Turkish Riviera with Antalya, Alanya, Side and Cleopatra

tuerkei mediterranean

The Turkish Riviera is the southern coastal strip of Turkey and one of the most popular summer holiday destinations. The region is particularly popular among all-inclusive vacationers. Between sun, sea and beach, the region between Antalya and Alanya also has numerous ancient sights and natural spectacles to offer.

While the Turkish Riviera is flat and has long sandy beaches, the Aegean coast is characterized by mountainous landscapes and romantic bays.

The city of Antalya also has a beautiful old town to offer - this is called Kaleiçi. The clock tower is located on the edge of the old town, which is why we started our exploration tour from there. Near the clock tower is another attraction, the Yivli Minare - a mosque, which the locals often refer to as the city's landmark. The best views of this impressive structure are from nearby Republic Square. Other sights in the city include Hadrian's Gate, the marina and the Archaeological Museum.

If you are looking for peace and relaxation, Belek is ideal for it, it is also wonderful to hike in the pine forests around Belek. If you want to experience something more than Side has a lot more to offer.

Antalya, on the other hand, is known for its historical and cultural wealth, its magnificent beaches and its luxurious resorts.

Alanya is the epitome of a relaxed and carefree tourist attraction. The choice between Side and Alanya ultimately depends on your personal preferences. If you are interested in history and archaeology, Side might be a better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a livelier holiday with beautiful beaches, Alanya might suit you better.

In Side, which is characterized by tourism, there are numerous restaurants and cafés as well as many colourful shops and souvenir shops that invite you to stroll around. In particular, the pretty old town and its ancient ruins, along with the picturesque beaches, are among the city's best-known and most popular sights.

Gazipasa - Serene Paradise

Gazipasa - Serene Paradise

Turkey, an ever-shining star in the global tourism market with returning tourists and foreigners deciding to settle by buying houses, continues to attract new tourists every year.

The antique cities of Selinus and Trajan

The antique cities of Selinus and Trajan

The antique city of Selinus which is on the spot as today’s Gazipasa. was one of the important cities of mountainous Cilicia. With other cities in the same region, it shows that there was an intensive human settlement here during the antique times.

Historical Wealth of Gazipaşa & surrounding places

Historical Wealth of Gazipaşa

Gazipaşa hosts a very rich archeological heritage with the ruins of a number of antique cities, castles, monumental tombs and numerous historic structures. The remnants of the old ports near the shore and castles on the heights of Toros Mountains are the signs of old human settlements in this area.

The (known) Chronology of Gazipasa

Chronology of Gazipasa

The known history of human settlements in the area dates from 2000 B.C. But although they do not give us sufficient information, there are signs of earlier human settlements around Gazipaşa. The chronological history of Gazipasa goes like this:

Anient Town of Lamos next to Gazipasa

Antique town Lamos in Gazipasa

Antique town, placed on two hills 15 km east of  Gazipaşa and 2 km north of the village Adanda. In Turkish it is called Adanda Kalesi. On the main road a Lamos sign points north at the centre. After that there are no signs, so this road cannot be recommended.

The ancient City of Selinus in Gazipasa

The antique town of Selinus in Gazipasa

The ancient City of Selinus is about 45 km away from  Alanya and 2 km from the city center of Gazipaşa (follow the signposts). The road follows the river Musa Çay, once called Selinus too.

Gazipaşa Beaches

Gazipaşa Beaches

We just mentioned the clean air of the mountains and plateaus, but you don’t need to go far for dean air in Gazipaşa. The air and natural environment in die town (enter and along the coastline are exceptionally clean. There is no source of pollution in this area.

Brian Webb - experienced Australian Pilot

Brian Webb - experienced Australian Pilot

I have been flying paragliders since 1986, before that hang gliders for several year. I started my paragliding school in Bright, Australia in 1988 and taught over 3,000 people to fly before moving on to specialise in paragliding XC Tours and XC skills development clinics.

Murat Iştın - flying meteorologist

Murat Iştın - flying meteorologist

Murat Iştın, who is a meteorologist and at the same time, paragliding pilot, was born in Balıkesir in 1980. After completing his primary and secondary education in Balıkesir, he graduated from Ankara Anadolu Meteorology Vocational High School in 1998 and started his professional meteorology career by working at Van Ferit Melen Airport.

Pal Takats - most skilled acro pilot

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Pal Takats - most skilled acro pilot

Pal Takats is among the most skilled acro pilots ever. The young Hungarian pilot is a real paragliding and acro zealot – in a positive way. Please read what he is telling about himself:

Wild Water Rafting on Alara River in Turkey

Rafting on Alara River in Turkey

For professional rafters and beginners. There are lots of wild water streams coming down from the Taurus Mountains, but a few of them are really difficult to handle on rafts. You need a well-trained body with powerful muscles to move down safely. Permission is also required.

Gazipaşa - still rural coined Green Area

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Gazipaşa - still rural coined Green Area

An excursion tour together with our co-author Detlef Heinzel, who has lived in Gazipasa for several years, had led us again to Gazipasa, the still green and rural small town with a predominantly rural bustle, please follow his short report:

Kahramanmaras and the specialities of the region

Kahramanmaras and the specialities of the region

Kahramanmaraş is a provincial centre in the east of Turkey and has got 465.370 inhabitants (number from 2007). Up to the end of the Turkish Independence War the town and the province was only called Maraş.

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