About Antalya

Antalya is located southwest of Turkey by the Mediterranean Sea. It is 485 km from the capital Ankara, 720 km from metropolitan Istanbul. It takes one hour flight from these two cities.

The Taurus mountain range of southern Anatolia stretches parallel to the Mediterranean in the east-west direction, leaving narrow coastal plains surrounded by mountains. In some parts mountains plunge sharply into the sea, forming small natural bays and peninsulas. Antalya is situated on one of these plains, where mountains withdraw from the coast. As a result of recession of mountains, the city possesses worldwide famous large sandy beaches. Two hundred of them are awarded blue flags. The city centre is founded nearby Mediterranean Sea which boasts the Turkish Riviera title and extends further inland.

Antalya has a characteristic Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and mild, rainy winters. It is guarded from cold northern wind due to the Taurus Mountain range. In a year 300 sunny days prevail; temperatures can climb as high as 40 Celsius in July and August while in winter it varies between 10 to 20 Celsius. Sea breeze helps to make high temperatures more bearable in summer mounts. Sea temperature varies from 15 Celsius to 28 Celsius.

Antalya has a population of 2,570,306 inhabitants which is 3.10% of the total population of Turkey in respect of 2020 statistics. The number increases dramatically in summer months. The city attracts 15 million foreign and 4 million internal tourists in a year and this rise occurs between June and August overwhelmingly.

The economy in Antalya relies on a mixture of agriculture, tourism and commerce. Some light industry factories are also active. Citrus fruits, olives, bananas, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers are mostly grown products in the city. Its commercial port is one of the biggest in Mediterranean Sea, contributing city’s economy a lot.

Antalya is the 10^th most visited city in the world based on the number of incoming offshore visitors. It attracts around 15 million people every year. Besides, it has over 500 five-star hotels. This number ranks the city at the top in hotel management in the world. Its two international airports are the busiest on Mediterranean basin.

Antalya also known as Turkish Riviera bathed in sunshine for 300 days is a paradise for swimming, sunbathing, yachting, trekking, mountaineering and water sports. Its coastline is over 600 km long.

Thousands from England, Europe, Asia, and America head to Belek Tourism Region in Antalya every year. It has 18 golf courses within 11 touristic facilities. Region is one of the world’s most popular golf tourism destinations. In 2008, the city was awarded by International Golf Tour Operators Association (IAGTO) as the Best Golf Region of the Year. In order to enhance the sector’s capacity, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is planning to build 49 more golf courses around the country.

Because city has 10-20 degrees Celsius winter temperatures, it is also preferred by many European football clubs. Every year during off-season in winter, it welcomes hundreds of teams for their camp.

There are not many cities where you can get your moneys’ worth with warm, sunny climate, exhaustive range of activities and high standards of services. The food is delicious, people are friendly. Rich culture, fascinating history and shopping opportunities are waiting to be explored.

Antalya Cart serves in public transportation vehicles within the city. One may buy it from cart kiosks located by stations or markets around the city for 7.5 Turkish liras. A single cart can be used with several individuals together. Money should be loaded into this cart in order to be board.

Basic one-way fare within the city is 2.80 Turkish liras and it should be paid via Antalya Kart. Cash is not accepted in public transportation. Some longer trips, like between the city centre and the airport require double fares.

Trams and busses are two available public transportation vehicles in the city. A large number of taxis are also available.

It is accepted that city was founded by Attalos II, king of Pergamum in the 2^nd century BC naming it Attaleia and designing it as a naval base for his strong fleet. However, recent archaeological excavations in 2008 on Doğu Garajı district unearthed a cemetery belonging to the former city proved that a city existed on the same spot before king Attalos in the 3^rd century BC. The city was defended by its high walls throughout the time. Inhabitants in the city since the very beginning lived utilizing the benefits of sea, mainly dealing with fishing and trading. Attaleia became a Roman province in 133 BC when King Attalos III willed his territories to Rome at his death. The city thrived and flourished during the Roman period. Undoubtedly, the city was occupied with ancient structures that are built full of marbles such as temples, theatres, gymnasiums, agora an, etc. that time. Attaleia prospered in the same realm over and over in time so ancient structures are covered with contemporary buildings and some of them became construction materials for new ones. In any case, old traces can be cognized by careful eyes.

In its first years, Christianity came to the vicinity and spread swiftly after the 2^nd century AD. Antalya was visited by St. Paul of Tarsus who is one of the most important characters of Christianity. Recorded in the Acts of the Apostles as “From Perga, Paul and Barnabas went down to Attaleia and embarked on a ship from there to Antioch on their way back from the first journey” (Acts 14:25-26).

Antalya was a prominent city in Byzantine Empire epoch. It was the capital town of Byzantine Theme of Carabisiani which dominated the southern coasts of Asia Minor and Aegean Islands. City walls were straightened and a moat was dug in front of walls in order to protect the city from ongoing Arab invasions at that time. Because of the severe assaults of the time, Byzantine Empire claimed help from western powers. Crusade aimed to expel invaders from Anatolia as demanded by Byzantine kings. Second crusader troops were welcomed in Attaleia so as to be healed and rested. Consequently, city took part in one of the most important events of world history.

The city, along with the surrounding region, was conquered by the Seljuk Turks in the early 13th century. The Arabic traveler Ibn Battuta who came to the city in between 1335-1340 noted: “I went to Antalya, the most beautiful city. It covers an immense area, and though of vast bulk is one of the most attractive towns to be seen anywhere, besides being exceedingly populous and well laid out. The Christian merchants live in a quarter of the town known as the Mina [the Port], and are surrounded by a wall, the gates of which are shut down at nights. The Greeks, who were its former inhabitants, live by themselves in another quarter, the Jews in another, and the king and his court and subjects in another, each of these quarters being walled off. The rest of the Muslims live in the main city. Round the whole town and all the quarters mentioned there is another great wall. The town contains orchards and produces fine fruits, including an admirable kind of apricot that has a sweet almond in its kernel. This fruit is dried and exported to Egypt, where it is regarded as a great luxury.

The city passed to Ottoman sovereign in 15^th century and they took advantage of Antalya port very well. It was a major entrance of eastern products and slaves to Anatolia and at the same time an export point for Turkish products to other ports. State journeys are planned through Antalya to Egypt and Jerusalem and vice versa.

At the very beginning of the 20^th century some inhabitants living in city complaint about surrounding walls because of the fact that they prevent city from ventilation. Municipality regarding the demand from citizens made a decision for walls to be demolished. In ongoing process walls vanished substantially. Today, only small portions from old city walls can be recognized, stretching along Atatürk Street and two sides of Hadrianus Gate which is a symbol of Antalya. The remaining walls are traces that recall the splendid background of the city.

The population of Antalya increased as Turks from the Caucasus and the Balkans moved into Anatolia because of oppression in the region.  By 1911 it was a city of about 25,000 people, including many Christians and Jews, still living in separate quarters. Antalya was picturesque, but ill-built and backward. The chief attraction for visitors was the city wall, and outside a promenade -a portion of which survives to the present. The government offices and the houses of the higher classes were all outside of the walls.

The city was briefly occupied by the Italians from the end of the First World War until the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

So far all information provided in this subtitle was about the old city which is the first settlement of modern Antalya. Today’s Antalya as a developed, contemporary and crowded city is far bigger than old town. The old town turned into an important touristic attraction in the city centre without any permanent dwellers. Venerable houses and mansions of past time are being used as cafes, restaurants and hotels. This portion of Antalya is a must-do for travelers.