The southernmost resort of the Antalya coast. The resorts of the Antalya coast are great places for a good rest. Attractions and entertainment
The Antalya coast of the Mediterranean Sea is the most popular holiday destination in Turkey, where millions of tourists fly every year. Here, from April to mid-November, you can swim in the sea, enjoy the most beautiful landscapes of the country, see the most interesting sights and relax comfortably on the all-inclusive plan, so beloved by many tourists. And for your vacation to bring maximum positive impressions, you just need to choose the right resort on this coast.
Antalya
One of the best coastlines is Antalya - a city that has a long history. There are a huge number of the most modern hotels, restaurants, cafes, discos, water parks and shopping centers, so you can fully enjoy the comfort, especially if you choose the five-star Porto Bello Hotel Resort & Spa, Akra Hotel or Sealife Family Resort Hotel for your stay. . Also here you can fully enjoy the cleanest sea beaches, gardens with exotic trees, palm alleys and simply stunning landscapes.
And when you want to see something special, tourists will be able to admire the Lower and Upper districts, look into the ancient quarter of Kaleici, appreciate the beauty of Hadrian’s Arch and the Yivli Minaret, and also plunge into the history of the region by visiting the Khydirlyk Tower and the Archaeological Museum.
Kemer
If you drive 43 km from Antalya Airport, you can get to Kemer - an excellent resort town located between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains. There are a huge number of hotels on the Antalya coast from three to five stars at a variety of prices, so tourists can easily choose a vacation spot that suits them both in terms of comfort and price category.
Moreover, tourists simply do not want to sit in a hotel all the time, since in this town there is something to see and where to relax. Some people will prefer passive relaxation on a pebble or sand-pebble beach. Someone will enjoy the nature of Kemer - pine forests, cozy bays or mountain ranges strewn with greenery. Someone will go to see the resort's attractions in the form of a bath complex built in the ancient Roman style, an ancient dam or ancient stone tombs decorated with unusual bas-reliefs. Well, someone will simply relax in a hotel during the day, and at night they will become a regular at nightclubs, bars and discos, of which there are apparently and invisibly in Kemer.
Belek
For lovers of beautiful landscapes, the best place to relax is the city of Belek, which is considered the “greenest” resort on the Antalya coast of Turkey, because almost its entire territory has been declared a protected area. Almost all hotels in this town are of the highest class with a level of comfort from five stars to VIP category, so Belek is best suited for a respectable family holiday. In addition, this resort can provide a lot of fun for golfers, as many of the hotels have their own golf courses, as well as the National Golf Club, which will provide golfers with an unforgettable experience.
And if you don’t like to play this game, you can simply enjoy the beauty of nature, bask in the sun on sandy beaches and take advantage of all the services and benefits provided by the hotels, of which there are so many that you definitely won’t be bored there.
Alanya
Alanya is a wonderful seaside resort, home to one of the most popular and beloved tourist hotels on the Antalya coast, DelphinBotanikWorldofParadise 5*, which is famous not only for its high level of comfort, but also for its territory, reminiscent of a botanical garden with a huge number of rare plants. Moreover, in addition to this, the hotel infrastructure includes a water park, an amusement park, many cafes and bars and many other recreational places, so even those tourists who have settled in other places like to come here.
But Alanya is famous not only for this hotel. Even if you stay in any other hotel, you can still find something to do here. You can relax on the beautiful sandy beach "Cleopatra" or on simple pebble and sand beaches in the east. You can visit Alanya Old Town and immerse yourself in history as you walk among ancient buildings and mosques. Or you can climb to the 14th-century citadel overlooking the resort to visit the Byzantine church and many shops where you can buy unique Turkish carpets, jewelry and dresses.
Side
Also on the Antalya coast, the resort town of Side, located on the peninsula of the same name, is very famous. Initially, it was an ordinary fishing settlement, but then the city began to expand, and now it annually receives thousands of tourists who stop here to admire the beauty of Turkey and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the world. Here the sea is not too deep, the weather is always excellent, and the hotels provide a wide range of services, so this resort is ideal for a good holiday with children.
Moreover, in addition to relaxing in a hotel or on the beach, here you can visit a number of attractions that have been preserved since ancient times. There is an ancient theater, which previously accommodated about 20,000 spectators, Roman baths, which now host interesting exhibitions, as well as temples of the ancient Greek gods - Athena and Apollo, a visit to which allows you to temporarily plunge into the amazing mythology of Ancient Greece, full of adventure and magic.
