Antalya isone of the most important tourism destinations of the Mediterranean coastline in the south of Turkey . The basin of civilizations, Antalya has grown many civilizations in its heart for four thousand years. In this beautiful geography surrounded by green and blue, you come across a deep-rooted historical richness beyond sea and sand on every side. The Lycian Civilization, which inspired Western democracies with its management style, came to life in this geography.
Antalya has much more than the natural beauty of cities built between the mountain and the sea. There are countless ancient cities and historical artifacts where you can see magnificent structures and historical artifacts from the past.
The Most Beautiful Historical Places of Antalya
1. Historical Kaleici, Antalya
Kaleici is a beautiful medieval settlement. It is one of the oldest cities in Anatolia, which can still preserve most of the historical structures bearing the traces of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottomans. It is possible to see the historical spirit of Antalya in Kaleiçi with its minarets decorated with eye-catching stones, narrow stone-paved streets, wooden houses with bay windows and quiet courtyards.
The bougainvillea overflowing from the gardens of the houses, which display a delicacy from the past, suits the stone houses very well. Most of the two-storey houses with high ceilings and outer sofas have been restored. Most of the 3-storey houses serve as boutique hotels, restaurants, antique shops and gift shops.
The 14-meter-high Historical Clock Tower , located on the outer walls of the Kale Kapısı area, was built in 1901 in the name of Abdülhamit II.
2. Yivli Minaret, Kaleici
The Yivli Minaret can be seen from almost every corner of the city. One of the symbolic works of Antalya, the historical Yivli Minaret from the Seljuk period is undoubtedly one of the first places to visit in Antalya. It says I am the symbol of the city with its eight belts in the shape of a half cylindrical groove on a square block of cut stone and a 45-meter minaret decorated with turquoise stones. It is visible from all over the city, just like the Eiffel Tower of Paris.
The symbol of Seljuk domination was designed as a monument during the reign of Alaeddin I. It forms a complex with the Ulu Mosque , Ulu Mosque Madrasa , Atabey Armağan Madrasa , Antalya Mevlevi Lodge , Zincirkıran Mehmet Bey and Nigar Hatun tombs around it. All of them are important historical heritages worth seeing.
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3. Historical Port Antalya Marina
Kaleiçi ‘s historic marina, surrounded by its walls, has an exquisite view. At both ends of the mole, sailboats and boats are glazed, overlooking the flashing lighthouse. Surrounded by palm and date palm trees, this beautiful port was built by the King of Pergamon II. Attalos is said to have hailed it as heaven on earth. Beautiful in the morning, different in the evening.
Take a walk up to the tip of the breakwater. It is also possible to take a short tour of the cliffs and see Düden Waterfall , with boats of various sizes sailing from Antalya Historical Harbor . The small Mermerli Beach , located just below the port, is the right address for you to enjoy the sea without getting away from here.
The cylindrical Hıdırlık Tower , built in the 2nd century on the Antalya city walls, has a magnificent view. It is located at the southwest corner of the city walls, in Karaalioğlu Park, one of the oldest parks in Antalya.
4. Hadrian’s Gate
Hadrian’s Gate , known as the Üç Kapılar, was the entrance gate to the city from Kaleiçi and the port area in ancient times. This monumental gate was built in 130 AD in honor of Hadrian, one of the Roman Emperors. It looks like a typical Roman triumphal arch with its two-columned facade and three arches rising on four gate towers. On the second floor, which has not survived, there were statues not only of the Roman emperor but also of his family members.
5. Phaselis Ancient City
Phaselis (Faselis) is a quiet and peaceful paradise in Kemer’s Tekirova Town, famous for its natural beauties, ancient city, bay and beach. Phaselis Ancient City is an ancient settlement where the sea and history coexist with its historical ancient theatre, aqueduct, agora and baths.
It was founded by the Rhodesians in the 6th century BC. It was the most important port of the eastern coast of Lycia. He stayed in Phaselis for a while during Alexander the Great’s campaign from Macedonia to India in 333 BC. Phaselis Bay is a part of the Ancient Phaselis City. The bay, which hosts many daily visitors on weekends in the summer, is located 60 km from Antalya. Take your food and drink with you.
Phaselis Ancient City visiting hours are 08.30-19.00 in summer (1 April – 31 October), 08.30-17.30 in winter (31 October – 1 April). It is open to visitors 7 days a week. Phaselis Ancient City entrance fee is 45TL. Museum Card is valid.
6. Aspendos Theatre, Serik
The Aspendos Theater is one of the best preserved among the ancient theaters and one of the rare examples among the Roman theaters in Anatolia that has survived to the present day with its stage. It is known that the Aspendos Theater was built by the architect Zenon between 138-164 during the reign of the emperor Antonius Pius. The semi-circular amphitheater for 15,000 people leans against the eastern slope of the acropolis, as in the classical Greek theater tradition.
