For those who love the Mediterranean air, I focus on Antalya this week. This is a place that sun-loving people should not miss. It lalso offers nightlife, nature with its canyons and waterfalls, and culture, full of historical places.

I will explain this place under three headings: city trip, nature trip, and cultural trip, as it allows different entertainment understandings and is a big city.

City trip

Muratpaşa, the central district of Antalya; is a place with beaches, museums, bars, historical places, and many must-visit points. But here, I like to visit Kaleici neighborhood the most and I want to tell you about it.

Kaleiçi is the most beautiful place in Antalya with its architectural texture. Besides, its bars and restaurants are also worth seeing. Therefore, when it comes to the city tour, I thought this was the right place. If you like to photograph historical and cute houses, you should definitely include this place on your trip.

Kaleiçi is not a big place and it is possible to visit every place by allocating about 3 hours. Let me first share the list of historical places from Kaleiçi, which carries traces of many civilizations from the Hellenistic period to the Ottoman Empire:

Hadrian’s Gate (Hadrian Kapısı): This historical gate, built for the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 130 BC, is one of the best-preserved places among historical buildings. The gate shows that it was hidden within the walls at the time. When the walls were destroyed, this door, one of the most beautiful examples of carving and relief art with marble columns, reappeared.

Historic Streets: After taking a good look at Hadrian’s Gate and photographing it, you will have taken your first step into Kaleiçi when you enter through the gate. Now is the time to enjoy these historic streets. If you went at noon, you probably won’t be able to see the calm state of this place, but I think you will still find the restored colorful houses with bay windows very cute.

Clock Tower: This clock tower, which is 121 years old today, was built by the grand vizier Sait Pasha in the last years of the Ottoman Empire. Unfortunately, the original clock of the square clock tower could not be preserved, but the bell on the top of the tower remains. You may not find this 14-meter-high structure very impressive, but it is an iconic place for Antalya residents.

Aya Yorgi (Agios Georgio) Church: In the Suna-İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum, there is both a traditional Kaleiçi house in order to preserve and sustain the architectural texture of the region and the Hagia Yorgi Church, which dates from 1863. With the opening of the museum in 1991, the church was included in the museum. While the upper floor of the church is reserved for temporary art exhibitions, special pieces from Çanakkale ceramics are exhibited in the main section. I recommend this modest church with a single nave and the 19th Century Kaleiçi House.

Hıdırlık Tower (Hıdırlık Kalesi): When you come to Kaleici, you should stop by the Hıdırlık Tower and then walk towards Karaalioğlu Park. The tower, which dates back to the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadriyanus, was used as a watchtower and a lighthouse. It will be enjoyable to visit this tower, which stands against the sea at one end of a beautiful park, and to visit the park built in 1940.

There are other important points you can visit in Kaleici. For example, take in the marina or take a boat tour and watch the city from the sea. There is Mermerli Beach in Kaleici, but there are better beaches. Take a boat from the marina and go to famous Konyaaltı Beach.

Visit the “Elevator” and Glass Terrace Park in Kaleiçi. Elevator is a place that offers tourists the opportunity to watch the city from above. Since it is built on cliffs, you can choose the Elevator, which was built to facilitate the landing and exit to the port, for a general city view. Another spot for city and harbor views is the Glass Terrace. You can come here in the evening and then take a walk in Keçili Park right next to it and sit in their cafe and watch the sunset.

Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars in Kaleici

Seraser Restaurant: Thisis a fine-dining restaurant with world cuisine adapted to our traditional cuisine. Before you go, visit their website and look at their menus. Address Selçuk Mh., Paşa Cami Sk. No:14, Muratpaşa. Contact: 0242 247 6015. Best reserve via phone.

Kaleiçi Tavern: A shabby and sweet place for seafood and a raki-fish pleasure. Its address is Selçuk, Balıkpazarı Sk. No:14, Muratpasa. Contact: 0545 639 4263.

Justacandy Sweet Factory: It is a sweet place to stop if you want to take a tea break and eat something sweet while visiting Kaleici. The desserts were good. Address Kılınçarslan, Accountant Geçidi Sk. No: 35, Muratpasa.

