Antalya

INTRO
Attaleia, Adalia, Antalya or in simple English - "Heaven on earth". According to Ataturk, "The most beautiful place in the world". "The capital of Turkish tourism", leading you into the Turkish Riviera. City of waterfalls. Unmissable.

City Profile
City: Antalya
Country: Turkey
Province: Antalya Province
Area: 1,417 km2
Population: 714,000
Mayor: Menderes Mehmet Tevfik Türel
Language: Turkey
Currency: Turkish lira
Rating: #1 / 126 at Asian-Cities

In the 1st century BC, in search of the "heaven on earth", King Attalos II discovers the land that we now call Antalya - a picturesque city skirted around by beautiful mountains. Nowadays it is an international resort, a much-preferred destination for searchers both of pleasurable rest and historical knowledge.

LOCATION
Antalya is one of the seaside resorts constituting the fascinating Turkish Riviera. It is situated on the Mediterranean coast in the southern part of Antalya Province. The territory of the city consists of narrow costal plains, natural bays and peninsulas of breath-taking beauty. The regional fauna allows hunting tours. As for the flora, it is of staggering variety - here you will see exotic species you have only heard of, such as: oleander, wild strawberries, sandalwood, strawberry trees, myrtle, chinaberry trees, chaste trees, carob trees; oriental plane, wild pear, olive and linden trees.

TIME TO VISIT
The weather is mild and tourists can be found in Antalya all the year round, regardless to seasons. The sun just can't help shining here and the winter season brings the yearly rainfall. The cold winds from the north are held back by the mountains surrounding the city, so you can enjoy the warmth of the water in the hot summer and even in the rainy winter, for the water temperature never goes below 15°C. The air temperature is rather high in July and August. Even when the temperature reaches 45°C, the northeasterly winds and the sea breeze, swaying the palm-trees, are a heavenly relief from the fiery sunrays. If the wind is not enough and you need fresh air - go higher. The highest point of the Taurus Mountains is Akdag (3025 metres), so you can even go skiing in Antalya?

POPULATION
The population of the capital city of the Antalya Province is 714,000. This number increases to two million people in summer due to the tourists both from abroad and Turkey itself. The official language is Turkish, but you will hear people speaking Kurdish, Armenian and Aramaic. In the tourist resorts English and German are also spoken.

DISTRICTS
Turkey is divided into 91 provinces, called vilayet' and governed by a vali'. The provinces on their turn are divided into districts (923). Antalya comprises one greater city and three district municipalities. Current mayor is Menderes Türel. The Antalya Province grows extremely fast - the population growth rate is 4.17% per year. The location of the province accounts for the great number of tourists, which leads to considerable development and betterment of all the service sectors on the coast. The coastal districts are: Antalya, Gazipaşa, Alanya, Manavgat, Serik, Kemer, Kumluca, Finike, Kale and Kaş. The inner plateau districts; Gündogmuş, Akseki, Ibradi, Korkuteli and Elmali.

Serik district - 22 km of coastline. The district attracts 30 million visitors every year. Here is the town of Belek that has plenty of 5 star hotels. Places to see: Sillion and Aspendos ruins, the cave of Zeytinlitas.
Kemer - a harmonious combination of sea, forest, and mountains. Excellent infrastructure. A lot of clubs, bars, restaurants. The predominant currency is Euro due to the great number of European tourists.
Akseki - Because of its rich architectural heritage, the district is a member of the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions.
Elmali - Translated as "apple town". It is an agricultural area that represents one tenth of the total apple production of the country, with distinctive traditional architecture. Delicious "leblebi".

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
You need a long long vacation in order to be able to see all the things that are worth seeing in Antalya. There are many antique cities in and around the city; many beaches - the major reason for coming to Antalya; many waterfalls; many mosques, churches, madrasahs (schools), hans, and hamams (the so-much-talked-of Turkish baths). You cannot afford missing:

Kaleiçi - The oldest part of the city of Antalya and its historical centre; also a tourist centre of the city with its hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, and some of the best shopping for gold, carpets, leather. Kaleiçi has been deservedly awarded a prize - the Oscar of tourism. http://www.kaleici.com http://www.kaleicimuzesi.com/
Hidirlik Tower - a stony tower built in Hellenistic era and used as a fortification or as a lighthouse in the past. Nowadays cafes and restaurants surround the tower, offering an amazing panoramic view of the Gulf of Antalya.
Yivli Minare Mosque - the 38 meters high landmark and symbol of the city built in 1230 and decorated with dark blue tiles. It has eight fluted sections and 90 steps leading up to the top. Today it constitutes the Antalya Ethnographic Museum where you could see clothing, kitchen utensils, tapestries, kilims, ornaments, etc. http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=12121 http://www.thy.com/en-INT/skylife/archive/en/2003_4/konu6.htm#1
The Hadrian's Gate ("The three gates") - In 130 A.D. the Roman emperor Hadrian visited Antalya. In the name of him this legendary triumphal arch with three arched gates was built. The myth says that under those gates the Queen of Saba passed hundreds of years ago with heaps of diamonds and lived happily in the city ever after. http://members.tripod.com/romeartlover/adriano.html
Antalya Museum - It includes 13 exhibition halls and an open-air gallery covering an area of 7,000 m2. The museum exhibits examples of works, which presents the history of the region of Anatolia. A "European Council Special Prize" winner in 1988. http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/antalya_turkey http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/med/Antalya/sights/arch_muze.html
Antalya Kaleici Marina and Leisure Centre - the centre is abundant in souvenir shops, cosy cafes, inviting restaurants; it offers all kind of yacht services.

