Overview
Antalya province covers a region of extraordinary diversity and beauty. At its heart lies the broad and fertile. Pamphylian plain, which stretches from the Taurus Mountains to the Mediterranean. It is bordered to the east and west by the precipitous mountains of Kilikia and Lykia, which sometimes plunge directly into the sea. The plain is traversed by numerous streams and rivers, and because it descends from the mountains to the sea in a series of giant steps, is famous for its spectacular waterfalls. In the mountains there are extensive and very ancient forests of pines, cedars and oaks. On the plain, virtually anything will grow, from cotton and bananas to avocadoes and bergamot. But the symbol of Antalya is the orange, and it is a Golden Orange that is awarded to the winning film in the city’s annual, international film festival.
The Taurus Mountains protect Antalya from cold, northerly winds. The region has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The sun shines for ten months of the year, and in July and August the temperature can reach 40ºC, but sea breezes blow constantly, for a cooling and refreshing effect, making Antalya a year-round vacation paradise.

History & Culture
The Antalya region has been inhabited since ancient times. In the Karain Caves, for instance, human artifacts dating back to 30,000 BC have been found. True civilizations, however, began to be founded just prior to 2,000 BC when the Luwians and the Lykians entered Western and Southern Anatolia in the early Bronze Age. These civilizations developed rapidly; for instance, it was the Luwians who founded Ephesus, while the Lykians established numerous small but beautiful cities. Another spur to development was the establishment of a number of cities on the southern coast of Turkey, like Pergamum, Sillyon, Aspendos and Side by the Achaean Greeks at the end of the Bronze Age. These cities, like the Lykian cities of Xanthos and Patara, grew and prospered. Antalya Province is home to more than 50 ancient cities and towns. You can see antique theaters, stadiums, monumental fountains, temples, city squares and column-lined streets, all of which are under the protection of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The best-preserved of these sites is the Aspendos Theater, which even today is still used for concerts and operas. Adam & Eve may be the best design hotel of the 21st century, but if you want to take a trip back in time or see a performance of Verdi’s “Aida” in an ancient theater, this is your opportunity.

By Turkish standards, Antalya is a relative newcomer, having been founded in the 2nd century B.C. by King Attalus II of Pergamum. It soon became a major port, and during the Byzantine period, when its grander neighbors were gradually abandoned, it actually increased in importance, becoming the Byzantine Empire’s principal Mediterranean port. Then, in 1207, it was captured by the Seljuk Turks of Konya, who presided over a new era of prosperity, good governance and high cultural attainments. What will impress you today is the beauty of the Ottoman old quarter, Kaleici, which has been carefully conserved.

Historic Sites
Thanks to its historical background the Antalya region enjoys a rich culture and ethnography. In addition to the characteristics of settled cultures, the local people adopted some of the characteristics of nomadic Yörük culture. The yearly migration from the plain to the uplands of the Taurus Mountains to escape the summer heat made this inevitable.

Traditionally, the Yörük people depend on their herds of sheep and goats. They use the wool from these herds to make their tents and use their milk to make butter and cheeses. They also make many different kinds of preserves and pickles from fruits found in the mountains. Besides livestock farming the Yörüks also value handicrafts, especially the famous Döşemealtı carpets. These medium-sized carpets are dyed using natural madder and are generally red, dark blue and green. With pure wool warp and weft, these carpets feature camel’s foot, branch and cross motifs. The Yörüks adorn their houses, tents, saddles, domestic animals and newborn babies with boncuks (evil eye beads). Today in the mountain villages to the north of Döşemealtı rugs, camel bags, socks, gloves, table-cloths, bedspreads and other coverings are woven along with elegant crochet-work embroidery. Woodcarving is another specialty, particularly in the town of Akseki.

These traditional local products are sold in restored historic buildings such as Tek Kapılı Han, Alarahan and Serapsu Han. As for contemporary products, jewelry, silverware, ready-to-wear leatherwear, hand-made kilims, and every kind of souvenir are on sale in the shopping centers around the airport and at the Festival Market, Migros and Liman Megacentres.

Antalya also has a distinctive cuisine. Among its specialties are piyaz (a white bean salad with tahini, garlic and walnuts), tandoor kebab, tomatoes with chives, and the aubergine salad known as şakşuka. Fish are another highlight of Antalyan cookery, including bream, bass, swordfish, bonito, and red mullet. Trout is a specialty of the province’s more mountainous districts.