Antalya is the largest city and year round Holiday resort on the Turkish Mediterranean coast. The Gulf is surrounded by the Taurus mountain range to the North and offers over 200 KM of beaches coves, bays, valleys, forests and picnic sites to explore and enjoy. Antalya is also one of those unique places in the world where it is possible in the same day, to Ski on Snow in the Morning and Sunbath on the Beach in the afternoon (without the aid of an aeroplane).

The City itself is well worth exploring from its award winning modern marina, through the enchanting narrow winding streets of the old quarter (Kaleci) or along the modern Palm Lined boulevards this city caters to all tastes.

The region around Antalya are also well worth a visit, the resorts of Kemer, Beldibi, Belek, Kalkan, Kas, Side and Alanya are all within easy reach of the city as are the exquisite waterfalls of Manavgat or you can opt for a relaxing game of golf on one of the many courses in Belek, all available for pleasure, relaxation and fun.

In general, Turkey is a country rich in historical sights and Antalya is no exception to this rule, you can visit the birthplace of Santa Clause in Kas, or the ancient city of Aspendos with it’s well preserved Theater, Basilica and Aquaducts are but two historical sights within a stones throw of the city – but there are many many more.

Antalya also boasts a host of Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Aqua Parks and of course Discos ensuring that all the family is entertained from dawn and well into the night, making this an ideal spot for your vacation, no matter how old or young.

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.

Akseki

After Alanya, Akseki is the oldest district in the province of Antalya, and has an appearance that befits its location in the rugged Taurus mountains, in a forested and very rocky area. The history of Akseki extends back to the Roman era, when it was known as Marla (Marulya), and has been continually inhabited until the present day. The developments in the tourism sector in the Antalya region in recent years have been seen in Akseki as well. The area is well known for the snowdrop flower, and every years sees local and foreign visitors coming every winter to see these flowers breaking through the snow, as the first sign of spring.

In the Giden Gelmez Mountains, goats are protected and limited hunting is available year-round with the purchase of a license. Another spot frequented by visitors is the trout farming facilities in the villages of Sinan hoca and Gumusdamla. The primary game in the area is mountain goat, rabbit, bear and fox.

Other areas worth visiting are the Goktepe Highland, Giden Gelmez Mountains, Cimi Highland, Irmak Valley and the 340-metre deep Bucaklan Cave, which has only recently been discovered. Buildings of interest are the Ulu Camii and medreses.

Elmali

The exact founding date of Elmali, which is located within the borders of ancient Lycia, is unknown. Excavations to the east at Karatas near the village of Semahoyuk, and to the west in the village of Beyler indicate that the area has been inhabited seen the Bronze Age.

Throughout history it has suffered the rising and falling fortune of the Lycian region, being ruled respectively by the Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman empires.

Tumuluses There are several tumuluses in nearby villages. The first is west of the city in the village of Mugren, on top of which sits a small fortress dating back to the Roman era. Surface-level archaeological research indicates that the area was inhabited in the Bronze Age by various civilisations. Another village to the west, Semahoyuk, has a tumulus but due to the fact that an Ottoman cemetery is located on top of it, no research has been done. The third and largest tumulus is in Beyler, south of the city on the Elmali - Kas road. Excavations conducted here show that the area has been continuously inhabited from the Bronze Age right up to the present time. The items unearthed in the excavations are exhibited in the Antalya Museum.

East of the city 6 km from the village of Elmali near the village of Bayindir, there are several tumuluses side by side. Artifacts dating back to the 7th century BC were unearthed during the excavations. Now on display in a special section of the Antalya Museum, these findings represent a cross-section of life during that era. A statuette of pure silver and two of ivory bear witness to the fact that the art of sculpture in ancient Anatolia had reached a level of some sophistication.

Memorial Tombs There are tombs in Karaburun and Kizilbel. The walls of the King’s Tomb in Karaburun, on the Antalya - Elmali road, is decorated with frescoes of scenes of hunting and war. The tomb in Kizilbel is west of the city on the Elmali - Yuvayol road, and is a single room made of limestone blocks.

Define Described as the Treasure of the Century, this was discovered in 1984, just north of the Antalya - Elmali road between the King’s Tomb and the village of Gokpinar. Consisting of 190 pieces of ancient silver coins, the treasure was smuggled to America by antique treasure thieves. It is still on display in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts as part of a private collection. The Athens Decadrachme, 14 pieces each worth US$600,000, is said to be the world’s most valuable treasure find.

