of ancient cities like Patara and Perge.

The Yivli Minaret.

The Yivli Minaret (also known as the “fluted minaret”) was commissioned by Alaeddin Keykubad, the Seljuk ruler of Antalya, and is one of the city’s many historic attractions (1219-36).

This minaret is a typical Seljuk architectural exemplar, with a square base and an octagonal drum carrying the fluted shaft and its corbelled gallery around the top.

The building has a 14th-century mosque attached to it that is still in use. The minaret can be found right next to the Kale gate. Alongside the minaret and the 14th-century tombs in Antalya’s Ottoman clock tower is the Ottoman clock tower.

Hadrian Gate

Ankara’s ancient town district is best accessed through Hadrian’s Gate (known as Uçkaplar in Turkish), which is located in its eastern section.

As far as ancient town walls go, Hadrian’s Gate is the most notable one in its partial form on eastern side of old town.

In honor of Emperor Hadrian’s visit in CE 130, this magnificent three-arched marble doorway was erected.

To see the best-preserved carvings, look up at the ceiling as you pass through the arches.

The Roman Fortifications

A 14-meter-tall cylindrical tower overlooks Antalya’s ancient harbor, which dates back to the second century, from the edge of Karaalioglu Park.

People generally agree that it was a lighthouse or a watchtower for the busy port below.

For those who want to catch a sunset or get a great view of the ancient harbor area from the tower’s perch, it’s now an excellent spot to do so

Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the city’s streets is a popular pastime in the park.

Learn more about the packages here