Get to know the Old Harbor of Antalya!
Old Harbor Antalya is one of the important historical and touristic attractions of this coastal city. This port, which is several hundred years old, was known in the past as a thriving commercial center and a place for ships and merchants from all over the Mediterranean. Today, Old Harbor has become a popular tourist destination with its combination of traditional architecture and stunning natural scenery.
Tourists can sit in the cafes and restaurants of this port and enjoy watching the small boats or walk in the historical back alleys around the port and touch the rich history of this area. If you are planning to travel to Antalya, we suggest you stay with us in this article to learn more about this beautiful and historical port.
History of Old Harbor
The construction of the port is closely related to the construction of the city of Antalya and in 860, it functioned as a naval base for the Arabs. When the Seljuks captured the city, the port became an important location for long-distance trade, making it an ideal starting point for western Mediterranean countries. The Old Harbor port was very prosperous for the city at the beginning, but later lost its high importance during the reign of Sultan Bezit and remained without commercial use until 1918 and regained its importance after the peace treaty after the First World War.
Antalya is a city with a long history and many ups and downs, which has witnessed many governments during different centuries. Great empires such as Rome, Byzantium, Selcuks and Ottomans, each in turn, have made many efforts to strengthen and preserve the Old Harbor. During the Roman rule in this port, by building strong fortifications and improving the infrastructure, this port became one of the most important commercial centers of Asia Minor in its time. As the beating heart of the region’s trade, the Old Harbor hosted many cargo ships and traders every day.
This important commercial port, which played an important role in the economy of Antalya and the surrounding areas, maintained its importance even after the Romans. With the passage of time and the construction of a new port nearby, the commercial activities were moved to another location and the Old Harbor gradually transformed from a commercial port to a recreational center. Currently, this port hosts yachts, sailing and fishing boats and has become one of Antalya’s popular tourist attractions with its many shopping malls, restaurants and cafes.
Sightseeing places of Old Harbor Antalya
A trip to the historic Old Harbor of Antalya is an unforgettable experience with pleasant weather and stunning views. Located in the old part of Antalya and in Kaleici, this harbor attracts every visitor with its ancient Roman structures, landscape and beautiful Mediterranean coast. The boats that go to the spectacular Duden waterfalls depart from this beautiful port, which has made this area still full of tourists and one of the most popular places in Kaleici.
Kaleici attracts thousands of tourists every year with a beautiful combination of historical context and modern architecture. This city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Antalya with various tourist attractions, shopping centers, restaurants and recreational facilities such as parks, water sports, fishing, swimming, diving and boating. Surrounded by huge cliffs and protected by a large breakwater built during the Seljuk era, Antalya Harbor still remains strong and attracts the attention of every visitor. Also, in the southwest of the harbor, there is the stone tower of Hıdırlık Kulesi, which was built in the second century by the Roman Empire and later turned into a fortification and a lighthouse.
Recreational facilities of Old Harbor Antalya
The historical port of Old Harbor Antalya has attracted the attention of many tourists because of the historical monuments and ancient remains it contains. For this reason, this port has a variety of recreational facilities, including numerous restaurants and cafes, which are a place to eat local Turkish food prepared with fresh and healthy ingredients, and markets and shopping centers, with a high variety and reasonable prices. They provide a good opportunity to buy special Turkish souvenirs, he pointed out. Also, Antalya is known for having luxury and expensive hotels. For this reason, if you plan to stay in this port, you can experience one or more memorable nights in one of these luxurious hotels according to your budget.
A trip to Old Harbor
Currently, Old Harbor is used only as a marina and is the best destination for cruises. Half-hour and multi-day boat trips are possible, and you can experience a multi-day tour. In addition, sailing boats made of pine wood, so-called gulets and fishing boats can be seen in Mermerli Bay.
All those who plan to stay overnight in the port can use the bars located there and experience memorable nights on this trip. Konyaalti Beach is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Türkiye and you can reach it directly from the port. This port is now an important place for cruise ships that come to this area from all over the world.
Access route to Old Harbor Antalya
To reach the Old Harbor of Antalya, you should start your journey from Kale Kapisi in the main square of the city. The square with its historic clock tower is well known and will help you find your way around easily. From this square, you can enter the old town of Kaleici by going to Uzun Çarşı Sokak and passing the clock tower. Then, head towards the Kirkmerdion Stairs and descend these steps to reach the ancient Roman port. Today, this ancient port is a place for mooring of pleasure and tourism boats, as well as attractive cafes and bars.
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