Antalya
Ancient Attaleia, now Turkey's leading tourism hub on the Mediterranean.
Antalya is a major city on the southwest coast of Anatolia, Turkey, and the capital of Antalya Province, the country’s fifth-most populous province. It is recognized as Turkey’s “capital of tourism” and forms a key part of the Turkish Riviera. The city lies on the coast, flanked inland by the Taurus Mountains, and its urban population is around 1.5 million, while the province holds over 2.7 million residents. Originally founded as Attaleia around 200 BC by King Attalus II of Pergamon, the city soon came under Roman rule, during which it flourished. Roman-era construction included Hadrian’s Gate, and nearby ancient cities—such as Patara, Xanthos, and Myra in Lycia; Perga, Aspendos, and Side in Pamphylia; and Sagalassos, Antioch, and Termessos in Pisidia—thrived as significant centers. Antalya later changed hands multiple times, notably falling to the Seljuk Empire in 1207 and the Ottoman Empire in 1391, whose rule brought five centuries of relative peace. After World War I, Italy occupied the city for three years before it was returned to Turkey during the Turkish War of Independence. The local climate features high winter rainfall due to moisture trapped by the surrounding mountains, while its bay setting produces very hot summers. Today, Antalya is Turkey’s largest international sea resort on the Riviera, heavily developed with government support. It ranks as the fourth most-visited city globally, behind only Istanbul, London, and Dubai, attracting over 16.5 million foreign visitors in 2023.
- founder
- King Attalus II of Pergamon
- country
- Turkey
- region
- Antalya Province, Turkish Riviera
- population_urban
- ~1.5 million
Lore & Background
Under Roman rule, Antalya—then known as Attaleia—prospered, with the construction of monuments such as Hadrian’s Gate and the continued flourishing of nearby ancient cities including Patara, Xanthos, Perga, Aspendos, Side, Sagalassos, Antioch, and Termessos. Christianity arrived early; the apostles Paul and Barnabas visited the city, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. The city sits on Anatolia’s southwest coast, backed by the Taurus Mountains, with high mountains inland trapping moisture, resulting in heavy winter rainfall and very hot summers due to its interior bay setting. The urban population is about 1.5 million, while the province holds over 2.7 million people. Antalya is recognized as Turkey’s tourism capital and a key part of the Turkish Riviera, attracting more than 16.5 million foreign visitors in 2023, making it the fourth most visited city globally after Istanbul, London, and Dubai. Its defining characteristics include a modestly elevated terrain, a history of rule by the Seljuk Empire from 1207 and the Ottoman Empire from 1391, and a brief Italian occupation after World War I before its return to Turkey.
Reader's Guide
Antalya’s significance is rooted in its dual identity as an ancient crossroads of civilizations and the modern capital of Turkish tourism. Founded as Attaleia around 200 BC by King Attalus II of Pergamon, the city soon passed to Roman rule, during which it flourished and saw the construction of landmarks such as Hadrian’s Gate. Nearby ancient cities—including Patara, Xanthos, Myra, Perga, Aspendos, Side, Sagalassos, Antioch, and Termessos—were already prominent before Roman influence and remain archaeologically rich. The city later came under Seljuk control in 1207 and Ottoman rule in 1391, the latter bringing five centuries of relative peace and stability. After a brief Italian occupation following World War I, it was returned to Turkey during the Turkish War of Independence. Ecologically, Antalya’s coastal setting is framed by high interior mountains that trap moisture, producing heavy winter rainfall, while its position on an interior bay results in very hot summers for a coastal city. Today, Antalya is Turkey’s largest international sea resort and the fourth most visited city globally, attracting over 16.5 million foreign visitors in 2023. Its archaeological museum preserves notable artifacts from nearby sites, such as sarcophagi and mosaics from Perga, as well as a casket reputed to hold bones of St. Nicholas, the bishop of Myra.
Did You Know?
- The city was visited by Paul of Tarsus and Barnabas, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.
- Antalya was occupied by Italy for three years after World War I before being returned to Turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Antalya and what was its original name?
The city was established by King Attalus II of Pergamon and originally bore the Hellenistic name Attaleia, derived directly from its royal patron. Over the centuries that Greek appellation gradually shifted into the modern Turkish form, Antalya.
Where is Antalya located geographically?
It sits on the southwest coast of the Anatolian peninsula in Turkey, fronting the Mediterranean Sea. Administratively it is the capital of Antalya Province and anchors the stretch of coastline popularly called the Turkish Riviera.
How large is Antalya's urban population?
The metropolitan area is home to roughly 1.5 million residents, making it one of Turkey's most densely populated coastal cities and a major economic center for the region.
Why is Antalya considered Turkey's premier tourism destination?
Its combination of long sandy beaches, well-preserved ancient ruins, and a mild Mediterranean climate has made it the country's leading gateway for seaside tourism. Millions of international visitors pass through the city each year, sustaining a large hospitality and transport infrastructure.
What role does Antalya play in Turkish provincial governance?
As the seat of Antalya Province, the city houses the regional governor's office and serves as the administrative, commercial, and cultural hub for the surrounding district. Its port and airport also link the broader Turkish Riviera to national and international networks.
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