Do you plan to visit Antalya? Here are some useful tips on what to do in the city, from our volunteer Halit Tosun who is from Turkey.
Geographically Antalya is located in the Mediteranean sea in the southern part of Turkey and is one of the most visited place by tourists. It is also known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters. During the Roman era, Antalya was a major port city and today it is a modern metropolis surrounded by ancient fortifications. Beaches are flanked by large hotels.
Having entered the scene in 150 BC as "Attalia", named after its founder, Attalos II, king of Pergamon, Antalya has always attracted a lot of travellers, including Paul the Apostle, and Ibn Battuta (a famous travel books writer).
There are some places that must be seen in Antalya: Konyaalti beach, Kursunlu waterfall, Patara beach, Aspendos theatre, Dim river, Manavgat waterfall, Kaleici, Duden waterfall, Kaputas beach, Olympos, Karain cave are the most beautiful and spectacular places for tourists.
Generally hotels are located in Kemer, Belek, Lara , Alanya and Side. District of Belek has more luxurious hotels in comparison to other towns in Antalya. District of Lara has many new 5 star hotels and also this region is very close to Antalya Airport.
What to eat: Antalya enjoys an authentic cuisine which is a wonderful combination of the Arabic and Mediterranean influences. Among its specialties, there are the Kulakli soup (ingredients: chickpea and small diced meat), Tahinli Piyaz - dried-bean salad seasoned with crushed sesame seeds, Tandir Kebap, Kabak Tatlisi (pumpkin desert) - sweetened with crushed sesame seeds, grape syrup and bergamot jam.