Mosques The most interesting mosques in the area include Selcuklu Camii, Kutuk Camii, Sinan-i Ummi Camii, Omer Pasa Camii and medrese.

Korkuteli

Located 67 km from Antalya, Korkuteli is surrounded by Antalya on the east, Burdur to the north, Mugla to the southwest and Elmali and Kumluca to the south. The effects of the Mediterranean climate can be felt here in this region of lakes but the further one goes inland, the more continental the climate becomes with cold winters and hot summers.

3 km west of Korkuteli is the Alaaddin Mosque, only the door of which is still standing. In the same area is the Seljuk religious school which bears the name of its founde,r and was built by El Emin Sinaeddin of the Hamidogullari dynasty in 1319.

Gundogmus

There are numerous ruins of ancient cities in the district of Gundogmus, 182 km from Antalya. The important ruins are those of Hagiasophia city, 7 km north of Guzel Bag Bucagi, but no excavations have been conducted here. There are also the ruins of Asar at Sumene (7 km from the city centre), Kese (2 km east of the village of Senir) and Gedfi (11 km southwest of Gundogmus).

Other places to visit in the area include the Cem Pasa Camii; the ruins on top of Sinek Mountain, 15 km east of the city centre between Gundogmus and Pembelik; and the ruins of Kazayir at Tasagir, on the Gundogmus - Antalya highway.

Gazipasa

Situated 180 km from Antalya, Gazipasa is a charming little town with a beach 10 km long, beautiful forests and turquoise blue coves. Iskele, the site of the Koru and Kahyalar beaches, is an important breeding ground of the caretta caretta turtles. Mostly undeveloped up until the present time, Gazipasa is on its way to being an attractive tourist centre with accommodation, recreation facilities, an airport and yacht harbour still under construction, as well as the natural and historical treasures of the area.

Antiocheia Ad Cragum 18 km east of Gazipasa, and within the village of Guney, these ruins gets its name from the Commagene King Antiochus IV, and are found on the three hills that stretch out towards the sea. It has the ruins of a castle dating back to the Roman and Byzantine era, a column-lined boulevard, agora, baths, victory arch, a church and the city necropolis. The barrel-vaulted memorial tombs with their pre-entrance porticoes are well preserved and reflect a style peculiar to the region.

Adanda (Lamos) This ancient city is located 15 km northeast of Gazipasa, and was founded 2 km north of the present-day village of Adanda, on top of a high and steep hill. It is a walled city with a large tower south of the city gate, and among the ruins are a fountain carved into the living rock and two temples. Other significant ruins are the tombs in the necropolis made of single pieces of carved stone. These remains are a good representation of the culture and art of the mountainous Cilician region.

Nephelis This ancient ruin can be reached by going through the village of Muzkent 12 km out on the Gazipasa-Anamur road and taking the gravel road south for about 5 km. The southern area is surrounded by the sea and steep cliffs. The city consists of the acropolis and the remains of dwellings spread out in an east-west fashion. The only standing structures date back to the Roman and Byzantine periods and include a Medieval Castle, a temple, a musical hall, irrigation system and the necropolis.

Selinus Located on the slopes southwest of Hacimusa Creek by Gazipasa Beach, the ancient city of Selinus is one of the most important cities in the mountainous Cilician region. On top of the hill is the acropolis as well as the walls and towers of a medieval castle, which are fairly well preserved. In the Acropolis, a church and cistern have survived the ravages of time. The other buildings of Selinus are near the beach and on the slopes, among which are the baths, agora, Islami Yapi (mansion), aqueducts and the necropolis. Most of the bones in the Alanya Museum were brought from the Necropolis and allow the workshop in the museum to exist.

Kumluca

Situated on the plane formed by the silt carried down from the mountains by Alakir Creek and Gavur Brook, Kumluca is surrounded by the towns of Finike and Elmali. In the upper reaches of Alakir Creek fed by the springs coming from Onemli Mountains and the Beydaglar Mountains, there are trout and striped mullet.

