There was a time when Antalya was seen mostly as the gateway to the Turkish Riviera, but it has become one of the sought-after tourist destinations of Turkey today. Bordered by the Taurus Mountains, it is located in the Asian part of Turkey. It has a history that dates back to 200 BC when it was first established by the Attalid dynasty, which ruled the ancient Greek city of Pergamon. The region was ruled by many big empires, such as the Romans, the Seljuks, and the Ottomans. It was brought under the rule of Turkey after the Turkish War of Independence, which ended in the year 1923.

Your cheap Antalya holidays would give you the opportunity to explore the old town of Kaleici. This neighbourhood would be a perfect place in the Turkish city to enjoy a stroll. While taking a walk on the cobblestone streets, you’ll get to witness the old Ottoman mansions that have shades of white and red. Today, Kaleici is home to several art galleries, boutique hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Among the attractions that you’ll come across while on the main square is a stone-clad clock tower and an 18th-century mosque called Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque.

Another interesting place to visit during your Antalya holidays is the Antalya Museum. You’ll find this museum quite fascinating if you’re interested in delving into the country’s intriguing history. It had won the ‘European Council Special Prize’ in the year 1988. While in this museum, you’ll get to see the best finds brought from the excavation sites spread across the coastal part of Turkey. They’ve been exhibited in such a way that visitors find the history quite easier to understand. In the large archaeological section, you’ll find exhibits dating back to the Bronze Age. The entire museum covers a vast area of 7,000 square metres, making it one of the largest museums in Turkey.

If you’re a history buff, you’ll also like to visit the Aspendos during your cheap holidays to Antalya. This archaeological site features a Roman theatre, which is believed to be among the best-preserved in the world. Since the year 1994, the Turkish State Opera and Ballet has been hosting the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival at this place every year. It is believed to have been built during the 2nd and 3rd centuries along with many of the other structures that are now in ruins. This theatre has been fully restored and has a seating capacity of about 15,000.

Built by Alaaddin Keykubad I, the Yivliminare Mosque is one of the finest structures built by the Anatolian Seljuk sultans. Its name is derived from a fluted minaret of this mosque called ‘Yivli Minare’. This minaret is a popular landmark of Antalya and is decorated with tiles of dark blue shade. The mosque is the part of a complex of structures, Jam Adzan Digital which includes the Seljuk and Dervish lodge and Giyaseddin Keyhusrev Medrese. If was first built in the year 1230 and was fully reconstructed in 1373 for the second time.

I’m Amanda, and I work as a content strategist for Home and Away Holidays, which provides affordable Antalya holidays and other exotic destinations of the world. I spend most of my time researching on cost-effective holiday packages and write informative articles on the related topics.