Olympos
If we are already talking about Greece, then we cannot help but recall the Olympos resort, which is a real landmark of the Antalya coast. This resort, located in the southern part of Turkey, is a unique archaeological complex consisting of many ruins related to the Roman Empire, Ancient Greece and the ancient world, since long ago it was on the site of Olympos that the state of Lycia existed, which is the political and cultural center of this parts of the world. Therefore, to protect and preserve such a significant city in world history, Olympos received the title of National Park and is not subject to modernization, like other resorts in Turkey. There is not even a single hotel here; instead, tourists here settle in wooden buildings and bungalows that are open to them all year round.
By the way, beach lovers here need to be very careful, especially in the summer, when the turtles that live on the beaches of Olympos lay their eggs there.
Bodrum
The resort of Bodrum, where the most picturesque, clean and comfortable beaches of the Antalya coast are located, and where the Turkish elite constantly relax, enjoys considerable popularity among tourists. Nightlife is always in full swing here, when you can have good fun in clubs, restaurants, bars and karaoke, and during the day you can relax and enjoy the sandy beaches and beautiful nature. And of course, sometimes you definitely need to go to the immediate surroundings of Bodrum, which can be reached in a matter of minutes. After all, there you will be able to get closely acquainted with the life and way of life of the Turkish indigenous people, admire the cutest villages with snow-white houses and buy a lot of souvenirs for your loved ones and friends, as well as as a souvenir for yourself, so that you will never forget such a relaxing and spiritual holiday.
Marmaris
Marmaris, which is located in the southwest of Turkey right at the intersection of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, plays an important role among the resort towns of the Antalya coast. The city is famous for having the longest and most beautiful embankment in all of Turkey, the length of which is 4 km. And along this entire embankment, tourists will see countless cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels of varying levels of comfort, so everyone will find a place to relax to their liking and wallet.
And how many excellent comfortable entertainment centers there are in this city! Moreover, each of them is open until dawn, so there will be no time to be bored in this city - neither during the day, when you can enjoy the beauty of nature in the form of picturesque coves and green hills, nor at night, when you can have plenty of fun, dance, sing songs and have fun until you drop.
Fethiye
If you want to give yourself the most comfortable holiday, you can choose one of the best hotels on the Antalya coast in Turkey, which is located in Fethiye. Particularly attractive among them for tourists are the five-star hotels Jiva Beach Resort, Yacht Classic Hotel, Ece Saray Marina&Resort and TUI SENSATORIResort Barut Fethiye. This town is located at the foot of the mountains, covered with pine and cedar forests, in an extremely picturesque bay, so that from the window of any hotel tourists will enjoy stunning scenery, and their body will be sufficiently saturated with clean air during their vacation.
And in addition to the picturesque landscapes and excellent infrastructure of this area, in Fethiye you can admire the ruins of the fortress of the Rhodian knights, the sight of which immediately transports tourists to the distant heroic past.
Kekova Island
If you look at various photos of the Antalya coast, then, for sure, your eye will be drawn to the landscapes of the resort island of Kekova, surrounded by several small areas of land. It attracts tourists because there are ruins of four ancient cities at once - Simena, Aperlai, Teimoussa and Dolihiste, a visit to which leaves every tourist with the most indelible impressions.
The only thing is that here, as in Olympos, there is not a single hotel; instead, vacationers can stay in cozy small boarding houses with a high level of comfort. Moreover, when coming to the island, no one wants to sit in their room, while there are so many remarkable places outside it. And for diving enthusiasts, this place will seem like a real paradise, because under the water here you can see the most beautiful ancient structures, around which colorful representatives of the underwater world swim - moray eels, octopuses, crabs, lobsters and many colorful fish.
Excursions along the Antalya coast
If you want to see not only the resort where you settled, but also see more of the sights of Turkey, you can go with an excursion group to any point in this country for these purposes.
- The Pamukkale Nature Reserve, located near the city of Denizli, will captivate tourists with the beauty of snow-white salt deposits of the most bizarre shapes and allow them to enjoy healing water in various natural baths.
- A bus tour along the route Mira-Demre-Kekova will give you the opportunity to better learn about the ancient history of Antalya and visit the tombs, the Church of St. Nicholas and the ancient amphitheater.
- Excursions by sea in Kekova will allow you to enjoy the sea breeze, the landscapes of the city from the sea and see through the water column the ruins of an ancient settlement that disappeared after a major earthquake.
The main thing is to remember that no matter what resort you are vacationing at, you can always book an outing excursion at a travel agency or directly at the hotel and go traveling along the Antalya coast, visiting any of the sights of this amazing place.