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

MUNICIPAL SPACES

Glass Pyramid Sabancı Fair and Congress Centre

Glass pyramid Sabancı Fair and congress Centre which has become the symbol of Antalya was opened in 1 October 1997 and the first activity that it hosted was XI world Forestry Congress.

The glass pyramid is a structure that sits approximately an area of 4500 meter square and has two floors namely called as basement and ground floor. The top is covered with colored thermo plane space roof. At the Glass pyramid Sabancı Fair and congress Centre; there are Toros salon of 2500 persons, Meltem salon of 440 persons and Duden salon of 330 persons. The Toros salon which has been arranged for conference and congress, fair and specialization fairs can be organized with 1500 stand capacity. All the salons are equipped with state of the art sound and light systems.

The top of the ground floor is covered with colored thermo plane space roof. Right at the outside of the structure there are 4 each circular decoration pools in 2500 m2 dimension and the building is surrounded by these pools. There are 4 separate entrances to the building by the bridges over the pools in four different directions.

Toros saloon:
The Toros salon located at the entrance floor with a utilization area of 2900 meter square is being used as conference and fair organizations. In the conference purposed utilization it has a seating capacity of 2400 persons at telescopic stands. In fair purpose utilization there is a possibility of establishing fair at an area of 2050 meter square. There is a sound and light and image system equipped to respond all kinds of needs in the saloon. At the gigantic screen located in the salon various graphics, animations and shows can be performed during the organization. In addition, there are mobile simultaneous translation cabins.
Meltem saloon:

This salon that can be used for conference and meeting purposes with 417 meter square has 440 non fixed seat capacity and mobile simultaneous translation cabins. There is state of the art technical equipment in the salon to be used in meetings and conferences.

Duden saloon:
This salon that can be used for conference and meeting purposes with 307 meter square has 340 non fixed seat capacities and has four mobile simultaneous translation cabins. The technical equipments are capable of making sound and image transmission during the activities between the salons. At our centre there are 2 each salons of 87 meter square with 50 person capacity. These salons can be arranged as meeting rooms, art gallery, press room and cafeteria based on the demand.
There is an elevator, telephone and toilet in the glass pyramid for disabled persons. Foyer, VIP room, doctor’s room, buffet, checkroom, service kitchen and technical sections are the other sections inside the building. At the open fair area called a the king’s road which is distributed over an area of 15.000 square meters there are ten each semi open fair areas of total 2650 meter square.

In connection to pyramid there is a parking lot with 500 vehicle capacity that can be used as an open fair area. Glass pyramid has been awarded with European steel union’s 1999 year award. (The European Steel union whose headquarters is located in Brussels is giving the awards to design, the functionality at application, steel construction designs at technology and quality).

Antalya Culture Centre

The opening of Antalya culture centre whose construction was started in year 1992 was done in year 1996. It has two main saloons named Perge and Aspendos saloons in 9000 meter square closed area.

Perge saloon:
It is a saloon of 448 persons; conference, simultaneous translation, panel, chamber orchestra type of activities can be performed.

Aspendos salon:
It is a salon of 817 persons; all kinds of theatre, polyphonic music, ballet, concert, cinema and conference activities can be performed. Aspendos salon is an acoustic salon with its every way, the shows can be performed without microphone and because of the orchestra cavity; all kinds of polyphonic musicals can be performed.

In addition at the Antalya Culture centre; artist dressing rooms make up, rest rooms, administration rooms and fair saloons and two pastry shops are included.

All of areas of the facility have been hot and cold air conditioned of the facility which is among the most modern culture centers of Turkey, by the fire protection systems the saloons are secured. At the stages in the saloons, the sound and light systems have been equipped with the state of the art technology.

Municipality Theatre Stage

Metropolitan municipality’s theatre stage is located in Karaalioglu Park next to the Antalya metropolitan municipality’s building.

The activities of Antalya metropolitan municipality theater that has opened its curtains in year 1983 the first time, are being conducted by the Theatre branch Directorship affiliated with Cultural services Bureau Directorate.

The Metropolitan Municipality Theatre stage that is hosting more then 20 thousand art lovers each year from the age of 7 up to 70 with its performances for children and adults and its newly arranged foyer can host various fairs from time to time.

Kaleici Yacht Marina

The Kaleici yacht marina whose ownership belongs to the department of treasury was rented to Antalya financial directorate on 05.12.2001 for a period of 10 years.

