Antalya - What to do?

 

   Antalya is one of the must-see cities in Turkey. with comprising historical sites and fantastic coast. In 2014, a record number of tourists came to Antalya (12,5 millions). Temperature in Antalya looks not too high but because of humanity, i strongly advise that before getting over Antalya, you should take shorts and t-shirts with you and bring many of them, especially in summer.

   Visiting Antalya by Travel Agency is mostly used by tourists. Actually, it is the best way for travel through Antalya because, historical sites and must-see places are far away each one and Antalya: because of the new roads under construction, i advice you not to attach credence to navigation. But, if you use your car (you can rent a car in Antalya) for travel, you can have a change to do whatever you want, I mean that after visiting a historical site, you can drive to coast and get relax on the sea. By travel agency, you cannot find this opportunity. However, travel agencies know how to get somewhere interesting for tourists, so you can`t get lost. Which one you chose is up to you.

   This article is about my travel guide of Antalya and i will give a try to help those who want to pay a visit to Antalya or wish to see new cosy places. I think whatever you are looking for travel- i mean swimming, traveling historical sites, doing something new and crazy- Antalya is the place to meet your desire.

1. Aspendos 


  For more info, you can visit "Aspendos Travel Guide" in this blog.


2. Historical Aspendos Bridge 
(Eurymedon Bridge)

   It is a late Roman bridge over Koprucay. If you use your car, you can get there but travel agencies don`t take tourists to there. The bridge is near to Aspendos.

   On the way, you can see dance theatre constructed like Aspendos on right hand side when from Aspendos. The dance show starts off at 21:15 and is about the history of Aspendos.

3. Perge

First 3 are too close to each one. So, if you go to any, before getting back to your room, don`t hesitate to go to the other, Perge is also a historical site. What you can find there are stadium, agora, theatre, Roman bath and other remains of Roman.

Travel Agencies can take you to Perge but i advise you to get over there by your own car.

4. Olympos


   For more info, you can visit "Olympos Travel Guide" in this blog.

5. Yanartas (Chimaera)

                                            

                 

   Yanartas means flaming rock in english. Here is a site of many small fires which burn constantly. It is near to Olympos. Overall, i don`t advise anyone to get there because if you want to get there, you have to climb rocks for 1 km, but if you really want to, then my advice to you is to get there at night -especially after 6 pm-. The way going to Yanartas is showed below:

P.s.: For entrance, you have to buy a ticket cost to 6 turkish liras.

6. Take a Cruise Tour in Kemer

   Kemer is near to both Yanartas and Olympos. -on the way from city center to any of them- In Kemer, you can find bazaars in which you can find whatever you are looking for - from turkish delight to traditional turkish clothes-

   There are two different cruise tours you can choose. First is Kemer to Kekova. The second is Kemer to Phaselis. If you rent a room in Antalya city center, the companies running these cruise tour take you Kemer and after the tour is over, you are taken back to where you are first taken. It costs just 15 turkish liras.

   On the tour, you may also pay a visit to historical sites as well as sea bays. Before buying your ticket, don`t forget to ask the direction.

   I took the second tour -Kemer to Phaselis-. On the tour, i visited ancient city called as Phaselis. Also, i had a chance to swim in 3 different bays. But, some company`s tour also includes Olympos. Ask the direction in advance. The tour from Kemer to Phaselis costs around 50 turkish liras.(Depend on the company you deal with) Here are some photos i took during the cruise tour:

                     

            

7. Duden Selalesi (Duden Waterfall)

   It is 10 km away from city center. Travel agencies can take you there as well as some cruise tours. If you go over there by your own car, you can also do rafting or go to nearby Lara beach (most-famous beach in Antalya). But, neither cruise tour nor travel agencies don`t take you to Lara beach or let you do rafting. Which one you choose is up to you.

   Also, there is a bazaar near to the waterfall. On the bazaar, you can buy turkish delight, t-shirt and some more products.











   One more note is where the waters of Duden Waterfall drops off is the start of Mediterranean sea.









8. Lara Beach

   Lara beach is the most-famous and must-have-to-visit beach in Antalya. What you can do there is swimming, making fun with some activities and water sports (parasailing, jet-ski, banana boat and many more things). Lara beach is so near to Duden Waterfall.







9. Duden Rafting

   It is the rafting center in Antalya. It is nearby to duden waterfall. If you want to do it, you are requested to come there morning.

10. Antalya Aquarium

   From now on, i will give info about travel in Antalya city center. Antalya aquarium is in the city center and it is the biggest tunnel aquarium in the world. Besides the aquarium, there are some more activities child could find it interesting. These are visiting wild park, getting inside snow world and many more.

P.s.: If you get there as a group (at least 6 people), you can get discount for each of group members.

11. Antalya Aqualand Dolphinland

   It is located in front of Antalya Aquarium.In here, you can watch dolphins` show and if you pay 250 turkish liras, you can swim with dolphins.

   Furthermore, you can visit aqualand there. There are many amusing toys not only for childs but laso for adults.

P.s.: If you go to Aqualand after 2 p.m., you can enter to there for half price and there closes at 5 p.m.

12. Have a visit throughout City Center

   If you walk in the city center, you can find many places.

• Shopping Centers : There are two big shopping centers. These are Ozdilek and Migros AVM.
• Historical Site: These are Hadrianus Kapisi, Aya Yorgi Church, Hadrian`s Gate
• Amusement Park : Akturpark
• Museums : Antalya Museum and Ataturk Home and Museum