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Often tourists prefer to relax in, namely at resorts Antalya coast, as a beach hotel and this is an excellent choice, but the country is also very rich in cultural values, attractions left after the ancient civilizations that arose on these lands. The land of Turkey is rich in a variety of lush vegetation, orchards, citrus plantings, banana plantations, extensive groves with tall pines and cedars. We recommend enjoying not only the hotel comfort of hospitable Turkey with the all-inclusive concept beloved by tourists, but also plunging deep into the country and feeling its atmosphere.
general information
The Antalya coast or province is located in southern Turkey between the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus ranges. The largest city and capital of the Antalya coast, Antalya, is located here. The population is just under 2 million people. The Antalya coast is the largest center of the tourism industry in Turkey; 30% of tourists from the total number in Turkey go to the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. In addition to tourism, agriculture is well developed here; cotton, grains, sesame, citrus fruits and vegetables are grown. Time zone UTC+3 in summer and UTC+2 in winter. Time differs from Moscow by one hour in winter and is the same in summer. Telephone code +90 242.
A brief excursion into history
The earliest traces of humans living in the region around 100,000 BC were found in Karain Cave. From the 7th century BC until the Persian conquest of Lydia in 546 AD, Antalya was part of the Lydian kingdom. The region was then dominated by Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire and Byzantium. After a devastating earthquake in the 8th century and constant Arab raids, the region experienced economic decline. Antalya and the surrounding areas were the object of struggle between Byzantium and the Seljuks, passing into the power of one or the other rulers, until the final conquest of Antalya by the Ottoman Empire in 1432. Antalya came under the rule of the Kingdom of Cyprus in the period 1361-1373. Antalya was ruled by the Ottoman Empire until the end of the First World War, before becoming part of the Turkish Republic in 1921.
Climate
The Antalya coast is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Clear weather dominates the region from April to October, with the swimming season starting in May and lasting until September-October. The average air temperature in summer is +28 degrees.
How to get there
Antalya has an international airport that receives many regular flights from Russia, and in the summer season there are a large number of charter flights not only from Moscow, but also from many Russian cities. From the airport to the resorts in the region, a transfer is usually included in the tour price; travel time can take from 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the resort and the location of the hotel.
Transport
Typically, tourists prefer to take excursions from tour operators, so there is no need to worry about transport in advance. But if you decide to travel around the country on your own, you can use the country’s well-developed bus service or rent a car. For short distances, it is recommended to take a taxi; it is safe and inexpensive.
Cities
- - capital of the Antalya coast
Resorts
Information
Attractions and entertainment
All the resorts on the Antalya coast stand on the picturesque shores of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by the Taurus mountain range, combined with lush green vegetation in which hotels are buried.
The capital of the Antalya coast. All flights rushing to take you on their winged cars to the resorts of the Antalya coast arrive in this city. Even if you go by transfer to Kemer, Side or another vacation destination, you must visit Antalya - a must have been...
– a wonderful seaside city located on a high cape, famous for its sandy beaches and beautiful promenades filled with hotels. Along Alanya's coastline you will find many bars, tea shops, cafes and restaurants serving excellent international or traditional cuisine. In Alanya Old Town you will find many ancient buildings, towers and mosques, as well as a calm, quiet harbour.
High above Alanya you will see an impressive citadel 14th century. Within its walls are strange buildings, mosques and a Byzantine church decorated with frescoes. Narrow, winding streets lead tempting shoppers to colorful shops and stalls of dresses, carpets, copper and jewelry.
Below the citadel you will discover sea caves and grottoes. Some can only be reached by boat, you can visit the most famous cave Damlatas Cave. What makes Damlatas Cave unusually beautiful are the stalactites and stalagmites formed 15 thousand years ago. And the humid and warm atmosphere of the cave will be useful for people suffering from asthma.
The city of Alanya is ideal for a holiday with the whole family or a group of young people; here you will find a hotel of any category from fashionable 5* hotels with beautiful areas on the Mediterranean coast to the simplest 2* hotels for unassuming tourists. The beautiful sandy Cleopatra Beach is located in the west of the resort, while sand and pebble beaches extend to the east. Alanya beaches offer all kinds of water sports and entertainment.
One of the most beloved hotels in Alanya by tourists - DelphinBotanikWorldofParadise 5*, the territory of which is a botanical garden with a huge number of rare plants. Spacious rooms with plant names. The Delphin Botanik hotel has a rich infrastructure, a water park, an amusement park, fun animation and interesting evening show programs. Excellent varied food in the main restaurant and all kinds of chef delights in a la cart restaurants. In addition, more than 50% of the guests of the Delphin Botanik Hotel are its regular clients, who are welcomed here with gifts.
is a thriving coastal resort in Turkey, very popular among tourists. The city of Side is located on a small peninsula between two stretches of golden beach, surrounded by Mediterranean waters. In this pretty city of modern architecture, chic shops, night bars and the ruins of an ancient city perfectly coexist.