The yacht marina that is already affiliated with Antalya Metropolitan municipality Operations and Participation Bureau Directorate is being governed by the yacht marina operation manager ship.

Our company is rendering its services in the frame work of the yacht tourism regulation which has been arranged by article 37 of paragraph A and item 4 of Tourism incitement law numbered 2634, Antalya metropolitan municipality yacht marina’s operation regulation, the metropolitan municipality law numbered 5216 and legislation related with the other municipality incomes.

There are already 46 each yachts in our yacht marina with a yearly tying contract. In addition in year 2004, 125 foreign and 130 Turkish flagged yachts were accommodated in our marina.

The services provided by the marina are as follows:
• Giving services with hawser, electric and water, WC, shower at the entry and exit of yachts with 24 hours shift system.
• Providing of daily information to yachters by placing weather forecast reports on the announcement board and relaying of storm warnings in written or oral format.
• To take the necessary precautions at the marina for establishing the life and property safety when necessary according to severe weather conditions.
• Providing of environment clean up, giving of services to yachts for domestic waste, bilge water and solid waste services.
• Performing of maintenance and repair of park and gardens.

District house

The Culture and art house constructed by Antalya Metropolitan municipality at Kepez Yenimahalle has 1250 square meters of closed area.

Within the facility there are: Foyer and fair salons, administration, library, archive, mukhtar’s office, heath room, class rooms, culture house salon and stage type of units.

The culture and art house governed by Cultural services Bureau Directorate has the infrastructure for allowing the development of urbanization consciousness; establishments of solidarity among the region inhabitants, arranging of vocational courses for unemployed and that will develop the talent and capabilities of the people and for meeting the requirements like entertainment, resting, reading, sport, culture and health of all kinds of persons.

At the multi purpose salon of 350 persons all kinds of shows, theater, cinema, and concert type of activities can be carried out to serve 365 days a year.

While conducting protective heath services at the heath room, literacy is taught to illiterate citizens at the class rooms and courses inclined to vocational, computer, foreign language, painting courses are being opened
ASAT’S and TEDAS’s cashier’s desks are giving service to near neighborhood.

The zoo

Antalya Zoo which is located on a 330.000 square meters picnic area in Kepezaltı has 765 animals of 87 types.

The maintenance, feeding, health care and accommodation is being supplied by Zoo Brach Directorate affiliated with Environment Protection bureau Directorate.

A total of 125.650 persons visited our facility in year 2004 which 105.297 persons were on fare basis and 20353 persons were on free basis and the animal groups of the facility are as follows:
• Day time raptors.
• Night time raptors.
• Stork family.
• Duck family.
• Hens, pheasants, partridge, sea gulls
• Pigeons.
• Cranes.
• Pelicans.
• Parrots.
• Songbirds.
• African ostrich
• Apes.
• Rabbits
• Raptors
• Dogs.
• Bears.
• Cheetah
• Single nails
• Double nails
• Alligators
• Snakes.

Besides introducing various animal types living at various places of the world, at Antalya Zoo the following services are given:
• Performing of recovery of extinction animals at our zoo and providing of their maintenance, protection and to establish their multiplication for continuation of generation.
• By multiplying of domestic or some animal types that can be domesticated at our zoo to submit them to the service of our people as breeding purpose.
• To establish the leaving of natural environment of wild animals which have been injured due to incorrect hunting or fell sick after making their treatment and care.
• To supply clinical services for the purpose of conducting the treatment, vaccination, operations and all kinds of maintenance of exotic animal and other domestic animals.
• The conduct educational activities by the way of posters, brochure books, written or visual press organs at topics that will interest our people.

Antalya zoo, with its pleasure road between shelters, pounds with waterfalls, fountains and with its infrastructure suitable for picnic and as being a suitable visiting and resting area is accommodating more visitors every year.

Antalya Intercity Bus Terminal

Antalya bus terminal was opened to service on 29 October 1996. The total utilization area of the bus terminal which is included in approximately of 235.000 m2 green belt is 20 thousand square meters.

From one section of the terminal bus services are being made to Antalya’s districts and villages. The terminal constructed with a modern architecture is almost crowded at every hour of the day.

