This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
Antalya is a tourism center located on the Mediterranean coast in southern Türkiye, known for its natural and cultural heritage. Antalya is bordered by Burdur, Isparta, and Konya to the north, Karaman and Mersin to the east, and Muğla to the west, while its southern boundary is formed by the Mediterranean Sea. The coastline of Antalya, known as the “Turkish Riviera,” stretches for 630 kilometers. City has been established on a flat terrain approximately 30 meters high, descending perpendicularly into the sea at the northwestern end of the bay bearing the same name. The city’s license plate code is 07. It comprises 19 districts, which together contain a total of 914 neighborhood.
View of the Harbor in Alanya District, Antalya.
Antalya, with its natural beauty and rich historical past, is a major tourist destination that has been home to various civilizations throughout history. Antalya also boasts a well-developed transportation infrastructure. Thanks to its road, air, and sea connections, the city is an accessible destination for both domestic and foreign tourists, with Antalya Airport playing a vital role in international air traffic. Antalya Province consists of a total of 19 districts, including the central district, Akseki, Alanya, Finike, Kaş, Arch, Manavgat, and Serik.
Antalya’s Districts, District Governors, and Populations;
Total Population (2024): 2,722,103
Area: 20,723 km²
Population Density: 130/km²
View of the Çukurbağ Peninsula in Kaş District, Antalya, with the Greek island of Meis.
The name Antalya derives from King Attalus II of Pergamon. In antiquity, the city was known as “Attaleia,” and over time it was referred to by various names such as “Atalia” and “Adalia,” and later by Turks as “Antâliyye” or “Adalya.” This name, meaning “Land of Attalus,” evolved into the modern “Antalya.” After the decline of the Kingdom of Pergamon, the city became a haven for pirates. In 77 BCE, it was incorporated into Roman territory by the Roman commander Servilius Isauricus and later served as a naval base for Pompey’s fleet in 67 BCE.
Ancient City of Kekova/Antalya.
Ancient City of Myra, Demre/Antalya.
The visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian in 130 CE accelerated the city’s development. During the Byzantine period, Antalya became a bishopric center. In 1207, it was conquered by Seljuks and incorporated into Turkish territory. In antiquity, Antalya and its surroundings were known as “Pamphylia,” while its western section was called “Lycia.” Archaeological research has revealed human settlements in Antalya dating back approximately 40,000 years. From around 2000 BCE, the region came under the rule of successive powers including the Hittites, Pamphylians, Lycians, Cilicians, Persians, Alexander the Great, and his successors Antigonus, Ptolemy, and Seleucus. Later incorporated into the Kingdom of Pergamon, the city flourished during the Roman era, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE.
During the Byzantine period, Antalya became a center for bishoprics. Another significant feature of the city during Byzantine rule was its status as one of the major and busiest ports of the Mediterranean. Due to its strategic location, it suffered raids from the Arab fleets beginning in the 7th century. Although captured in 860 by the admiral Fazl b. Kārin under Caliph Al-Mutawakkil, this occupation was short-lived. During the Turkish advance into Anatolia, Süleyman Shah captured the city and held it under Seljuk rule until 1103. However, in 1103, Byzantine Emperor Alexis Komnenos succeeded in reannexing Antalya to Byzantine territory. In subsequent years, the city changed hands several times between Byzantines and Turks, experiencing both conflict and cultural enrichment. In 1120, Ioannes Komnenos recaptured the city for Byzantium, reaffirming Byzantine determination to retain control over Antalya.
Aspendos Theatre/Antalya.
During this period, Antalya served as a vital port for ships from the Levant and Egypt, and a colony of Muslim merchants existed in the city. During the Second Crusade, in 1148, Crusader forces used the city as a base. In 1181, II. Kılıçarslan attempted to bring Antalya under Seljuk control but failed. After the Latin conquest of Constantinople in 1204, Byzantine territories were divided, and Antalya passed under the administration of an Italian named Aldobrandini.
I. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev was another figure who besieged the city, but due to aid arriving from Cyprus, a full conquest was not achieved, and only a blockade was imposed. On 5 May 1207, with the support of local Greeks dissatisfied with Latin rule, the city came under Seljuk control. Keyhüsrev appointed Mübârizüddin Ertokuş as governor and subaşı. He appointed a qadi, imam, muezzin, and preacher to organize governance. He also repaired the city walls and constructed a mosque, which played a significant role in fostering a positive perception of Seljuk rule among the local population.
Alanya Castle/Antalya.
After its conquest by the Seljuks, Antalya became one of the settlement areas of the Teke Turkmen. During the Ottoman period, it retained its importance as the center of the Teke Sanjak, subordinate to the Anatolia Eyalet. In the late Ottoman period, Antalya was made an independent sanjak, and during the Republican era, it attained provincial status.
Kaleiçi, a district where the structures and cultures of civilizations from prehistory to the present can be observed in layered form, is one of Antalya’s most significant historical areas. Although largely in ruins, the inner and outer walls still visible today are a legacy of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. The historic houses in Kaleiçi not only reflect architectural heritage but also illuminate the region’s cultural life. Designated as a SIT (Protected Urban Site) area in 1972 by the High Council for Immovable Cultural Heritage, Kaleiçi was awarded the Golden Apple Tourism Award by the International Federation of Travel Writers (FİJET) following restoration efforts led by the Ministry of Tourism. Today, Kaleiçi has become a vibrant tourism center, preserving its historical fabric while hosting tourist hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
According to current data, the province has an area of 20,723 km². Its population, according to 2024 TÜİK statistics, is 2,722,103. The province’s coastline along the Mediterranean extends for 640 kilometers. As a province in the Mediterranean region, Antalya experiences mild and mostly rainy winters, while summers are hot and dry. Intense rainfall during the summer months contributes to a vibrant and developed agricultural sector. Among Antalya’s most important natural attractions are its rivers and lakes. These water bodies form integral parts of the region’s natural and historical landscape and are also key destinations for tourism. The waters of Antalya are predominantly turquoise in color, attracting millions of domestic and foreign tourists each year. In 2024, Antalya welcomed a total of 17,278,103 domestic and foreign tourists, setting a new record in its tourism sector.
The rainy nature of the winter months in Antalya is a key factor in attracting both local residents and domestic and foreign tourists to the region’s agricultural and food production. Typical local dishes include:
Population
History and Culture
Prior to the Common Era
Common Era
Byzantine Empire Period
Turkish/Muslim Rule Periods
Geography and Natural Features
Rivers, Streams, and Lakes
Mountains
Tourism and Culture
Tourist Sites
Social and Official Events
Cuisine