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Antalya information, Turkey

The large, picturesque town of Antalya, formerly known as Adalia, is located by the Gult of Antalya on Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. The mountains on some parts of the coasts plunge sharply into the sea, resulting into spectacular natural bays and peninsulas. The mountain range of Taurus, situated in Southern Anatolia, runs along beside the Mediterranean in a west-east direction, which has formed narrow coastal plains over time. These are surrounded by other mountains on its sides and flows directly into the Mediterranean Sea.

This mountainous region is considered “the capital of Turkish tourism”, the gateway for the Turkish Riviera and many other historical sites. Its lush palm-lined avenues, its marine life, and the modern developments along the coast make Antalya a major tourist attraction in its own right.

Antalya enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with moderately warm and rainy winters and dry, hot summers. For most of the year, the weather is sunny and sea temperatures are always 15°C and above. In summer, the temperatures climb up to around 29°C, even reaching up to 45°C in the months of July and August. The sea breeze and winds blowing from the northeast fan the area and help relieve the soaring temperatures.

The area around Antalya is home to astonishing natural wonders as well as fantastic archaeological sites. Visitors can walk behind the cascade of the Upper Düden Waterfalls. On the way to Lara Beach, you can catch sight of the Lower Düden Waterfalls which plunge straight into the sea. Other natural wonders include the Kursunlu Waterfalls and Nilüfer Lake, both 18 km from Antalya.

The city as a whole has developed since its origins which stretch back all the way to the second century B.C. The city was founded by Attalus II who named the city Attaleai after himself. The Romans, Seljuks and Byzantines all occupied the city before it came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. In fact, the elegant minaret of the Yivli Minareli Mosque, built in the 13th century, has become Antalya’s symbol. The mosques considered the two most important Ottoman mosques in the city are 16th century Murat Pasa Mosque and the 18th century Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque. The Kesik Minaret Mosque is perhaps the greatest testament of Antalya’s long and rich history, with renovations that still carry traces of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and finally Ottoman rule.

Today, Antalya is home not only to tourist attractions but also to a growing number of infrastructures such as roads, drainage systems and buildings. All these are alongside the narrow cobbled streets with Greek and Turkish architecture, as well as hotels, bars, and gift shops. Indeed, Antalya is a place where the old meets the new. In summer the town becomes filled with tourists, both from Turkey itself and other sun-worshippers from abroad, mainly from Britain and Germany. The city also boasts of a growing number of rich middle-class citizens as well as a growing array of associated developments such as colleges, luxury cars and luxury apartments.

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