Ancient Cities

Termessos - An agora a theatre and an odion are to be seen in this Pisidyan city.
Perge - a legendary city on two hills - one with a theatre and another with an acropolis.
Sillyon - another ancient city (4th c BC) taking you back in time.
Aspendos - A Pamphilian city on the Kopru river. There is an Odeon, a basilica, a gallery and fountains to see. Annual jewelry fair is held here.

AIRPORT
The big and modern Antalya Airport is situated 6 miles east of the city centre. It has an international terminal and a domestic one, both suitable for accommodating the millions of people who have come to visit the Turkish Riviera. The Airport Terminal serves about 40% of all tourists coming to Turkey by air. The passengers are given impeccable services in the building equipped with the latest technology. There is a taxi stand outside the arrival area and about 10 buses to and from the Antalya Airport Domestic Terminal throughout the day. http://www.aytport.com/content/en/passinf/trans.htm http://www.aytport.com/index.htm http://www.azworldairports.com/airports/p2630ayt.htm

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
How to travel around the city:

Antalya Bus Station - the most common means of public transport is by bus. Buses to almost every city in the country depart daily from here. Fares are low.
Minibus (dolmus) can also be used. It covers certain routes after the minibus is "filled up" (the literary meaning of its name).
Taxis - they are available all over the city. Each taxi is metered. After midnight till 6 am it costs 50% more that the daytime fare. Average rate - 0.8-1 TRY per kilometre.
Tramway - The tramway connects the Konyaalti Beach, situated westside with the eastern part of the city centre. Trams depart on the hour and half-hour from the termini, and reach Kalekapisi about 15 minutes later. The one-way fare: $1(1.30 TRY).

HISTORY
In the 150 BC Attalos Attalos II, the king of Pergamom based his powerful naval fleet on the area of today's Antalya, thus founding the city which he then called "Attalia". It gradually prospered during the Ancient Roman and Byzantine periods. In the 13th c Antalya was conquered by the Seljuk Turks. In the 18th c the city was governed by Dere Bey. By the beginning of the 20th c the population of Antalya reached 25.000 people due to immigration. Nowadays the city is the principal tourist area of the country; it has grown huge, well developed in all spheres, and more and more attractive. http://www.allaboutturkey.com/history.htm

MORE

In almost every second house in Kaleiçi you can find "Pansiyon" accommodation. A double room rate: TRY 20-35 per night/room. http://www.antalyahotels.com/
It is said that there are three major kinds of cuisine: Turkish, Chinese and French. Turkish food is unexpectedly cheap, and good. You will pay about 5 - 10 New Turkish Lira ($3-7) for a full menu. The typical Turkish desserts are a must. http://www.antalya.co.uk/ http://www.allaboutturkey.com/mutfak.htm
Entertainment - Antalya is a paradise for shopaholics', there are lots of shopping malls in the city. If you want to have a drink or dance all night long, Konyaalti Beach is the rightful place for you with its various bars and clubs. Depending on what time of the year you happen to be in Antalya, you may attend some of the many festivals held here: The largest film festival - Antalya Goleden Orabge Festival (Sept); Mediterranean International Music Festival (Oct); Antalya Honey Festival (Aug); Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival (June, July); Beachpark Rock Festival (Oct). http://www.anfas.com.tr/index_en.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shopping_malls_in_Turkey#Antalya http://www.searchturkey.com/antalya/entertainment/antalya_theatres.htm

CITY LINKS

Antalya Post Office: http://www.aytport.com/content/en/passinf/post.htm
Antalya Administration: http://www.antalya.bel.tr/en/bel_kurumsal/
Interesting Places in Antalya: http://www.enjoyturkey.com/info/sights/antalya.htm#Flu
Useful Tips: http://www.istanbulportal.com/Default.aspx http://wikitravel.org/en/Antalya http://www.lesartsturcs.com/ http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/med/Antalya/sights/hadrian_gate.html http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Turkey/Antalya_Ili/Antalya-1854337/Things_To_Do-Antalya-BR-1.html
Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Culture and Tourism: http://www.kultur.gov.tr/EN/BelgeGoster.aspx?17A16AE30572D313A781CAA92714FCE0D1178C72906F8DA2

UNIVERSITY LINKS

Akdeniz University: http://www.akdeniz.edu.tr/english/international/
Eastern Mediterranean University: http://library.emu.edu.tr/englibrary/default.htm