Downtown in Antalya

The city as a whole has grown tremendously with many apartment blocks but the infrastructure such as roads and drains are still struggling to catch up. There are many areas that are very attractive indeed such as: Kaleiçi, with its narrow cobbled streets of historic Turkish and Greek houses in the old centre of Antalya that is now mainly hotels, gift shops, and bars. The large new hotels such as the Sheraton are along the coast above the Konyaalti and Lara beaches, and are spread along the coast in both directions far beyond the city of Antalya itself.

 

In summer the town is booming with tourists both from Turkey and sun-seeking foreigners. Many of whom from Britain and Germany and for the last few years a large number from Russia as well. On summer evenings it is too hot and humid to stay in and Antalya hums with the sound of people buzzing around on scooters or cracking open seeds and nuts as they parade the streets with their friends and families. In winter the town is cool and quiet.

Antalya has now acquired a rich middle-class and the associated developments such as private colleges, and luxury cars. The tree-lined avenue along the cliff-top to Konyaaltı is one of Antalya’s best-known locations. It is lined with luxury apartments and posh shops. The other major shopping street is Işıklar Caddesi.

 

Antalya is not all wealth and glamour of course and there are large neighbourhoods of working families struggling to survive in this hot climate where employment is seasonal. There is a military base in the city as well.

Attractions

Aspendos

 

There are many old cities in and around Antalya. Aspendos, Perga and Termessos are some of the closest ones to the city centre. Other than these historic places, Antalya is also famous for its beaches like Konyaaltı, Lara and Karpuzkaldıran. Antalya has a reputation as a city of waterfalls. Düden, Manavgat and Kurşunlu waterfalls are major attractions for both local and foreign tourists. For winter sports, Beydağları and Saklikent are both natural beauties of the city.

There are a large amount of mosques, churches, madrasahs, masjids, hans and hamams in the city. Kaleiçi, the harbor which the city walls enclose is the oldest part of the city. In Kaleiçi, Yivli Minare, Kesik Minare and historic houses are to be found. In Kaleiçi, one can see the best examples of traditional Turkish architecture which are striking for their harmony with the nature. All these places are at a walk distance.

 

Places of interest to visit in the city.

 

Yivli The Yivli Minare is the symbol of the city.

 

Kaleici, the historical center of the city; is now restored as a touristic center of the city with its hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shopping. Kaleici still retains much of its historical character and the restoration. It has won the Golden Apple Prize, the Oscar of tourism.

Ancient monuments include the City Walls, Hıdırlık Tower, Hadrian’s Gate and the Clock Tower.

* Antalya Museum: Prize winning archaeology museum.

Castle* Kaleiçi Museum: Newly opened by the Mediterranean Civilizations Research Center (Akdeniz Medeniyetleri Araştırma Merkezi) see also their annual journal.

* Hadrian’s Gate: constructed in 2nd century BC by the Romans in honour of the Emperor Hadrian.

* Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret): Once a Byzantine Panaglia church, later converted into a mosque.

* Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret): It was built by the Seljuks. Decorated with dark blue and turquoise tiles, the minaret eventually became the symbol of the city.

* Karatay Medresesi, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Murat Paşa Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi Mosque and Osman Efendi Mosque are other important Islamic buildings in the city.

* “Han”s are Seljuk or Ottoman inns which have architectural significance. Examples in Antalya include Evdir Han, Kırkoz Han, Alara Han and Castle and Sarapsu (Serapsu) Han.

www.antalya.com