Antalya Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Antalya

Situated along the southwestern coastline of Anatolia beneath the inland Taurus Mountains, Antalya is one of Turkey's largest metropolitan centers and the administrative capital of Antalya Province. Recognized as a pivotal anchor of the Turkish Riviera, the city sits on an interior bay along the Mediterranean Sea. Because high mountains encircle the land on all interior sides, the local climate is characterized by mild, wet winters and extremely hot, dry summers. The region receives roughly 3,000 hours of sunlight annually, with average sea temperatures varying from winter lows to warm summer levels.

The settlement was established during the Hellenistic period around 200 to 150 BC by King Attalus II of Pergamon, who named it Attaleia and used it as a naval base. It passed to the Roman Empire in 133 BC, growing into a prosperous commercial port within the province of Pamphylia. Over the centuries, control of the city shifted between the Byzantine Empire, the Seljuk Empire in the early 13th century, and the Ottoman Empire beginning in 1391. Ottoman governance brought five centuries of relative stability, interrupted briefly by an Italian occupation following World War I before the city rejoined Turkey.

Antalya's historic core is concentrated in Kaleiçi, a walled old quarter overlooking a protected historical harbor. Enclosed by horseshoe-shaped walls built from Hellenistic to Ottoman times, this neighborhood features narrow, cobblestone lanes lined with restored wooden houses, along with medieval Seljuk mosques, masjids, madrasahs, and hamams. Important landmarks within and near the historic area include the Roman-era monumental arch of Hadrian's Gate and Cumhuriyet Square, a central hub surrounded by commercial and civic buildings.

In addition to its central attractions, the city provides access to famous ancient ruins scattered throughout the broader region, including Perga, Aspendos, Side, Myra, Patara, Xanthos, Termessos, and Sagalassos. The city's dedicated archaeological museum preserves artifacts retrieved from these historical sites, displaying ancient sarcophagi, intricate mosaics, and religious artifacts such as a casket containing bones attributed to Saint Nicholas.

Following large-scale development and state investment starting in the late 20th century, Antalya transformed into Turkey's largest international coastal resort. The contemporary economy supported by tourism includes a free zone specializing in pleasure yacht construction, alongside transport infrastructure hosting several airline headquarters. As one of the world's most visited cities, it welcomed more than 16.5 million foreign visitors in 2023, drawing international travelers to its historic sites and Mediterranean shorelines.