Fans of nightlife can safely go to the bars and discos located near the harbor or visit the most popular nightclub in Side - Oxyd.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, take a stroll through the enchanting ruins of ancient Side. Aspendos– the theater, which was built in the 167th century AD by the architect Zeno, as a gift to the city, is perfectly preserved today.
Do you like shopping? Go to Manavgat, and to buy souvenirs, just walk through the patches that are located along the streets.
Side has golden sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea, only in one place there is a natural slab that can make it difficult to enter the sea. For example, at the Selge Beach Hotel and nearby hotels. As a rule, sunbeds and sun loungers in 5* hotels are included in the tour price, so you are guaranteed a wonderful tan under the rays of the Turkish sun. And water sports will give you a lot of joyful emotions that will remain in your memory as a useful pastime in Side.
One of the most favorite hotels in Side is the Ali Bey club hotel, on the territory of which there is an amusement park and a huge water park, excellent animation, everything is done for a comfortable and fun holiday for tourists.
The ancient and the modern coexist here, giving the city of Belek a unique charm. A mixture of historical attractions, beautiful beaches, world-class golf courses combined with a mild climate make Belek attractive to both young and old tourists. Add to this a wide range of luxury hotels to make your stay in Belek an interesting and comfortable one. The friendly service of the resort's Turkish hotels has created a high reputation for it.
Belek was created as a holiday destination for tourists of various interests. With its natural sea beauty, carefully planned golf courses and rich history, it's all set to give you a dream holiday.
- one of the most famous resorts of the entire Antalya coast, attracting many Turks and foreign tourists. Kemer is famous, first of all, for its nature. The mountain ranges that surround the city, the clear dark blue sea, the Mediterranean sky dotted with the brightest stars.
Coastal villages such as Kirish, Camyuva, Tekirova, south of Kemer, where the delights of a beach holiday are complemented by well-functioning tourist structures, attract a huge number of tourists from all over the world. As a consequence of this popularity, the neighboring archaeological zones, which can be reached from Kemer by boat, have been rediscovered. The most famous are the ancient ports Phaselis, Olympos and Chimera.
In Kemer, you can choose a hotel category depending on the purpose of your trip. The most discerning tourists will have a great rest in high-level hotels Rixos Premium 5* or Amara Dolche Vita 5*. For lovers of shopping and a good massage, I would recommend staying at the hotel Grand Haber 5*. One of the main advantages of the hotel is its location near the center of Kemer, but unlike most city hotels it has a beautiful area with peacocks and a water park. The hotel has a beautiful view of the mountains, which are very close to the coastline in the center of Kemer. All city entertainment is within walking distance from the hotel.
In Kemer there are several large discos Aura, Inferna, Buddha, where entry is paid, unlike the discos of Alanya. In the village of Tekirova there is a disco at the Kaplan Hotel, which is free for hotel guests. Sometimes foam parties are held here.
Beaches of Kemer have some features. More precisely, the beaches mostly have bulk sand everywhere, but the entrance to the sea is pebbly and varies in quality in different areas of Kemer.
In the village Beldibi It is considered the most unfavorable beach with large pebbles; there are sharp boulders and even slippery platforms; entry into the sea can be very problematic. Therefore, for a family with small children, it is better to choose a resort with sandy beaches or small pebbles. And for young people, the village of Beldibi may well be acceptable; this resort has many economical 3* hotels, which are located on the first coastline of the beach. There are also famous Turkish discos in Beldibi.
In the city itself Kemer Although the pebbles are large, the entrance to the sea is quite pleasant. In addition, all city infrastructure is close to the hotels. New villages of Kemer with good, not very large pebbles Kirish and Camyuva, which are located near Kemer. You can relax in a calm environment, enjoying nature, and if you need to go to the city of Kemer, it will take 5-10 minutes by transport. Kirish and Camyuva are proud of their modern new hotels.
And finally, the best beach and comfortable entrance to the sea with small pebbles in the village Tekirova and not just the beach! It is in Tekirova that the sea has a deep beautiful dark blue color. In this village there are old club hotels, which have beautiful green areas with overgrown tall trees. And don’t let the age of the hotels scare you, they are well looked after, cosmetically renovated, but most importantly, the good traditions of the hotels remain, which attract regular guests. For example, a very good club hotel Marti Myra 5*, with good traditions of the Ultra All Inclusive concept. You won’t find such high-quality variety of food for dinner anywhere, and the entertainment in club hotels is very interesting for any age.
Whatever resort you choose, a holiday on the Antalya coast of Turkey will give you a lot of positive emotions. The hotels here are perhaps the best in the world for a beach holiday, from expensive five-star hotels with their own attractions and water parks, to small budget 2-3* hotels designed for an economical holiday. Exciting entertainment outside the hotels, beautiful natural landscapes, interesting historical sights that the region is rich in - everyone will find here the desired entertainment for a good rest.
