Turkish Riviera with Antalya, Alanya, Side and Cleopatra

tuerkei mediterranean

The Turkish Riviera is the southern coastal strip of Turkey and one of the most popular summer holiday destinations. The region is particularly popular among all-inclusive vacationers. Between sun, sea and beach, the region between Antalya and Alanya also has numerous ancient sights and natural spectacles to offer.

While the Turkish Riviera is flat and has long sandy beaches, the Aegean coast is characterized by mountainous landscapes and romantic bays.

The city of Antalya also has a beautiful old town to offer - this is called Kaleiçi. The clock tower is located on the edge of the old town, which is why we started our exploration tour from there. Near the clock tower is another attraction, the Yivli Minare - a mosque, which the locals often refer to as the city's landmark. The best views of this impressive structure are from nearby Republic Square. Other sights in the city include Hadrian's Gate, the marina and the Archaeological Museum.

If you are looking for peace and relaxation, Belek is ideal for it, it is also wonderful to hike in the pine forests around Belek. If you want to experience something more than Side has a lot more to offer.

Antalya, on the other hand, is known for its historical and cultural wealth, its magnificent beaches and its luxurious resorts.

Alanya is the epitome of a relaxed and carefree tourist attraction. The choice between Side and Alanya ultimately depends on your personal preferences. If you are interested in history and archaeology, Side might be a better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a livelier holiday with beautiful beaches, Alanya might suit you better.

In Side, which is characterized by tourism, there are numerous restaurants and cafés as well as many colourful shops and souvenir shops that invite you to stroll around. In particular, the pretty old town and its ancient ruins, along with the picturesque beaches, are among the city's best-known and most popular sights.

Side - Unique Beauty in the Museum and Open Air

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Side - Unique Beauty in the Museum and Open Air

The road that turns towards South will take you to Side Museum at kilometre 72nd of the main road from Antalya to Alanya direction after about 6 km. Side is one of the most famous holiday resorts nowadays. It is supposed that Side had been founded by the Kymellians in the 7th Century B.C., settled on a small peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean. 

The Viaduct of Aspendos next to Side

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The Viaduct of Aspendos next to Side

Shortly after our return to Turkey for going to Aspendos, after an extensive round trip through Germany, our friend Detlef from Halle announced that he would be visiting us for the coming weekend.

With Wolfgang Dorn in Aspendos at Köprü Cay

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With Wolfgang Dorn in Aspendos at Köprü Cay

Last Saturday we spent a few hours with our co-author Wolfgang Dorn in Aspendos for a meeting at Köprü Cay that was limited in time but nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of that, very interesting.

Olympus - picturesque tree houses along the creek

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Olympus - picturesque tree houses along the creek

In different, international travelogues of users of the Lycian trail and backpackers we have repeatedly heard about the "tree houses" at Olympos, which are made of simple, nailed boards lodgings offering cheap accomodation.

Phaselis Antalya – port and trading centre in Lycia

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Phaselis - ancient harbour town

Phaselis was one of the most important trading centres in the Mediterranean for several centuries in ancient times. Goods such as Lycian cedar wood and rose oil were shipped from here to Egypt and the Middle East.

About the History of Side - Goddess of Fertility

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History of Side

According to legend Side is named after the goddess of fertility and nature, Side, which also means pomegranate. The story goes that Side was walking along the Manavgat River with her little daughter and her nymphs.

Water supply of Ancient Metropolis Side

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Water supply of Ancient Metropolis Side

On a beautiful summer evening I set off in order to examine the Roman aqueduct that extends from Oymapınar Dam Lake of Dumanlı Spring, which is a technical masterpiece of ancient age and which has supplied water for public and private water facilities, nymphe pools, fountains, spas and houses, to the walls of Side.

Antalya - Trolley from Nuremberg as Attraction

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Antalya - Trolley from Nürnberg

Besides the historical structures with Hadrian city gate and the city walls, there are three traditional old trolley´s at work in Antalya. These trains belonged to the former Nuremberg trolley.

Saint Nicholas of Myra - a Christian Character in Demre

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Saint Nicholas of Myra

Each year between 4th and 6th December, the village of Demre (whose historic name is Myra), well known usually for the quality and the taste of their delicious tomatoes and oranges, faces an invasion of scientists and amateur historians.

St. Nicholas in the church of Myra

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St. Nicholas in the church of Myra

Myra, located in the south-west of Turkey, in the magical landscape of Lycia, was the city where St. Nicholas had worked as a bishop in the fourth century.

On the way to Izmir Asansör Elevator Tower

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On the way to Izmir Asansör Elevator Tower

Traveling through Izmir again, today we will go to the so-called Asansör, a historic passenger and goods elevator in the Konak district, correctly in the Karataş district.

Italy contacts - camper visit from Pinneberg in Germany

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Italy contacts - camper visit from Pinneberg in Germany

We met Silvia and Anselm at a campsite near Venice as part of our project "Comprehension and Cultural Trip along Roman Roads" and were able to experience their experience and knowledge of the city of Venice on a shared city tour. For the first time with the two of them, the idea of wintering for campers on the Turkish Riviera was pushed so strongly that we subsequently looked more and more into this possibility.

Dağ Pazarı - Lebanon Cedars and basilica from Roman times

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Dağ Pazarı - Lebanon Cedars and basilica from Roman times

We drove through the foothills of the Taurus over wonderful pass roads near Ermenek to the apricot town of Mut and then continued our way towards Karaman. Patrick, our paragliding friend from Strasbourg, had reported courageously about the ruins of a basilica and a wonderfully shimmering lake during a sightseeing flight in the region, which he had seen from the air near the town of Dağ Pazarı.

Cistern "Illos" in Akkale, the "White Castle" near Kizkalesi

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Cistern

Kumkuyu, the modern Turkish name of the ancient settlement area of the semi-nomadic Tirtar ethnic group, is located in the south of Erdemli County on the D-400 highway, about 15 kilometres southwest of the district town of the same name and about 50 kilometres southwest of the provincial capital Mersin.

Hamaxia - lost city near Alanya

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Hamaxia - lost city near Alanya

A few years have passed since we were last on the 400-meter-high mountain right next to the new road tunnels near Alanya to visit the Helenistic ruined city of Hamaxia, which is just over half an hour's walk and within sight of Cleopatra's beach.

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