After Istanbul, Antalya is the most popular city in Turkey, we will introduce you to this heavenly city. Especially in summer, when it is the season for swimming and having fun at the beach, traveling to Antalya is very popular. Now that it’s summer and the swimming and travel market is like hot weather, if you decide to visit Antalya, it’s better to know its sights in advance. Knowing the places to visit in Antalya will help you better plan your several-day trip and not miss out on the good places in Antalya. In fact, by reading this article, you will get to know about this city like a local and know Antalya well. Join us now to discover Sightseeing places in Antalya together and see what is going on in this beautiful coastal city.
1- Kaleichi; Wander through the past of Antalya
Kaleichi in Turkish means inside the castle and it means the same historical context as our own. Kaleici is one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Antalya. Antalya, like Yazd and Kashan, has a historical context, whose alleys and old houses are a reminder of the presence of the Romans in this city. Kaleichi has narrow and winding cobblestone streets that take you back in time. It is full of stone walls and old houses lined up next to each other.
One of the most famous and of course the busiest streets in Kaleici is Mezik Street, which is full of cafes, restaurants and shops. In this tourist-friendly street, you can also sit in cafes, which often have their seats arranged on the street, and enjoy delicious Turkish coffee and local Turkish food. If you are looking for a quieter street and prefer to enjoy the history of Kaleici in a quieter place, visit Klein Jan Salar Street.
Some of the streets of Kaleici have become a center for dining and eating delicious Turkish food with a number of restaurants and cafes. In this historical context, there are many tourist attractions such as Hardian Gate, Yeoli Minaret, Antalya Old Port and Kaleici Castle Port, which we will get to know each and every one of them.
Kaleichi Antalya
Hadrian’s Gate; A gate in honor of the entry of the Roman emperor
Hadrian’s Gate or Hadrianos is also known as Och Kaplar which means three gates. This gate was built in 130 BC in honor of the arrival of the Roman emperor Hadrian. This gate originally had two floors, of which only the first floor remains today.
The architecture of Hadrian’s Gate is three arches next to each other, whose capitals reflect Corinthian Roman architecture. There are two towers next to this gate, the right tower was restored in the Byzantine period.
Hadrian’s Gate
Antalya Old Pier; The old port, today’s resort
This old port of Antalya, surrounded by rocks, was the main port of Antalya until the middle of the 20th century. The history of the breakwaters of the pier dates back to the Seljuk period. Today, this pier is one of Antalya’s tourist spots, and all Antalya boat tours start their journey from this pier.
It is full of restaurants, cafes and shops. In these local cafes and restaurants, tourists treat themselves to delicious Turkish coffees and baklavas and local dishes and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the beach, watching the sunset and small and big boats.
2- yivli Mosque, Minaret; The symbol of Antalya
yivli Mosque minaret is the symbol of this city when traveling to Antalya. The date of construction of this mosque goes back to 1320. That is why it is considered one of the oldest mosques in Antalya. Since this famous mosque was built by the order of Aladdin Kiqbad, it is also known as Aladdin Mosque.
The architecture of the mosque is rectangular and has 6 domes. This mosque is made of clay and is simple, and there are not many decorations used in its architecture.
yivli minaret is an independent cylindrical building located in the eastern part of the mosque. yivli means grooved in Turkish and refers to the grooved structure of the minaret.
yivli minare
3- The broken minaret; A minaret with a steep destiny
This historical monument, which we know today as the broken minaret (Kesik minaret in Turkish), is one of the most challenging places to visit in Antalya. Kesik Minaret has gone through a turbulent history. This building was first of all a Roman temple, which later, in the 7th century, became the Church of Saint Mary. The architecture of this church was inspired by Eastern Rome and had 5 dome-shaped halls. After the Arab attack, this church was damaged and two centuries later it was rebuilt and turned into a mosque.
But this is not the whole story. During the Seljuk rule, this building was converted into the Korkut Mosque or the Great Mosque, and a broken minaret was built next to this building. After the defeat of the Seljuks, the mosque was turned into a church again. The fire of 1896 completed the ups and downs of the minaret’s history. In this fire, the upper part of the minaret, which was made of wood, was burnt, and today’s broken minaret is a reminder of a tortuous history.
The broken minaret
4- Aspendus; A stunning Roman monument in Antalya
Seeing the Aspendos Amphitheater will remind you of historical movies from ancient Rome. This amphitheater is one of the most attractive historical monuments left from the second century AD and from the presence of the Roman Empire in Turkey today.