Kitchen
The meatball dish şiş köfte has a unique taste, which can only be tasted on the Antalya coast. People here also love to prepare national dishes from the Mediterranean Sea. A local delicacy is pastries filled with cheese and meat, which locals love for breakfast.
Shopping
In resort towns there are a great variety of shops and shops with clothes, shoes and accessories, which are open from 09:00 to 21:00 - this is very convenient for tourists who want to spend the day on the beach, and in the evening, when the heat subsides, go shopping. The hours of the shopping stalls are even more convenient; they are open until two in the morning.
Türkiye. We choose a resort on the Antalya coast. Antalya, Kemer, Belek, Side, Alanya.
It is simply impossible to have a bad holiday in Turkey. Transparent azure sea, sandy beaches, beautiful coniferous and eucalyptus forests, thousand-year-old dust on ancient ruins as a reminder of bygone civilizations, ripe oranges right on the trees, tanned Turks who speak fluent Russian, famous Turkish baths and belly dancing while leisurely smoking a hookah... All this causes endless streams of tourists to go on pilgrimage to the Turkish coast every year.
The Antalya coast of Turkey is undoubtedly one of the most familiar and popular destinations among Russian tourists. Often here you can choose the best vacation options in the price-quality ratio. Undoubtedly, each resort region on the Mediterranean coast has its own characteristics that can satisfy every taste and budget. The main thing here is to choose the right place.
Antalya – welcomes tourists
Antalya today is a large city (population of about one and a half million people) with a developed tourist infrastructure. There is an international airport here, which receives all tourists flying on holiday to the areas of the Antalya coast (Kemer, Belek, Side, Alanya).
The undoubted advantages of this resort are that here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the country, unlike, for example, Belek, where recreation is organized inside the hotel and tourists rarely travel beyond its borders. There is a lot to do and see in Antalya. Large discos, national-style restaurants and coffee shops, cinemas, two large water parks, a dolphinarium, an amusement park, countless shops and shopping centers - shopping is an integral part of the holiday here. But at the same time, do not forget that Antalya is still a big city, and if you want to relax calmly and quietly, then you should hardly choose this resort as your main place of residence.
Antalya hotels are mainly of urban type, located mainly away from the city center. In the Lara and Kundu areas there are new expensive, respectable hotels with a range of entertainment inside the hotel.
Some hotels (to the west of the center) use the municipal beach with large white pebbles. Others, located on the rocky coast, have their own platform beaches, to which you need to go down the stairs or by elevator. (The Lara area has its own sandy beaches).
Therefore, mainly those who, in addition to a beach holiday, want to plunge into the everyday life of Turkey and get acquainted with the culture and customs of the country go to Antalya.
Kemer – sea, mountains, pine trees
The road to Kemer will take a lot of time - it is located 40-60 minutes drive from Antalya Airport. The resort area stretches along the coast for 70 km and is divided into small tourist villages: Beldibi, Goynuk, Kirish, Camyuva, Tekirova and the town of Kemer itself.
The main advantage of the region is its beautiful nature: the resort is located on the slopes of the Taurus Mountains, near the sea, surrounded by relict pine forests, olives and palm trees.
The natural beaches here are pebbly; even if hotels have bulk sand on the beach, the entrance to the sea will still be pebbly. By the way, the sea here is very clean - the bottom is visible even at a depth of 7-10 meters, which is why many beaches in Kemer are marked with the Blue Flag.
Kemer resort is universal in many ways, so there are different categories of vacationers. Tourists with children head to the villages of Kirish and Camyuva - there are mainly beaches with small pebbles, which is important for a comfortable holiday for the whole family (Amara Club Marine Hotel, Simena Holiday Resort & Spa HV-1).
For people who prefer a quiet, respectable holiday, there are enough 5 * hotels, some of them hotels of the Rixos system, Sungate Port Royal, Fantasia De luxe, Renaissance Amara Dolce Vita (formerly Coralia Palmariva), Ak-ka Hotels Antedon de-Luxe are able to satisfy the most sophisticated needs .
The city of Kemer is attractive for young people, where there is always a vibrant nightlife with a lot of all kinds of entertainment, and the Beldibi district, where in addition to bars and cafes there is an excellent night club “Crystal” and a venue for a national Turkish show with belly dancing, which takes place in the restaurant “Sultans Kervansaray” "
When choosing a hotel in Kemer, please note that, for example, in the city of Kemer itself, hotels do not have large areas. But there are many coastal bars, nightclubs, discos, etc. nearby. Hotels in resort villages generally have a large area, and all entertainment is concentrated on the territory.