Within the bus terminal there are terminal buildings for rural areas and intercity transportation and administration building, 2 each gas stations and maintenance shop, 2 each transformers and a water depot of 1500 m3. As the buses and vehicles never meet at the entrance and exit of the terminal a great comfort is being established from the point of traffic regulation.

Within the rural area terminal building there are 18 each cashier’s desks and a restaurant next to the 4 each company bureaus, 3 each buffets, WC units for men-women and disabled.
Within the intercity terminal building there are 50 each cashier’s desks, 60 each. company bureaus, cafeteria, restaurant, 8 each buffets, shop, WC units for men-women and disabled, small mosque, gendarme and police stations check points, bank, Post Office, exchange bureaus, Physician’s office and drug store, shoe shine shop, tailor, car rental, tourism consultation units.

In the bus terminal vehicle and bus entries are controlled by computer and all building and perimeter is being supervised by 65 each cameras and monitors. All kinds of arrivals and departures can be traced by information arrival and departure panels and TTV monitors. In addition facility the facility is equipped with, cctv, music, announce, emergency announce, fire warning systems and all building areas are hot and cold air conditioned. Antalya bus terminal establishes a separate prestige to the city with its parking lots for 300 vehicles and 200 buses, the pound at the external area and internal gardens.

Covered wholesale food market

Antalya is a leading agriculture center of our country due to its suitable ecology.

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality’s covered wholesale food market complex that meets % 65 of the wet fruit and vegetable demand of our country, opened to service in its new place on date 30 July 1996.

There are 759 business places at Antalya wholesale food market which is established over approximately on a lot of 480.000 square meters.

Within this complex; brokerage offices, depots, lever scale facilities, 7 each bank branches, sport facility, police station, taxi stop and gas station are located.

The wholesale food market managed by wholesale food market manager ship affiliated with the protection and control office directorate is capable of giving service to our producers and to those that acquired the trade of wet fruit and vegetable as a profession for 7 days 24 hours.

WHERE TO VISIT

 

MUSEUM, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ITEMS

Antalya Museum : Founded in 1922 by Süleyman Fikri Erten and housed first in the Alaaddin Mosque in the old city and then in the Yivli Minaret, the museum was later moved to its current location. The museum consists of 12 exhibit rooms and its gardens and open galleries. In these halls the history of Antalya is given in a chronological and instructive fashion starting with the first humans and continuing without interruption to the modern era.

Museum Tel: (+90-242) 238 56 88-89

Kaleici : 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.

The City Walls : 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.

Hadrian’s Gate : 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.

Old Houses of Antalya : With its hot summers and mild winters, the houses in Antalya are designed to provide protection not against the chill of winter but against the merciless heat of summer. The stone overhangs and courtyards help provide air circulation. The houses in Antalya can be divided into three types based upon the design of the main hall, which also serves as a storage area. The three types are I halls, L halls and U halls. In the design of these houses, great attention was paid to meeting the necessities of daily life, while also providing harmony with nature and the environment.

Perge : Situated 18 km east of Antalya, Perge is in the city limits of Aksu Bucagi. Because of its location on the Cilicia - Pisidia road, it was a vital part of the province of Pamphylia, and was founded around the same time as the other cities in the area (7th century BC). It was an important city for Christians of Perge who had worshipped the mother goddess Artemis. St. Paul and Barnabas visited the city and wealthy benefactors like Magna Plancia had a number of important memorials built here.

The first excavations began in 1946 by Istanbul University and they resulted in many important discoveries: The theatre consists of three main sections: the seating, orchestra and stage. It held 12,000 spectators, with 19 rows of seats on the lower section, 23 on the top section, and a 52-metre stage.

The stadium measures 34 square metres, with 13 rows of seats on top of the vaults. The eastern and western sides have 30 vaults each and the northern side has 10. For every three vaults there is an entrance to the stadium, and the other two were used as shops.

The Agora was the commercial and political centre of the city, with shops surrounding the central courtyard, some of which have mosaics on the floor. The agora measured 76 square metres, with a circular structure in the centre with a diameter of 13.40 metres.

The colonnaded boulevard lies between the Hellenistic Gate and the nympheum on the slopes of the acropolis. On both sides of the street, 20 metres in width, are porticoes, some up to five meters high, behind which are shops. The street is divided into two by a 2-metre wide water canal running through the middle.

