Antalya’s rich past spans many thousands of years. Here, you’ll find traces of civilisations that have each left their mark on this beautiful part of Türkiye. From the ruins of ancient cities to medieval fortifications and Ottoman mosques: the province of Antalya offers a remarkable journey through time. In this blog, we describe our discovery tour of some of Antalya’s most impressive historical sights. We conclude with tips on what else there is to see and do on the Turkish Riviera.
Turkish Riviera: Much older than the road to Rome
Uraz is our guide during our discovery tour. On the way to our first historical sight, he rapidly briefs us on the history of the region. According to Uraz, this makes our journey more meaningful and valuable.
The earliest traces of human habitation in the region, Uraz tells us, date back about 200,000 years. Archaeologists discovered these in the Karain caves. The caves offer a unique insight into the lives of early hominids in the region.
The coastal strip of Antalya was inhabited early on by various civilisations. The Lycian civilisation flourished in the west of the province, with important cities such as Patara and Myra. These cities left behind impressive rock tombs and theatres. In the 2nd century BC, Greek colonists began to settle in the region. They founded several cities along the coast, including Attaleia (present-day Antalya). Greek influence spread throughout the province and left a lasting impression on the culture and architecture.
The Roman and Byzantine period
The Romans took control of the region in 133 BC, after which the province experienced a period of great prosperity and development. The Romans built impressive cities such as Aspendos. The theatre in this city is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the province of Antalya remained part of the Byzantine Empire. Byzantine churches and fortifications arose throughout the region. The city of Myra became an important Christian centre, known as the home of Saint Nicholas.
Seljuks and the Ottoman period
In the 13th century, Uraz continues his crash course, the Seljuks conquered large parts of the province. They brought Islamic influences and built beautiful mosques and madrasas. The Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) in the city of Antalya, an icon of Seljuk architecture, dates from this period.
The Ottomans took definitive control of the province of Antalya in the late 15th century. Under Ottoman rule, the region experienced a period of relative stability and economic growth. They built upon the rich cultural heritage and left their own architectural traces in the form of mosques, hammams and caravanserais.
Present-day Antalya on the Turkish Riviera
After the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish War of Independence, the province of Antalya officially became part of the new Turkish Republic in 1923. In the following decades, the region underwent a drastic transformation. From the 1960s onwards, the province began to develop as a tourist destination. The beautiful beaches, warm climate and rich history attracted more and more visitors. This led to explosive growth in tourism, especially along the coastline.
Agriculture, traditionally an important sector in the province, modernised. The fertile plains around Antalya became known for their citrus fruits, olives, and greenhouse vegetables. In the interior, traditional farming methods remained in use longer, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage.
Historical sights along the Turkish Riviera
Our historical discovery tour literally begins in our hotel, the RuinAdalia Hotel. Early in the morning, we are given a tour of the archaeological site right under the hotel in the charming boutique hotel. During earlier renovation work on the hotel, remains from the Roman Empire were discovered. Instead of halting the renovation, it was decided to integrate the excavation into the hotel experience.
We enter an underground labyrinth of ancient Roman mosaics, mausoleums and sculptures. They are located at the original street level, three metres below the current surface. These archaeological treasures are connected by wooden bridges. The entire pool area and the restaurant/bar section of the hotel ‘float’ as it were above these historical remains.
The Archaeological Museum in Antalya
The first stop on our historical discovery tour is at the Archaeological Museum in Antalya. Our guide Uraz indicates that this museum is one of the best and largest in the country. He takes us through thirteen indoor spaces and an outdoor gallery. The spaces house an impressive collection of more than 25,000 artefacts. There are about 5,000 permanently exhibited objects here, spanning a time period from prehistory to the early 20th century.
This rich collection includes remains from various historical periods, including the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras. In addition, there are objects that illustrate rural life in Antalya at the beginning of the 20th century.
Among the most striking sections of the museum is a hall dedicated to natural history. Here we see fossils and remains of animals from various geological periods. Another room focuses on prehistory, with an exhibition of artefacts from the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age.
