Antalya

Antalya is Turkey's eighth city (2.5 million inhabitants with its suburbs) and the capital of the Turkish Riviera — the country's major beach destination. Set on a 30-40 m limestone terrace dominating the Mediterranean Sea, the city benefits from spectacular geography: limestone cliffs plunging directly into the sea, Roman port turned marina at the foot of the ramparts, and in the background the Taurus range (Toros Dağları) whose snowy peaks are visible from the beach in winter-spring.

The Kaleiçi old town ('inside the castle') is the historic and tourist heart of Antalya. Enclosed in Roman and Seljuk walls, it deploys a maze of paved alleys, polychrome wooden Ottoman houses, monumental gates (the magnificent Hadrian's Gate in marble, 130 AD, built for the emperor's visit), Seljuk minarets (the fluted Yivli Minare, the city's symbol) and hammams. The pedestrian quarter concentrates restaurants, designer boutiques, boutique hotels and rooftop bars with views over the marina and the sea.

The two urban beaches of Antalya are among Turkey's best urban beaches. Konyaaltı Beach (west) — 5 km public beach, sand and pebbles, exceptional mountain backdrop (view of snowy Taurus peaks), arranged with restaurants, bars, showers, parking. Free access. Lara Beach (east) — 12 km fine sand beach, lined with 5-star resort hotels (Maxx Royal Lara, Rixos Premium Belek, Calista Luxury) with private beaches, but public access to Lara Beach Park.

The city's signature natural attraction are the Düden Waterfalls (Düden Şelaleleri) — two falls. The Lower Düden falls directly into the sea from the Lara cliff — a rare phenomenon in the world, visible from the seaside or by excursion boat. The Upper Düden (14 km north of Antalya) is nestled in a green park, with possibility to walk behind the waterfall. Entry 50 TRY (€1.50).

Antalya is also the ideal starting point for excursions to the major ancient sites of the Mediterranean coast: Aspendos (40 km east, best-preserved Roman theatre of the ancient world with its 15,000 seats), Termessos (30 km west, ancient city perched at 1,050 m in the pine forest of Mount Güllük National Park), Phaselis (60 km west, ancient ruins on three turquoise bays), Side (75 km east, Apollo temple by the sea).