Antalya Regional Overview

At times mysterious with the tales and traditions of  nomads; the ancient cave dwelling sites;  inspiring remnants of grand civilisations and cities of the ancients: the myths and stories of the past only reinforce how desirable these lands have always been to mighty empire builders. There are endless ways for the sights to be explored; either by a gentlestroll or by trekking; by sailing a boat or by paddling a canoe; by taking a car to the roads or by parasailing overhead; by taking a guided tour or sitting back for a performance, by enjoying a game of golf by the seashore or by simply sunbathing, all while enjoying the natural hospitality,  remarkable cuisine and the wonderful weather in Antalya

The Antalya Coast

The Antalya coast is one long band along the Mediterranean coast, a single administrative  unit, comprising a string of local towns and areas, that make up a fascinatingly diverse whole. The coastline starts with the boundries of Fethiye, where the Aegean Coast meets the Mediterranean, Antalya coastline is more than 600 kilometers long, with the backdrop of the Taurus mountains which reach to the sea with the  Akdaglar ranges 2232m near Kalkan-Kas, at Kemer where Mt Tahtali is 2,363m  high, or form the spectacular views behind Antalya, Manavgat and Alanya plains until another arm from 2254m  reaches the seadividing the Mediterranean coast  at Gazipasa .

Weather in Antalya

In general, the weather in Antalya is typically Mediterranean with mild winters with short bursts of rain, and hot summers. But sheltered by the mountains it enjoys sunshine year round so the tourism season in the region extends around the entire year. The sunny days of winter are mild and comfortable, while from April up to November is the most popular time when temperatures rise above 33ºC in July and August. The graphs below indicate the weather in Antalya and seasonal variations of temperatures, sunshine and the precipitations, however it is still wise to have a glance at our Weather forecast of the region before starting to travel.

Airports & Ports
The Antalya Coastal Region has one international airport with two international terminals and one domestic terminal at Antalya airport, providing year round easy and convenient access direct from many European cities as well as from many cities in Turkey, with a variety of connections possible. The small domestic Gazipasa airport is also opening to some connections to smaller cities. The Antalya region also has international ports that cater to luxury cruise ships in Antalya , and Alanya as well as marinas  at Kas, Finike, Kemer, Antalya  and Alanya hosting hundreds of boats and yachts along its coast line

JOURNEY ALONG THE ANTALYA COAST
Let’s begin an unforgettable  journey along Turkey’s southern Mediterannean shore by coming east from the neighbouring Aegean Coast Region to cross the boundary at the Esen river. Here we pay our respects to the ancient peoples at the vast site of Xanthos (pls. also see Fethiye) a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was the ancient capital of Lycia, one of the two ancient provinces  which with Pamphylia, is now included in the Antalya coast in these modern times. 

A short distance down past the site of Letoon (pls. also see Fethiye),  stand on the vast and highly rated long beach and visit the ancient ruined port of Patara (pls. also see Fethiye), a port for many travellers of Roman times such as St.Paul, who we could imitate by travelling by boat,  along the turquoise blue, Mediterannean Sea on the Blue Voyage or Blue Cruise.  To cruise along the long reaches of rugged capes and seacliffs of the often remote Lycian coast, discovering the small sheltering harbours  and seaside villages is an unforgettable and rare experience. Blue Voyage along the Aegean Coast, the pleasure of Yachting in Mediterranean will be as if you have slipped back in time, living onboard, swimming, catching and eating fresh fish and finding treasures of food and ancient cities ashore.

The first port is the enchanting village of  Kalkan, with quaint historic buildings clinging to the hillside above the harbour. Travelling along the spectacular rugged coastal road we come to the beguiling town of Kas, the historical Antiphellos, once isolated, and still far from madding crowds, it entices us to stay and enjoy diving in the crystal clear waters or take to the cool mountain meadows around Elmali. But boats are the way to go here, to chug over to a small beach or rock platform or  to motor further to discover the delights of Kekova, Ucagiz village, Kale koy and the famous Blue Cave.

Past Lycian rock tombs, rugged hills and goat herds, and deserted coves, the road comes to Demre, modern day town beside the impressive Lycian-Roman ruins of Myra. But here all paths lead to the Church of St. Nicholas, Santa Claus and  patron saint,  who is celebrated most on 6 December by visitors of all faiths.

From Demre to Finike the rugged landscape changes to the lush green of orchards of citrus, and forests of pine. Essentially a quiet town, Finike mainly hosts yacht and gulet charter tourists cruising along the Turquoise coast to Olympos and Antalya, and those history buffs who want to visit the ancient Lycian city of Arycanda, a spectacular mountain site inland. 

The road winds on through the market town of  Kumluca, past the side road to the quiet seaside town of Adrasan and the rugged Cape Gelidonya where the route continues of Turkey’s only waymarked path, the Lycian Way, a byword for trekking enthusiasts. Another road winds down through a National Park to ancient Olympos, the awe-inspiring Chimeara- where natural gas burn continuously and the remarkable beach, visited by many from nearby resorts. 

Kemer is the gold standard of five-star resorts, this where the Turkish Riviera really starts: where the pine-clad Toros (Taurus) Mountains sweep down to the sparkling clear seas. Along Blue Flag beaches are found quality hotels catering for many international and Turkish guests who enjoy world-class swimming, scubadiving, sailing, sunbathing and water sports, while Kemer Marina is an important departure point for yacht cruises. Nearby the Mount Tahtali Aerial Cableway brings the mountains and sea closer together, and to skiing in winter.