Other structures include the necropolis, city walls, gymnasium, Roman Baths, memorial fountain and the Greek and Roman gates.

Termessos : The ruined city of Termessos, lying 34km west of Antalya in a rugged mountain valley, was founded by the Solymi people, from the interior of Anatolia. Among the important remains are the 4200-seat theatre and the Roman stele that Augustus had built at the beginning of the first century AD. The Odeon, the covered meeting hall, has seating for 600 people. The five inter-connecting underground cisterns were used for the storage of water and olive oil.

Other important remains include the Agora, with an open western side and other sides colonnaded; the heroic memorial of Hereon on top of a 6-metre high platform; the Corinthian-style temple, the Temple of Zeus, the Lesser and Greater Temples of Artemis, the gymnasium and the watch towers. In addition, there are more than 1200 rock tombs.

Olympos : Lying between Kemer and Adrasan is the ancient harbour village of Cirali, the ruins of Olympos and the site of the Chimaera. The history of Olympos dates back to the 2nd century BC when it was an important Lycian city, although it was empty by the 6th century. The Olympians worshipped Hephaestos (Vulcan) the god of fire, probably connected to the eternal flame, or Chimaera, which still emerges from the mountain. Known also as Yanartas (burning stone), the flame is caused by the burning of natural gas emerging from the mountain. Apart from the ruins, Olympos is well known for its simple treehouse camps, where most tourists stay, and a natural environment thanks to forests and vineyards near to a beautiful beach.

Ariassos : The ancient remains of Ariassos, around 50km from Antalya, are located on a slope and contain baths and rock tombs.

Phaselis : On the coast, 60km south of Antalya, Phaselis was founded by the Rhodians in the 7th century BC, and was known as the most important seaport in Eastern Lycia. On the west of the city is Hadrian’s Gate, with shops and baths on either side. The city is accessible both by road and sea.

Limyra : Believed to have been in existence since the 5th century, Limyra is still in existence despite a massive earthquake in the mid 19th century although was emptied in the 7th and 9th centuries after the Arab invasions. The city, which is 11km south, composes of three section; the acropolis, areas of settlement, and necropolis.

Arycanda : Excavations of this city reveal that it probably existed from the 5th century BC, and controlled much of the Arycanda valley. Having survived a destructive earthquake in 240 AD, the city maintained its prominence until the 11th century, and its most important structures still survive today.

Demre (Myra) : Demre was one of the most important cities of the Lycian civilisation. 25km west of Finike and 48km east of Kas, Demre was a place of settlement from the 5th century BC. The city was deserted in 9 A.D after the invasions of the Arabs. Rock tombs, theatres and the Church of St. Nicholas (said to be the original Santa Claus) are the most interesting sites in the town today.

Simena (Kale) : Receiving its beauty from its history, sea and sun, Simena is accessible from Ucagiz. The submerged city and the ancient remains at the opposite island of Kekova island, make it a worthwhile trip. There are traces of Roman and other civilisations in Simena, the history of which dates back to Lycian civilisation. There is a small theatre carved into the rock, and Roman city walls.

Aspendos: The ancient city, 48km east of Antalya, is most famous for its theatre, probably the best preserved in Asia Minor. It is still in use today, and stages the annual Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival every summer. It was the scene of a huge bloody battle between the Persians and the Greeks in 469 BC, and then ruled by the Spartans 120 years later. The city became part of the Seleucid kingdom after the death of Alexander the Great, and then became part of the Roman province of Asia in 133 BC.

The famous theatre was built in the 2nd century AD, using a Roman design, and it is still intact. Ataturk was responsible for much of the restoration, who after visiting it declared that it should be used as a theatre rather than simply a museum.

In addition to the theatre, there is an acropolis on a hilltop, of which the nymphaeum and basilica are still fairly intact.

Opening hours: Summer 08.00 - 19.00; Winter 08.00 - 17.30.

Kekova : It is between KaÅŸ-Demre. It is an ancient submerged city 500 m far from the Üçağız Village in Mediterranean.