The story of the construction of Aspendos is based on the fact that the king of the ancient city of Aspendos had entered a competition to build this amphitheater and the city’s aqueducts, and the prize was to marry the king’s daughter. Finally, the architect of the amphitheater managed to marry the king’s daughter. This Roman fort of Antalya is one of the most beautiful sights in Türkiye.
The architecture of the building is a large semi-circle, which is built inside the semi-circle from top to bottom in the form of a platform. These platforms were the seats of spectators, the position of the emperor and his entourage is separate from the common people. The front row was the seat of senators and judges, and famous people sat in the second row.
Aspendos amphitheater has been renovated and today hosts music and drama festivals with a capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 people. Important art conferences are also held in this historical building.
5- Perga; A show of glory even in desolation
For those interested in history, this ancient city is one of the best places to visit in Antalya and can be full of surprises. Big columns with beautiful capitals and tall and sometimes collapsed walls are the works that you can expect to see when visiting Prega. This city remains from the Hellenic period, when the Greeks ruled the ancient world. In that period, Perga was one of the beautiful and magnificent cities. The presence of women’s statues among the ruins shows the position of women and their activity in the administrative affairs of that time.
Perga
6- Antalya Museum; A full report of the history and sights of Antalya
For those who are into history and museums, besides seeing Perga and Aspendos and other historical attractions of Antalya, this museum can complement the discovery of historical Antalya. Antalya Museum has more than 13 halls that give you a good account of the history of the region.
In the different halls of the museum, you can see 5,000 different historical artifacts that were obtained from the same Mediterranean and Pamphylia areas. Coins, imperial room, coffins and Christian icons are among the most important parts of the museum. Many of the luxurious stucco and large statues discovered from the old city of Perga have been brought to this museum.
Antalya Museum
7- Antalya Mini City Museum; See all of Türkiye in one place
In the Mini City Museum, you will see the sights of Türkiye in different dimensions; In fact, you can see all of Türkiye at once. The miniature replicas of all the historical works and famous monuments of Türkiye have been displayed in 1/25 real size. This museum is located in the open air and is similar to the garden of our own Iranian art museum, but in larger dimensions and with more works. In addition to adults, this museum is also very pleasant for children.
yivli Mosque, St. Nicholas Church, Mount Chimera, Temple of Artemis and Pamukkale are among the famous and symbolic places of Turkey that you can see in this museum.
8- Atatürk Museum and House; all developments in Türkiye flow from this house
The house of Atatürk, a man who was influential in the history of Turkey and the people of Turkey still benefit from his services to this country, has been turned into a museum in Antalya. This museum has two floors and you can see personal belongings, photos and documents belonging to Atatürk in this museum. This museum, like the Antalya Archeology Museum, is very attractive.
Sightseeing places in Antalya such as beaches
Although Antalya is an old and historical city, it is more famous for its beaches. The beaches that rest on the Mediterranean Sea have made Antalya one of the most popular and beautiful coastal cities in the region. Antalya has more than 400 beaches, and in the rest of the article, you will learn about the 5 famous beaches of Antalya.
Lara Beach; A period of pleasant weather, sandy beaches and crystal waters
Lara beach is located in the east of Antalya city and is one of the closest beaches of Antalya to this city. The crystalline waters, 8-kilometer sandy beach and the Mediterranean climate of Lara Beach attract not only Iranian tourists but also Europeans to these beauties. Almost from the end of May to the end of July, the weather of this beach is the best for having fun, swimming and relaxing.
After swimming in the crystal waters, you can cozy up on the beach chairs and soak up the sun. Beach cafes and restaurants serve a variety of drinks and delicious and high-quality food. But these are not all the facilities of the beautiful Lara beach, boating, diving, scooter, motorcycle riding, football field and beach volleyball and Ajaib Park are among the other facilities that are provided for you to spend a good and memorable day in Salalah Lara.
Dodon waterfall, which is one of the most famous sights in Antalya, is located on Lara beach. So, by going to Lara beach, you can hit several marks with one arrow.
Lara Beach
Kemer beach, having fun at the cleanest beach in Antalya
Kemer region is located in the west of Antalya and is one of the most popular and famous beaches in Antalya for fun and entertainment. Kemer beach has everything and it has nothing to say in terms of cleanliness and recreational facilities. The Mediterranean waters in the Kemer coast are so clean and clear that it was chosen as the cleanest beach by the European Union.
Kemer coast also has entertainment centers and all natural attractions. Hotels and resorts in this area are great for spending cozy weekends or vacations. All kinds of cafes and restaurants, sea entertainment and shopping centers are provided here and it has become a city for itself.
