Antalya is a unique city where turquoise clear waters and sunny skies meet in almost every season. With its mild weather, Antalya is suitable for outdoor excursions in all seasons, making it a year-round tourist attraction. So there is never a bad time to live in this city and explore every corner of it.
The Turkish Riviera, known as the Turquoise Coast, offers you an unforgettable view. Whether you come for the white beaches, many historical values, or magical waterfalls, you can be sure that Antalya will meet all your wishes. We are not exaggerating when we say this: Romantic moments for couples, a pleasant and peaceful break for families, and unforgettable photos full of fun for young people!
Here are the top 5 places you must see in Antalya, which we have compiled for you.
Olympos
Olympos is a tropical and historical place that can fit the ideal holiday concept for people of all ages. You will also enjoy watching the sunset with the Caretta Caretta on the beach of Olympos, swimming in the clear sea, and warming up by the fire with the guitars of the campers. In addition, thanks to its unique nature, it is a frequent destination for those who prefer sportive activities such as rock climbing, trekking, diving, and canoeing.
Apart from its nature, another feature of Olympos is that it has hosted historically important civilizations. Olympos, the center of the Lycian civilization, still preserves its historical texture today. This place is known by famous historians for its Roman theatre, Lycian bridge, temples, Byzantine basilica, chamber tombs, and defensive walls. Olympos is also famous for the Eternal Flames of Yanartaş, which are constantly burning by themselves. If you are interested in mythology, the place mentioned in the Chimera legend is Yanartaş.
In addition to all these, there are wooden bungalows and tree houses where you can stay in Olympos. You can collect unforgettable memories in this special atmosphere.
Köprülü Canyon National Park
For rafting enthusiasts and adventure seekers, Köprülü Canyon National Park, one of Antalya’s values, is a sightseeing spot you can organize for a day. With the clean green-blue water of the Köprülü River, this is one of Turkey’s most popular white water rafting destinations in all seasons.
What you can do in this national park is not limited to rafting. There are paths where you can walk through the ruins of the ancient city and many cafes where you can enjoy the view of the canyon views. In these cafes, you can eat local and international cuisine and drink Turkish coffee on top of it.
Konyaalti Beach
This magnificent blue flag pebbly beach stretches more than seven kilometers from Antalya’s coast. While enjoying the sun and the sea, the view of the Beydağları mountains will accompany you. While lying on your sun lounger, your children can safely build a sand castle on the beach. If you feel more adrenaline-filled, there are places on the coast where you can do jet skiing, parasailing, or diving. If this is not your style, you can have fun at Aqualand water park, very close to Konyaalti Beach.
If you don’t want to sunbathe, there are many cafes and restaurants in Konyaalti Beach Park, right behind the beach. Here, you can eat, drink something, and smoke a hookah with the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and the sunset view. Entry to the Park and the car parks are free, and open to the public. We are sure that it will be good for you to put your feet in the calm waters of the Mediterranean and walk on the shore while eating ice cream.
Besides all this, it is very close to Konyaalti Beach, Miniature Culture Park, Antalya Aquarium, and Antalya Museum, so you can explore these places with your loved ones and family.
Düden Waterfall
Düden Waterfall is a waterfall divided into two natural parts in Antalya: In the upper part, there is an oasis of natural ponds that spills into a small park in the north of the city. In the lower part, it merges with the Düden River, which flows into the Mediterranean at the southern end of the city. A thundering waterfall, the last step of the river’s journey to the sea, creates a visual feast.
It is among the most popular destinations in the city, as there are refreshing places to escape from the intense summer heat in the upper waterfall area. There are restaurants where you can dine with the soothing sound of running water and cafes where you can try local drinks.
You can take quiet walks in the green gardens, or take a tour of the bike tracks with the bike you rented.
Kaleici (Old Town)
Kaleici (Old Town) is undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions in Antalya. In its thousands of years old Kaleici, you should get lost in its narrow cobblestone streets and experience a fascinating history. This central historic area is filled with lovely old Ottoman mansions and fine artifacts from the Roman and Byzantine eras. Enter through the Great Hadrian’s Gate and explore these unique streets. You don’t need to get directions, if you see dozens of people standing in front of this gate and taking pictures, know that you are in the right place! Kaleici also has magnificent structures such as the 17th-century Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque and the elegant Kesik Minaret (Broken Minaret). It was heavily damaged in a fire in the 19th century and is named after this event. It has a Roman temple and Byzantine basilica stonemasonry, and its minaret was restored by the government in 2020.
The street where these historical and contemporary buildings meet has a lot to see and do, with countless restaurants, shops, and atmospheric cafes to explore. You can listen to live music in modern bars in the evening on this street where famous Turkish carpet sellers are located during the day. There are also lots of local small art galleries you can go to.
With all these, for many visitors, Kaleici is the highlight of their trip.
Conclusion
The beauties of this perfect city are of course not limited to them. With dozens of ancient cities, with natural beauties, passionate nightlife, and excellent architecture on every corner, Antalya is a city where everyone wants to live. If you say, ‘It is not enough to see this city a few days a year’ you can buy an apartment in Antalya. Tolerance Homes will be happy to help you find houses suitable for every budget in the area you want. Whether you spend your holidays in your own home and enjoy these beauties at more affordable prices, or settle completely. Moreover, thanks to a house you bought in Turkey, you will have made an investment and you will have the right to obtain Turkish citizenship!