It is not without reason that Antalya is one of the most popular holiday regions in Turkey. It is not only the sun, the beaches and the many good hotels that attract holidaymakers, but also the many possibilities in the immediate vicinity. From historical sights to traditional Turkish markets to options for rest and relaxation, everything is on offer here. This makes it all the more important that you think about what you actually want to have seen and what you would like to have experienced on your own trip to Antalya before you start your trip.
Turkey’s most popular holiday region – Antalya and its surroundings
Even the Romans had a special love for the region around Antalya and many of the sights date back to this time. Above all, however, the big city has become a classic travel point for many holidaymakers from Europe and the world, but especially from Germany. This is also due to the fact that the city not only has a comprehensive history with many sights to offer, but also a particularly broad infrastructure for travelers and tourists. The nearby beaches and the climate, which offers the best temperatures for holidaymakers from April to October, are convincing points for a holiday in summer or autumn.
You can also see that today’s big city was comparatively small 70 years ago. It was much more the region that attracted special attention, while Antalya itself was of little importance. After all, it was tourism that led to an upswing here and ultimately to the growth that determines the size of the city today. Since then, Antalya has not only been interesting for tourists, the city also enjoys a good reputation within Turkey and has developed into a small melting pot within Turkey.
Those who choose a holiday usually have an excellent mix of adventure holidays with many aspects of sightseeing and the best opportunities for recreation available. Many of the hotels offer all-inclusive offers, which can of course make the holiday and stay in the hotel inexpensive, especially with the family. Especially in the high-priced area, however, there is also half board to be found, which could be particularly interesting for holidaymakers who want to explore Antalya and the surrounding area on their own.
Top attractions in Antalya and the surrounding area
Hadrian’s Gate
One of the city’s landmarks is Hadrian’s Gate. The former Roman emperor had himself immortalized more than once, especially in Turkey and the Middle East, and here the gate was probably an important part of the historic city wall and was built as early as the 2nd century AD. The Hıdırlık Tower probably dates from a similar period. The guard and lighthouse offers a unique view over the port area of Antalya and is one of the lesser-noticed landmarks of the coastal city.
Yivli Minare Mosque & History Museum
While the minaret of the Yivli Minare Mosque stretches over the city as an actual landmark, a trip to the Antalya Historical Museum is almost a must. Here you can deal in detail with the history of the city and the many finds from Roman times that have been made in the immediate vicinity. It gives an impression of how Antalya developed into a small provincial town under the Romans, from which the region still benefits today in terms of the number of overnight stays.
Excursion to Side
If you want to experience a little more, you can drive from Antalya to various historical areas. For example, there is the port city of Side, where many more Roman ruins can be admired. A visit to the thermal springs of Pamukkale is also a classic part of every trip from Antalya. Here you can not only bathe in the natural terraces with the springs, but simply end a long day.
Discover Hierapolis
From here, the way to Hierapolis is not far either. The ancient Roman city is an impressive testimony to how important the region must have once been for the Romans. In most cases, the city can be visited with many tours from Antalya. The hotels in the city also usually offer contact with the entrepreneurs who head for the most important sights of the region around Antalya. Of course, it is also possible to explore the whole thing on your own and thus get a little more flexibility in the sightseeing.
Pure relaxation in Antalya – many hotels can be found in Belek
Belek is located about 30 kilometers away from Antalya and thus one of the most important tourist centers in Turkey. Everything here has adapted to travelers from all over the world and the density of hotels and accommodations is high. If you are looking for pure relaxation and a little beach and sea, you will find hotels in a wide range of price ranges. Of course, there is also the possibility to start one of the tours to the sights of the region around Antalya in addition to the holiday in the hotel with a complete supply. At the same time, you have many good hotels where you can return in the evening for a good dinner and a well-tempered room.
