Antalya: One of the world's best-loved holiday paradise

Antalya is one of the world's best-loved tourist resorts, with numerous five-star hotels, holiday villages and entertainment establishments. There are great works of art from different civilizations at every corner of the city. In the picturesque old quarter of Kaleiçi, narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses abut the ancient city walls. The elegant, fluted minaret of the Yivli Minaret Mosque at the centre of the city, built by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat in the 13th century, has become Antalya's symbol. Visitors can also find a number of touristic hotspots along the coastline away from the city centre. Kemer, 42km from Antalya through a spectacular mountain scenery, is the first such spot to the west of the city. This resort town has been carefully designed to blend in with the surrounding scenery and offers an ideal environment for a wonderful holiday. The ancient city of Olympos is situated on the southern side of Mt Tahtalı. The Karain Cave, which dates from the Palaeolithic Age, is the oldest known cave where human lived in Anatolia. Continuing west out of Kekova you come to Kaş, a lovely spot surrounded by mountains on three sides. Swimming and diving are excellent in the clear cool water around Kaş. The ancient Lycian capital of Xanthos, today in the village of Kınık, and the Lycian cultic centre of Letoon are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the Upper Düden Waterfall, 14km northeast of Antalya, you can walk behind the rushing cascade for a thrilling experience. Kurşunlu Waterfall and Nilüfer Lake, both 18km from Antalya, are two other places of superb natural beauty. Abundant and up-to-date tourist facilities as well as well-preserved historical sites give you a number of options for daily activities. The Aspendos Theatre is the best preserved theatre of antiquity, with a capacity of 15,000 spectators. Antalya offers both nature and history lovers such experiences that are impossible to forget.