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Area : 20.815 square km Population : 1.719.751 (2003)
Because of the archaeological and natural riches of the area, Antalya is also known as the Turkish Riviera. The sun, sea, nature and history combine to form a very popular resort, highlighted by some of the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean.
The 630 km shoreline of the province is liberally scattered with ancient cities, harbours, memorial tombs and beaches, secluded coves and lush forests, many of which are easily accessible from the city.
With its palm-lined boulevard, internationally-acclaimed marina, and old castle with traditional architecture, all set amidst a modern city, Antalya is a major tourist centre in Turkey. In addition to the wide selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops, the city also plays host to a number of sporting events throughout the year, like International Beach Volleyball, triathlon, golf tournaments, archery, tennis and canoeing competitions. The Cultural Centre, which opened in 1995, hosts cultural and art events in the fields of music, theatre, and creative arts. The main area of interest in the city is central old quarter within the Roman walls, known as Kaleici, and there are many good museums.
Districts: Akseki, Alanya, Elmali, Finike, Gazipasa, Gundogmus, Ibradi, Kale, Kas, Kemer, Korkutali, Kumluca, Manavgat and Serik are all towns in the province of Antalya. |
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Today the historical old city of Antalya known as Kaleici (the inner castle) is surrounded by two walls, most of which have fallen down. The inner wall encloses the harbour in a semicircle. As a result of restoration, Kaleici has turned into a major tourist centre with guest-houses, bars, shops and restaurants, and the Roman harbour has been turned into a modern, well-equipped marina. As a result of the restoration work, the Ministry of Tourism was awarded the Golden Apple (Tourism Oscar) in April 1984 by FIJET.
What remains today are a few bastions inside the city as well as Hadrian's Gate and its towers, the large tower facing the harbour and a few pieces of the harbour walls. One of the walls surrounds the yacht harbour and the other the city, almost like horseshoe. One of the remaining towers in the Castle Gate Square is now used as a clock tower. There are four gates in the city walls, which form entrances to the city.
The only city gate to have survived until the present day is the most attractive of the Pamphylia: Uckapilar (Three Gates), also known as Hadrian's Gate, which is guarded by one tower on either side. Built to honour the emperor Hadrian's visit to the city in 130 AD, the whole gate, except for the columns, is made of pure white marble. The reliefs and carvings are extraordinary. More about the landmarks in Antalya » |
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Climate
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Antalya is dominated by two climates. The coastal area is typically
Mediterranean with hot dry summers and mild rainy winters. |
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On average there is no rain for 309.5 days a year. It is very rare for the temperature to drop below zero. The highest recorded temperature for the past 40 years was 44.6°C. In Antalya the average humidty rate is 64%, whereas the seat temperatures are 17.6°C in January, 18.0 °C in April, 27.7 °C in August and 24.5 °C in September.
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By Road: Antalya is easily accessed from most parts of the country, and the main bus station (Yeni Garaj) is 4km north of the city centre. Major routes include Istanbul (12 hours), Fethiye (8 hours), Izmir (9 hours) and Goreme (10 hours). The best route from Istanbul and Ankara is through Afyon and Burdur. In addition to the large buses and long-distance journeys, which leave from the Sehirlerarasi Terminali, there are also dolmus services to places like Kas, Alanya, Olympos and Side, from the Ilceler Terminali, although these are not air-conditioned. Most bus companies have a free shuttle service from the bus station into the city centre.
By Rail: The nearest station is at Burdur.
By Air: Antalya airport is 10km east of
the city centre, and has direct flights from Tel Aviv and Zurich. It is
well connected to other parts of Turkey, and in summer has eight daily
direct flights from Istanbul and two from Ankara.
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What to Eat
The nomadic people living in the rural areas raise wheat and animals,
and it is these products which form the basis of the local cuisine. Though
limited in scope there are fresh vegetables grown along the coast but
as one moves into the interior, wheat and other crops become more common.
The primary dishes which make up the modern diet are kolle (boiled wheat,
beans, chickpeas), sauteed meat with vegetables, tomato civesi, hibes,
arapasi, tandir kebab and the local jellies.
More about the traditional Turkish cuisine »
What to Buy
In Antalya, there are shopping malls that will have anything the foreign
or local tourist could hope to find. The city is famous for its jams and
jellies made from every fruit and vegetable imaginable. The most interesting
ones are the eggplant, watermelon, bergamot and turunc jellies. There
are also souvenirs and gift items particular to Turkey in the shops of
the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture and the shops in the
old city. The area is famous for its Dosemealti carpets coloured with
natural root dyes.
More about the most famous Turkish products
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Don't Leave Without
- Visiting the Antalya Museum;
- Walking up the gorge at Saklikent;
- Seeing the ruins at Perge and Termessos;
- Walking through Kaleici and the old houses of Antalya;
- Taking pictures of the snowdrops in Akseki;
- Buying a Dosemalti carpet;
- Tasting the local jams and jellies.
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