Wide, fertile plains parallel the endless sandy beaches east of Antalya until you come to Alanya. Abundant modem tourist facilities and well preserved historical sites give you several options for a day's activities.
An
important city of ancient Pamphylia, Perge (18km from Antalya) was originally
settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. St. Paul preached some of his first
sermons here. The theater's stage has finely carved marble reliefs; other
carvings from around the city are displayed in the stadium. Amateur archaeologists
will want to see the handsome city gate flanked by two lofty towers, along
colonnaded road once paved with mosaics and lined with shops, a large agora,
the public baths and a gymnasium. Swimmers and sunbathers alike enjoy Belek,
a modem luxurious holiday center and golfer's paradise, 40km from Antalya.
The National Golf Club located in Belek features a wide variety of water
sports as well as a championship 18-hole golf course and 9-hole academy
course. Visitors may sample some of Turkey's finest cuisine and enjoy open-air
discos for evening entertainment. A photogenic Seljuk bridge crosses the
Kopru River from the road to Aspendos.
ASPENDOS
The road continues
past the Aspendos Jewelry Center to the Aspendos Theater the best preserved
theater of antiquity with seating for 15,000. Still used today, the theater's
galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to the architect's
success. Nearby stand the remains of a basilica, agora and one of the largest
aqueducts in Anatolia. And if you have ever wondered how gold dust becomes
a fine piece of art or how precious stones are engraved, be sure to visit
the Aspendos Jewelry Center, where jewelry making can be observed at every
stage in the large workshop.
Northeast
of Antalya, at the turn off for Tasagil and Beskonak, is the scenic route
that leads to the Koprulu Canyon National Park. The twisting road crisscrosses
over mountain streams and passes through virgin forests.
It is often a slow drive as the view at every turn is more beautiful than
the last. The park, 92km from Antalya, is a valley of wild beauty rich
in Hora and fauna. The canyon stretches for 14km along the Kopru River
and is 400 meters deep in some places. Fish restaurants dot the rest areas.
The Roman Oluk Bridge, which spans the canyon, and the Bugrum Bridge over
the Kocadere stream, are engineering feats of antiquity. From this park
you can make two possible excursions to the ancient city of Selge and to
the Dedegol Mountains. Dedegol, the highest peak in this mountain range
rises to 2,992 meters. An important city of ancient Pisidia, Altinkaya
(Selge), northwest of the KopruIu Canyon National Park, is reached by a
winding mountain road. The city walls, towers, cisterns, temple to Zeus,
agora, stadium, theater, gymnasium and necropolis remain from this commercial
city that stood at an elevation of 950 meters. Historians verify that Selge
had direct trade with Antalya, which brought it prosperity Although the
Manavgat Waterfalls are not high, milky white, foaming water rushes powerfully
over the rocks. Next to the waterfalls shady tea gardens and restaurants
make the falls a pleasant, cool resting spot, especially welcome after
a day of sightseeing. You can take a delightful boat trip up the Manavgat
River to explore this lovely area further.
SIDE
Side,
one of the best known classical sites in Turkey, was an ancient harbor
whose name meant pomegranate. 
Today
a pretty resort town, its ancient ruins, two sandy beaches, many shops
and extensive tourist accommodation attract throngs of visitors. There
are numerous cafes and restaurants with a view of the sea, and the shops
that line the narrow streets sell typical Turkish handicrafts including
leather goods and Turkey's famous beautiful gold jewelry. The magnificent
theater of the ancient city, built on colonnaded arches, is the largest
in the whole area. (Closed for restoration) Other monuments include the
agora, the Apollo Temple, which is situated near. the sea, a fountain and
necropolis. The extensive Roman baths, now a museum, houses one of Turkey's
finest archaeological collections. East of Side, tucked in pine forests
the holiday resorts of Sorgun, Titreyen Gol (Blue Flag) and Kizilagac
are both popular for their sandy beaches and sparkling sea. The atmosphere
is relaxed, the accommodation plentiful and the activities endless. West
of Side, the holiday centers of Kumkoy, Colakli and Kamelya also offer
sun and sea, in close proximity to ancient sites. In the Pamphlyian 
Seleucia
(Bucaksihlar), 15km northeast of Side, are the remains (in good condition)
of Roman baths, temples, churches, 
a
mausoleum, theater and agora. One of the most interesting and well known
caves in Turkey is located in Altinbesik Cave National Park situated 12
kilometers southeast of Aydinkent (lbradi) and 55 kilometers north of Manavgat.
Lakes and interesting rock formations within the cave area as well as travertines
and streams make this area especially fascinating. Altinbesik Cave is situated
on the western slopes of the Manavgat River Valley and can be reached via
the village of Urunlu, which is an authentic village, that is a must see
when traveling through this area. The 13th-century caravansary, Alarahan,
was built by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat on the banks of the Alara
River. On the top of a nearby hill the Alara Fortress commands a view of
the whole area.
ALANYA
The
large popular resort center of Alanya lies at one end of a rocky promontory
which juts out into the Mediterranean between two long sandy beaches. A
13th-century Seljuk fortress - one of the most magnificent sights on the
coast - crowns the headland. About 150 towers punctuate the walls of the
well preserved, double walled citadel. Within the outer walls are ruins
of mosques, a caravansary and a covered bazaar; in the inner walls are
a ruined cistern and a Byzantine church. Although Alanya's history dates
back to Roman times, it rose to prominence under the Seljuks, when in 1220,
Aladdin Keykubat made it his winter residence and naval base. 
The
surviving buildings reflect the importance of the city in Seljuk times.
Besides the impressive citadel tourists should explore the unique dockyards
and the Octagonal Kizil Kule (Red Tower). Alanya is a beautiful holiday
center of modern hotels and motels, numerous fish restaurants, cafes and
bars. The cafes that ring the harbor have become popular gathering places
for tourists. From the town's lovely park, the road runs along the coast
to the harbor, lined with countless boutiques that tempt tourists with
handicrafts, leather, clothes, jewelry, handbags and the amusing painted
gourds, a symbol of the area. In August, when Alanya hosts a colorful International
Folklore Festival the atmosphere is charged with vitality and gaiety. If
you enjoy exploring you should visit the Damlatas Cave to see the eerie
misshapen rock formations. Nearby is the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum,
(Open weekdays except Monday). A boat can take you to the three sea grottoes:
Fosforlu Magara with its phosphorescent rocks, the Kizlar Magarasi, where
pirates imprisoned their female captives, and the Asiklar Magarasi. When
the intense sun overpowers you, take a day trip to the Dim Cayi Valley,
15km east of Alanya, where you can relax in the shade of this scenic valley
and listen to the stream rushing by Avsallar (Incekum). About 25km from
Alanya to the west, is a holiday resort center with fine sandy beaches.
If you travel east from Alanya towards Gazipasa you will discover and no
doubt linger on the exceptional beaches. 30km east of Alanya, Aytap, the
historical harbor city Lotape is a great excursion site, with Roman ruins,
secluded beaches and bays.
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