Antalya Tours & Travel Guide

Antalya: The Home Of Santa Claus

Did you know that the real birthplace of Saint Nicholas is in Demre (Myra), Antalya? Well, now you know. Isn’t it amazing that a city has it all from natural wonders and great beaches to an incomparable historical legacy piled up for centuries. Antalya is known as the biggest city lying along the Mediterranean coast and one of the most popular tourism destinations of Turkey. The city has been home to many different civilization like the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon, then the Romans, Seljuks and Ottomans before becoming one of the most iconic holiday locations of Turkey. Let’s take a city tour with us before your actual visit.

Where is Antalya?

Antalya lies along the southwest coasts of Turkey, overlooking the Mediterranean Riviera. It is surrounded by the glorious Taurus Mountains. The city’s original name Attaleia comes from Attalas I, the king of Pergamon who founded the city and settled here.

When should I visit Antalya?

Antalya is waiting for you throughout the year, the city is mostly visited on summer and spring. But, would not it be cool, visiting the home of Santa Claus around Christmas time?

How can I go to Antalya?

In order to reach Antalya, you can fly to Antalya Airport, that is one of airlines with highest flight frequency in Turkey.

Where should I stay in Antalya?

Antalya has a lot to offer when it comes to accommodation. You can choose one of the many resort hotels, city hotels, chain hotels or boutique hotels. From All Inclusive to Bed & Breakfast, Antalya got it all, you only need to pick what works best for you.

How will I travel around Antalya?

Antalya offers many travel solutions depending on your request. You can rent a car, take a taxi or use public transportation that is very comprehensive. Or you can join to the city tours that will take you anywhere in Antalya.

What will I see in Antalya?

The answer is everything. Antalya has everything. It has great beaches for the people who are all about sea-sun-beach holidays. Lara, Kemer, Belek, Was are some of the most popular destinations for this type of activities with great weather and perfect hotels.

If you are interested in history you can see the ancient city walls that had been the defensive walls of the city for centuries, you can walk along Kaleici’s cobblestone streets and discover the historical events and stories that took place here. The Hadrian’s Gate, that is a monument built to honor the Roman emperor Hadrian, is another point of attraction in the city. You can stop by at Perge, the Pamphylian city that used to be the home of many philosophers, scientists and artists of the time. It is known as the birthplace of the famous philosopher Apollonius. Last but not least, you may visit Demre (Myra) that is where the Santa Claus lived. Would not it be great to find the home of your childhood hero? Answer: It definitely would!

If you are a nature-lover you will definitely enjoy seeing the Manavgat Waterfalls, Duden Waterfalls and Koprulu Canyon National Park where you can experience rafting and canyoning. Or you can visit Kekova, discover its great nature and the ancient sunken city. You can also stop by at Karain and Damlatas Caves to admire the wonders of nature once more.

If you would like explore the Islamic culture, you can pay a visit to Karatay Madrasah that has been an islamic school in Seljuk and Ottoman times. You can also see the unique Broken Minaret Mosque (Kesik Minareli Cami) that had been originally built as a temple on Roman times; but currently serves as a mosque.

Saying Goodbye

Antalya definitely deserves the hype about being one of the greatest holiday locations of Turkey with its variety of landmarks that suits many different tastes. After visiting once, the city will be waiting for your next visit shortly.

Things to Do in Antalya

Kemer

Kemer, known as one of the most significant holiday locations of Turkey, earns this title with its mild weather, great sandy beaches, turquoise Mediterranean waters and many great hotels that offer high quality service.

Alanya

Are you interested in following the footsteps of the famous geographers Strabo, Piri Reis and well-celebrated Ottoman explorers and travelers Ibn Battuta and Evliya Celebi? Would you want to know what is so special about this town that attracted all these adveturers? OK, let’s see then.

Belek

Belek, known as one of the most significant holiday locations of Turkey, earns this title with its mild weather, great sandy beaches, turquoise Mediterranean waters and many great hotels that offer high quality service.

Kundu

Kundu, known as one of the most significant holiday locations of Turkey, earns this title with its mild weather, great sandy beaches, turquoise Mediterranean waters and many great hotels that offer high quality service.

Lara

Lara, known as one of the most significant holiday locations of Turkey, earns this title with its mild weather, great sandy beaches, turquoise Mediterranean waters and many great hotels that offer high quality service.

Side

Are you looking for a holiday full of sun, sea and beach? Well, Side is some of the most obvious locations for your choice. However, Side is full of surprises.

Manavgat

Antalya has no shortage of natural wonders and Manavgat is one of them. It gracefully earns the title with its scenic Manavgat Waterfall. The harmony of the nature is just worth to see. Waters cascading from the top of the hill and falling down with a misty ambience.

Kas

Kas, known as one of the most significant holiday locations of Turkey, earns this title with its mild weather, great sandy beaches, turquoise Mediterranean waters and many great hotels that offer high quality service.

Kalkan

Are you interested in nature or history when making holiday plans? How about both?

