The smiling city of the Mediterranean,
From ancient Roman theatres to the dreamlike shores of Turkish blue.
City Introduction：
Antalya is Turkey’s most renowned coastal city in the south and the very heart of the famed Turquoise Coast of the Mediterranean. Founded in the 2nd century BC by the ancient Greek king Attalos II, it was originally named Attaleia, meaning “the land of Attalos.”
Over the centuries, Antalya evolved into a major harbor of the Roman Empire, a religious center during the Byzantine era, and a strategic naval stronghold under the Seljuk and Ottoman empires. Today, it is a city where sunshine and history coexist effortlessly. Visitors can swim in crystal-clear bays, wander among Roman ruins, savor century-old confections beneath orange trees, and hear the echoes of mosque calls, church bells, and rolling waves blending into one timeless rhythm.
Top Attractions：
Hadrian’s Gate
Built in AD 130 to honor the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian, this elegant triple-arched triumphal gate was constructed from white marble and granite. Latin inscriptions once adorned its upper sections, while defensive towers stood guard on either side, marking the ceremonial entrance between the ancient city and the newer quarters.
Legends surround the gate: some claim the stone pavement still bears the wheel tracks of Hadrian’s chariot, while others say that at night, ghostly Roman soldiers can be heard riding through its arches. Today, Hadrian’s Gate remains one of Antalya’s most iconic landmarks—often called “the gateway to the past.”
Aspendos Ancient Theatre
Widely regarded as one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, the Aspendos Theatre was built around AD 155 by the architect Zeno in honor of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Seating approximately 15,000 spectators, its two-story stage building features ornate columns, sculpted niches, and an imperial box.
Its acoustics are legendary: even a whisper from the top tier can be heard clearly at the center of the stage. According to legend, a king promised his daughter’s hand to whoever created the greatest masterpiece—Zeno won her favor through the theatre’s miraculous echo, securing both architectural immortality and royal honor.
Düden Waterfalls
Before reaching the Mediterranean, the Düden River forms two dramatic waterfalls. Upper Düden Waterfall, located north of the city, is surrounded by lush greenery, with caves allowing visitors to walk behind the cascading water and view it from within a natural “water curtain.”
Lower Düden Waterfall plunges directly from a 40-meter cliff into the sea, creating one of the world’s rare “sea waterfalls.” Ottoman travelers once described it as “the place where the gods wash their feet.” Today, visitors can admire the spectacle from boats at sea or scenic viewpoints along the coast, where white spray meets endless blue.
Kaleiçi Old Town
The historic heart of Antalya. Cobblestone streets wind through a maze of Ottoman-era houses, Byzantine towers, Roman foundations, and ancient mosques. Here, you can read poetry in a restored courtyard café, gaze at the stars beneath stone arches, or fall asleep in a century-old inn, lulled by the Mediterranean breeze.
