27 April 2010

A taste of Antalya

Antalya is a picturesque city located in the southwestern region of Turkey. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, it is truly remarkable because of its amazing historical structures and natural beauty. It’s a city that doesn’t just feature beaches but also impressive structures that tell of its interesting past.

Reaching Antalya is relatively easy - the Antalya Airport is the destination of various international flights from different countries in Europe. Land travel is also a possibility through train. While rare, there’s also a boat that comes from Greece but tourists have to go through Marmaris and board a train to Antalya.

Once you reach Antalya, here are the two things you should consider doing to get the most out of the city. First, proceed to the city centre. Practically everything you need to know about Antalya is there. The historic structures such as the ancient Clock Tower, Hadrian's Gate and a couple of minarets can’t be missed. Secondly, get in a tram to get a view of the entire city. Although the tram only goes through the eastern part of the city and runs for 30 minutes – that amount of time will give you one of the best views over Antalya. After visiting the city take your time and taste the local cuisine: piyaz, sis kofte or tandir kebap.

The natural setting of Antalya is unique because it features beaches, lakes, falls and forests. Lara and Konyaalti beaches are only some of the places you can enjoy. Located north of Antalya is Upper Düden Waterfalls. A trip no more than 20 minutes will get you to this beautiful waterfall.