Meet the other side of beautiful Antalya
The city of Antalya is located in the bay of the same name, above which rise the Taurus Mountains, covered with dense pine forest.
The city of Antalya is located in the bay of the same name, above which rise the Taurus Mountains, covered with dense pine forest. The city consists of two parts: modern, with wide boulevards, shopping malls, and opportunities for nightlife. The old part of the city - Kaleiji built around the old port, contains narrow streets, old Turkish houses, and craft shops, which are not only examples of old architecture, but also the way of life and customs in old Antalya. From the golden paradise of Lara beach to the hidden beauty of Mermerli beach and the dramatic surroundings of Kaputas, Antalya on the southern coast of Turkey has been blessed with some of the most beautiful coasts in the Mediterranean.
But this ancient city, called by the grace of the Turkish Riviera, is much more than just a resort for those looking for sun and sea. In the following lines, we will discover an intriguing labyrinth of steep narrow streets with small carpet shops overflowing with cobblestones and hotels located inside renovated Ottoman residences.
In the historical center of Antalya, Kaleici, you can explore centuries-old stories about the Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque. This mosque is famous for its painted tiles above the windows and the colossal central dome, along the base of which Arabic inscriptions are inscribed.
The ruins of Hadrian's Gate on Ataturk Boulevard are a 10-minute walk from the mosque and date from 130, and consist of three arches of the same size.
A short walk from the ruins, housed in a charmingly restored reddish-pink villa in Antalya, is the Sun Museum and Inan Kirac Kaleici. This small institution displays life-size dioramas depicting culturally significant customs typical of a traditional 19th-century Antalya household.
If you prefer beautifully colored earthenware, go to the former Orthodox church behind the main house to see the wonderful collection of Canakkale ceramics from the 17th century.
Finally, the Museum of Antalya, one of the largest in Turkey, contains exhibits from the Paleolithic to the Ottoman era and is an unavoidable stop for those interested in the rich archaeological history of this region.
At the bottom of the slopes of the Old Town is the restored old port of the city. It is now a marina for yachts and excursion boats and an area that allows you to walk in the afternoon and enjoy the urban restaurants and cafes that are at every turn.