We then walk to the ‘Hall of Gods’, where we encounter imposing Roman sculptures. After that, we visit the ‘Hall of Emperors’. Here we admire an impressive collection of statues of Roman rulers, reflecting the power and grandeur of ancient Rome.
Just before we leave the interesting museum, we visit the Sarcophagus Hall. Here we marvel at the beautifully decorated coffins. They offer a unique insight into the funeral rituals and art forms of bygone civilisations.
The ancient city of Limyra
Our next stop is at the ancient city of Limyra. This city was once the capital of Lycia and the residence of the famous Lycian king Pericles. We get out of the car and initially see only a necropolis with characteristic Lycian rock tombs. Then we also see the impressive remains of a Roman theatre hidden among the citrus orchards. Unfortunately, this theatre is cordoned off due to restoration work.
But as soon as we cross the road, we enter a possibly even more interesting part of the city. Here we find, among other things, the remains of a Roman bathhouse where a babbling brook still flows through. The atmosphere is serene and unspoilt. Few tourists disturb the peace here. We feel like explorers in a forgotten world.
By the way, in the immediate vicinity of the ruins, we also visit an old Roman bridge. The bridge extends over a length of about 360 metres. This architectural wonder rests on a series of twenty-six segmental arches: a construction method that was considered exceptional in the ancient world.
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The mysterious Lycians: A glimpse into antiquity One of the most intriguing aspects of Lycian culture was their language and script, which scientists only partially managed to decipher in the last century. The Lycian society was remarkable for its progressive political structure: a rare democratic federation of autonomous city-states. This early form of a democratic union reflected the Lycian passion for independence and cooperation, unique in the ancient world. |
Myra
Our historical discovery tour brings us to Myra, an ancient city located southwest of Limyra. Like Limyra, Myra was once an important Lycian settlement. Here too we find impressive rock tombs adorning the mountain walls. The tombs show beautiful details and demonstrate the craftsmanship of the ancient stonemasons.
We find the Roman theatre just as interesting. This theatre is one of the best preserved in the region. It once seated 11,000 spectators. The rows of seats and the stage are still clearly visible. We can almost taste the atmosphere of ancient performances.
Santa Claus doesn’t come from the North Pole at all!
Myra also has a strong Christian connection. The city was home to Saint Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra. He lived here in the 4th century. His generosity made him famous. He helped poor people and saved children. Saint Nicholas became the patron saint of children and sailors. His popularity spread throughout Europe. The Dutch brought his story to America. There, his name changed to Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas now rests in Bari, Italy. Sailors brought his remains there in 1087.
His church still attracts pilgrims and tourists. We also visit the church. We admire the beautiful wall paintings and briefly attend an Eastern Orthodox church service.
The sunken city of Dolichiste near the island of Kekova
Almost at the end of our historical discovery journey, we take a splendid sailing trip to Kekova. Near this small island lies the sunken city of Dolichiste. Earthquakes submerged the ancient city centuries ago. From a glass-bottom boat, you can apparently still see the old walls, stairs, and foundations quite well. Because there’s a ban on swimming and diving (to protect the archaeological treasures), we could hardly see anything of Dolichiste. But it’s still fun to take the boat trip to Kekova!
The rock tombs and ancient ruins of Pinara
Uraz has saved what we consider the most beautiful, most impressive historical sight for last. The finale of our journey through the Turkish Riviera is Pinara. This ancient Lycian city lies deeply hidden in the forests and mountains just across the border of Muğla province. Our guide has chosen a hiking route that is hardly known. Through a beautiful forest, the first rock tombs suddenly appear. We climb the hill via an adventurous narrow footpath. We keep marvelling at how the Lycians were able to carve out rock tombs so high against the vertical cliffs.
The path continues past ruins of temples and public buildings. They tell stories of a distant past. At the end of the walk, we arrive at a well-preserved Roman theatre. This theatre could accommodate 3,000 spectators. At the end of the journey, we sit on the seats of the theatre and take in the surroundings. We can’t help but admire the craftsmanship of ancient civilisations.