Belek – for respectable public
The most prestigious hotels and first-class tourist complexes of the Antalya coast are concentrated at this resort. Many hotels are distinguished by original and sometimes even bold architecture.
The resort area consists of two small villages: Belek and Kadriye. Each of them has shops, restaurants and cafes, but the main life of vacationers is concentrated on the hotel grounds.
The main natural difference of the region is a wide strip of white sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea. Coarse, heavy sand quickly settles to the bottom, leaving the water clear and clean; there are no high waves. The coastal zone is marked with the Blue Flag for its environmental cleanliness. The resort is also famous for the beauty of its eucalyptus, cedar and pine forests.
The main category of hotels in Belek is 5 *; the best, prestigious and fashionable hotels and clubs are located here, equipped with the latest technology and comfort. (Rixos Premium, Cornelia de-luxe Resort, Xanadu), which provide a variety of opportunities for sports and fitness. Many are equipped with international-level spa centers (Gloria Verde Resort, Rixos Premium, Xanadu, Sillyum Resort). Most hotels are located on the seashore and have a vast area.
Belek is one of the world's golf centers. Some hotels have good golf centers: Letoonia Golf Resort, Adora Golf Resort, Gloria Verde Resort, Tat Beach Golf Hotel, Sirene Golf Palace & Village.
This region is preferred by discerning tourists (hotels with a high level of service), as well as families with children (there are wide beaches with clean soft sand).
Side - lovers of antiquities go crazy
Side is a large Mediterranean resort and, at the same time, one of the most ancient port cities on the southeast coast, founded in the 7th century BC. The convenient location on the peninsula, many quiet, cozy bays, and the western shallow beach make it extremely attractive for tourists, and especially for families with children. A distinctive feature of the resort is its affordable prices and sandy beaches adjacent to the east and west.
The city itself is located in a flat region, there is less vegetation here than in Kemer or Belek, but every year the territory is increasingly planted with greenery and flowers.
In the vicinity of Side there are mountains with steep cliffs, lakes, caves, streams and turbulent rivers.
There are hotels here for every taste: from multi-storey high-level complexes to so-called “aparthotels” (a room with a kitchen). Most hotels are located in resort areas:
Side has many attractions. The well-preserved ancient theater, where festivals are held, the ruins of the temples of Athena and Apollo, the Necropolis, fountains and aqueduct, the Roman baths, which today house the Archaeological Museum, are open for visits. In the city of Side itself there are many discos open until dawn. Among them, “Oxide” is without a doubt the best disco in Side (located closer to the village of Manavgat). Here you can dance, splash in the pool and drink various drinks at the same time.
The resort is chosen by lovers of antiquities and those looking for a serene, relaxing holiday. In addition, Side is an excellent place for families with children: sandy beaches, clean air, shallow coastal waters and plenty of children's entertainment.
This city is also considered an ideal place for lovers, because according to legend, the beautiful Cleopatra and Mark Antony had a romantic date here.
Alanya - inexpensive and tasteful
A former base for pirate ships, Alanya still preserves the historical monuments of those ancient years. The sea coast of Cleopatra, with amazingly clean, transparent water and delicate grains of sand shimmering under the bright sun, a long, smooth line of the beach, is the most popular holiday destination for Europeans. In the center of the resort rises a mountain, with a peak decorated with an ancient Byzantine fortress.
Alanya is the most distant resort from Antalya (the road from the airport is 2-2.5 hours).
In some places, the coast of the resort is dissected by rocky capes into cozy bays, and in some places the coastal strip is very open and flat, with low mountains standing in the distance. There is little greenery here (mostly palm trees).
The resort area includes the areas of Incekum, Konakli, Karaburun and Mahmutlar and the city of Alanya itself.
If you are going to Alanya, please note that some places may have wide sandy beaches, but the entrance to the sea may be rocky. Therefore, when choosing a hotel, it is worth asking about this. Also pay attention to its hotel location. If it is an inexpensive 3-4* hotel and is located at a distance of 15-20 km. from the city, it is quite possible to get bored in it, because there will be no entertainment on the territory, and you can only get to the center by minibus.
The best 5* hotels in this region are Delphin and Botanik. The hotels are not new, but very green and with a lot of entertainment.
The undeniable advantages of the resort are the longest swimming season and inexpensive quality holidays, especially with children (sandy beaches).
Tatyana Zhidkova
Pilgrimages
03 September 14 Unknown
A great shrine and simply an incredibly interesting historical monument!
Nicholas the Wonderworker, Nicholas of Myra, St. Nicholas, Santa Claus - perhaps St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is the most famous Christian saint in the whole world. Surprisingly, the main Temple named after him is not in Israel, not in Italy, not in Russia, but in Muslim Turkey.
