Photos of Kaleici Bay

Best shots of the harbor, cliffs and old streets

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Kaleici Bay

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Kaleici Bay, Antalya, Turkey

Kaleici Bay is a natural harbor in the historic center of Antalya. The old port, known as Kaleiçi Yat Limanı, lies at the foot of the coastal cliffs and is sheltered from waves, which has long made it a convenient mooring.

The harbor has been used since antiquity and remained important during the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. According to ancient tradition, the city of Attaleia was founded in the 2nd century BC by the Pergamon king Attalus II and named after the ruler. A legend about the king searching for an earthly paradise is popular, but not confirmed by sources.

Today the bay is the calling card of the Kaleici quarter and one of the most photogenic spots in central Antalya. Pleasure boats berth here, from where short sea trips depart along the cliffs and to nearby coves. Inside the port the water is calmer than in the open sea, so boarding and disembarking are comfortable.

Around the bay are viewpoints and the historic streets of the old town. Within walking distance are Hidirlik Tower, Mermerli Beach and Hadrian's Gate. The best times to visit are morning and the hours before sunset - it's lively in summer, and in winter it depends on the weather. If you are traveling by car, it's more convenient to leave it in the upper car parks and walk down to the harbor.

Kaleici Bay: routes, attractions and how to get there

Short sea trips and views of the old town.

Sea routes from Kaleici Bay

From the quays of the Old Port, short sailings depart on boats and gulets depending on the weather. Popular routes run along the cliffs to the Lower Düden Waterfall and toward the Konyaalti coast, as well as short circuits along the city's cliffs. Duration and cost depend on the season and the chosen route; tickets are sold by the captains and at the ticket offices on the waterfront.

From the water you can see the limestone cliffs of Kaleici, the roofs of the old town and Antalya Bay with the Beydaglari range on the horizon. Along the way you pass small grottos and swimming coves, and on the route to Düden you can approach the waterfall's streams from the sea.

On the upper level above the port there is a panoramic elevator, convenient for descending and ascending, and on land the streets of Kaleici begin nearby with craft shops and Ottoman-era houses. A few minutes' walk away is Karaalioglu Park with views over the bay; at Republic Square there are viewpoints above the harbor, and nearby is the Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque.

How to get there: the easiest way is to take the panoramic elevator down from Republic Square in central Antalya or walk down the steps from the Kaleici quarter.

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