Patara : It is on Kalkan-Fethiye road,nearly 10 km before Kalkan and is located at the south.. The colorful ceramics in the center of the city reveal that the history of the city reaches back to 5 B.C. Besides its being the birth place of St. Nicholas,it was one of the most important seaports during the times of Alexander the Great. Three gated city walls,one of which leads to Patara, was constructed by the governor Modestus in 110 . One of the most important remnants is the theater currently buried under the crystal clear sandy beaches of Patara.

Xanthos : Founded on the Xanthos river basin,Xanthos is the biggest and the most ancient city of Lycia. Having being remained independent till the invasions of the Persians in 4292 B.C,Xanthos tried hard to defend against the invasions;however, upon realizing the remote victory the people of Xanthos first murdered their women then commited suicide as a whole.Afterwards 80 family imigrating to the region refounded the city but approximately 100 years later the city was totally destroyed by a great fire. Reesatblished city thenceforth strengtened its connection with west and became an important center.Still the city can not be saved from misfortune. Upon resisting to the taxes of the Roman Brutus, the city was ruined and the people were dragged into war. And Xanthos became the city of catastrophe.

The city was founded around center of Lycia and outside it were the remnants of Roman city center. Roman theater and the findings at the west side of the theater still attracts the visitors. Harpy memorial on the rocks is one of the most important traces. Only the duplication of the work of art, the original of which is on exhibit in British Museum in England,can be seen in the region.

KaÅŸ (Antiphellos) : One of the Lycian towns,KaÅŸ took its name from the Greek word "Phellos" meaning stony place. With its well preserved rock tombs and theater, KaÅŸ is a wonderful town on the Mediterranean coast.

FAITH TOURISM

Important mosques in the area are Yivli Minaret Complex, Kesik Minaret Camii, Bali Bey Camii, Muratpasa Camii, Iskele Camii, Karatay Medrese, and Ahi Yusuf Camii and Tomb.

Evdir Han The first stopping point on the road leading north from Antalya is the Evdir Han, lying 18km from the centre of Antalya, a rectangular structure made of cut stone and rubble. Its most interesting feature is the sharply pointed portal. Keykavus I had the han built between 1210-1219 AD.

Kirkgoz Han Kirkgoz, 30 km from Antalya, is extremely well preserved, and although built by one of the sultans departs from the traditional style of their usual hans. It is made from cut stone and rubble.

YÄ°VLÄ° MINARET (Alaaddin Mosque, Center):
It is in the city center of Antalya. It is the minaret of Alaaddin Mosque, which was converted into a mosque in 1230 by Seljuk Sultan, Alaaddin Keykubad.Catching one’s eyes at the first look, Yivli Minaret considered as a symbol of the city. As its structure is cut up into slices by bricks, and constructed with 8 pieces of semi - cylindrical shape, it is named as Yivli Minaret. Very thick body had gained an aesthetic structure due to these grooves. Turquoise and dark blue colored Allah and Mohammad words are written to every direction of the floor.

Kesik Minare Mosque (Korkut Mosque - Cami - i Kebir, Center): Seljuk Period piece of art, the mosque was previously constructed as Panagelia Church in the name of Virgin Mary by Byzantium during 5th A.D., and turned into a mosque by Åžehzade Korkut during Bayezit II. It is also known as Korkut Mosque or Cami-i Kebir due to this reason. It is renamed as Kesik Minaret as the mosque was destructed after the a fire in 1851.

Kale Mosque (Sultan Süleyman Mosque, Alanya): It is at west side of the shipyard of Alanya. It was constructed by Seljuk Sultan, Alaaddin Keykubad I. As it was re-constructed by Sultan Süleyman between 1530 and 1566, it is also known as Sultan Süleyman Mosque.

Saint Nicholas Church (Kale - Demre): Myra (Demre) is known as the place where Saint Nicholas, known as Santa Claus (Father Christmas) in Christianity world, had performed his duty as a bishop. Moreover the church was constructed during 6th century as a memorial to Saint Nicholas after his death. Some remnants of Saint Nicholas tomb which has been stolen to Bari city by Italian sailors during the second half of our century are currently exhibited in the Antalya Museum. International Santa Claus (Father Christmas) Festival organized every year in Kale(Demre) and KaÅŸ between December 6-8 turn into a symposium where foreigners have also participated in Antalya recently.

Aya Yorgi Church (Alanya): It is thought that the church within the Alanya Castle, was constructed by Byzantium during VIth century A. D.