Those who love shopping malls in Antalya should know that Kemer has one of the best shopping malls in Antalya, which will delight you with its stylish atmosphere and brand items. This is not all the story, international diving and boating festivals are also held on the coast of Kemer.
You can participate in these matches or enjoy watching them as a spectator. It also has a cable car and a ski slope, and all kinds of entertainment are available here. If you are into cycling, it is better not to miss the opportunity to go to the Kemer ski resort and explore the wonderful nature.
Kemer beach in Antalya
Beleck Beach; Antalya luxury beach
Beleck Beach is one of the most luxurious beaches and entertainment centers in Antalya. Beleck is located on Akdeniz coast and 30 kilometers from Antalya city. Although Beleck Beach is not very close to the city of Antalya, its natural beauty and recreational facilities are worth the trip. It is full of modern hotels and resorts that come alive for dream weekends and vacations. Beleck Beach is not far from historical attractions such as Aspendos and Perga, which we introduced earlier in the article.
Here, everything is available to spend a luxury vacation; You can enjoy playing golf on the golf courses between the beach and the mountains or learn this sport at the international tennis school. Bird watching is another activity that you can enjoy here.
Beleck Beach; Antalya luxury beach
Antalya Konyaalti Beach, the closest beach to Antalya city
Kenyalti Beach, which the locals call Kenyalti Pelagy, is another one of the most famous beaches in Antalya. Kenyalti beach is closer to the city than Lara beach, and therefore it is one of the hangouts of Antalya people for the weekend.
Kenyalti Beach is only 3 kilometers away from Antalya, and all kinds of transportation in Antalya, from buses and trams to motorbikes and taxis, will take you to this beautiful beach. The waters of Kenyalti beach are so clean and clear that they have received the blue flag. The blue flag indicates that the water you are swimming in is clean and there is no concern for your health.
Kenyalti Beach Aquarium
Kenyalti Beach has become a beach town in itself and has so much fun that you may not be able to reach all of them in one day. One of the best attractions of Konyaalti Beach is the Antalya Aquarium, which has 40 other thematic aquariums in it. Ektor amusement park with 40 amusement rides is a wonderful place to have fun for both you and your children.
Hotels and resorts
Kenyalti beach has many hotels and comfort centers where you can stay the night on this beach and count on spending a day or two on this beach.
Most of the water activities on Kenyalti Beach are reserved for hotels on this beach. If you don’t live in these hotels, you probably won’t be able to use these sea activities. But you can still enjoy swimming, walking on the sandy beach, boating and fishing. Konyaalti Beach has a variety of cafes and restaurants that will satisfy all tastes.
Chirali Beach, Antalya; Antalya historical beach
Chirali Beach is one of the most historical tourist attractions in Antalya. In the past, this historic beach was in the neighborhood of Lisian city, and the traces of this city can still be seen in Chirali beach. Chirali Beach is not close to Antalya like Lara and Kenyalti Beach and it is 70 kilometers southwest of Antalya. This beach has many hotels, hostels and tree houses where you can rest at night. It is better to plan one or two days to go to this beach, so that you can enjoy swimming and fun on the beach.
If you like to go to Chirali beach, it is better not to expect a very cozy and secluded beach. Most people come to this beach to spend weekends away from the city and crowds. There are no marine activities such as jet skiing and diving here, but you can visit the Mediterranean waters with cruise ships.
Duden waterfall; The beautiful nature of Antalya
In addition to the scenic areas of Antalya, historical attractions and wonderful beaches, Antalya also has a very beautiful nature, of which Duden waterfalls are one of them. If you want to treat yourself to a wonderful nature during your trip, be sure to visit these waterfalls.
In spring and summer, the weather and beauty of Duden waterfall is at its peak, because of this, spring and summer are the best time to see these beautiful waterfalls. Duden waterfalls are two waterfalls in total, and the upper one has a more suitable space for picnics and spending time. This waterfall has an entrance and its area has been turned into a park equipped with picnic facilities.
By crossing a rocky path from the first waterfall, you will reach the second waterfall. Around this park, in the distance between two parks, the valley and the river, there are small and large springs, which have a very pleasant nature and wonderful atmosphere.
Duden waterfall
To go to Duden waterfalls, don’t forget to bring sports shoes and comfortable clothes, hats and sunscreen. Going to these waterfalls with inappropriate clothes will deprive you of the opportunity to have fun and explore. Here you can enjoy boating and rafting.
You can’t get enough of Antalya’s sights
The sights of Antalya are not limited to the above. There are many tourist attractions that may not be very famous, but seeing them can be an interesting experience. If you have traveled to Antalya, write us the most popular sightseeing in Antalya in your opinion.
Recent Comments