Situated at the slopes of the Taurus Mountains in Turkey, Antalya is a breathtakingly beautiful city which offers not only the opportunity to come away with the most stunning photographs but also gives you the chance to take a walk back in time and explore its rich heritage.
Antalya, whose name means “Home of Attalos” and refers to the founder of the city Attalos, has a richhistory dating back to 133 BC. Upon visiting the Antalya Museum, one is able to take a brief glimpse into times gone by and gain a better understanding of exactly how incredible this region is. This specific museum is considered one of the leading museums in the world due to its well preserved sculptures from the Roman period and remarkable finds during the exactions of the museum.
Well known for its favourable climate Antalya can be visited during any season, however July and August can be terribly hot, so it is advised to visit outside of these two months. Often referred to as the ‘blue city’ due to its turquoise waters, sun lovers flock to its unspoilt white beaches and take cover under the many palm trees which are found along the shore. Having the longest coastline in Turkey, beaches seldom feel crowded as there are so many to choose from thatyou are unlikely to feel hedged in.
Being such an alluring destination it’s pleasing to find that flights to Antalya are surprisingly affordable. One of the selling points of this region is that it’s an ideal place for families, couples and single people alike to visit, as there is simply so much on offer. It is certainly not your average Turkish resort destination, however, should you wish to stay at a beach resort you may want to consider Lara Beach, Side, Belek or Alanya. Each of these resorts has its own unique character and charm and offers visitors something different.
Be sure to include a trip to Pamukkale (the ‘cotton castle’) which resembles a snowy Cliffside but is in actual fact a terraced calcium coated hot spring. This natural attraction has attracted visitors for thousands of years and temperatures range between 35 °C (95 °F) and 100 °C (212 °F).
Antalya is one of those destinations that you will want to return to, so don’t try to squeeze everything into one visit – rather, enjoy exploring the magical region and spoil yourself with a return trip at a later date. You won’t regret it.