History
During the Hellenistic period, King Attalos II of Pergamon (159-138 BC) told his soldiers, “Go and find me heaven on earth.” Attalos II liked the place his soldiers showed him, considering the strategic importance of the region, had a port city established here, and the city was named “Ataleia” after its founder Attalos. Ateleia means “Land of Attalos”.

Antalya and its surroundings have inherited two lifestyles that have been in existence for centuries. When the Turks first came here, they immediately adapted to the settled order; they established villages, towns and cities. A part of the population continued a nomadic life as they did before the Turks came to Anatolia.

They raised animals such as camels and sheep and made a living by exchanging or selling the products they produced from these with the products of the settled people. They produced meat, milk and oil, and weaved wool tents and natural root-dyed rugs. There were even those who planted grain and vegetables in narrow areas during the winter quarters. There were even large nomadic groups (tribes, tribes) who trained horses for the Ottoman army.

Natural Beauties

Manavgat Waterfall
It is located in the Manavgat district of Antalya. The waterfall, which has a magnificent natural view, allows for adventure in natural landscapes, and various nature sports such as rafting and canoeing can be done in certain stages of the river.

Side Ancient City
Side, which was the most important port city of Pamphylia in ancient times, is located in the Manavgat district of Antalya. Side became a settlement center in the 7th century BC. Side Ancient City was a city where many communities such as the Lydians, Seleucids, Pergamon Kingdom, Roman Empire and Cretans lived and was known as a trade and port city. There are many historical structures to be visited in the city, which was built in the 8th century BC. Among the structures that can be seen around the ancient city are important works such as city walls, city gate, agora, ancient theater, bath, houses, temples, basilica, Temple of Apollo and Temple of Athena.

Side Museum
Side Museum, where many works related to the history of Side are exhibited, opened to visitors after the restoration work of the Ancient Agora Bath built by the Romans in the region was converted into a museum, contains works and structures belonging to many civilizations that dominated the region. The museum, which started accepting visitors in 1960, includes reliefs, inscriptions, sarcophagi, column capitals and altars from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. A large part of the findings unearthed as a result of extensive archaeological work carried out in the region between 1947 and 1967 are also exhibited in this museum.

Temple of Apollo
The temple, built in the name of Apollo, known as the god of beauty, art and poetry in Greek mythology, has a special importance among the historical places to visit in Side today. The columns with Corinthian capitals on the structure have motifs that require very fine workmanship and are admired. The structure, which was built in 150 AD, underwent a small restoration work in 1990 and took its current form. The temple, which has many historical ruins around it, is visited by tourists all year round because it has a unique Mediterranean view. Along with the sea view, there are also areas where you can walk around the Temple of Apollo, which visitors have immortalized with their cameras.

Köprülü Canyon National Park
Located in the Bozyaka neighborhood of Manavgat district, Köprülü Canyon National Park is 25 km long. Impressing visitors with its natural beauty, Köprülü Canyon is Turkey’s most popular rafting area. Rafting is a fun and exciting river sport performed on high-flow rivers with boats called rafts.

Oymapınar Dam
It is a dam built on the Manavgat River in Antalya between 1977 and 1984 for the purpose of generating electricity. Oymapınar Dam has an imposing and impressive appearance with its 185 meters height. With its lush green nature and turquoise lake, you will be greeted by a very beautiful view here. When you look from here, the part behind the rock islands you will see is the “Green Canyon”, which is visited by boats. This part is the part of the Manavgat Stream coming from in front of the Altınbeşik Cave. If you want to take a boat tour of the Green Canyon during your Oymapınar trip, you can continue on your way after passing the tunnel and reach the businesses that provide this service on the lakeside.

Tazı Canyon
It is a canyon valley located in the Manavgat district of Antalya. Tazı Canyon, located within the borders of Köprülü Canyon National Park, was formed by the erosion of the valley by the Köprüçay Stream. It is estimated that the formation of the canyon dates back to the ice age. It was formed by carving the insides of limestone rocks in non-calcareous regions as a result of ice masses separating and melting from each other and releasing themselves into the valleys with great energy by creating erosion. The length of the canyon is 4 km.

Alanya Castle
The castle, one of the symbols of Alanya, a district of Antalya, is located on a peninsula rising approximately 250 meters from the sea. The total length of its walls is 6.5 kilometers. The castle was built in the Hellenistic period in the Alanya settlement, which was called Kandeleri in ancient times.

Red Tower
It is in Alanya Port. The octagonal planned structure, which is the symbol of the city, is a 13th century Seljuk work. Since it was difficult to lift the stone blocks after a certain height during construction, the upper part was made of baked red bricks and therefore it was called Red Tower. The sunlight received from the top of the tower reaches up to the first floor. There is a cistern in the middle of the tower. The tower was built to protect the port and shipyard against attacks from the sea and was used for military purposes for centuries. The tower, which was repaired in the 1950s, was opened to visitors in 1979 and its first floor was converted into the Alanya Ethnography Museum.