Today this Temple is not active, it is considered a museum. And I can say for sure that both Christian believers (this is truly a great shrine) and representatives of other religions or atheists should get there - the place is very ancient, historically rich and incredibly interesting.
Let me first tell you how to get there. This is very easy to do - you can buy the most common excursion on the Antalya coast, Demre-Mira-Kekova, one of the points of which is a visit to the Temple of St. Nicholas. We took an excursion from the travel agency Ginza Travel, they picked us up directly from the Mirada del Mar hotel (Kemer), it cost $35 (if you go on your own, but entrance to the temple costs $10).
A little history. Nicholas the Wonderworker is an absolutely real historical figure, he was born around 270 AD. e. on the territory of modern Turkey near the city of Demre (formerly the city of Mira). In those days it was the Roman province of Lycia, which is why Nicholas is also called Myra. Around 300 he became bishop of the city of Myra, where he lived until his death.
The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker will surprise you with its appearance. The structure is very ancient (the first building was back in the 4th century, and the one that we can see today dates back to the 8th century), in places it looks more like ruins than a church, and from the outside it’s generally difficult to tell that this is a temple.
However, inside this place is absolutely amazing - frescoes and paintings of the 11th and 12th centuries have been preserved here in their original form.
The floor is paved with a very interesting Lygian mosaic of various types of stone, which dates back to the 6th century.
I think you will also be amazed by the image of card suits on the walls of the temple. What are they doing here? For example, before visiting the Temple of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, I did not know that spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs are the most ancient Christian symbols, which mean, respectively: the spade with which Jesus Christ was finished off; the heart of the Savior; the heads of the nails with which he was crucified; the crucifixion itself. In the XIV century. some joker used them to create a gambling game, which is why card games are considered sinful.
Saint Nicholas after his death was buried in a marble sarcophagus in this Temple. However, in the 11th century, when the church was in danger of being plundered by the Seljuks, Italian merchants stole the relics of St. Nicholas and transported them to the city of Bari in Italy, where they are located today. To this day, the shrine is located in the temple of this Italian city. Turkey has repeatedly declared its historical rights to the relics of Nicholas, but the Vatican ignores these statements.
Unfortunately, today there are no relics of Nicholas the Ugodnik in the sarcophagus. However, a small part of the relics is in the Archeology Museum in Antalya.
Part of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (including the altar) was built from the stones of the church in which he served as bishop during his lifetime.
The Russians also left their mark on this temple - in the second half of the 19th century. The ruins were bought by Russian nobles and the reconstruction of the church began. True, we began to reconstruct the church in our own way - we built an Orthodox dome - an onion)) However, it was not destined to end - another Russian-Turkish war forced the Russians to leave Demre.
The resorts of the Antalya coast of the Mediterranean Sea are rightfully considered the main tourist center of Turkey. The swimming season here begins in early April and lasts almost until mid-November. These places have long become popular not only among residents of Turkey, but also among tourists from many countries around the world. In recent years, citizens of Russia and CIS countries are increasingly coming here on vacation. This is largely explained by the fact that there are direct flights from Russia to Antalya airport all year round, which means there are no exhausting transfers that take a lot of effort and time.
One of the best resorts in this area is Antalya, a city with a long history. Its symbol is the Yivli Minaret, built at the very beginning of the 13th century. The city has a special, incomparable flavor. It harmoniously combines the architecture of ancient civilizations and the East, the past and the present. You can learn about the rich history of Antalya by visiting the archaeological museum. The city has a well-developed recreation and entertainment industry. Modern hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, discos, entertainment centers, water parks await their guests every day with real oriental hospitality. The beaches of the central part of Antalya are mainly pebbly.
Lara Resort is located just 8 km from Antalya Airport and 12 km from the city center. The amazingly beautiful nature of this region and excellent sandy beaches attract a huge number of tourists. In the eastern part of the Lara beaches you can admire the waterfall formed by the Duden River. The resort area is framed by mountains, the slopes of which are covered with emerald green vegetation.
5 km from Belek and 30 km from Antalya is one of the young, but rapidly and dynamically developing resorts in Turkey - Kundu. Spacious sandy beaches, numerous entertainment programs, a variety of services, and excellent hotels attract thousands of vacationers from different countries every year. Not only tourists from the CIS countries come here, but also Germans, as well as representatives of other European countries.
If you drive 43 km from Antalya Airport in a south-west direction, you can get to the amazingly beautiful resort town of Kemer, framed by the ridges of the Tauru Mountains. The outskirts of Kemer are surrounded by pine forests that approach the very beaches. Pebble and sandy beaches stretch along the coastline, walking along which you can find many small and cozy coves. Kemer also has a rich history, which dates back to the 3rd century BC. There are many architectural and historical monuments here: the ruins of the city gate, a bath complex, stone tombs, a dam built during antiquity.