Demre

We always pictured Santa Claus as an old man with gray hair and blue eyes. Is it correct though? Considered that he is originally from Anatolia, in Demre specifically, so he is more likely to have a slightly tanned skin tone and brown eyes.

Sapadere Canyon

Turkey has no shortage when it comes to natural wonders. One of most mesmerizing one of these landmarks is Antalya’s Sapadere Canyon where you can soak up all the nature and have a peaceful day. If you are looking for a “Into to Wild” adventure, Sapadere Canyon is just the right place for you.

Aspendos

Are you ready to discover the best-preserved theatre building from the ancient era of Anatolia? We are talking about Aspendos, the ancient Greco-Roman city has has hosted many civilizations on its lands. Started as an ancient Pamphylian city in Asia Minor, it is ruled by Lycians, then Persians… Of course Alexander the Great came to the stage at some point and conquered the city, then Romans and Byzantians reigned before Seljuks, Ottomans and lastly the Turkish Republic. The city theatre of Aspendos associated with many of these civilizations, it is called as the Greek Theatre, the Roman Theatre, etc…

Myra

We always pictured Santa Claus as an old man with gray hair and blue eyes. Is it correct though? Considered that he is originally from Anatolia, from Myra specifically, so he is more likely to have a slightly tanned skin tone and brown eyes.

St. Nicholas Church Demre

We always pictured Santa Claus as an old man with gray hair and blue eyes. Is it correct though? Considered that he is originally from Anatolia, he is more likely to have a slightly tanned skin tone and brown eyes.

Xanthos

There is not a lot of city in world history that is famous with its passion of freedom and independence. Xanthos is a well-known ancient Anatolian city that is besieged by many powerful armies including Persians, Macedonians and Romans.

Sunken City Ruins of Simena Kekova

Sailing along the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea and exploring one of the most exquisite underwater treasures of the world, the Sunken City Ruins of Simena in Kekova. This is what we call hitting two birds with one stone.

Duden Waterfalls

Antalya never disappoints when it comes to offering amazing travel experiences. It is no surprise it hosts one of the most glamorous natural wonders of Turkey, Duden Waterfalls.

Lycia

Lycia is an ancient region standing on the southern part of Turkey, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by the glorious Taurus Mountains. Seems like the region claimed a great place for settlement.

Koprulu Canyon

Do you get adrenaline rush at times? We know just the right place for you. In Koprulu Canyon you can the chance to canyoning, rafting and ziplining. Could it get any better? Well, in Koprulu Canyon it can.

Koprulu Canyon National Park

You can enjoy the amazing views, crystal clear refreshing waters, a green environment as far as the eye can reach and high cliffs and the raw beauty of waterfalls.

Manavgat Waterfall

Antalya has no shortage of natural wonders and Manavgat Waterfall is one of them. It gracefully earns the title with its mesmerizing beauty. The harmony of the nature is worth to see. Waters cascading from the top of the hill and falling down with a misty ambience.

Selge

Are you fond of traveling? Do you sometimes feel that your ancestors may be great warriors?

Mountain Tahtali

Are you ready to enjoy the views of Antalya city under you feet while you are soaking up the fresh air in your cable car? Antalya has a lot to offer when it comes to nature and history, Mountain Tahtali gives you something better and combines these two.

Pamphylia

There is something about ancient cities, right? A strange feeling, the goosebumps you get while wandering along the ruins and remains of the past... It must be because even though these cities are like ghost towns nowadays, we still know that they were the center of trade, art, religion back then.

Patara

Is Santa Claus really from the North Pole? As fas as the history speaks he is originally from Anatolia, the village Patara specifically. So he is more likely to have a slightly tanned skin tone and brown eyes.

Perga

Anatolia has no shortage of ancient gems and Perga is no exception. The heart of ancient Pamphylia region situated between the two rivers Catarrhactes (Duden) and Cestrus (Aksu) offers and exquisite nature and great history to its visitors.

Phaselis

You must have realized by now, that Turkey has some of the most exquisite ancient cities. One of the most obvious one is the city of Phaselis, standing between Antalya’s popular cities of Kemer and Olympos.

Pisidia

Mediterranean parts of Turkey host some of the most interesting ancient regions, all have some unique points to distinguish themselves. Pisidia is no exception. The ancient region stands on top of the mountain range, creating an incomparable harmony of nature and history.

Taurus Mountains

Being one of the most glorious mountain complex of Turkey, Taurus Mountains hosted many ancient cities like Termessos, Selge, Sagalassos and many more.

Termessos

Alexander the Great was a great commander, he conquered the lands from Greece to the India. But when he came to Termessos for another victory, Termessos was like: “You shall not pass”

Ucansu Waterfall

Yes, Antalya is a great holiday location with its sea and beaches. No one can deny it is very very hot, though. If you are in need of taking a refreshing break from Antalya’s hot weather, why not pay a visit to the natural wonder of Ucansu Waterfall.

Antalya

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