Things to do in Mediterranean Coast
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7 Mehmet Restaurant
Antalya's most famous eatery is a couple of kilometres west of the centre, and its spacious indoor and outdoor dining areas occupy a hill overlooking Konyaaltı Plajı and the city. The menu of grilled mains, fish and meze is unsurprising but of very high quality. Ask for a peek in the enormous kitchen.
reviewed
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Tomb of Amyntas
Behind the town is the Tomb of Amyntas, an Ionic temple façade carved in the sheer rock face in 350 BC. It gets crowded at sunset in summer, the most pleasant time to visit. It's a steep climb up steps to get there; on a hot day it's worth first considering how much Lycian funerary monuments really mean to you. Other smaller tombs lie about 500m to the east.
reviewed
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Merkez Cafe
This very central (the meaning of its name) cafe that has recently got all dolled up makes superb pastries and cakes, including a gorgeous chocolate baklava (TL7) and coconut and almond macaroons (TL4). More substantial fare includes pizzas (TL9 to TL17) and pasta.
reviewed
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Yivli Minare
Antalya's symbol is the Yivli Minare, a handsome and distinctive 'fluted' minaret erected by the Seljuk sultan Aladdin Keykubad I in the early 13th century. The adjacent mosque (1373) is still in use. Within the Yivli Minare complex is a heavily restored Mevlevi Tekke (whirling dervish monastery, which probably dates from the 13th century). Nearby to the west are two türbe (tombs), one from the late 14th century and the other from 1502. The broad plaza to the west with the equestrian statue of Atatürk is Cumhuriyet Meydanı.
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Beyaz Yunus Lokantası
Set on a stunning terrace overlooking the bay, the Beyaz is famous for its fresh fish and seafood. Sample some of the exquisite seafood mezes such as calamari stuffed with feta, or octopus slow-cooked in red wine. Down some steps is a delightful 'Sunset Bar'- perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif! It's on the Faralya road about 1km from the town centre.
reviewed
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Armutalan Hamamı
The enormous, full-serve Armutalan Hamamı is behind the government hospital, off Datça Caddesi (2km west of the centre). After 6pm it's quietest, as the tour groups are gone. A free shuttle (Armutalan No 4) is near the new fountained square.
reviewed
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Oba Restaurant
With a pleasant walled terrace under bitter orange trees, the Oba offers tasty Turkish dishes cooked daily by Nuran, the owner's mother. Hearty, tasty and great value, it's simple Turkish home-cooking at its best. Try the speciality, köfte - oven-baked or sautéd - or chicken or beef güveç (casserole).
reviewed
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Sim Restaurant
A choice of seated areas makes this simple but charming restaurant a unique experience. When the weather's fine, dine underneath the canopy in the narrow passageway at the front, wedged against ancient Byzantine walls. Inside, global graffiti on the ground floor gives it a youthful – if somewhat dated – feel, while upstairs, eclectic antiques complement köfte, a choice of six meze and glorious çorbalar (soups).
reviewed
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İdil Mantı Evi
This Bar St shop keeps the punters upright with rich gözleme and other alcohol-soak-up snacks.
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Hasanağa Restaurant
Expect to find the garden dining area here packed on the nights when traditional Turkish musicians and folk dancers entertain from 8pm onwards. Dishes are predictable – köfte, mixed grills and the like – although the cooks do produce some veggie dishes (around TL15).
reviewed
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Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Camii
Go down Uzun Çarşi Sokak, the street opposite the clock tower. On the left is the Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Camii, built by the Beylerbey (Governor of Governors) Tekeli Mehmet Paşa. The building was repaired extensively in 1886 and 1926. Note the beautiful Arabic inscriptions in the coloured tiles above the windows.
reviewed
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Ulker Fırın & Café
Take care not to over-order at this thoroughly modern bakery, which is packed with both traditional and nontraditional Turkish sweets - the tiny pieces of şöbiyet (walnut curd) and fistıklı (pistachio)baklava are significantly more filling than they first appear. It's close to Plaza Cinemas.
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Roof
The strobe lights inside this cramped 2nd floor dance club are enough to give you a brain aneurysm, but the music - banging techno and jungle - more than makes up for it. The crowds here are generally small and, although the music is played at a ridiculously high volume, there's an outdoor balcony well suited to conversation.
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Club Arma
Housed in a former oil depot built right into the cliff-side above the harbour, this upmarket balık evi (fish restaurant) specialises in meze (brought to you properly on a tray to choose from) and seafood in its infinite variety. If dining en plein air be careful not to fall off the fabulous open terrace or you'll literally end up in the drink.
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Can Can Pide ve Kebap Salonu
Looking for something very cheap and cheerful? Fantastically prepared çorba (soup), pide and Adana dürüm (beef kebap rolled in pitta) are here at bargain prices as are mantı, a kind of Turkish ravioli. It's opposite the landmark Antalya 2000 building and its Plaza Cinema.
reviewed
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Oba Motel Restaurant
Partly housed in a wooden cabin, the restaurant of the leafy Oba Motel has a great reputation for home-style food at palatable prices. It also does great Turkish/European breakfasts (from TL12) including homemade muesli with mountain yoghurt and local pine honey. The menu offers everything from snacks to full-on mains, including a half-dozen veggie options.
reviewed
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Oxyd
Resembling a sci-fi sandcastle (apparently) inspired by a church in Morocco, this super-duper club 3km north of town in Kumköy is among Turkey's best, and all about love-it-or-leave-it extravagance. Pack a swimming costume; there's a pool alongside. Best get there by taxi (TL15).
reviewed
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Mahperi Restaurant
Quite a feat in fly-by-night Alanya, this classy waterfront fish and steak restaurant has been in operation since 1947 and offers a good selection of international dishes.
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Bar Rock Cafe
This dark tavern with a large open garden features local guitar bands playing covers of alt-rock classics. Located down an alleyway directly across the street from the Akdeniz clothing shop on Uzun Çarşi Sokak. Look for the archaeological excavation site -– ah, Turkey! – on the left.
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Association for the Unity of Mankind
The Association for the Unity of Mankind is a yoga, meditation and aerobics studio offering different morning and evening classes daily, as well as classes in group meditation and arts and crafts. A weekly schedule is posted outside the front door. Yoga takes place on Thursdays only, from 10.30 to 11:30.
reviewed
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Plaza Cinemas
First-run Hollywood blockbusters and the occasional Turkish film are shown at this four-screen cinema, located on the ground floor of a modest shopping centre. Exit Kaleiçi from Hadrian's Gate, walk straight ahead, and look for the large building with 'Antalya 2000' posted across the façade.
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Turkey Discovery
10 days (Antalya)
by Intrepid
Relish the of sophisticated charm of Antalya, Inspect the peculiar rock formations of Goreme, Enjoy dinner with a local family, See the temple covered summit of…Not LP reviewed
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Soundwaves Restaurant
This long-running Side eatery is in the same family as the Beach House Hotel, so the vibe is friendly and relaxed. A small, focused menu is delivered by an experienced chef, and there are regular seafood specials. Ask if the excellent swordfish kebaps are available, and kick off with a few meze and a cold beer.
reviewed
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Bistrot Clou
Just off Market Square, this delightful little place offers home-style cooking at fair prices. The family who run it make everything from the house speciality, the delicious güvec (casseroles), to the crocheted tablecloths and gourd lamps. There's jazz and traditional music most nights.
reviewed
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Dem-Lik
Dem-Lik is located (mostly) in a large garden behind high stone walls, where Antalya's university crowd reshapes the world between ice-cold beers while listening to (mostly) jazz, reggae and blues (live at the weekend).
reviewed