View of a harbour with sailing and fishing boats, surrounded by palm trees and green trees. In the background, the blue sea extends to the mountains. Residential buildings can be seen on the right.

Antalya

Published: 23 January 2025, 09:30

Gateway to the Turkish Riviera

Antalya means sun, deep blue sea and stunning rocky coastlines. While beach fans get their money's worth in the surrounding coastal region, Antalya itself delights with cultural highlights, historical sites and a picturesque old town. Ancient treasures of Asia Minor, such as ancient ruins and temples, offer insights into bygone eras. National parks with wild gorges and hiking trails through the Taurus Mountains inspire nature lovers.

Antalya is a modern city with historical charm. The picturesque old town Kaleiçi with its traditional wooden houses, narrow streets and historical buildings such as the Hadrian's Gate is the heart of the city. It is highly recommended to dine in one of the Ottoman city mansions. The regional Mediterranean cuisine, combined with Turkish hospitality, makes dining there a special experience.

Numbers, data, facts

Time difference: + two hours
Population: 2.7 million
Official language: Turkish
Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)

Five good reasons for Antalya

The picture shows a spacious beach with turquoise water. In the background, there are mountains and green vegetation. A paraglider is floating in the air.

First reason: fantastically beautiful beaches with hidden coves and stunning views of the Taurus Mountains. Perfect for swimming, relaxing and water sports. © neurobite/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows an old harbour with boats and sailing ships, surrounded by green trees and the old town with traditional houses and fortress walls in the background.

Second reason: a picturesque little harbour from which boat tours start to the surrounding bays. Small cafés invite you to linger here. © neurobite/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows an alley with traditional houses and colourful pennant chains stretched across it. A minaret can be seen in the background. Pedestrians and shops can be seen on the street.

Third reason: a charming old town with many small shops, restaurants and cafés. It is like a labyrinth of narrow streets and traditional wooden houses. © EdNurg/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows an antique archway with decorated stone columns. Through the arches you can see a coastal landscape with a long beach, turquoise sea and mountains in the background.

Fourth reason: ancient sites and historical attractions such as the Arch of Hadrian, which was built in 130 AD and served as a triumphal arch in the Roman Empire. © IgorZh/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a sandy beach with white sun loungers and sunshades. The turquoise sea extends to the horizon, while on the right side of the picture, a rocky cliff drops into the water. In the foreground, flowering plants can be seen.

Fifth reason: good weather all year round. Antalya is known for its mild winters and hot summers, making it a year-round destination. © samael334/stock.adobe.com

Ancient treasures, nature parks and the Taurus Mountains

Those who just laze on the beach are missing out: the area around Antalya is ideal for day trips into nature, along the coast and to historical sites in the mountains. Perge delights visitors with well-preserved ancient ruins and provides insights into life in Roman times. Termessos, another city of ruins worth seeing, is located high up in the Taurus Mountains and offers spectacular views of the mountain scenery. The Düden waterfalls are a popular natural attraction in Antalya. For the more adventurous, a visit to the Köprülü Canyon National Park is recommended, which offers picturesque gorges and the clear waters of the Köprüçay River – ideal for rafting. For hiking enthusiasts, the Lycian Way is a highlight: the long-distance hiking trail mainly runs along the coast, through old villages and past historical sites. Whether culture, nature or adventure – the region has something for everyone.

Five excursion tips

The picture shows an ancient ruin with a long, column-lined street, as well as the remains of buildings and stone walls, surrounded by dry, partly green vegetation.

History up close: Perge is an ancient city with well-preserved ruins, including a stadium, thermal baths and an impressive agora. © efired/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows an ancient amphitheatre in the middle of a mountainous landscape. The ruin, made of stone blocks, is surrounded by green trees.

Spectacular views: located high in the Taurus Mountains, Termessos boasts an ancient theatre built into the rocks. The ascent is adventurous. © Bulent/stock.adobe.com

The image shows a large waterfall cascading from a cliff directly into the blue sea. In the background, there is a coastline with scattered buildings and dense vegetation.

A popular natural attraction: the lower Düden waterfall plunges over a cliff directly into the Mediterranean Sea. The upper waterfall is located in a green park in Antalya. © ARochau/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a winding hiking trail that leads through a rocky landscape with coniferous trees. Tall mountains can be seen in the background.

The Lycian Way is a long-distance hiking trail that runs for 540 kilometres over 26 stages through the mountains and along the coast from Fethiye to Antalya. © Vitalii Karas/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a river flowing through a green landscape. There are two boats with people in the water. Forested hills and mountains rise in the background.

For sporty outdoor fans: the waterways and gorges in Köprülü Canyon National Park offer adventurous sports activities such as rafting and canyoning. © stdemiriz/stock.adobe.com