Antalya

About Antalya

The largest city on the Mediterranean coast, part of the “Turquoise” Riviera, which lies between Antalya in the east and Fethiye in the west and bordered by the Taurus Mountains in the north.
The city was first populated around 200 BC, with the Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman empire, ruling the city throughout the years. The vibrant city, with 300 days a year of sunshine, is Turkey’s largest international beach and summer resort, home to gorgeous beaches, numerous resorts, hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shopping opportunities.

The city’s old quarter, Kaleiçi, is a time capsule of Antalya’s ancient past, with narrow winding cobbled streets, old city walls, the Roman harbor, old churches, mosques, and picturesque old houses. At the heart of the Old Quarter is the Cumhuriyet Square, surrounded by shops, cafes, Turkish baths, and street performers. View and explore in Kaleiçi the 2^nd century Hıdırlık Tower built originally as a lighthouse, the 130 AD Hadrian’s Gate, and the Clock Tower.

The Kaleici Marina is the top nightlife spot with many great restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs.
Stroll the narrow streets near the city wall and Cumhuriyet Square for typical local products such as Carpets, Leather made items, jewelry, Ceramics and Metalware.
More shopping opportunities can be found in Ataturk, Cumhuriyet and Isiklar Avenue, in the the local Bazars, and in the modern shopping malls, such as Migros Shopping Mall, and others.

When in the city centre enjoy the Antalya Archaeology Museum, one of Turkey’s largest and most important museums, with 5000 works of art presenting the Mediterranean, and Pamphylia region history, from the Paleolithic Age to Ottoman Times. For a peaceful break visit Yavuz Ozcan park with its beautiful pools, miniature waterfalls, and fountains.

Antalya’s main beaches include Mermerli beach near the Antalya Marina in the Kaleici district, Adalar beach south of Mermerli beach and the Karaalioglu Park. Other great beaches are the 12 km long Lara beach, 15 km east of Antalya’s centre, with exclusive hotels and Shoping Malls especially in the Kundu area. and the long pebbled Konyaalti beach west of the city.

Families traveling in Antalya will find numerous Attractions that Children will love spending few hours to a full day.

With more than 300 days of sunshine, Antalya has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters.

Thetjoy.com recommends spending at least one day visiting the city and its old quarter. When in Antalya or one of the surrounding coast resorts, enjoy various opportunities for fabulous day (or more) tours, enjoying the surrounding nature gems, national parks, waterfalls, ancient cities, and much more.
Drive or take a tour southwest to Kemer, Olympos, and their nearby attractions, and further west to Demre, Myra, and Kekova Island.