Between the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains, 25 km from Antalya Airport is the resort of Belek. This resort area is distinguished by the unique beauty of nature. The clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the best beaches in the country, which are framed by pine and eucalyptus forests, luxury hotels - all this gives the place a special appeal. Belek is not only the most beautiful, but also the most prestigious, and therefore the most expensive seaside resort in Turkey. Everything here is planned to make tourists’ stay as comfortable and convenient as possible. Belek differs from other Turkish resorts in the presence of a huge number of new hotels, because the tourism infrastructure here began to actively develop only after 1992.
68 km southeast of Antalya Airport, another Turkish resort is located on the coast - Side. It began its history in the 7th century BC. And now on its territory you can see many architectural monuments that have survived to this day. Among them are the Necropolis, an ancient theater designed for 20,000 spectators, Roman baths, which currently houses the exhibition of the Archaeological Museum, the temples of Apollo and Athena. Side is a great place for a family holiday with children, as the seabed in this area is very flat.
Between Karaburun and Mahmutlar stretches the wide resort area of Alanya, which is a modern tourist center with a well-developed recreation and entertainment infrastructure. The beaches here have a fine sandy surface, and the clean and clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea invite you to plunge into them. Not far from the city there is a stalactite cave called “Dalmatash”, where you can take a fascinating excursion.
The coastline of all resorts in the Antalya group is unique. Many beaches here are marked with a special sign - “Blue Flag”. It is awarded by a special international jury to the most environmentally friendly beaches on our planet. The main beach of Antalya is Konyaalti Beach, which has a pebble surface. If you prefer sandy surfaces, you can relax on Lara Beach, located east of Antalya. All beaches have conditions for water sports and entertainment.
The beaches of Kemer are marked “Blue Flag”, which indicates their cleanliness and environmental safety, as well as the fact that sea vessels do not cause any harm to the environment. Here, just like at other seaside resorts, you can have a great time and engage in water sports.
For lovers of a passive beach holiday, the best resort is Belek, with its snow-white sandy beaches framed by pine groves. The beaches of Belek are home to many turtles that come here to lay eggs.
When coming on holiday to the resorts of the Antalya region, tourists can always choose the most suitable accommodation for themselves. A large number of hotels (3, 4 or 5 stars) allow you to find a room for both people with high demands and tourists with a minimum budget. The resorts of the Antalya coast of Turkey are especially popular among tourists who prefer to spend their holidays with children. After all, many hotels here specialize in organizing family holidays. Such hotels have a children's kitchen, sterilization of bottles and preparation of baby food. There are also children's buffets, including those offering a variety of food for very young guests, under two years of age. Hotels have everything you need to organize entertainment for children. Almost every hotel has water parks, well-equipped areas for children's games and various sports. In most hotels you can rent a stroller, crib, or transformable high chair. A baby monitor can help put your baby to sleep. To ensure that parents can also have a good and complete rest, the hotels operate children's rooms and qualified nannies, many of whom speak Russian.
Holidays at the resorts of the Antalya region can be not only entertaining, but also educational, which is facilitated by the rich history of this region and many unique natural areas. While on vacation in the Antalya region, you can take excursions to one of the many natural parks (Karaaliyogu, Ataturk, Konyaali, Mermerli, etc.), enjoy their natural beauty, the richness of the natural and animal world, and the cleanest air. The waterfalls located around Antalya are also of great interest to tourists. The most famous of them are Duden and Kurshunlu.
Outdoor excursions are also very popular among tourists. A serious omission would be not to go to Pamukkale. This name is translated into Russian as “cotton castle”. The nature reserve has gained worldwide fame thanks to the pristine beauty of the snow-white salt deposits, travertines filled with healing mineral water, and famous healing springs. Their waters are rich in calcium salts, which over the years have formed these white terraces and baths. The spring waters and local mud have a positive effect on the human body in diseases such as osteochondrosis, rheumatism, cardiovascular and skin pathologies. Pamukkale is included in the list of World Natural Heritage compiled by UNESCO. The place is located approximately 260 km from Antalya, near the city of Denizli.
For those who want to learn more deeply about the ancient history of Anatolia, you should take a bus tour along the route Mira - Demre - Kekova. During the tour, tourists can see rock tombs, an amphitheater, and the Church of St. Nicholas. In Kekova, travelers are offered boat trips to explore the ruins of an ancient settlement visible under the water, which sank as a result of a powerful earthquake.
So, a trip to Turkey is fraught with a lot of new impressions for tourists. Holidays in these sunny and hospitable lands are a wonderful and romantic adventure! Perhaps your first voyage here will be just the beginning of a long and mutual romance with a fabulous country called Turkey...