Kaleici Photo Gallery
Kaleici District
Kaleici District, Antalya, Turkey
Kaleici is the historic district in the centre of Antalya, located on a rocky plateau around the old harbour. It formed in the Roman period and later developed under Byzantium, the Seljuk Turks and the Ottoman Empire, which is reflected in its layout and architecture.
Narrow cobbled streets and Ottoman-era mansions have been preserved here. The area is protected as a heritage site: new construction is strictly limited and restorations follow approved plans. Many historic houses have been carefully restored and now operate as boutique hotels, cafes, restaurants and shops.
The heart of the district is the old port, now a landscaped marina with boats and yachts. Fragments of fortress walls and towers recall the former defensive harbour and city gates.
Next to the main entrance to the old town are key landmarks: Hadrian's Gate, built in 130 AD, the early 20th-century Clock Tower, the 13th-century Yivli Minaret, the Roman Hidirlik Tower from the 2nd century, and Kesik Minare - a complex with Byzantine and Ottoman layers. Kaleici is convenient for walking and exploring Antalya's history.
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Kaleici is the historic district in the centre of Antalya, located on a rocky plateau around the old harbour. It formed in the Roman period and later developed under Byzantium, the Seljuk Turks and the Ottoman Empire, which is reflected in its layout and architecture.
Narrow cobbled streets and Ottoman-era mansions have been preserved here. The area is protected as a heritage site: new construction is strictly limited and restorations follow approved plans. Many historic houses have been carefully restored and now operate as boutique hotels, cafes, restaurants and shops.
The heart of the district is the old port, now a landscaped marina with boats and yachts. Fragments of fortress walls and towers recall the former defensive harbour and city gates.
Next to the main entrance to the old town are key landmarks: Hadrian's Gate, built in 130 AD, the early 20th-century Clock Tower, the 13th-century Yivli Minaret, the Roman Hidirlik Tower from the 2nd century, and Kesik Minare - a complex with Byzantine and Ottoman layers. Kaleici is convenient for walking and exploring Antalya's history.
A walking tour of Antalya's historic centre.
Kaleici in 2-3 hours: route from Hadrian's Gate to the old port
Start at Hadrian's Gate and walk to the Clock Tower and Republic Square. Then turn onto Hesapci Street to see Kesik Minare and explore the quarters with restored mansions. From there it's an easy walk to Hidirlik Tower and the viewpoints at Karaalioglu Park, then descend to the marina by the stairs or by the panoramic elevator.
In the port there are one- and two-hour boat trips along the cliffs to the Lower Duden Waterfall, and in summer short swimming stops are possible. Near the harbour is the small city beach Mermerli; within the district are the Suna and Inan Kirac Museum and the Antalya Toy Museum. Along the way you'll see Ottoman-era mosques, craft shops and atmospheric courtyards.
Things to do: photograph the view of the marina from the upper terraces, visit the museums, peek into garden courtyards, try fish at the port or coffee on Hesapci Street, buy souvenirs on Uzun Carsi Street. In the evening the illuminated towers and walls are beautiful, and from Karaalioglu Park you get panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea.
How to get there: it's a 5-7 minute walk to the entrance of the old town from the Kale Kapisi nostalgic tram stop and from the Ismetpasa stop on the Antray lines; buses go conveniently to Republic Square. By car, park at the outer edges - look for parking on Ataturk Boulevard and near Republic Square. Nearby are the Antalya Archaeological Museum and Konyaalti Beach, but they are outside the old town.
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