The small beach resorts of Tekirova, Camyuva, Beycik, Goynuk are close by Kemer while midway between  Kemer and Antalya city, lies Beldibi, a popular resort town with some splendid holiday villages, and hotels. In contrast the prehistoric cave lies near the village of Oba, where cave paintings were discovered.

From beach to city we travel into Antalya itself. A fascinating city, Antalya is the gateway to the South of Turkey as Istanbul is to the North. In this seventh largest city in Turkey, over one third of Turkey’s visitors arrive seeking either beach holidays, cultural, historical and natural discovery tours, golf holidays, or international and national congresses and seminars, while others are drawn by the famous Antalya OrangeFilm Festival, the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, and numerous other cultural and sports events.  Antalya is modern but ancient, with stunning natural beauties and historical riches. Visitors are received with a very organised committment to quality and choice of leisure, shopping and cultural activities and with about 1,000 classified hotels, including 190 five star and above luxiries, with a capacity of 500,000 beds at their disposal.

Dating from 150 BC when Attalos the 2nd, king of Pergamon,  founded the city of Attalaia, on the picturesque sea cliffs above the harbour, the charming Kaleiçi old town is the first stop for  many visitors, with landmarks Hadrian's Gate, Hidirlik Tower and Yivli Minare seen within ancient walls. The city displays its history best at the superb Antalya Archaeological Museum  and the Suna and Inan Kaleiçi Museum.  Restaurants offering the best of Turkish cuisine, along with modern Mediterannean, and International menus, cafes, and simple eateries are to be found in every corner of Antalya as it is a showcase not only for its own treasury of fruits and vegetables, but for delicious regional foods brought there by new residents from all corners of Turkey.

Shopping is satisified chiefly in Kaleiçi and Antalya Bazaar or Çarsi , where textiles, silver and gold jewellery, leather can be found and the famous Turkish carpets such as the distinctive carpets from nearby Dösemalti district, and the kilims from the nomads of the mountains.  Drawn to relaxing in the open air and sunshine, visitors love Karaalioglu Park - the popular seaside park beside Kaleiçi, Antalya’s city beach Konyaalti Beach and Park and the Aqualand Antalya in the west, and picturesque Karpuzkaldiran Beach and Lower Düden waterfalls, beside the wonderfully long Lara Beach in the east.

Beyond the city, the natural delights of Saklikent fascinates with snow and skiing high above sunbathers and swimmers on the beach in winter, while the cool retreats of  Kursunlu Waterfalls and the Upper Duden Waterfalls, and trekking in the national parks of the Bey Mountains offer a contrast to the beaches in summer.  History cannot be neglected on a visit to Antalya. Hans of the Seljuk and Ottoman eras stand beside the main roads while on the northern mountains is Termessos, a national park and the site of an ancient Psidian city. But they are modern, compared with one of the oldest sites in Turkey- the prehistoric cave settlements of Karain Caves, an absolute must to visit.

Perge is one of the area’s most significant Roman ruin as the leading city of ancient Pamphylia, and can be see in a day with another Roman city Aspendos with its remarkable amphitheatre home of the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival in June-July, and many other perfomances.  Leaving Antalya city we aim east, and shake out the resort gear to relax in some of the fabulous Spas and themed Hotel resorts along the long curve of beaches from Antalya’s Lara and Kundu  beaches to travel to the ancient city of Sillyon before passing through Serik for Belek.

Belek is now dubbed the Golf Coast of Turkey, for very good reason when some 14 championship golf courses have been designed to international standards and set into the pine forest and sand dunes along side the truly golden beach,. A generous array of sumptuous five-six-star hotels with spas along the beach cater not only for all who wish to enjoy sun, clear seas and beaches, but for congresses, and international football camps.

The Gulf of Antalya arcs gently eastwards to Manavgat and Side, ancient sites with a host of wonders to explore. Side is an entrancing mixture of Turkish village, and holiday resort entwined around the historical port, the famous Temples of Apollo and Artemis, baths, theatres and more Roman buildings. The nightlife is lively in Side too with a range of dancing and bar venues for all tastes.  A gentle river cruise and visit to Manavgat Falls, Altinbesik cave or horseriding in Sorgun Forest also attracts many visitors from Side, and nearby Sorgun and Titrenyengöl districts which are home to a wide range of hotels for all seeking a holiday on the beach but with plenty of sightseeing and adventure. One such adventure is to travel to the rugged beauty of Koprulu Canyon, famous for canoeing and trekking in the National Park in the Taurus Mountains, and the incredible ruins of Selge.

Soon after leaving Manavgat town, the road follows the coast past ancient Seleukia as the plain become narrower and the mountains loom closer. The sights of old Hans on the way to Alanya alert us to a city with a different history, whose heyday was under the Seljuks who made it their winter capital in medieaval times. Europeans do the same these days, many buying property to live there and to visit to enjoy the mild climate and beaches such as Cleopatras Beach, and the Damlatas Cave -still sought for its healing properties.  The town "where the sun smiles", Alanya entertains with culture festivals and the international triathalon and beach and volleyball competitions, annually. Close by Alanya in the hills is the river Dim Çayi famous for fish restaurants, and eastward the quiet farming lands and beaches of Gazipasa with its small airport. Beyond these picturesque shores we come to the mountains and the end of the Gulf of Antalya at the sea cliffs where the romantic and rugged Antiocheia Ad Cragum stands, finishing a magnificent journey along Antalya Coast.