Antalya

Travel essentials

1. Hadrian’s GateErectedbefore the visit of a Roman emperor in 130 AD, Hadrian’s Gate is a majestic entrance to Antalya’s historic quarter. The only survivor of the ancient city walls, this triumphal arch embodies the rich past of Antalya, once known as Attaleia. Today, the gateway is on Atatürk Caddesi and links the bustling modern city with the charming old town of Kaleiçi, bearing witness to Antalya’s long history and architectural prowess.
2. AspendosSituatedaround 19 kilometres east of Antalya, the remarkable theatre of Aspendos is the only one from antiquity to have preserved its stage structure intact. Originally capable of seating 20,000 spectators, its survival is attributed to the Seljuks, who transformed it into a residence. In the 1920s, Kemal Atatürk, regarded as the “Father of the Turks”, decided to restore the theatre. Today, Aspendos hosts major musical events, perpetuating its heritage as a cultural epicentre.
3. Hierapolis & PamukkalePerchedatop the white cliffs of Pamukkale is Hierapolis, an ancient city with a rich history and thermal springs. Once a Phrygian cult centre and then a flourishing Greek town, Hierapolis boasts a well-preserved amphitheatre, numerous ruins and the famous sacred pool, still in use today, where you can immerse yourself amid submerged Roman columns scattered by an ancient earthquake. Right next door, the Pamukkale terraces steal the show. These sparkling white formations, made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by the warm, mineral-rich waters, gave the town its name, which means ‘cotton castle’. With temperatures ranging from 35°C to 100°C, these thermal springs have been creating a vast terraced landscape for centuries, as the calcium carbonate in the waters crystallises into travertine. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hierapolis and Pamukkale offer a unique blend of culture and natural wonders not to be missed.