Antalya is Turkey's prime holiday resort in the Mediterranean region. It is an attractive and picturesque city with palm-lined boulevards, narrow winding streets and some great Antalya hotels. With an attractive harbour setting, the charming old quarter of Kaleiçi and delightful beaches, it has become a popular summer retreat for the many travellers in search of nature, culture and history. Our local company offers a great range of accommodations in Antalya with some of the best online deals!
The pretty whitewashed villages, adorned with trailing blossoms and surrounded by the Taurus Mountains, are simply breathtaking.
Antalya is located between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea in the southern Mediterranean region of Turkey. With the majestic mountains on one side and the crystal blue Mediterranean on the other, Antalya is aptly called the "Turkish Riviera". It is also the major transport hub for the region with good links to Istanbul, Ankara, Alanya, Side, Kemer and Cappadocia.
The harbour town guarantees sunshine throughout the summer, which is why Antalya attracts 30% of the foreign tourists visiting Turkey. There is something for everyone here, with a lot of things to see and do in Antalya. Families who are looking to just chill out and relax with their children find Antalya's clean beaches ideal. The lone traveller interested in excavating the past can satiate himself in the numerous archaeological sites or on an Antalya tour. The sporty traveller looking for some adventure will be overwhelmed by the wide range of sporting activities Antalya has to offer.
After a fulfilling day of sight seeing, the tourists gravitate to the beaches. Some of the popular beaches are the Lara beach to the east and Konyaalti beach to the west of the city. The long pebbled beach offers a spectacular view of the mountain range against the warm sea. The beach is safe for swimming and ideal for long romantic walks. There are also some great places to stay in Antalya near the beach, many with ocean views. You can even use our map of Antalya to select your Antalya hotel based on its location, and ensure your hotel in Antalya is close to whatever you wish to see or do.
Antalya is more than just sun, sand and frolic. The city has a well preserved rich history that the locals are extremely proud of. History spills out of most buildings and streets. One structure that is a tall reminder of its past is the dominating Yivli Minaret or the ‘Grooved Minaret'. The elegant minaret of the mosque was built by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat in the 3rd century. The Yivli Minaret is the most visited tourist attraction of Antalya. As you plan your trip, check out our wide range of Antalya hotels, perfect for any budget!
There are many ancient cities, secluded coves and sparkling cliffs to explore among other things near Antalya. The best way to discover the tiny towns, caves, waterfalls and Roman ruins in the outskirts is to make Antalya your base and travel around on a tour in Antalya.
Culturally, Turkey is the richest country in the Mediterranean. Turkey was founded in the 2nd century B.C by the King of Pergamon, Attalus II. He initially named it Attaleai. The city was occupied by Byzantines, and Seljuks after the Romans. Finally it was governed by the Ottomans. The abundance of ruins and buildings of these empires are found all over the city, especially its shorelines. The ruins include Roman viaducts, theatres and Ottoman bridges. The closest look you can take at the time gone by is Aspendos, which boasts of the finest example of a Roman theatre in the world. It was built in the 2nd century and still stands remarkably intact. Check out some of our hotels in Antalya in the old city!
Recent excavations have revealed evidence of the caravanserais which were built on the Silk Route. These served as fortified inns to allow safe passage to merchants and their goods. A restoration programme is still underway. The Archaeological Museum houses a great collection of historic riches.
The adventure traveller looking for exciting sport will not be disappointed in Antalya as there is a host of outdoor activities to choose from. Being strategically located at the foot of the Taurus Mountains it plays host to numerous sporting events throughout the year, like international beach volleyball, triathlons and canoeing.
Antalya is an upcoming tourist hot spot and the government ensures that the infrastructure is up to international standards. Many Antalya hotels, restaurants, shops and discos have opened in the recent past to cater to the international tourist. Popular hotels in Antalya keep the nightlife interesting with a variety of shows. End your journey by watching some scintillating entertainment, with belly dancers moving to live music.
[more info]
