Antalya is not only the touristic capital of Turkiye but also the whole Eastern Mediterranean. You can find a suitable holiday destination in Turkiye for every taste, and Antalya comes forward as one of the richest spots in the world in terms of diversity and convenience, says H E Ayse Sozen Usluer, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to the Sultanate of Oman, in an exclusive interview

Fondly referred to as the ‘resort city’, Antalya is the touristic capital and the fifth most populous city of Turkiye. And this time of the year (June to August) is considered the best time of the year to visit this beautiful destination that is not just endowed with natural splendour and numerous options for unwinding, but also an extremely friendly and hospitable populace.

“It is a place where sea, sun, history and nature meet in a perfect harmony. Since its founding in the second century BC, Antalya has been continuously inhabited. Ruled by Turks since the time of Seljuk Turks at the early 13th century, it was ruled by the Romans and the Byzantines before. Today Antalya attracts millions of foreign tourists around the world, making it the second hotspot for Turkish tourism after our global metropolitan city – Istanbul,” said H E Ayse Sozen Usluer, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye, in an interview with Muscat Daily.

Showcasing this tourist haven to people in Muscat (who are well connected with numerous flights all through the week), H E Usluer pointed out that, in 2021, nearly 10 million tourists visited Antalya despite the travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In ten years, the number of Omani tourists visiting Turkiye has immensely increased. It was only around 5,000 people in 2010. In spite of the pandemic, it was more than 50,000 last year and it is expected to return to the pre-pandemic levels – 90,000 tourists – soon, she hoped.

Amazing holiday for families
Disclosing some of the best places to visit in Antalya, H E Usluer said, “As the centre of a region with beautiful beaches, verdant mountains, and a mind-blowing number of ancient ruins, Antalya offers an amazing holiday experience for every taste. Especially, ‘all-inclusive’ vacation packages are suitable for big families to fulfil all their needs with affordable prices. In these packages, visitors are directly taken from the airport to the resorts on the coastline, where they can enjoy unlimited touristic attractions, including the most distinguished delicacies of Turkish cuisine.

“I do not advise my Omani sisters and brothers to spend their whole holiday in hotels. Antalya itself, especially the old town (Kaleici), is a very fulfilling place with many of things to do, explore, and enjoy. Tourists from around the world are discovering the fabulous mix of traditional Turkish culture from ancient and historical sites like Hadrian’s Gate, Hidirlik Tower, Yivli Minaret, Clock Tower, ethnographic museum, old bazaar and so on.”

She also pointed out that there are also hotels respecting the privacy of women by offering separate beaches and swimming pools for males and females.

The countless things to explore in Antalya include The Land of Legends Theme Park in Belek, the Antalya Aquarium, Lower Duden Waterfall, Aspendos Ancient Theatre, Sunken City of Simena, Caretta Caretta Turtles in Olympos, besides the cable car rides in Alanya and Tunektepe. Visitors can also have an unforgettable extreme sports experience with top security and safety measures with rafting in Koprulu Kanyon, Jeep safaris in the Taurus Mountains, hiking to the Ruins of Termessos, skiing in Saklıkent, etc.

Antalya is completely a Mediterranean city with its characteristics of climate, cuisine, and warm hospitality of its people. It can be identified as subtropical climate with mild and rainy winters though it might be warm in July and August. “I recommend the month of June till the second half of August. Autumn is really exceptional in Antalya,” she observed.

Flight connectivity
One can reach Antalya from almost every city of the country, and even from little towns, coach companies going to Antalya are available. Antalya has an international airport which connects to major cities. It has modern facilities including lounges, restaurants and a duty free section.
Travelling to Antalya from Muscat is also quite easy – Turkish Airlines has eight flights from Muscat to Istanbul and four flights to Trabzon. Moreover, Salam Air just recently started direct flights to Bursa.

Regional cuisines and night life
Antalya is a melting pot of regional Turkish cuisine with locally grown food from farms throughout the province. For a long time, Turkish cuisine was only known by the famous ‘doner kebab’ but there’s much more to relish. Antalya embodies the basic elements of Mediterranean cuisine with Turkish-nomadic and local influence. As a result of Arabic influence in the region, tahini is commonly used. And dishes like ‘Tahini piyaz salad’ and ‘Tahini pumpkin dessert’ reflect this legacy. Varied Mediterranean cuisine is available in Antalya.
Antalya’s nightlife is also quite a spectacle. In summer, outdoor dining is popular as people enjoy spending long hours chatting along the streets in open-air eateries. Also, live music at some outlets adds to the ambience and evening revelry enjoyed by tourists at many restaurants and cafes. Apart from the city centre, one can experience a vibrant night life in Side, Kas, or Alanya.
International events and festivals
H E Usluer also disclosed that Antalya hosts numerous international events and festivals. Inaugurated in 1964, the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival has evolved over the years into the beating heart of Turkish cinema, marking a crucial launch pad in the careers of many outstanding filmmakers. The Festival has transformed Antalya into a hub of the national film industry, providing support to large numbers of young and independent filmmakers.

The 59th festival will be held in October 2022 with many international film entries waiting to be screened as the festival had been suspended for two years due to the pandemic. Moreover, the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival is held at the ancient historical sites of the city. Also, as part of the Antalya Festivals, an International Youth Festival was held in May, and an International Likya-Kas Culture and Arts Festival was held between June 24-26.

Unique hospitality
“Antalya is not only the touristic capital of Turkiye but also the whole Eastern Mediterranean. You can find a suitable holiday destination in Turkiye for every taste, Antalya comes forward as one of the richest spots in the world in terms of diversity and convenience. The region around Antalya is now called the ‘Turkish Riviera’ and it hosts more than 10 million tourists every year. In spite of this international recognition, Antalya managed to preserve its local identity and values as well. I believe what makes Antalya unique is this spirit of harmony and peace, H E Usluer said.
Crediting the Turks for their unique hospitality, that is akin to that of Omanis, she drew attention to the fact that Antalya has a rich tradition of hospitality and tourism wherein locals prefer to call visitors as ‘guests.’ Visitors will be overwhelmed by the kindness of locals, especially in the smallest villages where there are orange farms with bungalow hotels provided by friendly local people, making it an ideal destination to visit as a family.
H E Usluer stressed that Antalya has now become a symbolic city for international politics, as well. “We initiated the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) as a high-level gathering of professionals who deal with international foreign policy. The first forum was held last year while the second forum was successfully held in March this year. His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa al Harthy, Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs in the Foreign Ministry, attended both meetings and shared Oman’s vast diplomatic experience with the world,” she said adding that the third forum is slated for April 28-30, 2023. “ADF now makes Antalya a ‘centre of international diplomacy’.”