Holly Stone and Up Shot Bar: These two places, close to each other, are recommended for night entertainment lovers. Both are small and cramped places. Holly Stone plays rock and jazz-based music. Up Shot Bar is one of the places where electronic music lovers meet and dance. Holly Stone is in Selçuk Mah, Uzun Çarşı Sk, while Up Shot is in İzmirli Ali Efendi Sk.

Nature Trip

Let’s come to the places where nature trip lovers like me enjoy the most. First of all, let me tell you about the famous waterfalls of Antalya:

Duden and Kurşunlu Waterfall: You don’t need to cross mountains to reach Dudun, as it right in the city. As the water of the waterfall spills into the sea, it is a pleasant sight. But as it is close to the city, it can get crowded. Kurşunlu, on the other hand, is a waterfall that overtakes Düden with its beauty, but it is located some way. However, it is definitely worth this journey with its waterfall and blue water, and green trees. There is a cafe by following the hiking trail after the waterfall.

Hip-notics: Although it is a business that will attract the attention of those interested in water sports, I wanted to explain it under the title of Nature Travel, since it is located by the lake. After the pandemic, the facility, which was converted to accommodation-only visits to reduce daily human visits for security purposes, still maintains this system. The wakeboard is the right place for water skiing and learning because it has a safer system than the classic wakeboard. The facility also has kneeboard and flyboard options, and basketball and volleyball playgrounds. Its location is Çakış, Serik Cd., 07550 Manavgat/Antalya, contact: 0242 762 3234.

Köprülü Canyon: Köprülü Canyon is a canyon where the Köprüçay stream passes through, where different activities were carried out and there are two historical bridges built in the Roman Period. It is possible to camp, hike, and raft here. It is based in Manavgat.

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Hound Canyon: This is a 15-minute drive from Köprülü Canyon, and you have to park your car and walk for about 20 minutes as it is a bit of a secret. Although it is not a very challenging road, I should mention there is a slight slope. This canyon, which is quite large, offers an impressive view.

Sapadere Canyon: Sapadere is my favorite canyon because you come across small lakes where you can swim on the way to the canyon and there is a waterfall flowing in the middle of the canyon. Its address is Sapadere, 07430 Alanya/Antalya.

Manavgat waterfall: Although it is not a very high place, you should see this place, one of Turkey’s most famous waterfalls, because of the beauty of its nature. Its landscape reminded me of the painter Bob Ross. The address of this place, surrounded by cafes and restaurants, is Sarılar, Istiklal Caddesi No: 34, 07330 Manavgat/Antalya. Entrance and parking are paid.

Culture Trip

There are many historical places to visit in Antalya as it has been the heart of many civilizations. I will explain the places where the ruins of the Ancient City are located.

Perge Ancient City: Located 15 minutes from Kurşunlu Waterfall, this place has had a well-preserved stadium since ancient times. Perge was established on a very wide plain 4km from the Aksu River. Of course, there are Roman-type amphitheater and Hellenistic entrance gates and columns inside.

Many sculptures exhibited in the Antalya Museum were taken from the Ancient City of Perge. Perge, whose address is Barbaros, Perge You, 07112 Aksu/Antalya, is open 8am-8pm. To see the sculptures taken from here, the Antalya Museum is in Muratpaşa, the central district. Full address: Bahçelievler, Konyaaltı Cd. No: 88.

Aspendos Ancient City: The stadium, aqueducts, temple, bath, and cisterns of the ancient city of Aspendos, which should be visited even just for its ancient theater, are also quite remarkable. With its wonderful acoustics, the amphitheater is frequently used for concerts and ballet performances in August and September. It is possible to attend an event you want by following the programs.

Patara Ancient City: Patara, which is about 40km from Kaş, one of the most famous holiday resorts of Antalya, is a settlement that served as the capital of Lycia. It is possible to see the remains of the parliament building of the period. While here you may wish to visit Kaş, a small and sweet town.

Termessos Ancient City: This ancient city, which the Termessos managed to protect even from Alexander the Great, was built on a plateau on top of Güllük Mountain. It is located at Bayatbademleri, Döşemealtı. Güllük Mountain is also a national park.

Getting there: You can take the bus from Didim Bus Station to Antalya, but takes 8-9 hours’ travel. By car it takes about 6 hours to reach Antalya.