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Go to SiteAntalya cruises will open your eyes to one of Turkey’s most captivating cities. Perched atop limestone cliffs surveying the four-mile sweep of Konyaalti Bay, Antalya’s shoreline is fringed by the sapphire-blue Mediterranean against a backdrop of the hazy Taurus mountains.
Peel back layers of history as you explore, from the ancient Roman harbor to the stately Ottoman houses that line the cobblestone lanes of Kaleiçi, the old town. Discover extraordinary archaeological sites on day trips to the cities of Perge and Aspendos. Unwind in leafy parks packed with coffee shops, explore tumbling waterfalls, and soak up the cool refuge of shaded pine forests on your cruise to Turkey.
Extraordinarily well-preserved Hellenistic and Roman cities lie close to Antalya, each deserving a visit. Termessos lies high on Güllük Mountain facing the sparkling sea. Check out the theater, gymnasium, cisterns, and marketplace here. Perge features a magnificent Roman stadium and theater, Roman baths, and colonnaded streets. There’s another spectacular theater at Aspendos, dating to the 2nd century AD and still in use thanks to its perfect acoustics.
Over the millennia, water has eroded the limestone landscapes around Antalya to form dramatic caves, subterranean streams, and above all, waterfalls. In the city, the Duden River plunges over a cliff at the Upper Duden Falls. The Lower Duden Falls are yet more dramatic, the river tumbling over a limestone shelf into the sea. There’s more: further inland, the Kurşunlu Waterfalls Nature Park is a lush setting of dense woodland, the falls dropping 60 feet into seven emerald pools.
Antalya is cradled by mountains, and in the height of summer, a trip up Mount Olympos, or Tahtali, as it’s known in Turkish, is the perfect way to escape the heat. A cable car whisks you over bottle-green pine forests to 7,500 feet above sea level. At the summit, with the scent of juniper and wild sage on the breeze, you can admire incredible views down over the aquamarine sea. There are hiking trails to explore—and if you’re daring enough, tandem paragliding flights down to the beach.
Learn all about the rituals of funerals and burial at this fascinating museum, constructed over ancient Roman and Byzantine-era burial grounds which date back 2,300 years. The necropolis was discovered during construction work in 2008, and since then, some 1,000 tombs have been found, many containing human remains. Glass walkways lead you over original tombs, and there are fascinating displays of historic tombstones, sarcophagi, and burial offerings, including jewelry and glassware.
Crisscrossed with cobblestone streets that are lined with coffee shops, restaurants, and colorful fruit stalls, Kaleiçi, the Old Town, is enchanting. Once-grand Ottoman mansions jostle for position inside remnants of the Byzantine walls. Five times a day, the haunting call to prayer echoes out from the many minarets. Check out the grand Hadrian’s Gate, built in honor of the Roman emperor, who visited in 130 AD, and stop for coffee by the ancient harbor, built in the 2nd century BC.
Antalya curves around the pristine Konyaalti Beach, the city’s sun-drenched, pebbly playground. There’s a sense that everything happens here. Coffee shops buzz with conversation, while locals cycle and jog along the seemingly endless palm-shaded promenade. There are watersports concessions, kids’ playgrounds, street entertainers, and in the evening, DJs spinning tunes at the many beach clubs. The crystal-clear water is perfect for swimming, too.
Antalya is a great destination for foodies, from the humble street stalls to buzzing Turkish restaurants and buffets. Kaleiçi is filled with pubs and restaurants, many with vine-shaded terraces and tables spilling out onto the bustling streets. The city’s sunny Mediterranean location means that fruit and vegetables thrive here, from figs, melons, and pumpkins to forest mushrooms and chestnuts from the Taurus Mountains. There’s seafood everywhere, but fresh sardines are a local specialty. Turbot, bream, sea bass, and freshly sautéed squid in a bun topped with crisp salad are irresistible choices.
Local dishes to try include karidesli spaghetti, or shrimp pasta. Meatball skewers with onion and bell pepper are delicious when sizzled over a charcoal flame, while stuffed peppers, filled flatbread, and bohça, a crepe stuffed with cheese, potatoes, minced meat, or spinach, are all savory temptations. Lentil ice cream is not what it sounds, but rather lentils cooked with rice, onions, peppers, and garlic, served cold as an appetizer. A lot of pumpkins are produced around Antalya, so for a dessert with a difference, try the fruit cooked in sugar water, doused in tahini, and scattered with walnuts.
Antalya was founded in the 2nd century BC by King Attalus II of Pergamon, who named it Attaleia in his own honor. The city quickly became a flourishing harbor and an important center of maritime trade. Under the Romans, Antalya expanded to feature grand temples, thermal baths, and theaters, traces of which you can still see in Kaleiçi, the old center. Byzantine influence later added fortifications and churches, while the arrival of the Seljuks in the 13th century transformed Antalya into a major cultural and commercial hub, adding mosques, caravanserais, and the graceful Yivli Minaret that still defines its skyline.
Today, Antalya is a major commercial center on the Mediterranean coast with a population of over one million residents. The natural beauty of its setting has led to a thriving tourism industry. There’s a strong folk culture here, with locals proud of their history, as well as a contemporary vibe in the many beach clubs and pubs. Hospitality, family values, and respect for elders are three pillars of the local culture. Friendly bargaining is commonplace when shopping for souvenirs in the markets, so be prepared to haggle.
Cruise ships dock at Port Akdeniz, a mixed-use port nine miles west of the historic city center. There’s not much to do around the port; most visitors head straight to the city. You will, however, find a tourist information booth and free Wi-Fi. Taxis wait outside the port.
Antalya has an efficient transport network. The vintage-style Nostalgic Tram is an easy and fun way to travel across town, running roughly parallel to the waterfront past the old center. Within the historic center itself, the best way to get around is to walk. You can also use a taxi service. Antalya’s yellow cabs have a meter, so always check that it’s working before your ride.
Antalya’s souvenir stalls and markets are packed with traditional Turkish souvenirs. Pick up a backgammon board, ornate copperware, colorful, hand-painted ceramic dishes, and lamps made from glass mosaic tiles.
Edible souvenirs include extra virgin olive oil, Turkish delight, or lokum—rosewater and pistachio are popular flavors—and packs of spices. Speaking of roses, this is a great place to buy fragrant cosmetics made from the roses grown in the nearby Taurus Mountains, from face creams to soaps and essential oils. Many visitors want to pick up a hand-knotted Turkish carpet or woven kilim. If you want to buy a carpet, do your homework about what makes a piece valuable—for example, if it’s made of silk or wool, the number of knots per square inch—and be prepared to haggle.
The unit of currency in Antalya is the Turkish lira. Take care when buying pricy items or exchanging big banknotes, as the lira is a small unit of currency and you don’t want to mistake the number of zeros on a price tag or in your change. There are ATMs and exchange offices all over the city, with widely varying rates. You may find some vendors willing to accept dollars or euros, but you certainly won’t get a good exchange rate—and any change will be in Turkish currency.
Turkey does not have a big tipping culture, but it’s polite to add around 10 percent to a restaurant bill if you’ve had good service. If you take a taxi and the service is good, round up the bill. But leaving a tip of a couple of lira is meaningless; in terms of U.S. dollars, this would be just a few cents.
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