Antalya is Turkey's premier Mediterranean resort province, stretching along the stunning Turquoise Coast and offering a captivating blend of ancient ruins, dramatic waterfalls, and pristine beaches. The region is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world alongside luxurious all-inclusive resorts and a vibrant old town.
Antalya Province sits at the crossroads of civilizations, its coasts and mountains home to continuous human habitation for over 500,000 years as evidenced by Karain Cave. The region was home to the ancient Lycian, Pisidian, and Pamphylian peoples before being successively ruled by Persians, Macedonians (Alexander the Great wintered here), Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks, and Ottomans. This extraordinary layered heritage has left the province with an unmatched concentration of ancient ruins, many among the best-preserved in the Mediterranean world.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Antalya.
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1
Prehistoric Habitation
Karain Cave, 27km northwest of Antalya, shows evidence of Palaeolithic human habitation making it one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in Anatolia
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2
Bronze Age Settlements
Bronze Age settlements established along the coast and in river valleys; trade networks with Aegean and Near Eastern civilizations
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3
Lycian Civilization
The Lycian people establish a distinct civilization with a unique language, democratic league of cities, and remarkable rock-cut tombs along the western Antalya coastline
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4
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great campaigns through the region; the city of Perge opens its gates while the mountain city of Termessos successfully resists his siege
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5
Pergamon Kingdom
The region passes to the Kingdom of Pergamon and then to Rome; rapid urban development including construction of major cities like Perge, Aspendos, and Side
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6
Roman Province of Pamphylia
Pompey defeats the Cilician pirates and the region becomes the Roman Province of Pamphylia; era of great building including roads, aqueducts, theatres, and temples
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7
Hadrian's Visit
Emperor Hadrian visits Attaleia (Antalya) and Hadrian's Gate is built in his honor; the city thrives as a major Mediterranean port
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8
Aspendos Theatre Built
Construction of the magnificent Aspendos Theatre by architect Zeno; this world-class structure holds 15,000 people and remains the best-preserved Roman theatre
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9
Christianization
The region becomes predominantly Christian; St. Nicholas (later Santa Claus) serves as bishop of Myra (near Demre in Antalya province)
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10
Arab Raids and Byzantine Period
Arab raids destabilize coastal cities; Antalya serves as an important Byzantine naval base and trading port
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11
Seljuk Conquest
The Seljuk Turks under Sultan Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev I capture Antalya; the Yivli Minaret is built in 1230 as a symbol of Turkish rule, visible throughout Kaleiçi
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12
Alanya Conquered
Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad captures Alanya (then Kalonoros), builds the massive fortress and Red Tower that still dominate the peninsula
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13
Ottoman Control
Antalya comes under Ottoman control; the city develops as a prosperous port town with the building of Ottoman houses and hans visible in today's Kaleiçi
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14
Turkish Republic
With the founding of the Turkish Republic, Antalya becomes a provincial capital; the region shifts from agricultural to tourism economy through the 20th century
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15
Tourism Development
Antalya emerges as Turkey's premier tourism destination; Antalya Airport opens and expands; the region now receives 15+ million tourists annually
Historical eras
The chapters of Antalya's past.
Prehistoric Period
Continuous human habitation from Palaeolithic through Neolithic periods in caves and river valleys
Lycian Period
The Lycian people create a unique civilization with rock-cut tombs, a democratic city-league, and a distinct script along the western coastline
Hellenistic Period
Greek cultural influence following Alexander the Great; cities expanded with colonnaded streets and marble temples
Roman Period
Height of urban development; massive public buildings, aqueducts, and road networks; Antalya province among the most prosperous in the empire
Seljuk Period
Turkish Islamic culture introduced; Yivli Minaret and Alanya Castle among the finest Seljuk monuments in Turkey
Historical sites
Places where Antalya's past comes alive.
Aspendos Theatre
The world's finest preserved Roman theatre, built by architect Zeno, with original stage building intact and still hosting the annual Aspendos Opera Festival
Where: Serik District, 47km east of Antalya
Admission: $10
Perge Ancient City
Excellently preserved Pamphylian city with colonnaded main street, massive stadium, city walls, thermal baths, and remarkable agora
Where: Aksu District, 17km east of Antalya
Admission: $10
Termessos
Mountain city at 1,050m that resisted Alexander the Great; features theatre, necropolis, agora and city walls amid spectacular mountain scenery
Where: Güllük Dağı National Park, 30km northwest
Admission: $8
Karain Cave
The largest prehistoric cave in Turkey, inhabited for over 500,000 years with remarkable finds including Neanderthal fossils and stone tools
Where: Döşemealtı, 27km northwest of Antalya
Admission: $5
Hadrian's Gate
Triple-arched triumphal gate built to honor Emperor Hadrian's visit; one of the best-preserved examples of Roman monumental architecture in Turkey
Where: Kaleiçi entrance, Antalya city
Admission: Free
Alanya Castle
6.5km of walls with 83 towers dominating Alanya peninsula; the Red Tower at the harbor is a masterpiece of medieval military architecture
Where: Alanya city
Admission: $6
Phaselis
Ancient city with three harbors, Roman aqueduct, and theatre set in pine forests; you can swim in the ancient harbor
Where: Kemer District, 60km south
Admission: $8
Side Ancient City
Ancient city intermingled with modern resort town; Temple of Apollo, colonnaded streets, theatre, and agora
Where: Side, Manavgat, 75km east
Admission: $5 museum
Patara
Birthplace of St. Nicholas; capital of the Lycian League with monumental arch, theatre, bouleuterion (council house), and the world's oldest known lighthouse
Where: Kaş District, 210km southwest
Admission: $8
Museums
Curated collections that tell Antalya's story.
Antalya Archaeological Museum
One of Turkey's finest archaeological museums with artifacts from Perge, Aspendos, and regional sites; Hall of Gods features extraordinary Roman-era divine statuary
Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Tuesday-Sunday
Admission: $8
Side Museum
Housed in a 5th-century Roman bath complex; excellent collection of Hellenistic and Roman sculptures from Side excavations
Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Tuesday-Sunday
Admission: $5
Alanya Archaeological Museum
Local history from Bronze Age through Ottoman period; good collection of artifacts from the Alanya region
Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday-Sunday
Admission: $4
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Walking tours
Free walking tours of Kaleiçi depart daily at 10 AM from Hadrian's Gate in summer season
Day tours
Full-day ancient ruins tours to Aspendos + Perge + Side from $40-75 per person including transport and guide
Private tours
Private guides available for $80-150/half day; recommended for serious history enthusiasts