Antalya, Turkey
The Fluted Minaret at
Kalekapasi, Antalya, Turkey.
(click for photos).
Besides it's vast, clean beaches, including Konyaalti Beach to the west, and Lara Beach to the east, most everything worth seeing in Antalya centers around the old quarter, called Kaleici (Inner Fortress). This area surrounds Antalya's pleasant and lively yacht harbor. Kaleici is probably the best place to orient yourself when you first arrive, not only because of it's central location, but because it's a pleasant way to spend a day if you're tired from traveling. Thankfully, Antalya's industrial harbor lies several kilometers east of the old city, reserving the old harbor for yachts, gulets (a gulet is a traditional Turkish boat), excursion boats, and small fishing boats.
Towards the north corner of the harbor is Kalekapasi (or, fortress gate). It is marked by a clock tower, which is the only surviving tower from the old city walls. The street which runs west from the clock tower, along the walls of Kaleici is called Cumhurriyet Caddesi.
At Kalekapasi, you'll also see the oft photographed Yivli Minare (fluted minaret), which has these days become Antalya's symbol. To the west of Kalekapasi is Cumhurriyet Meydanni (a town square), with a fountain, a statue of Ataturk, and a few pleasant parks which extend up the cliff-lined coastline along the bay.
Serious shopping and more modern facilities, such as grocery stores and department stores, can be found in the neighborhoods across from Ickale.
Pedestrianized Streets in
Kaleici, Antalya.
(click for photos).
If you walk east at the clock tower, along Cumhurriyet Caddesi, the sidewalk will take you to the corner of Ataturk Caddesi, which is the other main road bordering Kaleici. Turning right and walking south along that street, you'll find the massive Hadrian's Gate. This gate, built in honor of the Roman Emporer Hadrian's visit in 130 AD, leads back into Ickale, and onto the pedestrianized Hesapci Sokak. This is probably the most quiet and pleasant areas in Ickale, and Antalya, with its charmingly restored houses, shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as some of the better pensions and hotels. Inside this area of Kaleici are also the Kisik Minare (Broken Minaret) and the Hidirlik Kulesi, a cylindrical tower which overlooks the harbor.
To the left (south) of the bluff lies two pleasant parks, Mermerli Park and Karaaglioglu park. There is a popular swimming area, consisting of decking atop the rocks and a swimming platform, called Adalar Swimming Platform in Karaaglioglu Park.
Walking back, towards Ickale and the harbor, with Antalya bay on your left, you'll pass Hidirlik Kulesi and come to a stairway which descends into the harbor area. You'll then pass the Mermerli Restaruant and the rather small Mermerli Beach.
Of course there are lots of other things to do around Antalya, such as visit its museum, local waterfalls, and nearby ancient cities such as Olympos, Phaselis and Perge, which makes Antalya an excellent launching point for a variety of activities and excursions.
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