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 see and do; below are some suggestions for day-trips:
Duden Waterfalls
You can walk behind the cascade, a
thrilling experience, at the Upper Duden Waterfalls,14 km 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, both18 km from Antalya, are two more places
of superb natural beauty.
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
lovely nature island. There are camping grounds at the north end of the
park should you decide to linger amid the natural beauty. For a panoramic
view of the area drive to the noliday complex and revolving restaurant on
top of Tunektepe Hill.
Saklikent, 50 km from Antalya, is an deal
winter sports resort on the northern slopes of Bakirli Mountain at an
altitude of 1,750 to 1.900 meters. In March and April you can ski in the
morning, eat a delicious lunch of fresh fish at Antalya's marina and
sunbathe,swim or windsurf in the afternoon. The wildlife - deer and
mountain goat-in Duzlercami Park, north of Antalya are under a
conservation program. On the way, you can stop at the astonishing 11 5
meter -deep Guver Canyon.
On the eastern side
of Can Mountain, 30 km from Antalya, the Karain Cave, which dates from the
Paleolithic Age (50,000 B.C.), is the site of the oldest 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. The ruins of the city of Termessos,set inside
Gulluk Mount, a national park northwest of Antalya, 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.)
