Population: 400.000

Sightseeing
At a Glance: Yivli Minare, Old Antalya, Roman Harbour, Kesik Minare & Korkut Camii, Hadrian's Gate & Karaalti Park

Museums: Antalya Museum

Situated at the end of the Gulf to which it has given its name, Antalya is spread over a green plateau that plunges dramatically into the sea. Its glorious sandy beaches, Konyaalti in the west and Lara in the east, are several kilometers long and are lapped with crystal clear waters.

Antalya is a festival of colors with its blue sea, its luminous sky, the ever changing color of its mountains and its lush green vegetation. The city was founded in 158-138 BC by Attalus II, King of Bergama, and was later bequeathed to the Roman Empire and encircled by strong protective walls. Antalya has witnessed a turbulent history, marked by numerous attacks and invasions until it was annexed by the Ottoman Empire.

When the Turkish Republic was founded, Antalya was a small town with a population of only 15,000. Today, it is one of the world's best-loved touristic resorts, with numerous five-star hotels, holiday villages and entertainment establishments. The proximity of a great number of archaeological sites and ruins enhances its appeal, as does the possibility for skiing in the mountains and then descending to the shore for a swim. Tourism has now become the region's major economic activity.

Kas & Kalkan

Kas was just a sleepy fishing village, built on the site of the ancient city of Antiphellos, until a few years ago. Now hotels, restaurants and shops have mushroomed and the streets are crowded night and day. The Greek Meis Island, also known as Castellorizo, is only a few miles away.

Kalkan is once a small fishing port on the Mediterranean. It has become a stopover for pleasure boats and yachts and is rapidly becoming a major tourism destination.

KemerFifteen years ago, Kemer was a small Mediterranean town, surrounded by orange groves. Today it rivals Antalya as Turkey's leading Mediterranean tourism destination, and has witnessed phenomenal growth and development. Its marina is one of the largest on the coast and has become a regular stopover for luxury yachts and cruises. The streets hum with restaurants and cafes and shops all open late into the night. The beaches, set against the magnificent background of the Taurus mountains, are very popular and the shores are lined with international holiday villages. The resort town of Belek is blessed with manicured golf courses, and its cedar forests are home to many species of rare birds.

Pamphylia

In antiquity, the plain situated between the Gulf of Antalya and the Toros mountains was known as Pamphylia, considered to be one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia. The murals discovered in the grottoes in Karain, Belbasi and Beldibi indicate that the first settlements started as far back as the Paleolithic era.
Pamphylia was part of the Hittite Empire (1900-1400 BC). Many people migrated to settle here, founding prosperous city states. Gradually, because of the coexistence of peoples from all races, this area became known as Pamphylia meaning "peoples of all races".

Cappadocia is Persian for the "land of beautiful horses". It is an enchanting open-air museum and an unparalleled example of the common cultural heritage of humanity. Centered on the triangle of Nevsehir, Urgup and Avanos, Cappadocia is in the middle of a once active volcanic region. At the time when Anatolia was completing its geographical evolution, these volcanic eruptions were so strong that the lava in some places was up to 100 meters thick. Over many millions of years, volcanoes, wind, rain and ice sculpted what we now know as Cappadocia. As the land eroded, the basalt stones remained and formed conical structures sometimes reaching as high as 45 meters. The local people called these unique rock formations "Fairy Chimneys", a name that has endured throughout the ages. If nature was the first artist to arrange the decor, it was Anatolian man who over the centuries carved the rocks and built houses, churches and over 120 underground cities. The largest of these, Ozkonak, once had a population of 60 thousand. The canyon formed by the Melendiz stream, which has pierced its way through the rocks, is called the Ihlara Valley. In this 14-km long valley there are 105 churches and 4535 houses. Cappadocia defies description. You have to go there and bathe in its atmosphere, colors and luminance.