İncekum Nature Park
It is located in the Alanya district of Antalya. It stands out among the important natural beauties of Antalya. Located at a unique point where the greenery of the forests meets the blue of the Mediterranean, the park is an ideal spot to spend time away from city life and in a calm manner.

Aspendos Ancient City
Aspendos or Belkıs is an ancient city famous for its ancient theater located in the Belkıs village of the Serik district of Antalya. It is one of the richest cities of Pamphylia. Aspendos has been among the cities that were wanted to be captured in every age because it is on an important trade route and is connected to the harbor by the Köprüçay River. The most important structure of Aspendos is its theater. It is an open-air theater that has been preserved in the best way among ancient theaters. This theater is the oldest and most intact example of Roman theaters in Anatolia that has survived to the present day with its stage.

Kurşunlu Waterfall Nature Park
It is located within the borders of the Aksu district of Antalya. Kurşunlu Waterfall, where 7 ponds merge and flow, flows from a height of approximately 20 meters. The waterfall, which is an indispensable part of an Antalya holiday with its refreshing effect and the view it creates, was opened to visitors as a nature park in 1991.

Göynük Canyon
It is located in the Kemer district of Antalya. It is located on the Lycian Way, which is shown as one of the 10 best long-distance hiking routes in the world by various sources. The pond creates an impressive view with its lush green waters.

Kekova Island
It is located in the Demre district of Antalya. There is no construction on Kekova Island, where you can both enjoy the sea and organize historical tours during your Mediterranean holiday. The island, which offers a very impressive visual feast with its turquoise colored sea, also has sunken ancient cities that are prohibited to enter.

Çıralı Yanartaş
It is located in the Kemer district of Antalya. Çıralı Yanartaş, located on the skirts of Çataldağ, one of the natural beauties of Kemer, has very impressive features. In the area where the methane gas constantly burning between the rocks on its top can be seen, a fire burns 24 hours a day.

Düden Waterfall
Düden Waterfall is one of the most visited tourism centers in Antalya due to its fascinating natural beauty. According to a rumor in 334 BC, it is said that the commander Alexander the Great watered his horses here while he was on his way to conquer the Pamphylia region. There are 2 waterfalls, Lower and Upper Düden.

Saklıkent Canyon
Located between the borders of Antalya and Fethiye, Saklıkent Canyon has a total length of 18 kilometers. If you want to plan a trip surrounded by nature, you can also see forest areas formed by red pine, cedar and black pine trees in Saklıkent Canyon, where you can have a very enjoyable time.

In order to protect our nature, be careful to choose sunscreen, perfume, skin care products and similar products from nature-friendly products. Do not forget that sunscreen chemicals spreading into our oceans can harm underwater creatures.

Historical Places
Kaleiçi has many cultural heritages such as Old Antalya Houses, Yivli Minaret, Şehzade Korkut Mosque, Karatay Madrasah, Perge Ancient City, Karain Cave, Hadrian’s Gate, Phaselis Ancient City, Phaselis, Aspendos Theater, Xanthos Ancient City, Alanya Castle, Myra Ancient City, Temple of Apollo, Olympos Ancient City.

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Various agricultural products are grown in the fertile soil of the Antalya region. Among agricultural products, wheat, barley and oats are the most grown. In addition, cotton, sesame, onion, peanuts, chickpeas, vegetables are grown on 35 thousand hectares. It is the most advanced province in greenhouse farming. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, eggplants, cucumbers, melons and watermelons are grown in 32 thousand hectares of greenhouses. They are sold domestically and abroad. Antalya is very advanced in fruit growing. Antalya is the province where the most bananas and oranges are grown. In addition, apples, pears, plums, quinces, peaches, apricots, grapes, oleaster, carob, cranberries and other fruits are grown. Tangerines, lemons and grapefruits are Antalya’s primary source of income, and in addition to citrus fruit production, olive growing is quite developed. The Antalya region brings with it the rich vegetation and wildlife richness due to its climate characteristics. Deer, fox, marten, squirrel, fallow deer, wild goat, jackal, hyena, wolf, bear, partridge, quail, turtle dove, wild pigeon, woodcock, francolin, blackbird, oriole and crane constitute the main wildlife of the province.

Plant and Animal Species Under Protection
– Mediterranean seal, sea turtle and loggerhead are under protection in these regions.
– In addition, plant species such as Cyclamen, Iris Flower, Sand lily, Narcissus and Crocus Flower are among the species under protection.
– It is dangerous not to buy souvenirs obtained from plant and animal species under protection. Hunting is prohibited outside the dates permitted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
– We kindly request that you do not participate in activities such as circus and dolphin shows that separate animals from their natural habitat.

