Tourist Places To Visit In Antalya

Forming a part of the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is a beautiful seaside town found at the south end of Turkey. The northern part of the city is bordered by the Taurus Mountain, making it a beautiful backdrop. Antalya is famous for its modern beaches, ancient architecture and archaeological sites. Once a thriving Roman city, it has changed several hands, including being ruled by the Seljuk Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire. In the aftermath of World War I, the city was also transferred to Italian suzerainty. With so much of history, culture and natural landscapes, there are plenty of tourist places to visit in Antalya. From admiring the beauty of lush waterfalls reminiscing of the Roman times to lounging on the beaches, Antalya has something for everyone.

One of the most popular tourist attractions from Antalya is the beautiful group of waterfalls collectively known as Duden Waterfalls. It is located 12 km north-east of Antalya. There are 2 sources of the falls - one is called the Upper Duden Waterfall, where you can also get a unique view of the waterfalls from a cave beneath and the second is Lower Duden Waterfall which has a greater drop height and looks quite magnificent. Well worth spending a few hours to look over these beautiful panoramic landscapes.

Perge was once a prosperous city of the ancient world and visiting these ancient ruins takes you back in time. Here you will find remains of a Hellenistic style theatre, a stadium built in the 2nd century AD, Roman baths & temples, beautifully decorated walls and more. Some of them are still quite well preserved and make for a top spot for tourists and history buffs. The visiting hours are usually 9 am to 7 pm during the summers and it is located 18 km away from the main Antalya city.

The most significant entrance into the ancient city of Kaleici, Antalya's historic quarter, is no doubt Hadrian's Gate which was built in 130 AD to commemorate the Roman Emperor Hadrian's visit. Typical of the Roman era, the gate stands tall at a height of 26 feet. White marble & granite grace the surrounding columns and a beautifully decorated frieze sits on the very top of the gate. Right within the heart of the city, this iconic gateway is not to be missed.

Set amidst a forest of pine trees is one of Turkey's most well-preserved ancient city - Termessos. The ancient ruins of this city sit on a high plateau and give you a splendid view of the whole area. It was once called Eagle's nest because it was built between two peaks. What is left of the city is now found within the forest area where you will get to see remains of temples, necropolis, gymnasium, agora, theatre, defence walls and 5 water cisterns carved into the rock.

Antalya Muzesi or Antalya Museum as it is known in English is one of the largest archaeological museums in Turkey. It has a whopping 5000 works of art displayed within its 13 exhibition halls and the open air gallery. Antalya's history is well captured as the museum showcases information from the Palaeolithic Age to the Ottoman rule. The museum also includes a special area for children. Depending on your level of interest, you can easily spend between 2 to 4 hours here.

Antalya has many beautiful beaches. Rich with lovely turquoise waters, Konyaalti Beach is one of the most preferred choices for tourists and locals alike. Though the beach is rocky and the sand has pebbles, it has been recently renovated with designated pathways. It also offers cycle and jogging tracks along with watersports and other recreational activities. You will find restaurants, coffee shops and snack bars galore. It is a lovely place to unwind and have a relaxed evening with your family. However, may not be the ideal place if you're looking for a swim.

Crystal clear waters, sandy beach, amazing views and has the reputation of being an exceptionally clean beach is how one can sum up Lara Beach. It can get very crowded during the peak season as it is a popular tourist spot for sun-bathers. The beach is great for swimming, enjoying water sports or just taking a lovely stroll along its long coastline. If you're looking to dance the night away, you will also find many privately owned beach clubs along the main road.

One of the most attractive landscapes in Antalya is the Kursunlu Waterfalls where 7 small lakes come together and fall from a height of 18 m against the green backdrop of mother nature. The pool created from the waterfall is home to fishes, tortoises and crabs. The area surrounding the waterfall is rich in flora and fauna and makes for the perfect nature trail walk. You might even spot a few rabbits, squirrels and woodpeckers along the way. You can sit down and enjoy a picnic by the streams formed by the waterfall and enjoy a leisure afternoon.