Antalya

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Municipality of Antalya's symbol

Antalya's yacht harbour

Antalya, formerly known as Adalia or Attalia (Greek: Αττάλεια), is a city on a bay of the south Mediterranean coast of Turkey in the Antalya Province (36° 54′ 45″ N, 30° 41′ 23″ E). It apparently dates from at least the Hellenistic period and the ruins of several ancient settlements are located nearby.

Combining history and culture it deserves the title of "the capital of Turkish tourism". Kaleici, the rustic old town, where quaint Turkish and Greek houses are under protection, is the most popular center in Antalya. It is situated between the yacht harbour and the main city. Old houses that are separated by narrow, cobble-stone roads are now hotels and tourism-related shops. Traces of Byzantine, Roman and Seljuks architecture and culture can still be seen. Take time to visit the archeological museum which houses the finds belonging to historic ages of Anatolia.

Inside the city Yivli Minare and Kulliye, Karaalioglu park are in our host of places to see. Konyaalti and Lara coasts are well known with their crystal clear waters. The prominent sites accesible by daily tours are Side, Perga, Manavgat and Alanya. It's a must to add Kursunlu and Duden waterfalls to your list. Blue voyagers may set their sails to Phaselis, Olympos, Adrasan and Kekova.

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History

Antalya was founded as Attalia or Attaleia by Attalus II, the King of Pergamum in the second century B.C., there are numerous ancient cities in the regions which are called by their historical names of Lycia in the west, Pamphylia in the east and Pisidia in the north.

The chief port of Pamphylia, the city had towers and defensive walls, some of which have survived. Its harbor could be closed with a chain.

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