Antalya, Mediterranean coastal metropolis in Turkey
Antalya stretches along the Mediterranean shoreline between turquoise waters and the Taurus mountain range, with contemporary structures rising near Roman fortifications. The old quarter sits on a cliff above the marina and forms a maze of Ottoman houses with terracotta roofs, enclosed by stone ramparts.
King Attalos II of Pergamon founded this settlement in 150 BCE and named it Attaleia. Romans later developed it into a Mediterranean port and Seljuks and Ottomans left their architectural marks over the centuries.
Locals prefer the late afternoon for their walks along the harbor promenade, when heat subsides and tea gardens fill with people. In the old town's narrow lanes, restaurants open in the evening with Turkish live music and serve guests at outdoor tables.
The international airport offers direct connections to dozens of countries throughout the year and sits about 8 miles (13 kilometers) east of the city center. Trams connect beaches with the old town, and buses run frequently along the coast and inland.
The Düden waterfalls plunge directly into the Mediterranean from a 130-foot (40-meter) cliff and create a natural display visible from boats and beaches. Visitors can walk behind the falling water at the upper basin in the surrounding parks.
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