ANTALYA, Turkey's principal holiday resort in the Mediterranean region (ancient Pamphylia, then Pergamos), is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize-winning marina. In the picturesque old quarter, Kaleici, narrow winding streets and old wooden houses about the ancient city walls.

Since the second century BC when Attalus II of Pergamos named the city Attaleia after himself, Antalya has been continuously inhabited. The Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks in turn occupied the city before it came under Ottoman rule. The elegant fluted minaret of the Yivli Minareli Mosque in the center of the city built by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat in the 13th century has become Antalya's symbol. The Karatay Medrese (theological college) in the Kaleici district, from the same period, exemplifies the best of Seljuk stone carvings. The two most important Ottoman mosques in the city are the 16th century Murat Pasa Mosque, remarkable for its tile decoration and the 18th century Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque. Neighboring the marina, the attractive late 19th century Iskele Mosque is built of cut stone and set on four pillars over a natural spring. The Hidirlik Kulesi (tower) was probably originally constructed as a lighthouse in the second century. Today a church, the Kesik Minaret Mosque attests to the city's long history in its succession of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman renovations. When Emperor Hadrian visited Antalya in 130 AD a beautifully decorated three-arched gate was built into the city walls in his honor. Near the marina the two towers flanking the gate and other sections of the walls still stand. The clock tower in Kalekapisi Square was also part of the old city's fortifications.

The region around Antalya offers sights of astonishing natural beauty as well as awesome historical remains. One can walk behind the cascade, a thrilling experience, at the Upper Düden Waterfalls, 14km northeast of Antalya. On the way to Lara Beach, the Lower Düden Waterfalls plunge straight into the sea. The nearby rest area offers an excellent view of the falls; the view is even more spectacular from the sea. Kursunlu Waterfalls and Nilüfer Lake, both 18km from Antalya are two more places of superb natural beauty. The sandy Lara Beach lies about 12km to the east. Closer to Antalya, but to the west, the long, pebbled Konyaalti Beach offers a view of the breathtaking mountain range. A little further, the Bey Dagi (Olympos National Park) and Topcam Beach provide more splendid vistas. There are camping grounds at the north end of the park, while the holiday complex on top of the Tünektepe Hilland offers a panoramic view of the area.

Perge, the largest ancient settling of Antalya

Saklikent, 50km from Antalya is an ideal winter sports resort on the northern slopes of Bakirli Mountain at an altitude of 1750-1900 meters. In March and April you can ski in the morning, eat a delicious lunch of fresh fish at Antalya's marina and sunbath, swim or wind surf in the afternoon. The wildlife (deer and mountain goat) in Düzlercami Park, north of Antalya are under a conservation program. On the way you can stop at the astonishing 115m deep Güver Canyon. In the eastern side of Can Mountain, 30km from Antalya, the Karain Cave, which dates from the Paleolithic Age (50,000 BC) is the site of the oldest settlement in Turkey. Although the little museum at the entrance displays some of the finds, most of the artifacts are housed in various museums throughout Turkey. The ruins of the city of Termessos, set inside Güllük Mountain (Solymos). A nature and wildlife museum is found at the park entrance. The Archaeological Museum, with remains from the Paleolithic age to Ottoman times, offers a glimpse of the area's rich history.

Other historical sites around Antalya are: Perge (the largest ancient settling of both Hellenistic and Roman Age), Aspendos, Side, Termessos, Phaselis, Olympos, Chimeira, Kekova, Simena, Patara, Xantos, Letoon, Pinara, Tlos, Kas, Kalkan, Aperlai, Myra and Sillyon.