The ancient city of Aspendos, known as ‘Belkıs Ruins’ among the people, is visited in two parts as the Upper City and the Lower City. The theater is the most important building in the Lower Town. Among the places to see are its walls, agora, fountain, exedra, stadium, baths, aqueducts, temples and necropolises. The ancient city can be reached from the asphalt road that separates from the Antalya-Manavgat highway.
Aspendos Ancient City visiting hours are 08.30-19.00 in summer (April 1 – October 31) and 08.30-17.30 in winter (October 31 – April 1). It is open to visitors 7 days a week. Aspendos Ancient City entrance fee is 50TL. Museum Card is valid.
7. Perge Ancient City, Aksu
The ancient city of Perge is only 18 km away from Antalya city center, within the borders of Aksu district. An ancient city, which was the capital of the Pamphylia Region, is one of the most beautiful historical places in Antalya. The Ancient City of Perge, which is on the UNESCO World Temporary Heritage List, was among the richest and most beautiful cities in the old world during the Hellenistic period.
The ancient city of Perge, whose history goes back to the Bronze Age, is an important city in terms of planning in the context of the Late Classical, Hellenistic and predominantly Roman Imperial periods. St. Paulus and Barnabas started their first travels in Anatolia to spread Christianity from here.
Perge Ancient City visiting hours are 08.30-19.00 in summer (1 April – 31 October), 08.30-17.30 in winter (31 October – 1 April). It is open to visitors 7 days a week. Perge Ancient City entrance fee is 50TL. Museum Card is valid.
8. Xanthos Ancient City, Kas
Xanthos Ancient City was the largest administrative center of the Lycian Civilization in Antiquity. Although its assembly was in Patara, the capital of the union was Xantos. Located 46 km from Fethiye centre, Xanthos was the most important settlement in the region, together with the religious center Letoon.
Xanthos, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988, has witnessed many bloody wars and important historical events, unfortunately, there are not many buildings that can be seen in the city today. The artifacts found during the excavations in the 1840s are exhibited in the British Museum .
Xanthos Ancient City visiting hours are 08.30-19.00 in summer (1 April – 31 October), 08.30-17.30 in winter (31 October – 1 April). It is open to visitors 7 days a week. Xanthos Ancient City entrance fee is 14TL. Museum Card is valid.
9. Termessos Ancient City, Korkuteli
Termessos Ancient City is one of the well-preserved ancient cities of our country. Termessos was founded by the Solyms, descendants of the Luwians, one of the oldest peoples of Anatolia. Alexander the Great besieged the city in 333 BC, but the Termessians did not surrender the city by making a strong defense. After Alexander’s death, the city was taken by the Ptolemies.
It has many temples and many burial areas with very rich decorations. Due to the thermal springs of Termessos, the ancient city is within the scope of the national park. The ancient city, built on a natural platform on the top of Güllük Mountain, is located 30 km northwest of Antalya.
Termessos Ancient City visiting hours are 08.30-19.00 in summer (1 April – 31 October), 08.30-17.00 in winter (31 October – 1 April). It is open to visitors 7 days a week. Termessos Ancient City entrance fee is 10TL. Museum Card is valid.
10. Alanya Castle
Alanya Castle is one of the symbols of Alanya, one of the most beautiful holiday spots in Antalya. Alanya Castle has hosted Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman civilizations. It lies on a 10-hectare peninsula surrounded by 6 km long strong walls.
It is not known exactly when it was first established and by whom. The mortared Hellenistic fortification wall was built in the 12th century BC during the reign of Diototos Tryphon, the ruler of the city. The remains of the round towered city walls belong to the Byzantine period. It was the busiest port in the Mediterranean during this period.
The old walls of the castle, which was taken by the Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat I in 1221, were strengthened during this period. Shipyard, Kızılkule, Tophane, and the palace complex in İçkale are among the must-see places.
Alanya Castle visiting hours are 08.30-19.00 in summer (1 April – 31 October), 08.30-17.00 in winter (31 October – 1 April). It is open to visitors 7 days a week. Alanya Castle entrance fee is 30TL. Museum Card is valid.
11. Myra Ancient City, Demre
Myra Ancient City is located in the west of Antalya, within the borders of Demre district. The ancient city of Myra, which is a must-see place with its rock tombs, Lycian inscriptions and Roman theater, dates back to the 5th century BC.
Myra Ancient City visiting hours are 08.30-19.00 in summer (1 April – 31 October), 08.30-17.30 in winter (31 October – 1 April). It is open to visitors 7 days a week. Myra Ancient City entrance fee is 45TL. Museum Card is valid.
12. Temple of Apollo, Side
The Temple of Apollo is located on the Mediterranean coast, within the borders of Side District of Antalya’s Manavgat district. The unique and magnificent architecture of the temple takes on a perfect view, especially under the lights of the sunset. The temple is dedicated to Apollo, the god of light, beauty and art, one of the chief deities of the city of Side. The Temple of Apollo can be visited free of charge 24 hours a day.
When the city started to turn into a Christian city in the 3rd century AD, a part of the temple was dismantled to be used in the construction of the basilica. Besides the Temple of Apollo, Side Antique Theater and Köprülü Canyon are among the must-see places.
