Turkey: Antalya

[bjorn]

Antalya is the shining gem of the Turquoise Riviera.
Don't snicker - the tag line delivers. With some of the clearest waters and most beautiful coast along the Mediterranean, the region is great for divers, swimmers and yachting types. Shoppers will love the trendy boutiques clustered along Antalya's shady palm-lined boulevards. Antalya is also rich in history and art. The old quarter, Kaleici, has narrow, winding streets enclosed in ancient city walls. There's a great archaeology museum and plenty of historic buildings and ruins nearby. Sea, sun, history, and nature in a beautiful, cosmopolitan setting make Antalya an excellent destination to visit while touring the western coast of Turkey.

When to go:
Rich Russians on holiday, wanderers hankering for cobblestone streets, shoppers and sun-lovers head to Antalya during the spring and summer. The Mediterranean climate means hot and dry summers, and temperate and rainy winters. April to October is sunny and the winters are pleasantly mild.

What to Do:
History/Ruins:
Most of Antalya's historic buildings can be found along the narrow, winding streets of Kaleici, the old quarter. Historical, architectural and archaeological sites of note include: Yivli Minaret, Karatay Medresesi, Hidirilk Tower, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Murat Pasa Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi Mosque, Hadrian Arch, and the Clock Tower. Many structures date back to the Hellenistic era.

Museums:
The Antalya Museum has a notable archaeology collection.

Shopping:
Antalya has upscale boutiques like Benetton and Harley Davidson, as well as craft shops and local clothing stores.

Beach:
Lara Beach, which is close to the dramatic Lower Duden Waterfall, is a good spot to check out.

Adventure:
Boat cruises are a great diversion while in Antalya. The boats dock in the Roman harbor, and trips leave daily. Some boats go on longer trips further down the coast.

Festivals/Events:
The Antalya Attin Portakal (Golden Orange) Film Festival is a huge event held October 1-9.

Nightlife/Bars:
There are plenty of bars, but not much nightlife in Antalya. Long dinners and evening walks are good ways to spend the evening.

Cost:
Turkey is by far the cheapest place in Europe to visit. Budget travelers can get by on US$20 by traveling slowly, staying at hostels and eating at food stalls or cheap restaurants. Spending slightly more will add a lot of luxury to your lifestyle in Turkey.

With the value of the Turkish lira in constant flux, it is best to change money every few days. Keep an eye on all the zeros on your bills - it's easy to mistake a 500,000 lira note for a 50,000 lira note.

Getting Around:
Flights go directly to Antalya airport. Buses go to almost all major points in Turkey. Dolmus service is readily available to transport you to local destinations. In short, Antalya is very well-connected.

Language:
Turkish is the main language. English, and sometimes German, is spoken at tourist sites and at hostels.

Party/Social Scene:
Generally, Turkey is not the place to go for nightclubbing and raves, but heaps of Aussie and Kiwi travelers make the bars and clubs lively.

Other Info:
Click here for weather forecast from Weather.com.