Sun, sea, sand, balmy temperatures, an award winning marina, the majestic Bey Mountain, the historic Kaleici quarter, beautiful-preserved Ottoman architecture, fascinating Roman ruins, fine restaurants, luxurious hotels, and impressive museums will all vie for your attention here.

The city’s central landmark is the Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) which stands near the main square, Kale Kapisi (Fortress Gate). The ancient City Walls of Antalya, beautifully lit up at night, are home to the Saat Kulesi (Clock Tower) and Hadrianus Kapisi (Hadrian’s Gate), a three-arched ornamental gate with its winding lanes and old wooden houses, at the heart of the city. This ancient historical quarter stands testament to the fact that Antalya has embraced many civilizations over the centuries. Now declared a protected historical zone to prevent further development, Kaleici’s beautiful old Ottoman-style buildings include Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Camii, Kesuk Minare and Hidirlik Kalesi.

The Antalya Museum, founded in 1919, houses one of the most important archaeological collections in the country. Other interesting museums in Antalya are the Ataturk Museum and the Suna & Inan Kirac Kaleici Museum. The Antalya Kaleci Marina and Leisure Centre has been feted as one of the prettiest marinas in Turkey and is a great place to relax and watch the world go by – there are wonderful little shops, cates, restaurants and yachting facilities. Antalya is also famous for its Golden Orange Film Festival usually held in September and October.

You don’t have to venture too far to experience Antalya’s unparalleled wealth of natural beauty. Just a few kilometers away from the city are the cascading Upper Duden Waterfalls, the dramatic Lower Duden Waterfalls which plunge straight into the sea, the Kursunlu Waterfalls and the tranquil Nilufer Lake. The pristine Lara Beach, Topcam Beach and Konyaalti Beach are popular with sun-worshippers, while Saklikent on the northern slopes of Bakirli Mountain offers some fabulous skiing. Other interesting places to visit include the Karain Cave, the sites of the oldest Turkish settlement dating back to the Palaeolithic Age, the wildlife-rich Duzlercami Park and the amazing 115-metre deep Guver Canyon.

Also in close proximity to Antalya and well worth a visit, are a multitude of fascinating historical cities set in olive groves, pine forests and palm plantations. Perge, Aspendos, side, Termessos, Selge, Phaselis, Olympos, Chimeira, Kekova, Simena , Patara, Xantos, Letoon, Pinara, Tlos, Kas, Kalkam, Aperlai, Myra and Sillyon all hark back to the glorious past of the Turkish Riviera. Explore many more attractions in the hinterland with car rental Antalya services.

The ancient city of Myra with its splendid Roman theatre had none other than St. Nicholas ( or Santa Claus ) as its mayor in the fourth century B.C. Visitors still flock here at Christmas for the St. Nicholas Commemoration Ceremony. Close by is Kas, a popular mountain-ringed seaside town strewn with Lycian rock tombs. Don’t miss the historical city of the Aspendos where you can see the well-preserved Aspendos Theatre and the remains of an ancient basilica, agora and aqueduct; and Perge with its ancient agora, its theatre with carved marble relief’s, its colonnaded road, and its grand city gate lofty towers.

Hatay, located in the southernmost part of the Mediterranean region, also lures travelers. The famous Hatay Archaeology Museum showcases one of the most fabulous collections of Roman mosaics in the world. Steeped in history, these rich mosaics were excavated both in Hatay and the nearby town of Daphne. Don’t miss the beautiful Oceanus and Thetis Mosaic and the Buffet Mosaic.

Tee Off!!
Belek, 40 km from Antalya, is a great vacation option for golf aficionados, so don’t forget to pack your clubs and irons for your Turkish holiday! Car Hire Turkey will help you to visit places like Belek very easily. There are a variety of world-class 18-hole and 9-hole golf courses in Belek for you to choose from.

contributor: Kathy Green
Myself Kathy Green, a passionate traveller offers you detailed information to take necessary remedies before you travel to your vacation. Give preference to book accommodation early as possible and car hire in Istanbul service to make your trip more enjoyable.

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