The 15 best attractions in Antalya

Antalya, which lived through the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods, was surrounded by walls with 80 bastions. Although most of these walls have been demolished today, the old city centre has retained its charm with its historical monuments, lively cafés and restaurants, shops and authentic hotels housed in traditional houses with tiled roofs.

The history of Hıdırlık Tower, which is located in the south-west corner of Kaleiçi's city walls in Karaalioğlu Park, one of the city's meeting places, dates back to the second century. The 14-metre-high tower shows the view of Antalya in all its beauty.

One of the most important buildings in Kaleiçi is Hadrian's Gate. M.S. The gate, built in 130 in the name of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, is one of the best-preserved historical buildings in Antalya. Although the ornate marble columns of the three-eyed gate and the statues of the emperor and his family have unfortunately not survived, you can still see the Latin inscription.

The exciting history of the Antalya Museum dates back to the First World War. The museum was founded in 1922 to prevent the occupying troops from looting artefacts and moved to its current building in 1972. The museum covers an area of 30 thousand square metres with 14 exhibition halls and open-air galleries; it has a rich collection of works from ancient civilisations such as Lycia, Pamphylia and Pisidia.

Walking along the monumental city walls built by Alexander the Great is an excellent place to start when exploring Perge, which lies 18 km east of Antalya's city centre on the River Aksu (Kestros). The city's attractions include a theatre with a capacity of 12,000 people, a magnificent stadium, a large Roman bath complex, mosaic-covered squares, a square agora, and a pool.

The beaches of Antalya offer travellers a wide range of different features. The Blue Flag awarded Konyaalti Beach, with a length of 7.5 kilometres, and Lara Beach, with its fine sand and wide beaches, among the city's most popular beaches. Kaputaş Beach, located on the Kaş-Kalkan motorway, stands out with its white sand. The beaches of Olympos, Çıralı and Adrasan combine historical and natural beauty. Of course, there is much more to Antalya than this.

Termessos, located 30 kilometres northwest of Antalya, is one of the best-preserved ancient cities. It was founded by the Solyms and is located in the Pisidian region. The city became famous for its strong defence against the siege by Alexander the Great. The city's most impressive building is the theatre, which has a capacity of 5,000 people and is situated above the Gulf of Antalya.

Thanks to its topographical structure, there are many waterfalls in Antalya. On hot Antalya days, which reach up to 40 degrees in the summer, you can cool off with the ice-cold water of the waterfalls. The Upper Düden, Lower Düden, Kurşunlu, Manavgat, and Uçansu waterfalls are the most famous waterfalls in the city.

Olympos, at the foot of Mount Tahtalı, is the second most crucial harbour town on the south coast of Antalya after Phaselis. In Olympos, one of the most important cities of the Lycian League, there are ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. Olympos is also known as the "city of eternal fire" because of the chimaera. Çıralı, 300 metres east of the coast of Olympos, is famous for its beach, where the Caretta Carettas lay their eggs and should also be visited.

Aspendos, built around the Köprüçay River and famous for its waterways, has one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. The impressive theatre of Aspendos also hosts concerts and festivals during the summer season. If you catch one, don't miss the chance.

Kaş and Kalkan: Fascinating Mediterranean towns back to back with their beautiful beaches and colourful streets. It's almost impossible to get bored here because Kaş offers plenty of adventures. Exploring the turquoise-coloured bays with boat tours is excellent, and the nightlife is lively. Kaş is also a unique diving spot for those who want to explore the underwater world. Kalkan is beautiful with its old Greek houses, historic churches and plateaus.

The Antalya State Opera and Ballet programme is full of beautiful opera and ballet performances that appeal to children and adults throughout the season. You can catch the works of famous composers here. Occasionally, opera and ballet companies from other cities also perform here.

The ancient city of Patara, the capital of the Lycian League, is an ancient settlement that dates back to the Middle Bronze Age and is even mentioned in Hittite texts. The city also has traces from the Roman and Byzantine periods, It is home to many ruins, such as the Necropolis, the Baths of Vespasian and the Corinthian Temple. One of the most attractive aspects of Patara is its 18-kilometre-long sandy beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean.

Antalya is one of the most visited cities in the world with its beautiful nature and beaches. Luxurious resorts offer numerous options all year round for guests who want to cool off in the blue sea, enjoy the green nature and discover historical traces dating back thousands of years. While the hotels in Belek are characterised by their golf courses, the hotels in Lara and Kemer offer a high level of comfort, especially for families.

The history of Side, one of the most important trading and harbour towns in Pamphylia, dates back to the seventh century BC. The city, which came under the rule of the Lydian Kingdom and Alexander the Great, later experienced the Pergamon Kingdom, the Romans and the Eastern Roman Empire. In addition to the ancient city, it is above all the beautiful beaches and high-quality service facilities that make Side a centre of attraction.