Antalya
Overview
If it's your first trip to Antalya, you'll be drawn to the bustling Roman Harbour to watch yachts sail in at sunset. If you're interested in ancient history, wander around Kaleiçi, or Old Antalya. Here you'll find Roman walls and crumbling mosques, but also plenty of shady tea-houses. Make time to relax on the local beaches, or take a boat trip further afield.
Background
One of Turkey's fastest growing cities, Antalya lies on the Mediterranean coast with its old town Kaleiçi tucked inside its Roman walls. Duck inside the walls to explore narrow, maze-like streets and second-century BC ruins. The Roman Harbour is the city's focal point. Restored from its crumbling past, it's now home to plush yachts - spend evenings here gazing out at the sunset. For some daytime Turkish sun, head two miles west to spacious Konyaalti Beach or six miles east to white sandy Lara Beach. Not far from Antalya, you can reach the crashing Duden Waterfalls by boat from the harbour.
First-time visit
In Konyaalti, visit Antalya Museum for its huge second-century statues from nearby Perge, Bronze Age burial urns and sarcophagi. Then stroll through the triple-arched Hadrian's Gate in Kaleiçi to take in the nearby 13th-century Fluted Minaret. Spend your evenings in Kaleiçi's leafy courtyard restaurants, or dine on fresh fish overlooking the harbour.
Return visit
From the harbour you can take a yacht trip out to watch the Lower Duden Falls cascading into the western Mediterranean Sea. If you have children in tow, take a look at Minicity Antalya in Konyaalti for miniature models of palaces and mosques. Then head to circular Hidirlik Tower which dates back to the second-century BC and was once a lighthouse. Relax in Karaalioglu Park to see if you can spot the nesting parakeets.
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