Turkey – Antalya
Antalya is surrounded by mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Statistically, the sun shines in the provincial capital 300 days a year. Antalya has 800,000 inhabitants.
The landmark of Antalya is the minaret of the Yivli Minare Mosque, which is located in the city center. It was built in the 13th century under the Seljuk Sultan Kai Kobad I.
The coast is lined with lemon, orange, banana and avocado plantations. In close proximity to Antalya are the tourist centers of Belek, Manavgat and Side in the east and Kemer in the south. The province is rich in natural and historical treasures. In the old town quarter “Kaleici” you can study the everyday life of the Turks.
You should definitely visit the archaeological museum with its collections of artifacts and the Atatürk Museum, where everyday objects of the founder of the Turkish Republic are exhibited. A tip is the traditional oil wrestling matches on the Yesil-Hochalm. Every June, musical performances such as the International Ballet and Opera Festival take place. An attraction of a special kind is the fruit and vegetable market with its fabulous offer, a real treasure trove to take great holiday pictures.
In the province of Antalya, you will find many natural and historical sites worth seeing. 14 kilometers north of Antalya is the Upper Düden, a waterfall that you can walk behind. At Lara Beach (12 kilometers east of the city and with fine sand), the Lower Düden plunges into the sea from a height of 40 meters. You should also visit the Kursunulu waterfalls and Lake Nilüfer (18 kilometers from Antalya).
About 30 kilometers from Antalya, on the eastern slopes of Can Mountain, is the Cocaine Cave. People lived in it over 150,000 years ago. It is the oldest settlement area discovered in Turkey.
In the Güllük Dagi National Park in the northwest of Antalya, on the 1050-meter-high plateau on the western slope of Güllük Mountain, the ruins of the city of Termessos stretch.
Particularly worth seeing is the old port of Antalya with the nearby old town. Here you will find numerous tourist shops and interesting wood carvings, carpet shops and restaurants. The steep descent from the old town is definitely worth it.
If you like fish, we recommend Club Arma, a fantastic fish restaurant above the harbour with a wonderful panoramic view. There are also other restaurants directly at the harbour that offer excellent fish dishes. There are many shops in the harbour area, and there is always a lively hustle and bustle here.
