Beyond the beach: discover Antalya’s secret depths

Breathtaking beaches

From the golden paradise of Lara Beach to the sheltered beauty of Mermerli Beach and the dramatic, craggy surrounds of Kaputaş Beach, Antalya, on the southern coast of Türkiye, is blessed with some of the finest coastline in the Mediterranean.

But this ancient city, nicknamed the Turkish Riviera, is far more than just a resort destination for those in search of sun and sea.

Resist the alluring shimmer of the horizon and head inland towards the city. Here you’ll discover an intriguing maze of steep narrow streets with small carpet shops spilling onto the cobbles and boutique hotels set within restored Ottoman residences.

Sites that tell a story

In Kaleiçi, Antalya’s historic city centre, explore centuries of stories in the Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Cami. This ornate Ottoman mosque is famous for the coloured tiles above its windows and its colossal central dome, along the base of which are written Arabic inscriptions. If you’d prefer something a little more ancient, the ruins of Hadrian’s Gate on Atatürk Boulevard 10 minutes’ walk away date back to 130 AD and retain much of their delicate floral motif friezes and cornices.

A short jaunt from the ruins and set within a charmingly restored reddish pink Antalya mansion is the Suna & İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum. This small institution displays life-size dioramas depicting culturally significant customs typical of a traditional 19th-century Antalya household. If beautifully painted earthenware is more your thing, head to the former Orthodox Church behind the main house to peruse a delightful collection of 17th-century Çanakkale ceramics. Finally the Antalya museum, one of TÜRKİYE’s largest, hosts exhibits from the Paleolithic Age to Ottoman times and is a must-visit for those interested in the rich archeological history of this region.

At the bottom of the city’s Old Town slope is the city’s restored ancient harbour. Now a marina for yachts and tour boats, the area makes for a lively afternoon’s stroll with bustling restaurants and cafes at every turn. Have a relaxed lunch before hopping on a gulet (traditional wooden sailing boat) for a sun-drenched excursion out to the Gulf of Antalya.

Hike (and bike) through history

If all this…