Antalya
Because of the archeological and natural riches of the area, Antalya is called “ the Turkish Riviera ” . The sea, the sun, the nature and the history all merge together in an enchanting harmony here where you can find the most gorgeous and cleanest beaches of the Mediterranean. The 630 km shoreline of Antalya is filled with ancient cities and harbors, sepulchers, and laced with beautiful coves, sandy beaches, lush forests and rivers.
Kaleiçi creates a lovely corner with its boulevards lined with palm trees, its internationally acclaimed marina, its traditional architecture which is set amidst the bustle of a modern city of Antalya; the center of Turkish tourism, Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, International Beach Volleyball, the Triathlon, Golf Tournaments, Archery, Tennis, Skiing competitions and many other sports. The Cultural Center of Antalya has opened its doors in 1995 which hosts cultural and artistic events like plastic artwork, music, theater and a various different exhibitions.
Antalya gets its name from its founder Pergamum King II. Attalos. The city was called Attalia referring to Attalos-its founder; which is first called “Adalya” and later “Antalya” by the Turks.
Archeological excavations proved that Antalya and the surrounding regions have been inhabited for over 40,000 years. The Karain Cave, 27 km northwest of Antalya near the town of Yağcılar contained artifacts belonging to the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze ages.
Since 2000 BC the region has been ruled respectively by city states such as the Hittites, Pamphylia, Lycia and Cilicia and than the Persians, Alexander the Great, Antigonos, Ptolemais, the Seleucids, the Kingdom of Pergamum and finally by the Romans. After the 7th century A.D. the region frequently changed hands between the Byzantines and the Seljucks. In 1207, it was finally taken over by the Seljuk's. The reign continued in the following order: Tekelioguls, Ottomans, Karamanoguls, and than the Ottomans again finally gained control for good.
On March 28 1919 the Allied forces of Italy invaded Antalya but on October 29 1923 Antalya took its place among the provinces of the Turkish Republic.

Manavgat
The town Manavgat, which is 76 km far from the province Antalya. was founded on the plain that lies on both sides of the River Manavgat. The city center is 4 km far from the shore of the Mediterranean. The Northern part of the town is bordered by the Taurus Mountains covered with beautiful forests. The river Manavgat, which flows through the town, givesthe plain fertility and richness. The Manavgat Waterfall and its delta are the most important natural richness of the town. The other natural beauties of the region in the South are the Sorgun Forest with pine trees and the lake "Titreyengöl", which was formed by alluvions that filled the delta of the Riaver Manavgat.
Return to the junction on the E24 for Beşkonak. From here it is c 23 km to manavgat, a pleasant market town on the Manavgat Çayı, the ancient river Melas, which has the usual complement of shops and banks. On the outskirts of Manavgat a road to the left goes first to (4 km) Manavgat Şelale (Manavgat waterfalls), a beauty-spot much favoured by Turkish as well as foreign visitors. Here under the pine trees, it is possible to enjoy an excellent lunch of freshly grilled trout washed down by a dry white wine. Approximately 3 km further is Şıhlar. From there is an easy hour's walk to the site of Seleuceia in Pamphylia

Side
Side can be reached from Antalya-Manavgat highway by turning south 2 km. before reaching to Manavgat. Date of Side's establishment is not clearly known. Name of Side in Anatolian language means "Pomegranate". This characteristic and the information obtained from some of the epigraphs found in the region, it is shown that Side's history goes back to Hittites. The city is founded upon a peninsula. City of Side was protected by the land and sea ramparts, and had lived through Hellenistic and Roman eras. Its ramparts and the entrance gate are its most conspicuous features. The ruins of a number of waterways that had carried water from the outskirts of the Tauruses and the nearby cities can be seen. An old bath have been restored and turned into a museum. Other artifacts that have been found in Side are displayed in this museum. The most important structure in Side is its theater, which can hold 15,000 spectators. The difference of this Roman production theater from the other antique theaters in the region is that its seating was not built upon an inclined slope. The theater is two tiered and is seated upon an arched structure 20 meters high. The orchestra and the stage sections are in ruins. There are channels for the rainwater under the theater. Some of the structures worth seeing in Side are the Columned Road, the Triumphal Arch, the Harbor, the Baths, the Temples, the Fountains, the Water Cisterns, the Waterways, and the Agora.
 

