Fun things to do in Antalya Ili

Termessos: It is a Pisidyan city with remnants of an agora, theatre and an odion. It has a reputation of being the most magnificent necropolis on the Mediterranean, 35 kms northwest of Antalya.

Perge: 18 kms northeast of Antalya. The ruins are spread on two hills, the theatre on one and the acropolis on the other. According to the legend the city was built by three heros from Troy.

Sillyon: 34 kms from Antalya on the Alanya direction. It is situated between Aspendos and Perge and dates back to 4th.century BC.

Aspendos: One of the most important Pamphilian cities. It is situated on the point where the Kopru River meets the sea. Once an important port and a commercal centre, it has a reputation for raising the best horses on earth. The odeon, basilica, galleria and fountains are worth seeing.

A prize winning museum and one of the most notable archaeology museums, of the world. It is also the only museum in Turkey with a children's department exhibiting ancient monuments appealing to children.

City Walls

The memorial Hadrian Arch and The Clock Tower are remarkable and date back to Hellenistic era.

Kaleici

This is the nucleus of a city which embraced many civilizations during time. It is now restored and has became a most attractive touristic centre with its hotels, restaurants, shopping and entertainment facilities. Kalei,ci retains all the original ancient Turkish archaeological characteristics. The port's marina has been completely restored and is wellworth visiting. The restoration activities in Kaleici won the Golden Apple Prize, the Oscar of tourism.

Arrived at Aspendos just before sunset. It was truly breathtaking as the setting sun illuminated its arches, pediments and columns...what an unforgettable setting it was. Please check my historical remarks and pertinent info on the first page plus more photos.

- Visiting the Antalya Museum
- Walking up the gorge at Saklikent
- Seeing the ruins at Perge and Termessos
- Walking through Kaleici and the old houses of Antalya
- Taking pictures of the snowdrops in Akseki
- Buying a Dosemalti carpet
- Tasting the local jams and jellies

Myra, a site on the south coast of Lycia, in SW Antalya Ili, has several things to offer. It has a Greek theatre, tombs built into the rock hillsides, and is the site of St. Nicholas, aka St.Nick/Santa Claus, etc. The rock tombs are fascinating (but there are others around the region) and the theatre has some passageways to explore.

Termessos is an eerie place but a must-see venue just the same. Other musts are sunblock and cold water if you're visiting in the summertime. It is sadly in various stages of neglect and disrepair. The remnants of the amphitheatre sits on the most dramatic and scenic location in the whole of Turkey!

When staying at Olimpos/Cirali an essential is a visit to the Chimera/Yanartas, literally translated as Burning Rock.

A steep but not too taxing path up the hillside (don't worry there is usually an enterprising village boy waiting to sell you a cold drink or a beer) suddenly opens onto an open expanse with dozens of small fires burning. Extinguish a flame with a rock and it immediately reignites.
Can get a bit crowded after sunset, but if you wait until late at night you may even get the magic all to yourself. (Although some of the forest noises can be a bit spooky, there are wild boar in the hills!) Take a torch for the descent.

A tractor and trailer usually passes through the village at around nine each night to pick you up, and the guys will lead the way with powerful torches.