Weekend Escape Route: Where to Go ın Antalya and Its Surroundıngs
📍 1- Antalya Old Town (Kaleiçi): Kaleiçi's nostalgic streets, well-maintained houses, beautiful doors, diverse shops, and countless flowers make it a captivating and enjoyable place to visit. I highly recommend seeing Hadrian's Gate, Hıdırlık Tower, and Kesik Minare Mosque, which I reached on foot from my hotel. But exploring once is not enough; each time, you discover new details here. Especially for photography enthusiasts, the narrow streets offer plenty of places to spend time.
🍴 Dining Recommendation in Antalya: @seraserrestaurant offers an unforgettable experience in Kaleiçi. You can taste French-style mussels, dried Bosnian meat platter, eggplant soufflé with goat cheese, baked Mediterranean sea bass, and pumpkin dessert in a fairy-tale-like atmosphere.
Accommodation Recommendation in Antalya Old Town: @tuvana_hotel or @casasurantalya. Details on the blog:https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/Antalya-kaleici-hotels
📍 2- Side / Manavgat: You are invited to experience the spirit of ancient Side and see the Ancient Apollo Temple! Manavgat is famous for its various historical and natural attractions. Some popular places to visit include the stunning Manavgat Waterfall and the ancient city of Side, which dates back to the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Turkish periods. Additionally, taking a boat tour on the Manavgat River is a great way to explore the region's natural beauty.
🍴 Dining: There are many excellent restaurants in Manavgat offering various local and international cuisines. For traditional Turkish cuisine, Meshur 49 Kebap is a popular choice known for its delicious pide and kebabs. Topçu Restaurant, with its magnificent Mediterranean view, is recommended for seafood lovers. Finally, for a more upscale option, I recommend Alaadin Bistro Steak House, known for its delicious steaks in a cozy atmosphere. You can also visit @fikapeopleside, a Scandinavian cafe, in Side.
Accommodation Recommendation in Side: @6roomside
📍 3- Alanya: Alanya, surrounded by steep cliffs along the Mediterranean, has so much to offer that it can't be squeezed into a single day... With its ancient temples, stone houses nestled in gardens, and beaches, it has a unique identity and atmosphere. A timeless moment for me: Alanya Castle. Don't forget to visit it. For nature enthusiasts: caves, Dim River, and Sapadere Canyon are also places of incomparable beauty.
🍴 Dining in Alanya: Homemade: Mini Kitchen; Local Cuisine: Esmanın Yeri; Seafood and Meze: Kaptan Güverte; Meat and Kebab: Flash Restaurant; Overall: Gardenia Restaurant. For evenings, I recommend Alanya's Bar Street for entertainment.
Accommodation Recommendation in Alanya: @villaturka.
Details on the blog:https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/alanya-hotels
📍 4- Konya: Our journey has the wisdom of the road with the delicate balance of internal and external states. First, we start by visiting the heart of Mevlânâ, Şems's tomb, which makes these lands so special. Then, we walk to the Mevlâna Dergâh, which is like a jewel in the rose garden of the Seljuk sultans. We enter the Mevlana Museum through the Dervîşân Gate, facing west, where people from all over the world flock. Spread over 6,225 square meters, we visit the lead-domed dervish cells, long-chimneyed, the library, Çelebi Mansion, tombs, and the semahane where Mevlevi dervishes whirl. The Nisan Bowl, adorned with lively pictures, is truly a beautiful work of art!
After saying, "Love has no end," we rush to Serenade Etliekmek for lunch. This bread smells so appetizing! Who can object to the local mold cheese pide...
Accommodation Recommendation in Konya: @hichhotel or @arafhotel.
Details on the blog: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/konya-hotels
📍 5- Burdur: If you're coming from Antalya to the Burdur region, I recommend seeing Sagalassos Ancient City, Kremna, Milyos Ancient City, and Yazılı Canyon.
Accommodation Recommendation in Burdur: @sakligolevleri.
Details on the blog: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/burdur-hotels
Dining Recommendation: Try the specially marinated leaf skewered fillet of beef at the A'la Carte restaurants.
Activities around the facility: Enjoy canoeing on the lake, SUP boarding, and fishing. You can also ride mountain bikes in its lush green nature or join boat tours.
