ANTALYA - beaches, parks, waterfalls ... History and Modernity

Despite the plain-old advertising posters, Turkish Antalya is quite capable of surprise. And not beaches and hotel animators, not the notorious system of all inclusive hotels in Turkey, no SPA on the Mediterranean coast and even tanned beauties. Antalya can really fall in love with decisively and irrevocably, if you take the trouble to really get to know her. Here and ancient caves, and unique minarets and mosques, and rich exposure of archaeological museums, and Roman ramparts and watchtowers, and nature reserves and parks.

In the city

The old town of Antalya, surrounded by walls, called Kaleici. The southern part of the preserved authentic houses with paint and rickety oblezshey facades. Narrow streets are directed from the bottom up along the city fortifications. The gardens grow tangerines and persimmons, and each house is separated from the outside world by high walls. Slowly strolling here involuntarily immersed in the atmosphere of ancient times.

Popular attractions Antalya - Hadrian's Gate. The gate was erected in memory of the Roman emperor Hadrian, who visited the region in 130 BC Gates perfectly preserved and today are one of the main attractions of the city. At the entrance on duty cleaners shoes. There is a belief: everyone who passes through the gates for the first time, can make a wish. But to make it come true, you need to pre-polish shine shoes.

Next door is another interesting monument - without the minaret of the mosque. This medieval building was built in the XIII century to commemorate the victory of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat. During its unusual architecture was named Yivli Minaret, which means "ribbed". 90 steps of the spiral staircase leading to the observation deck. With a height of 38 meters with beautiful views of the city.

The two protagonists of the mosque of the city of the Ottoman Empire - a mosque Murat Pasha (XVI century) and the Mosque of Tekeli Mehmet Pasa (XVIII century). At the yachting harbor in a very picturesque place there is another mosque - Iskele.

But on the mosque from Broken Minaret Kezik really possible to study the history of the Mediterranean. This amazing structure was built on the site of a pagan temple, demolished during the Byzantine Empire. Christians built the Church of St. Virgin Mary. Then the Turks who conquered the coast, turned the church into a mosque, the minaret was attached to it. In the XIV century the building again became first a Catholic, then the Orthodox Church, and later back to the mosque. And finally, in the XIX century it was almost destroyed by fire. The top of the minaret cut off by a lightning strike. On the dome through the eastern patterns still appear the faces of Orthodox saints.

All the faithful of the mosque taken under Sharia law - women in one, men in another door.

Walking Sailing

At the pier you can rent a boat and go for a ride along the coast. From the sea, beautiful views of the tridtsatimetrovy cliff, on top of which is located Antalya. The route is also among the small caves, grottos and waterfalls.

If you rent a private yacht can not afford it, just buy a ticket for a sightseeing cruise. Every day, except Monday, from the pier Sailing to the shores of Lara ply Turkish gyulety (wooden boat).

By the way, the port is also a historical monument. Originating in the II century BC, the port still works. Every day from here sent to merchant vessels in many cities in the world. Numerous yachts transported tourists to the waterfall Duden, mouse island or just away from the coast - to swim in the open sea.

National parks

But in order to enjoy the beauty of nature, it is necessary to go beyond the city limits. Rent a car with a driver is better, since driving on mountain streamers requires a certain voltage and concentration. In the vicinity of many lakes and waterfalls.

Dyuzlerchamy National Park is famous for its rare species of deer and mountain goats. The road to it runs past the amazing canyon Güver, whose 115 m depth. Another national park is located on Gallyuk hill to the north-west of Antalya. Here, at an altitude of over 1,000 meters above sea level, towering ruins of the ancient city Termessos. First visit Kadife Castle and the antique theater, carved in the rocks.

30 km from the city, on the eastern slope of the mountain Chan, is Karain Cave. The cave belongs to the Paleolithic era, and has more than 100 000 years. Here is the most ancient of human parking Turkey.

Beaches

The main beaches in the city are three. When viewed from the west to the east, the first will be pebbly Konyaalti, then a small Mermerli and the east - the sandy beach of Lara, loved by many tourists.

Konyaaltı - pebble beach. Located in the western part of the city. Here is everything you need: sun umbrellas, deck chairs, cabanas, small pools with fresh water, and even a wooden walkway that save from the sun heated pebbles. Perhaps the only minus the beach - close to the port. It is believed that the water in Antalya region is cooler than in other areas because of groundwater sources and currents. Sunset in the water sharp enough, so those who can not swim or traveling with small children, it is better to rent life vests.

Sandy Lara Beach stretches 12 km east of Antalya.Here are the most expensive hotels on the coast: Sheraton, Hilton, etc. Therefore, the benefits of civilization much more than in Antalya.. You can go diving, windsurfing, water-skiing. Rented aquabikes and snorkeling equipment. Many restaurants, cozy paths to the sea, within walking distance are the dolphinarium and water park.

Mermerli - the oldest beach of Antalya. It located in the Old Town district, close to the harbor. The beach is fenced off from the historic center of a stone wall, get on it can only be for a fee. But the rental of umbrellas and sun beds free.

Antalya in facts and figures.

1. Antalya-fourth city to develop and size in Turkey with a population of 2 200 thousand. Man.
2. Antalya receives over 50% of tourists visiting Turkey.
3. Antalya, the third city in the world in the number of foreign tourists visited after Paris and London.
4. Antalya receives about 14 million tourists a year, which is significantly higher than Rome, Moscow, Istanbul and Singapore combined.
5. In 2016 will be held in Antalya World Fair "EXPO-2016", which will attract more 8 million. Additional tourists.
6. Investments for the fair amount to more than 3 bln. Dollars.
7. 100 million Turkish Lir- dollarov- about 50 million, for 2 years will be invested only in the asphalt pavements of roads.
8. The number of hotels in Antalya is about 2000, of which 400 - the 5-star level.
9. Antalya Airport for several years in a row as the best in Europe in the category of service 15-25 mln. Passengers per year.
10. Antalya airport serves 200 known airlines in the world.
11. In Antalya, there are more than 20 major shopping and entertainment centers.
12. Antalya is one of the major exporters of vegetables and season food.
13. Antalya takes 2nd place in Turkey in the number of vehicles per capita.
14. In Antalya, almost all the world's major car brands have official representation and infrastructure service centers.
15. In Antalya three seasons-spring, summer seasonal one.
16. The infrastructure of water supply and drainage system Antalya invested $ 1 billion.
17. In Antalya, 300 days of sunshine a year.
18. The tourist season in Antalya airport only from Moscow landed about 200 aircraft per day.
19. In Antalya comfortable stay as "restricted to travel abroad patients", as developed and are available absolutely all types of medical services.
20. The annual growth of the population of Antalya is 60 thousand. Man due to internal migration.
21. In Antalya foreigners for the year purchased more than 50 thousand. Apartments.
22. Citizens of Russia bought about 6 thousand. Apartments of various sizes.
23. In Antalya registered 2850 companies with foreign capital. 519 of them by the citizens of the Russian Federation, are the leaders in terms of turnover.

In Turkey, the number of companies with foreign capital is about 35 thousand.

24. In 2015, in Antalya planned to hold 456 exhibitions of various kinds, including 125 internationally.
25. In 2014, in Antalya, the tourism industry invested 3.2 billion US dollars, bringing the number of beds has increased by 52 thousand. Units.

Text: Some materials are provided byT ravelmail.