Antalya and the surrounding area: welcome to the Turkish Riviera

On Turkey's southern coast, the rapid development of Antalya is remarkable. And that's what puts some people off at first sight: it's become a major tourist destination, and there's plenty to be wary of with its tall modern buildings, soulless resorts and summer crowds...

But never mind: occupying a central position at the end of its magnificent bay, Antalya is a city where it's always good to stroll. Its large public parks planted with palm trees, its marina and its Roman walls give it a typically Mediterranean charm: there's always something special about stepping through the ancient Adrien Gate!

Antalya's old town, Kaleiçi, is full of superb 18th- and 19th-century Ottoman wooden houses, carefully restored to make it one of the best-preserved in the country. A showcase for the many archaeological sites in the region, the Antalya Archaeological Museum, a little way from the centre, is a must-see: its rich collections are a perfect complement to the discoveries to come, making it one of Turkey's leading museums.

There are no beaches to speak of in the centre of Antalya: its seaside side is expressed on both sides of the city, with the great beaches of Konyaalti (west) and Lara (east), where you can also see the pretty Düden waterfalls flowing directly into the sea. With water sports, sun loungers, bars, restaurants and hotels, this is another version of the city, taking full advantage of the presence of Antalya airport, which makes it such an easily accessible destination.

Around the large city of Antalya, there are a host of remarkable sites waiting to be discovered. Not far away in the mountains (35km away), at an altitude of 1,000m, the archaeological site of Termessos is splendid, and is as much a cultural visit as a real nature walk. The setting around its ancient theatre is fabulous!

While Termessos is undoubtedly the most beautiful site in the region, it is not the only one around Antalya to fascinate lovers of ancient history. The ruined city of Pergé (15km away) is extensive and contains numerous remains, and not much further afield, Aspendos (47km away) stands out for its superb Roman theatre.

Around Antalya, each seaside resort, in addition to its beach, still stands out for its remains. From Finike, you can reach the forgotten but splendid site of Arycanda in the mountains, while at Çirali, the site of Olympos, hidden by thick vegetation, dominates a coastline of striking beauty.

And then there's Chimaera, where a unique sight awaits visitors and has inspired mythology: methane fumes escape from the ground, igniting in a multitude of fires! It is said that here lies the Chimera, the monster slain by the Greek hero Bellerophon... See it at dusk for maximum effect.

Sometimes in the Antalya region, too, the ancient remains are not on land but under the sea. This is the case with one of the most admirable natural sites in the area, Kekova Bay: the submerged ruins can be seen with a simple snorkel mask, or aboard a glass-bottomed excursion boat. The bay itself represents some of the best scenery on the Turkish coast: absolutely magnificent!

You could make Antalya your base for exploring the region, or decide to change resorts as your itinerary takes you, stopping off at Kemer, Çirali, Kaş, or Side, by the sea, for the full experience.

How do I get to Antalya?

Antalya is served by an international airport: there are flights from France, particularly during the high season (April-October), with or without a stopover. Alternatively, many all-inclusive holidays, including charter flights, are available to Antalya resorts.