📍 6- Kemer / Çıralı / Olimpos / Adrasan Here are some places to visit in Çıralı, Adrasan, and Olympos: Çıralı: A beautiful beach with crystal-clear water and a peaceful atmosphere. Yanartaş (Chimaera): An incredible natural phenomenon where flames continuously burn from the rocks. Adrasan: A picturesque island near Adrasan, perfect for boat tours and snorkeling. Sazak Bay: A quiet bay with magnificent turquoise water, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Olympos Ancient City: Explore the ruins of this ancient city, including the Roman theater and the Temple of Hephaestus.
🍴 Dining: In Çıralı, you can visit Karakuş Redtoran and Etenna Restaurant. In Beycik Mountain, you can try the River Garden restaurant.
🏠 Accommodation: Stay at @olymposmountainlodge in Beycik Mountain. https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/olympos-mountain-lodge
Details on the blog: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/olympos-mountain-lodge
Stay at @villalukka, @etennabeachbungalows, or @karakedibungalow in Çıralı. Details on the blog: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/cirali-hotels
Stay at @adrasankayakoy, @portakalbahcesiadrasanno7, @zuluadrasan, or @melanipperelaxing in Adrasan. Details on the blog: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/adrasan-hotels
😌 7- Finike / Demre / Kaleköy
Let's start with Finike:
Dining Recommendations in Finike: For the finest seafood on the western coast of Antalya, head to Neşeli Balık. Neşeli Lokanta is ideal for home-cooked meals, and Şişci Hasan is a must-visit for those who can't miss out on Antalya skewers and tahini salads.
🚗 Places to Visit in Finike: Explore Arykanda Ancient City, visit the town of Elmalı, and consider taking the Myra-Noel Baba-Kekova tour.
🍴 Dining Recommendations in Demre: Try Demre İpek Restaurant, Kaptan Restaurant, Kumsal Restaurant, and Kuum Cafe Bistro Beach - Restaurant. In Üçağız, check out Hassan and Ankh Pensions, while in Kapaklı, visit Şiirev and Asmaaltı. In Kaş, try Bahçe Restaurant and Demeti Kaş.
👨🌾 Places to Visit in Demre: Don't miss Kekova, Hoyran Ancient City, Myra, Andriake, Saint Nicholas Church, Lycian Museum, Kaleköy, and the Sunken city. Beaches to Visit: Çayağzı Beach, Sülüklü Beach, Taşdibi Beach, Kaputaş, and the beaches of Kaş.
✏️ Must-Do Activities:
Experience the Lycian Way with a few trails, definitely go on a Blue Cruise, swim in unbelievably beautiful bays, try diving if you're into underwater sports, go sea kayaking at sunset in ancient cities, have an adventurous day with paragliding or jeep safari, among activities like mountain biking.
🏠 Stay in Finike: Stay at @dedeevi7, @fortunellasuitesvillas, or @turkuazkoy in Finike. https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/Hotels-in-Finike
Stay in Demre, consider @hoyran_wedre. https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/Demre-Hotels
Stay in Kekova, try @mehtapkalekoy.
📍 8- Kaş / Kalkan / Patara: Add numerous bays between the famous towns of Kaş and Kalkan as stops and visit 2-3 bays per day. Kaputaş Beach, Akçagerme Beach, Hidayet's place, and the classic beaches of Büyük and Küçükçakıl in Kaş are among my recommendations. Taking a boat tour from Uçağız is a must as there are incredibly heavenly bays in this region. Don't miss canoeing among the ruins of the ancient city of Simena, trying ice cream in Kaleköy, enjoying healthy meals at Oburus, tasting fresh seafood at Demeti Kaş or Voyn Meyhane, trying Zühtü's magnificent cocktails, and continuing your night at Gagarin. While in Kaş, don't forget to smell the bergamot jams, get lost in the boutiques of Uzun Çarşı, and if you're into trinkets, definitely get yourself or your loved ones a "Kas" souvenir before leaving.
🏠 Accommodation Recommendations in Kaş: Consider staying at @nirvanaapartkas, @mandalinasuites, @hotellunakas, @kairosvalley, @mavilimotelkas, @payamhotel, @durupduru_kas, or @hillcityhotel. https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/kas-hotels
For Kalkan, try Payava Hotel, Patara Prince, or Kalkan Villas. https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/kalkan-hotels
Well, that's all from me. Where do you think our new route should be?
