Antalya, or Antalya, as still sometimes called this city – one of the most popular Turkish resorts, which is famous for its clean beaches and beautiful nature. But the dignity of this city does not limit this alone – this place is literally imbued with ancient history through and through, and you will not have to be bored, even if you are not a lover of a lazy beach holiday.
The exact age of Antalya is unknown, but it can be argued that this city is more than two thousand years old – the first chronicle mention of it dates back to 159 BC.
For Turkey, Antalya is not only an important and profitable resort, but also almost the main port.
At different times, Antalya repeatedly passed from hand to hand, so here you can see monuments of architecture, not only of different eras, but also of different cultures.
Before the fall of Byzantium, Antalya was considered a Christian city, although Islam began to spread in these parts about a thousand years ago.
Many argue that the oranges grown in the province of Antalya are the most delicious.
After the end of the First World War, Antalya for two years was under the control of the Italian troops that occupied the city.
The permanent population in Antalya has about a million inhabitants, but in high season there are twice as many people thanks to the arriving tourists.
Antalya is quite clearly divided into Old and New city. There are interesting places both there and there.
In Antalya there are two international airports of a high class, as one airport simply could not cope with the sharply increasing summer flow of tourists.
At various times this city managed to be under the power of the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines.
One of the most popular places among the guests of Antalya is an incredible oceanarium. Every taxi driver knows him here.
Ancient settlement – It is noteworthy that the exact age of this city has not yet been established. It is believed that he is more than two millennia. So, the first annalistic mentions of Antalya are found as early as 159 BC.
A rich heritage – In Antalya you can see the most diverse architectural monuments – not only from different eras, but also from a variety of cultures – Greek, Roman and Byzantine. This is because in different periods the city was ruled by various empires of the past.
High popularity – About 1 million local citizens live permanently in Antalya. However, with the start of the tourist season, the population increases by more than 2 times due to visiting travelers from all over the world. It is appropriate to add that there are two top-class airports in the city at once, since in the summer time one airport is not able to cope with a huge flow of tourists.
Weather Conditions – The lowest temperature ever recorded in Antalya reached only 4.4 degrees of cold. At the same time, the highest temperature reached the mark of 45.5 degrees Celsius.
The main danger – Antalya is considered one of the safest cities for tourists in all of Turkey. Although, perhaps, the main danger is cunning local merchants. They are trying with all their might and tricks to sell all kinds of crafts to curious tourists, passing them off as the exclusive work of ancient masters. However, this is where the interesting facts about Antalya are just beginning.
Invigorating drink – Literally on every corner there are very cozy coffee houses where you can try real Turkish coffee, which is famous throughout the world for its seasoned taste and rich aroma. Actually, the infusion of fragrant grains is the most popular drink in the world.
Local features – Basically, Antalya can be divided into two parts, namely the old and the new. Actually, they are called so – the Old and the New City. The new part is more like a modern metropolis, but in the old one, there are many more historical sights and cozy family restaurants.
Sights of the city – In addition to the ancient architectural attractions that the Old Town is famous for (locals call it Kaleici), it is worth noting local waterfalls, especially Upper Duden. By the way, in Antalya is one of the three largest archaeological museums in the world. It is also worth noting the local oceanarium, zoo, botanical gardens and, of course, some of the best beaches in Turkey – here, at your discretion, both paid and free options are provided.
