A city with history

Antalya - the pearl of the Turkish Riviera - is a place where sun, sea, history and nature are harmoniously combined. Antalya inspires its visitors with shady boulevards lined with palm trees, a romantic marina and a charming old town with winding alleys and old wooden houses. Around Antalya are beautiful pine forests and several waterfalls (Kurşunlu, Düden, Lara) as well as many ancient cities like Perge, Termessos, Phaselis, Olympos and Aspendos.

Antalya was founded in 159 BC. Founded by the Pergamon king Attalos II, who also gave the city its name Attalaia. Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks successively conquered the city before it came under Ottoman rule. Until the 70s, Antalya was a dreamy little fishing town. During the last decades, the city has experienced rapid economic development - not least due to tourism - and is now one of the largest cities in Turkey.

The landmark of Antalya is the elegant Yivli minaret of the mosque of the same name on Kale Kapisi. Other sights in Antalya are the old town with its many historic buildings and Hadrian's Gate, which was built in honor of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.

Near the marina, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, is the 15-meter Hidirlik Tower. Also on the way there from Hadrian's Gate is the Kesik Minare, which was damaged in a fire in the 19th century. It has since been known as the broken minaret. The Saat Kulesi hturm, the Karaalioglu Park and the Archaeological-Ethnographic Museum are other stops on the city tour that should not be missed.

The newly created tram network runs through the middle of the city. There are 2 routes - a nostalgic line along the old town and various sights. This tram is a present from the sister city of Nuremberg. The other line with a very modern train (Antray) connects the city center with the district of Kepez, where the animal park is also located.