Antalya
Further South, the city of Antalya, “Turkish Riviera” and principal holiday resort in the Mediterranean region, is built on the site of ancient Attaleia, a city of Pamphylia. The history of Antalya region goes back to 60,000; with the ruins found in Karain cave near Antalya city.
Modern Antalya has a lot to offer; from shopping malls to historical places, from waterfalls and beaches to ski mountains and quaint old quarters with narrow winding streets and old wooden houses surrounded by ancient city walls.
The region around Antalya offers sights of astonishing natural beauty as well as awesome historical remains. The sandy Lara Beach lies about 12 km to the east. Closer to Antalya, but to the west, the long, pebbled Konyaalti Beach offers a view of the breathtaking Taurus mountain range. A little further the Bey Dagi (Olympos) National Park and Topcam Beach provide more splendid vistas.
For the lovers of golf the resort of Belek is haven on earth; just 20 minutes away from Antalya airport and within easy reach of all the areas of tourist attraction, this modern and purpose built beach and golf resort offers breath taking panoramic landscape and nature’s sight seeing for golfers and other tourist alike.
Saklikent, 50 km from Antalya is an ideal winter sports resort on the northern slopes of Bakirli Mountain at an altitude of 1750-1900 meters. In March and April you can ski in the morning, eat a delicious lunch of fresh fish at Antalya's marina and sunbath, swim or wind surf in the afternoon.
A drive along the magnificent southern coastline will bring you to Side, famous for it’s historical and archaeological sites and beaches; and Alanya, famous for it’s many castles, ruins, fortresses and emerald green beaches. Because of its natural strategic position on a small peninsula into the Mediterranean Sea below the Taurus Mountains, Alanya has been a stronghold for many Mediterranean based empires; and now is equally popular destination for tourism and property investors, being home to over 10,000 European residents and having a thirty percent share of foreign purchases of real estate in Turkey.
With so much to offer, many foreigners have bought (and continue to buy) property in and around Antalya for their holidays or for the retirement. The demand is further fuelled by the emerging local demand for quality holiday homes by the affluent Turks.
The Region
Once the playground of gods and goddesses, the Antalya Region is home to stunningly beautiful and majestic ancient and Classical ruins and sights. It is this gift of nature, that along with the region's natural beauty have earned it the title of the "Turkish Riviera".
Antalya is located in a region that was known in antiquity as Pamphylia, which means "the home of all races". Over the course of its long history, the region has been home to a wealth of civilizations, more than earning it the right to its name.
Antalya gives visitors the choice of a lazy vacation of swimming and sunbathing or an active vacation where they try their hands at a range of outdoor activities. Spend the mornings skiing in the Taurus Mountains and the afternoons swimming in the warm, crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean.
Climate
Hot summer and mild winters, with interim rain in winter months lasting only short time, clearing up to give way to rainbow above your head. Nearly 300 days of the year is sunny and one can swim from April to November. The average sea temperature is 28 C in summer. While you have fun with the sea and sun on the shore, you have the opportunity to ski on Taurus Mountains during early spring and late autumn.
Getting There
Antalya International airport is served by numerous services from major London and UK regional airports through out the year. Flights are also available between November and March to cater for the winter ski holiday makers.
Antalya airport is only a short 15 minutes drive away from the city centre. A new airport commissioned to open near Alanya in summer 2010 will offer the same benefit to travellers to Alanya and Side.
Places of Interest
- Manavgat Waterfall
- Saklikent
- Beldibi Cave
- Duden Waterfalls
- Kursunlu Waterfalls
- Olympos
- Old Harbour
- Caves of Antalya
- Lara Beach (sandy)
- Konyaalti
- Belek
- Kemer
- Old Antalya
Activities
- Aquapark
- Shopping
- Diving
- White water rafting
- Jeep Safari
- Horse riding
- Museums
- Golf in Antalya and Belek
- Skiing
- Wind surfing
- Water skiing
- Sailing
- Mountaineering
- Hunting
- Caving and canyon walking
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