What could be more appealing
than dreamlike landscapes, grandiose mountains and the magnificent colors
of the sea and plants? Then contrast the lively holiday life with the quiet
of ancient ruins and you have a perfect vacation. Near Antalya are many
things to sess and do; below are some suggestions for day-trips:
Termessos
|
Olympos
|
You can walk behind the cascade,
a thrilling experience, at the Upper Duden Waterfalls, 14km.northeast of
Antalya. On the way to Lara Beach, the lower Duden 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
Nilufer Lake, both 18km from Antalya, are two more places of superb natural
beauty.
Duden
Waterfall
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Kursunlu
Waterfall
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The sandy Lara Beach lies
about 12 km. 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 Daglari (Olympos) National Park and Topcam Beach
provide more splendid vistas. Sican is a loveamid the natural beauty. For
a panoramic view of the area drive to the holiday complex and revolving
restaurant on top of Tunektepe Hill.
Saklikent, 50 km. from Antalya,
is an ideal winter sports resort on the northern slopes of Bakirli Mountain
at an altitude of 1750 to 1900 meters. In March and April you can ski in
the morning, eat a delicious lunch of fresh fish ay Antalya's marina and
sunbathe, swim or windsurf in the afternoon. The wildlife-dear and mountain
goat-in Duzlercami Park, north of Antalya are under a conservation program.
On the way, you can stop at the astonishing 115 meter deep Guver Canyon.
Karain
Cave
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Canyon
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On the eastern side of Can Mountain,
30km. from Antalya, the carain Cave, which dates from the Paleolithic Age
(50.000 B.C), is the site of theoldest settlement in Turkey. A single entrance,
lit by the morning sun, opens onto three large interconnecting chambers.
Although the little museum at the entrance displays some of the finds,
most of the artifacts are housed in various museums throughout Turkey.
Termessos
National Park
|
The ruins of
the city of Termessos, set inside Gulluk Mount, a National Park northwest
of Antalya, is perched on a 1.050 meter high plateau on the west face of
Gulluk Mountain (Solymos). |
A wild and splendid landscape
surrounds the monumental traces of this city. (A nature and wildlife museum
is to be found at the park entrance) |