National and Religious Values
– April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day,
– May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day,
– August 30 Victory Day,
– October 29 Republic Day

Our National Anthem, which is read with a moment of silence on national holidays celebrated with enthusiasm, is also among our national values. Ramadan Feast and Eid al-Adha are among our religious values.

How to Behave in Religious Places
We are obliged to follow certain rules in the mosques where we perform our religious worship,
– Shoes/slippers etc. are not allowed in the mosque,
– For women, hair is covered with a headscarf/headscarf etc. and care should be taken to ensure that the clothes cover the body,
– Loud speech should not be spoken,
– Respect should be shown to other people

National Anthem
Rules to be followed when our national anthem, the National Anthem, is read/heard;
– If we are wearing a hat, we should take it off
– If we are sitting, we should stand up and show respect
– We should not leave our seats before hearing the end of the anthem
– We should not be busy with anything while singing and listening to the National Anthem
– We should not laugh or be disrespectful while singing the anthem

Rules to Follow in Archaeological Sites, Historical Sites and Museums
– Do not touch the artifacts and their cases (pedestals) exhibited in the museum and archaeological site, do not write on them
– Do not make noise
– Listen carefully to what is said, ask your guide and museum education experts (if any) about your questions
– Pay attention to the warnings made in the museum/archaeological site
– Do not eat anything in the museum/archaeological site
– Do not throw garbage on the ground
– Follow the rules of the museum you are visiting regarding taking photos in the museum
– Do not climb on/touch historical remains in open-air museums/archaeological sites.

Traditional Handicrafts and Crafts in Antalya
Antalya, which has been a cultural basin throughout its history and still preserves this feature today, also draws attention with the variety of traditional handicrafts. As a result of field research carried out in our province on various dates, some of the handicrafts identified can be listed as follows;
– Wooden Boat Making
– Coppersmithing
– Knife Making
– Instrument Making
– Bell Making
– Dowry Chest Making
– Sock Knitting
– Blacksmithing
– Glass Fığla Glass Making
– Gilamik Weaving
– Carpet Weaving
– Silk Weaving
– Tinsmithing
– Spoon Making
– Rug Weaving
– Kolan (Çarpana) Weaving
– Lace Knitting
– Gourd Embroidery
– Quilt Making

Local Folk Dances
Antalya region folk dances have a regional characteristic called “Teke ​​Folklore”. In the region, the influence of the Yoruks is dominant in folk dances as well as in music. The dances of the region are composed of dances such as Mengi, Samah, Teke, Kaşık oyunu and Zeybek, which are performed by dancers without holding on to each other. In the districts to the east of Antalya, Konya spoon havası, Boğaz havaları, Serenler Zeybeği, Anamur Yolları, Silifke’nin Yoğurdu, Cezayir havaları are played. These dances are performed individually or collectively.

Local Foods
The basis of the Yoruks’ diet is determined by animal husbandry and foods obtained from wheat. Although fresh vegetables are produced in small amounts on the coastline, wheat and dried vegetables become more prevalent as you go inland. It is possible to find all world cuisines in touristic hotels and restaurants in Antalya. Local dishes specific to the region are: Sac kavurma, Tandır kebabı, Kölle (boiled wheat, beans, chickpeas and broad beans), Domates civesi, Hibeş, Arapaşı

Sports
There are many registered sports clubs and around 200,000 licensed athletes within the borders of the province. These clubs operate in many sports branches, especially football, basketball, handball, volleyball, athletics, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, water polo and swimming. Antalyaspor, nicknamed Scorpions in football, represents the city at the highest level in Turkish football. Antalyaspor plays its matches at the Antalya Stadium, which has a capacity of 33,032 people.

Festivals and Festivals
Festivals and festivals are organized in Antalya at various times. These festivals are generally summer festivals in the plateaus in the highlands of Antalya (such as Feslikan Plateau Festival, Söbüce Plateau Festival, Alanya Festival). In addition, the people living in the Alevi-Bektashi-Turkmen culture in the Elmalı region also organize festivals (such as the Abdal Musa Festival). In Antalya, festivals are organized on a local scale as well as national and international scale. The biggest festival on a national scale is the Antalya Television Awards, which started to be organized in 2010. On an international scale, the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival is organized every October. In addition, the International Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival is the only traditional sand sculpture event in Türkiye and among the largest in the world.

While carrying out all these events; do not neglect the personal care areas of women and children.
We kindly request that you be tolerant especially towards children and avoid any behavior that will harm them.