Further Afield

The Antalya region is known as the Turkish Riviera and boasts many archaeological and natural beauties, giving the region a perfect mixture of sea, sun, history and nature.  It possesses the most beautiful and clean beaches of the Mediterranean, extending 630 km, and is home to many archaic cities, archaic harbours, monumental tombs, lacy coves, beaches, verdant woods and rivers. Antalya is the most important tourism centre of Turkey, proudly displaying boulevards lined with palm trees, an international prize winning marina at Kaleici with its well preserved traditional architecture, and many other contemporary buildings.  Antalya also hosts a great number of sports and cultural activities with the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, International Beach Volleyball, Triathlon, Golf competitions, Archery, Tennis, Ski-ing contests and similar activities and, the Antalya Cultural Center that opened in 1995 for exhibition purposes, music, and drama. The region has 14 provinces and Kizilot/Kizilagac lie within the province of Manavgat. 

Manavgat is the closest town to the villa – 7 minutes west by car - and has a population of 72,000.  The 90 km long Manavgat Creek begins in the eastern hills of the western Taurus mountains, becomes the Manavgat Falls just north of town, and enters the Mediterranean at Manavgat.   The creek and falls provide perfect opportunities for rafting, picnicking, and sightseeing river cruises, while Manavgat itself has a wide variety of shops, cafes and restaurants that cater for all the needs of both residents and tourists alike.  The creek passes through the town and is particularly scenic, having many riverside cafes and restaurants, where you can relax and enjoy traditional Turkish fare.  On Mondays there’s a regular tourist market of enormous proportions that attracts tourists and locals, and people from much further afield.

Side is the closest full-blown tourist resort – 10/15 minutes west by car – offering the full range of tourist facilities, from restaurants, cafes, roadside stalls and shops, to the splendour of Antique Side where the Temple of Apollo and the surrounding Greco-Roman ruins make a breathtaking site on the water’s edge.  The Colosseum hosts cultural events and shows from spring to autumn and, like a meal at one of the fish restaurants on the harbour, an evening at the Colosseum is not to be missed. Boasting beautiful beaches, including its famous Turtle Beach, Side is a bustling resort that makes for a great day out from the villa. 

Aspendos is 35/40 minutes west of the villa and home to the best preserved theatre of antiquity. The ancient city of Aspendus was built in 1000 BC, and by the 5th century BC it was the most important city in Pamphylia.  In 155, the Greek architect Zenon built the theatre which has superb acoustics and is regularly used for cultural events and other festivals. The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival is held in June and July each year, tickets all one price at the equivalent of £13 each. You should take a cushion!  Nearby are the remains of the basilica, agora, nymphaeum, and 15 km of Roman aqueduct.

Alanya is a 30 minute drive east of the villa, on a modern, straight road. A long, modern, resort bordered all along the front by two magnificent beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, Alanya is dominated in the centre by a huge rock promontory jutting into the Mediterranean, which offers breathtaking views over the resort and the panoramic backdrop of the Taurus mountains. Alanya has everything for lively holidaymakers - watersports, restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. The quieter, Old Quarter, retains its mystery and charm with its Ottoman style buildings and narrow, winding streets. The fortress is one of the most exciting historical sites of the Antalya region. It sits atop the spectacular promontory, and within its walls you can still see today, remains of the inner castle, the Mosque, the Bedesten (thought to be the inner castle which contains 25 rooms), the reservoir, the palace and also a church. These historical ruins provide a good day’s cultural activity.

Alanya’s Archaeological Museum displays as its oldest artefact, a Phoenician tablet discovered near Alanya and dated 625 BB.  In addition, there are many bronze, marble, earthenware, glass and mosaic findings belonging to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras.

Two or three weeks’ stay in the villa provides wonderful opportunities for sightseeing even further afield.  Recommended as overnight stays are:

Konya, where the mystical Persian poet Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, and the founder of the Sufi Mevlevi order (famous for the Whirling Dervishes) spent the last 50 years of his life.  The tomb of the Rumi is in Konya, as is the Alaeddin Mosque and the Mevlana Museum.

Hierapolis–Pamukkale – UNESCO World Heritage Site – the magnificent natural, cultural and archaeological attractions of the city of Hierapolis, and the hot spa at Pamukkale (cotton castle in Turkish), make these two cities a real must for the discerning sightseer, and the villa is an excellent base for those who want to explore over two or three days.  Pamukkale was formed from tectonic movements that produced very hot springs and made it famous as a spa in the 2nd century BC, since when it has been completely unrivalled.  The ‘cotton castle’ is a natural site 2,700 long and 160 high and can be seen from a great distance (20 miles away). Hierapolis, the city above Pamukkale has a wide variety of well-preserved Greek ruins that make it a spectacular tourist attraction, and a sight not to miss if you have the time to visit.  

Other Sites of Interest: Lâra, Karpuzkaldıran, Side, Konyaaltı, İncekum and Kaş beaches, Çıralı recreation area, Düden and Manavgat water falls, Antalya coastal water falls, Düzler pine forest, Demre mineral springs, Damlataş, Kadini and Karain caves, Köprülü Kanyon, Sahil and Termessos National Parks, Aspendos, Perge, Side, Olympos, Xanthos, Termessos and Myra antique cities, Athena Temple, Fluted Minaret, Korkud, Murad Pasha and Kale Mosques, Karatay Complex, Evdür, Alara Şarapsa inns, Antalya and Alanya castles, Antalya Regional Museum, Lykia rock graves at Kalkan, Kaş and Demre regions.