Modern Antalya is the heart of the Turkish Riviera and the administrative center of the province of the same name, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the airport and already has almost 2 million inhabitants.
The sea in Antalya is clean, and the shores are regularly awarded the honorary "Blue Flag". The old city center has preserved monuments from all periods of its rich history. Here there are sights that relate to the times of pagan, Christian and Muslim rule, ruins of ancient Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman cultures.
And of course, the resort is a real "mecca" for shopping lovers.
WEATHER
The climate in Antalya is either subtropical or Mediterranean. The probability of rain in summer is close to zero, precipitation is typical only for winter time. But, nevertheless, the winter is quite warm. Since Antalya is surrounded by mountains, there is no place for strong winds, which makes the weather very mild.
The humidity of the city is high (about 65-70%), and the water temperature rarely drops below + 17-20 degrees. The weather favors a beach holiday and allows swimming already from the beginning of April. The best resort time in Antalya is in July and August.
The velvet season is at the beginning of October - the middle (and sometimes the end) of November. At this time, the sun is gentle and the sea is warm.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
There are so many historical monuments and antiquities in the city that you will have to spend most of your vacation getting to know them. At the entrance to the historical center of Antalya, tourists are greeted by the first ancient building - Hadrian's Gate, which is almost 2000 years old.
The old city center has preserved monuments from all periods of its rich history. There are monuments here that relate to the times of pagan, Christian and Muslim rule, as well as ancient Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman cultures.
HOW TO GET
Antalya International Airport is located 15 km away on the eastern outskirts of the city. You can get to the city center by taxi in just 25-30 minutes.
From the airport, there are municipal buses that will take you to the old center of Kaleici, the districts of Lara and Alanya, as well as to the central railway station and Migross shopping center, the approximate duration of the trip is about 50 minutes.
You can also get to the city by shuttle - a commercial bus that runs almost 24 hours a day. It is more comfortable and much more convenient for carrying luggage, but the fare is a little more expensive. The average travel time is about 40-45 minutes.
Also, tourists can rent a car right at the airport and be the masters of their time.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
There are so many historical monuments and antiquities in the city that you will have to spend most of your vacation getting to know them. At the entrance to the historical center of Antalya, tourists are greeted by the first ancient building - Hadrian's Gate, which is almost 2000 years old.
The old city center has preserved monuments from all periods of its rich history. Here there are sights that relate to the times of pagan, Christian and Muslim rule, ruins of ancient Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman cultures.
Even if you're planning a relaxing seaside vacation, set aside a day or two to switch up and see Antalya's most iconic sights. To get acquainted with the centuries of history of Antalya, it is enough to look into the heart of the old city - Kaleici district.
It is located next to the Mediterranean Sea just behind Hadrian's Triumphal Arch.
Hadrian's Gate is three arches protected by two towers, one of which, the North, was already completed under the Seljuks. The gate has been preserved better than all similar structures in Pamphylia and has become a symbol of Antalya.
Duden Waterfalls - the lower of the cascading waterfalls, also known as the "Jumping Watermelon" (Karpuzkaldiran), is located in the Duden City Park and is beautifully illuminated in the dark.
It flows into the Mediterranean Sea and is open to visitors. The smaller cascade, Verkhnyi, which reaches a height of 27 meters, is part of a national park with an entrance fee, many hiking trails and a cave.
The Old Town Port - a bustling harbor full of fishermen, luxury yachts and lazy Turkish cats - is the cradle of Kaleici's old town quarter. In ancient times, it was the only seaport in Antalya, around which the city itself grew. From here you can go on a boat trip or get to Marble Beach.
The Yevli Minaret is a non-standard monument of Islamic architecture, visible from any part of the city, dates back to the 13th century and has a ribbed shape. The top of the 38-meter tower can be reached by climbing 90 steps. They say that initially there were 9 more degrees, corresponding to the total number of names of God in Islam. In addition to the minaret, the religious complex of Antalya includes a madrasa, a mosque and two mausoleums.
Tourists can also visit the ancient cities of Aspendos and Perzi. The main attractions of which are a huge well-preserved amphitheater, the remains of a basilica, an agora, and the largest ancient Roman aqueduct in Turkey.
From a bird's eye view - on February 5, 2017, a cable car leading to Mount Tunektepe opened on the outskirts of Antalya. The new attraction caused a stir among local residents and provoked considerable queues. The time to climb to the 609-meter peak is 9 minutes. At the top there are several cafes and restaurants, from where you can enjoy wonderful panoramic views of Antalya and its surroundings.
The resort did not forget about its little guests. Antalya offers all children to immerse themselves in the world of a fairy tale. The amusement theme park, opened in the Kemer district in 2014, transports its guests to the world of childhood. You can look into Cinderella's house, visit the tavern from "Toy Story" and climb the cliff to meet the Lion King. Aladdin and Jasmine, Tom and Jerry, Gray Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, little Mook and the Flintstone family live in the Fairytale Park. Entrance to the kingdom of favorite cartoons is free, and its visit can be combined with a trip to the zoo.
Well, probably the most unusual building in Turkey is an upside-down house.
The first upside-down house in Turkey is a great place to check the vestibular apparatus. His entire environment, from the front door to the kitchen utensils, is turned upside down here. They say that a visit to the Upside Down House causes dizziness, and wedding photos from here are a complete delight. The interior of an unusual room with an area of 85 square meters. changes every six months.
HOTELS
The most expensive five-star complexes are located on the sandy coast. In the direction from the sea, you can find 4-star hotels. Three-star hotels are scattered throughout the resort. The best apartments are in a separate area of Alanya. There are several hostels and guesthouses that will appeal to budget travelers.
The most expensive area for recreation is Lara. The entire coast here is built up with 4-5 * hotels and tourist infrastructure. It is a little easier to find a budget option in our tourist favorite Alanya.
There are many hotels along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, some of which belong to the 5-star category, and only they have an equipped beach area. There are also three-star complexes and apartments without access to the water.