The Turkish Riviera: much more than just history
The Turkish Riviera in general, and the province of Antalya in particular, offers much more than just historical sights and sunny beaches. We experienced it as a true outdoor paradise.
For example, the region offers three impressive long-distance hiking trails: the famous Lycian Trail, the Pisidia Heritage Trail, and the St. Paul’s Trail. The Lycian Trail, Türkiye’s first official long-distance path, stretches over a distance of 600 kilometres between Fethiye and Antalya. This historical route runs through the heart of the former Lycian peninsula. During our visit to Antalya province, we walked parts of the Lycian Trail.
Besides hiking and soaking up culture (history), we also went rafting, rock climbing, and even diving here. Do you like to go to great heights? There are numerous opportunities in Antalya for zip-lining or paragliding. Are you an avid cyclist? For mountain bikers, there are challenging terrains where they can test their skills. But road cycling enthusiasts are also catered for on the Turkish Riviera with the most beautiful routes. And for golfers, finally, there is ample choice of high-quality golf courses in the region.
For us, it was especially the combination of history and outdoor activities that made our visit to Antalya unforgettable. Are you considering going on a historical discovery tour of the Turkish Riviera yourself? Then our advice is to include as much variety as possible in your travel programme. If you’re an avid hiker, it might be an idea to walk multiple stages of the Lycian Trail. After all, many historical sights are located along the route!
FAQs about the historical heritage of the Turkish Riviera
Antalya province is located in the southwest of Türkiye, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the Turkish Riviera and is known for its beautiful coastline, historical sights, and mountainous landscapes.
The following historical sights on the Turkish Riviera should not be skipped during your visit to the region:
- Aspendos Theatre: near Antalya, you'll find one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. The acoustics are still so good that performances are regularly held.
- Limyra: this hidden Lycian city harbours a treasure trove of archaeological remains, including a well-preserved Roman theatre, impressive rock tombs, and the remains of a Byzantine church.
- Side: this ancient Greek city offers a mix of Roman ruins, including the Temple of Apollo, and beautiful beaches.
- Antalya Museum: one of the largest museums in Türkiye, with 13 exhibition halls highlighting the history of the Mediterranean and Pamphylia region.
- Alanya Castle: this impressive fort, now an open-air museum, offers a beautiful view over the turquoise waters and tells the history of various civilisations.
- Myra: known for its impressive rock tombs and the Church of St. Nicholas, the home of the original Father Christmas.
- Perge: another well-preserved ancient city with a stadium, theatre, and impressive city gates.
- Pinara: this remote Lycian city, nestled in the mountains and hidden in the forests, offers unique rock tombs, a well-preserved theatre, and breathtaking views over the Xanthos valley.
These locations offer a fascinating journey through time, from the Greek and Roman periods to the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Each of these sights tells a unique story about the rich history of the Turkish Riviera.
You can visit the historical sights mentioned in this blog independently with a rental car. But it's better to do this with a guide. Without the story behind the sight, the ruins are just a collection of stones. Additionally, a guide usually knows exactly where to go. And they can also introduce you to the local culture and cuisine like no other!
Are you an avid hiker? Then consider booking a walking holiday on the Lycian Trail. This is the oldest and most famous long-distance walking route in Türkiye. The route stretches for about 600 kilometres and runs from Fethiye (in Muğla province) to Antalya. The route offers a mix of natural beauty and all the historical sights mentioned in this blog.
There are many providers offering walking trips to Antalya province and the surrounding area. One of these is Cicerone Adventure, a Turkish provider of adventurous holidays in small groups or private, combined with local culture and history. They specialise in tailor-made trips and package holidays. During our trip through Antalya province, we were guided by Uraz from Cicerone Adventure. A pleasant and professional guide with particularly extensive historical knowledge.
We visited Antalya province at the invitation of Go Türkiye. This visit was part of a tour along the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye. We have independently and objectively compiled the content of this blog based on our own impressions.
