With its nature, history, and ancient cities, Antalya is a rich geography. From Manavgat to Side, from its countless coves to Kaş, it’s like a huge paradise. A unique city that captures hearts with the beauty that comes to mind first when the Mediterranean Region is mentioned… Are you ready for a journey accompanied by the maquis that surround its seas, streets, and mountains? Direction: Antalya!
🛎️ Reminder: To explore the world with your digital tour guide, don’t forget to download Piri Guide! 😊
When is the Best Time to Visit Antalya?
Let’s not specify a particular time frame to visit Antalya, as it is beautiful in every season. However, due to its climate, it’s worth noting that summers can be very hot. Especially if you’re planning a holiday with plenty of walking and time spent on the streets, the summer months may not be very productive. But late spring or early autumn may be more suitable for this type of holiday.
On the other hand, if you’re saying, “I want the beach, sand, sea, and ice cream, I want to swim,” Antalya is waiting for you with its beautiful beaches that open their arms to you. This city, known as the jewel of the Mediterranean, offers you a 10/10 summer vacation opportunity with the numerous holiday resorts and holiday villages it hosts. The city, which also attracts foreign tourists during the summer months, experiences its busiest days in June, July, and August.
Where to Stay in Antalya?
As we mentioned earlier, Antalya is quite a large city with its beautiful districts, which allows it to offer visitors plenty of options.
If you want to stay in 5-star hotels for a summer vacation, we recommend Belek. Belek, located in the Serik district, offers a variety of luxurious hotels that attract both domestic and foreign tourists. Moreover, it’s about 30 km away from the city center.
If you’re looking for a place away from the city, surrounded by nature, close to trekking trails, and even suitable for camping, let us make a recommendation. Olympos! Olympos is quite ideal for a peaceful and relaxing holiday, away from the city.
Finally, if you want to be in the city center of Antalya and not venture too far, we believe your accommodation should be in Kaleiçi. Antalya has a lively and vibrant city center. If you want to get lost in the crowds and explore the city center, you can choose this area for your accommodation.
If you don’t have a car to get around the city, you can use the city buses for transportation within the city. All you need is an Antalya Card for this. You can find all the information about Antalya Card on their website.
Places to Visit in Antalya
We’ve made a list of must-visit places in Antalya. Yet, we should remind you that you can find more on the Piri Guide mobile app. Piri Guide detects your location, offers you the best travel routes, and starts telling you the hidden stories of wherever you are. All you have to do is to get your headphones or earbuds and follow the path at your own pace. Then, don’t set out for your trip before downloading the digital travel guide! 😊
Hadrian's Gate
Hadrian’s Gate is one of the structures that has become a symbol of Antalya. The gate still serves its purpose nearly 2,000 years after its construction. It provides a passage from Atatürk Avenue to the historical district of the city, Kaleiçi. That’s why the area in front of Hadrian’s Gate is quite lively during the day. Hadrian’s Gate was built in the 2nd century, in the first half of the century, in honor of Emperor Hadrian’s visit to the city. Hadrian was the most traveled among Roman emperors, having ruled the empire for approximately 21 years, with 12 of those years spent traveling.
Hıdırlık Tower
Hıdırlık Tower was built on top of the Kaleiçi walls in the 2nd century. The person who wanted its construction was Emperor Hadrian. This 14-meter-high tower is thought to have been an monumental tomb. The remnants of frescoes, wall paintings, found on the walls of one room in the tower, have strengthened this possibility. The frescoes have almost disappeared due to water damage to the walls.
The upper part of the tower was constructed in a cylindrical form and was used for defensive purposes. It was a place where archers stood and catapults were placed. It is also estimated that signal fires were lit in the tower in the past. The tower was also used as an observation tower for ships in the Antalya Bay.
Düden Waterfall
Düden Waterfall is a place that feels like a remedy for people in the scorching heat of Antalya! However, it wasn’t always open to the public. It was opened to visitors in the 1970s. According to legend, Alexander the Great used to stop here to water his horses while traveling to Pamphylia.
The waterfall has a karstic structure and is formed by the high drop of the Düden Creek emerging from underground. In sources, you can also see it referred to as “Upper Düden.” Lower Düden, on the other hand, flows directly into the Mediterranean Sea from the cliffs.
Kaş - King's Tomb
The King’s Tomb is dated to the late 4th century BC. It is also locally known as the “Lion Tomb.” It is one of the best-preserved Lycian tombs in the region. In the center of Kaş, you can encounter other well-preserved tombs as well. A common feature of Lycian tombs is their resemblance to houses in appearance. The lid of the upper coffin is in the form of a roof, and the front and back parts of the lid resemble windows. According to experts, this is a sign that the Lycians believed in life after death.
Kalkan
Next stop: Kalkan, famously referred to by the historian Herodotus as the “closest place to the stars in the world.” Kalkan used to be a modest harbor settlement in the past. If you wonder how it became so touristic, according to sources, the reason for this can be attributed to a British writer. Freya Stark, a travel writer, published a book called “The Lycian Coast” in the 1950s. The book was well-received by the British, and they began coming as tourists to Kaş and Kalkan. This love and interest gradually became permanent, and they settled here by buying houses and land.
For those who still map out their summer plans for Turkey, do not forget to check out our Bodrum Travel Guide! 🤍
