Turkey Destination Guide

Antalya

The Antalya Region, offering all the mysticism of past in our day, is now called the "Turkish Riviera" due to its archaeological and natural beauties. Antalya is the place where sea, sun, history and nature constitute a perfect harmony and which also includes the most beautiful and clearest coast along the Medditerranean. The city still preserves its importance as a centre throughout history in the south coast of the country, in addition to its wonderful natural beauties. The mythological city which housed the Gods and Goddesses now exhibits all its secrets and marvels to mankind.

Demre

Demre is on the coast of the Teke peninsula, west of the bay of Antalya, with the Taurus Mountains behind. The mountains are forested and the coastal strip is made of good soil brought down by the mountain rivers. The climate is the typical Mediterranean pattern of hot dry summers and warm wet winters. Before tourism boom began in the 1980s the local economy depended on agriculture, which is still important today. The villages of Demre grow pomegranates and citrus fruits and now a large quantity of fruits and vegetables all year round in glass houses. Also with its rich history, attractions like the island of Kekova, the sea and warm weather this coast is very popular with holidaymakers from Turkey and all over Europe, although Demre still does not have the high volume of tourists enjoyed by districts nearer Antalya airport. Some local handicrafts like rug making, and events such as the annual camel-wrestling festival bring in extra income. The local cuisine predictably includes fish and seafood from the Mediterranean.

Aspendos

Aspendos can be reached with an asphalt seperated from Antalya – Manavgat road. The city which is one of the richest cities is found on two hills , one big the other small , 8 km east of Serik where the Kopru brook coming from the mountains reaches the plains. The first name of the city as can be seen from the coins minted was Estwediya. The most powerful money in the antique world was the Aspendos coin. In the Aspendos theater built in the 2nd century BC, in the lower floor of the two tiered facade built of regularly dressed blocks of conglomerate there are five doors through which the actors entered the stage. Small doors at orchestra level belong to the galleries where wild animals were kept. At the middle of the façade at the upper floor in a triangular shape pediment there is a relief of the wine god Dionysos who at the same time was the founder and patron of theaters. The theater with a capacity of 17.000 people is the best preserved standing amphitheater. The secret of the perfect acoustics created could not be revealed up todate. In the 13th century the Seljuks have used this building as a caravanserai and have strengthened the northern part of the building with an arch in typical Seljuk style. Aspendos theater which is at a distance of 38 km to Side can be reached via a 4 km long road after making a right turn on the Antalya-Alanya road after passing through Serik. The theater today is used for various concerts, carnivals, festivals and oil wrestling. Agora, Basilica, Nymphaeum and the arched waterways reaching up to 15 km. are other places worth to see in Aspendos. The Aspendos theater has been hosting the International Opera and Ballet Festival since 11 years. Aspendos Festival which has been chosen as the 5th best Opera festival attracts the attention of domestic and foreign tourists.

Manavgat Waterfall

Manavgat Waterfall on the Manavgat River is near the city of Side, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north of Manavgat, Turkey. Its high flow over a wide area as it falls from a low height is best viewed from a high altitude. The white, foaming water of the Manavgat Waterfalls flows powerfully over the rocks. Near the waterfalls are shady tea gardens providing a pleasant resting place. The Oymapinar Dam is located 12 km to the north of the river. During floods, the Manavgat Falls may disappear under high water.

Perge

Perga, now commonly spelled "Perge" and pronounced "per-geh", was the capital of the then Pamphylia region, which is in modern day Antalya province on the southwestern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Today it is a large site of ancient ruins 15 km east of Antalya in the coastal plain. Located there is an acropolis dating back to the Bronze Age.

Kursunlu Waterfall

The Kursunlu Waterfall is located 19 km from Antalya at the end of a 7 km road branching off to the north of the Antalya-Serik-Alanya highway at a point 12 km from Antalya. It is reduced to a mere trickle in the summer months. The waterfall is on one of the tributaries of the Aksu River and its situation in the midst of a pine forest is of quite exceptional beauty. The countryside around the water forms a lovely picnic and pleasure spot only twenty minutes from the centre of the city of Antalya.