Things to do in Antalya, Turkey - history, fun and adventure

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Guest writer: Jonathan Gharbi de Maré

Antalya is located on the Turkish Mediterranean coast and is beautifully surrounded by mountains and vast forests. It may sound a bit clichéd, but the city actually offers something for everyone and there is accommodation in all styles and classes.

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The weather is mostly pleasant but can get a little too hot in July and August when it can be around 35 degrees during the day. Around the city there are lovely mountains and forests that offer a range of activities for those who like active holidays.

It is not a small city with its 2.5 million inhabitants but it is still quick to get out of the city into the mountains and it is easy to get around even for those who rent a car. The city is used to tourism and most guides speak English but also German and French. 

Old Town - Old Town - Kaleiçi

It's impossible to visit Antalya without experiencing at least some of its rich history. The Old Town or Kaleici as the area is called dates back to Roman times but if you look a little closer you can find older parts than that.

You often start by visiting Hadrian's Gate from the 100s and maybe visit Hidirlik tower down by the beach, also from the same period. Of course, there are those who are content with a selfie at Hadrian's Gate, but we Swedes are so educated and interested in history that we probably have to explore a little more than that.

Underneath the city, too, there is a wealth of remains from bygone times. For example, under the hotel Ruin Adalia, there are old walls, streets and mosaics found 4-5 metres below the current ground level. The hotel has been excavated and then built on top of the ancient remains.

There are so many finds that archaeologists find it difficult to find time to examine them all, so you can often visit them undisturbed. People also regularly find old coins and other artefacts, which they naturally donate to the museums. 

Things to do in Antalya - attractions and entertainment

For the kids, there's Waterhill Park, a huge water park with slides and playgrounds, a bit like a Gröna Lund in water.

The incredible collection of statues inside the Antalya Archaeological Museum is a real eye-opener. Tired teenagers might be revitalised when the guide tells them about Athena, Zeus and the other gods of the Roman Empire.

There are many connections and stories that weave local events and places into a larger historical context, so ask for a personalised guide to hear the best stories. Few museums have so many statues and artefacts from Roman times. 

After a long day of walking, museums and food, many people feel the need to have a drink while contemplating the historical events that took place where they walked.

There are a number of pubs in the city centre, and for those who want a classic pub feel, the Edinburgh Social House or the Sheffield pub might be the place to go, with everything from beer to cocktails. For those who want wine bars and more cosy places, there are Kanzaras, Karaf bistro Kaleici and Roys, which has both Turkish and Georgian wines on the menu. 

The amusement park Aktur park is also nice to visit for those of you who prefer to be in the city rather than riding around the mountains. If it is really hot, you may want to be indoors and then Antalya Aquarium is perfect where you can walk in a 131 metre long glass tunnel with everything from exotic fish to huge sharks swimming around you. 

Golf and luxury hotels in Antalya

Many people go to Antalya to play golf and the courses are of a high standard and when you have a view of both the sea and the mountains, the feeling is almost like when you hit a hole in one. There are about ten five-star hotels that cost anywhere from SEK 1500 to SEK 10,000 a night and the luxury is accordingly.

Perhaps in the same category you can also mention that there are a handful of large shopping centres such as Terra City, Mall of Antalya and Mark Antalya that have most of the brands for those who prefer shopping to rafting or just forgot to pack the suitcase. 

Tazi Canyon and rafting

You should also visit the surrounding mountains or at least devote an afternoon to it. Talk to one of the tourist offices and tailor your own excursion. It doesn't have to cost much or take long and there are quick tours for around €30-40 per person. You can choose to just go up by jeep to Köprülü Canyon National Park to see the beautiful river and views from the Tazi Canyon. 

The views are magnificent and the journey up the winding roads is done in open jeeps with the wind blowing in your hair. Then you can choose to go quad biking, rafting, take a cable car across the river, mountain biking or hiking along one of the many trails.

An hour-long rafting trip is incredibly beautiful but also a bit wet depending on where you sit in the rubber boat. You can also go down by kayak if you are not afraid of the cold water. 

Climbing outside Antalya

Around 20 kilometres from Antalya, the Geyikbayırı mountain range is a large area of climbing routes. For those who are tired of the walls in the city's shopping centres, there are rock walls both with and without bolts.

There are several guides who provide equipment and they speak good English. For beginners, it is recommended to start with a level 5 guide but for those who can climb like Sylvester Stallone in Cliffhanger, just ask for level 8-9 directly.

The guides are experienced and professional and used to everything from those who climb for the first time in their life to those who look like doing it for the last time in their life. Personally, 10 metres in level 5 was enough to make me feel like the guy climbing a burning skyscraper in the movie skyscraper. 

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Jonathan Gharbi De Maré

Jonathan runs the start-up abudhabibeer.com about beer both in the UAE with offshoots in neighbouring regions. Jonathan opened the first craft brewery in Burkina Faso and wrote the book Beer guide to Vietnam. He is a regular writer for the beer magazine Maltesen. In addition to beer, he has a keen interest in nature and more unusual travel destinations. He has written articles for a variety of newspapers and magazines.

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