After a week of exploring Turkey’s interior, we arrived in Antalya, a sea-side city which has some of the most beautiful vistas I’ve ever seen.
Although lacking public beaches in the city itself (there are some on the outskirts, but we didn’t bother making the trek), Antalya has some private beach clubs that are available for a charge. We found the beach clubs overcrowded, so instead satisfied our lust for being by the seaside by strolling around the beautiful harbour.
Boats at the Antalya Harbour
Boats at the Antalya Harbour
Raised above on the cliffs surrounding the harbour, flower-filled parks and pedestrian plazas offer stunning views over the entire bay, which glittered under the sun during our visit. These pubic spaces are home to a number of rotating art exhibits and permanent statues, the expected Atatürk monument, and the 2nd Century Roman-era Hıdırlık Tower, a small fortress. Near the parks and plazas, a couple of nice bars and cafes hanging from the cliffside offer some of the best views in the city.
View of the Harbour Below, and City Above
View of Antalya Bay from a City Park
Antalya is best enjoyed by the sea, but there is much more to this seaside city than its Mediterranean setting. Antalya has a beautifully restored old city, which is now home to fancy hotels, delicious restaurants and lively bars, and various shops selling clothing and souvenirs. The old part of the city is surrounded by a Roman Empire-period wall and its streets are largely car-free; although quite touristy nowadays, it’s a charming little place to hang out in.
Me, Ryan and Tom Outside our Hotel in the Old City
Outside the wall surrounding the old city, the modern development of Antalya is a chaotic, busy mess of traffic and people, but it’s still worth visiting for great shopping at the street-side markets, yummy food along its busy streets – many of which are also pedestrian-only, and less-touristy nightlife options. The “new” part of the city is also home to some colourful parks with views of the bay.
I heart Antalya Sign
Other sites worth checking out include Hadrian’s Gate, a beautifully preserved Roman triumph arch which now serves as the gate between the old and new parts of the city; the Ottoman-era clock tower; Yivliminare Mosque, the city’s main Mosque; and Kesik Minare, a Roman-temple-turned-church-turned-mosque which now lays in partial ruins. All sites are found within a quick walk from each other, so it’s easy to visit them all on a stroll.
My Friend Ryan by Hadrian’s Gate
Antalya is the biggest Turkish city in the Mediterranean coast and one of the country’s most visited resorts, but it never felt overwhelmingly busy, and despite walking around all day and night, it still felt like a relaxing break on our trip.
Ryan & Me at the Antalya Harbour
If you, like me, are the kind of person that enjoys being by the sea but having things to keep you busy, Antalya is a city you would probably enjoy visiting!
Filed under: •Antalya
