My Trip to Antalya

Antalya is a resort destination in Turkey and gateway to its southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters. During the Roman era Antalya was a major port city; today a modern metropolis surrounds ancient fortifications. Beaches are flanked by large hotels, and popular outdoor activities include golfing, diving and hiking the 500km Lycian Way footpath.

Antalya   a most beautiful city. It covers an immense area, and though of vast bulk is one of the most attractive towns to be seen anywhere, besides being exceedingly populous and well laid out. Each section of the inhabitants lives in a separate quarter. The Christian merchants live in a quarter of the town known as the Mina [the Port], and are surrounded by a wall, the gates of which are shut upon them from without at night and during the Friday service. The Greeks, who were its former inhabitants, live by themselves in another quarter, the Jews in another, and the king and his court and Mamluks in another, each of these quarters being walled off likewise. The rest of the Muslims live in the main city. Round the whole town and all the quarters mentioned there is another great wall. The town contains orchards and produces fine fruits, including an admirable kind of apricot, called by them Qamar ad-Din, which has a sweet almond in its kernel. This fruit is dried and exported to Egypt, where it is regarded as a great luxury

The most atmospheric introduction to Antalya is a walking tour of Kaleici the historic walled center that dates back to Roman times, but now forms the heart of the modern city. Lose yourself in the maze of streets, stopping for tea at a traditional tea house, browsing the many souvenir shops, or admiring historic landmarks like Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret), the Saat Kulesi clock tower and the Mehmet Pasa mosque.

After breakfast, take a wander around Kaleici. This neighborhood is also known as Old Antalya, and you'll see why when you stumble across the stone-walled alleys and picturesque architecture influenced by the Roman and Byzantine Empires. While you're here, check out the different boutiques, shops, and cafes that occupy these beautiful buildings.

The Hadrian's Gate or Üçkapılar is a triumphal arch located in Antalya, Turkey, which was built in the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who visited the city in the year 130. It has three arched gates.

Kaleiçi surrounded and protected the old Roman harbor, which was Antalya's reason for being: even in Romantimes, this was the outlet for the produce of therich alluvial plain that stretches east from the city beneath the southern slopes of the Taurus Mountains.

 Today Kaleiçi is a protected district, with preservation of historic buildings required, and strict regulations on any new building. You will see some fairly ugly modern buildings in Kaleiçi, but they are being eliminated as the possibilities arise.

The Alaaddin or Yivli Minare Mosque, commonly also called Ulu Mosque in Antalya is a historical mosque built by the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad 

Port of Antalya: 

Antalya is a cliff-top city in Turkey, set among palm-fronded boulevards that emanate from its winding historic core. The eastern Mediterranean port stands against the stunning backdrop of the Taurus Mountains. King Attalus II of Pergamum turned this safe harbor into a naval base in the first century B.C., and you'll still encounter the occasional Roman ruins site as you walk around. 

The main attraction of the city is its old port -- these days used by fishing boats and "Pirates of the Caribbean"-themed pleasure craft -- which is ringed by cafes and even offers its own small pebble beach

Antalya is a popular holiday destination for the British and for other western Europeans. In addition to miles of beaches, the port offers cultural attractions like the nearby Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival (held annually in June and July) and its own jazz and film festivals. Natural wonders to enjoy include a number of waterfalls tumbling into the sea and archaeological day trips to Perge, Side, Phaselis and Demre. 

Düden Waterfalls

Düden Waterfalls are a group of waterfalls in the province of Antalya, Turkey. The waterfalls, formed by the recycle station water, are located 12 kilometres north-east of Antalya.
On the entrance they charge entry fee and you can get into a nice green park with botanic garden, open tables and benches inviting you for a picnic. Always you can listen the sound of the falling water shimmering beautiful ice blue through the trees. All the area is kept in nice condition in peace and the view onto the waterfall is fascinating. 












Duden Waterfalls is in fact two separate cascades on an underground river. The Upper Duden Waterfalls are 15 km outside the city. In this place the river has carved out a deep gorge where the water runs. You can see the falls from above, you can walk in the gorge and you can even walk in a cave that is behind the cascade.
The Lower Duden Waterfalls are in the suburb of Lara east of the Old Town and they can best be seen from a goulet cruise from the Port of Kaleici.










Overall, Antalya is a destination that is rich in many things , beautiful landscapes of both mountains and sea, architecture and history all around its streets, well preserved folklore and culture kept alive by its people, and a very delicious cuisine. This means, that there is plenty to see, do, eat, and explore — from the zoo and archaeological museum to the awesome water parks and calm beaches — and wherever you go there's always beauty and a place for you to enjoy!


Daily Tours Antalya Check the website below 
http://www.dailytourantalya.net/