Antalya was founded by Attalos the 2nd , a King of Pergamum in 159 B.C., who ordered his men to find him a paradise, and the city was also named Attaleia after him. This city is a cross-road of ancient Pamphilia, Psidia and Lycia and was established in the most fertile geography of Anatolia. Antalya has been the centre of culture, art, architecture and mythology throughout its history. With its nature made up of dark blue seas, spectacular Taurus mountains, fervent waterfalls, boulevards lined with palm trees, award winning marina and world known holiday villages is what makes Antalya the capital of Tourism
What to do in Antalya?
Antalya is rich in history and art.
Kaleici (Inside the fortress) , this old quarter has narrow, winding streets enclosed in ancient city walls, which now protect the peaceful quarter from the noise of the metropolis of a million people. The northern part (Selcuk and Tuzcular sections) of Kaleici is mostly touristy shops and restaurants lining the narrow maze-like streets. The Kilincarslan section is a little quieter and still charming. Although there are other entrances, it is best to enter and exit the old quarter from charming
Hadrian's Gate, built by the Roman emperor Hadrian as the entrance arch to the city. Hadrian Gate will lead you to Kilincarslan district.
Yivli Minare - Fluted Minaret: In this area, you can see the famous 125 feet tall fluted minaret and the mosque. Nearby is an old market building with an interesting entrance, and a ruined gate or two.
Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi) area- Ottoman-era clock tower and 18th century
Pasha Camii (mosque).
Yat Limani - Fortified Roman port: beautiful harbour surrounded by town walls built during the Roman Era. Nearby is the Iskele Camii (mosque).
Kesik Minare - Broken Minaret Mosque, beautiful ruins of an ancient Roman temple, eventually was converted into a Christian church and finally into a mosque.
HidirlikTower - Hidirlik Kulesi - a tower on the edge of the town walls with scenic views of the marina and the harbour.
Atatürk's Home - Atatürk Evi (just outside the Kilincarslan district, walk to Karaalioglu Park along Atatürk Cd.) - house where the first president of Turkey stayed at during his visits to Antalya.
Beaches
Konyaalti Beach (the west of the town)
Aqualand, which is a large complex of waterpark and Beach Park.
Antalya Aquarium - boasts the world's largest tunnel aquarium.
Aktur Lunapark Antalya - a fairground with various rides
Lara Beach (the east of the town)
North of the City
Antalya Zoo and Nature Park - 400 acres of Zoo, accessible by taking the tram to the last stop.
Out of Town
Perge ruins - (shuttles to Aksu can drop you off at the road leading to Perge) fantastic Roman city ruins, with a hippodrome and theatre still intact. The South Bathhouses ignites your imagination of what it looked like in that particular era.
Duden Falls - a waterfall off the cliffs, southeast of the town.
Aspendos - a beautiful and intact theatre from the Roman era.
Side - an ancient Roman settlement near Manavgat.
Termessos - an ancient city ruins in a nature setting (part of a nature park).
Demre/Myra - ancient Lycian ruins with tombs and Myra is also the home of St. Nicholas, or children's beloved "Santa Claus".
Iskele Mosque: A 19th century Mosque near the Marina.
Karatay Medrese: A Medrese (Islamic theological seminary) built in 1250 by Emir Celaleddin Karatay.
Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret) Mosque: Once a Roman temple, converted to a Byzantine Panaglia church and finally into a mosque.
Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque: An 18th-century Mosque built in honour of Tekeli Mehmet Pasha.
The Arapsu Bridge is a Roman bridge in Antalya. The well-preserved footbridge lies in the Arapsuyu district, 5–6 km west to the city center, at the foot of an ancient mound which is associated with the ancient Greek colony of Olbia.