Aspendos
At 38 km distance from Side, Aspendos Theater has been built in the 2nd Century, which could hold 17,000 people is the best-preserved and standing amphitheater. A youth named Xenon who has lived in this area created the perfect acoustics in this theater that incidentally is still not figured out how it was done. 13. In the 13th Century Seljuks have used the building as a caravanserai and is built with the typical Seljuk architecture in which an arch have been used to strengthen the north side of the building. After you pass through Serik on Antalya-Alanya highway, turn north and enter into 4 km. long road to Aspendos. It dates back V. Century B.C. Aspendos Theater has been built II. Century A.D., and have been used as a caravanserai during Seljuks and occasionally have been renovated. With its stage, it is one of the best-preserved rare theaters reaching our day. It is still used for various occasions today such as concerts, carnivals, festival, and oil wrestling. There are some other structures worth seeing in Aspendos compared to some others buildings such as Agora, Basilica, Nymphaeum and the arched waterways reaching up to 15 km long.

Alarahan
Alarahan is within the area called Pamphilia, which is in Antalya 's Alanya district's Okurcalar town, and within the limits of Çakallar Village . As you are driving from Alanya towards Antalya , there is an Alarahan turn at 30 km. of distance. If you drive 9 km. inland you can encounter the “Historical Alarahan” which incidentally has given its name to the area, after traveling through forest and small residential areas. Alarahan is one of the few “put into function historical places”; within its natural beauty you will find the Alara bastion, and Alara Brook, it builds a “History and Nature Museum ”. Alarahan is on the historical Silk Highway built in 1231 A.D. by one of the Seljuk Sultans Aladdin Keykubat. The inn contains living quarters appropriate for the Sultan's living, which is also known as having the most exquisite examples architecture and functional space of the Anatolian caravanserais. The Inn is the only touristic location in the area where we can see the lifestyle of the Seljuk Turks, introduce you with the cultural elements and get a feel of it. Alarahan has been in ruins until a couple of years ago and has been restored between the years of 1998-2000 true to its original with its 770 years of history; it is now a “living and functioning locale as it has been in the past”.

Perge
It is built between Düden and Aksu rivers 18 km. east of Antalya . Turn north from Aksu on the highway between Antalya to Alanya, and arrive at Perge after 2 km. It was away from the pirates' oppression and looting since it didn't have any shores. Because of that, there is no halt in its development stages. It was built in 1200 B.C.; and In 334 A.D. just like Side, Perge too entered into a treaty with Alexander. Because of that, the city did not enter into a war, and didn't burn down. It lived through the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantium eras. Its 15,000 people capacity theater was built II. Century A.D. The stadium near the theater can hold 12,000 spectators. Aside from Aphrodisias Stadium in Aegean region, this is the best-preserved stadium. There are about 30 rooms opening up to outside right under the stadium seating are thought to be used as stores. During the excavations in later years, a number of statues and artifacts have been found. Some of its places worth seeing are its Gates, the Agora, the Nymphaeum, and the Columned streets, the Necropolis, the Basilica and the Acropolis .

Köprülü Kanyon
Northeast of Antalya, taking the turn off for Tasagil and Beskonak, is scenic route that leads to the 14 km Köprülü Canyon National Park. The road crisscrosses over the clear, flowing water of the mountain river and passes through virgin forests, by rippling waterfalls. Reaching the park , 92 km from Antalya, you will encounter a valley of wild beauty rich in flora and fauna. The canyon streches for 14 km along the Köprü River and is 400 meters deeps in some places. At the rest area there are fish restaurants offering delicious selections. The Roman Oluk Bridge, which spans the canyon, and the Büğrüm Bridge over the Kocadere stream, were engineering feast in their time.From this park you can take two possible excurtions to the ancient city of Selge or to the Dedegöl Mountainst, highest peak at 2,992 meters. Mountainers will be unable to resist climbing, exploring and camping in this rugged, scenic spot.