Antalya: The Jewel of the Turkish Riviera

• HelloMerhaba
  [Mehr-hah-bah]
• GoodbyeHoşça kal
  [Hosh-cha kal]
• YesEvet
  [Eh-vet]
• NoHayır
  [Hah-yuhr]
• Please/You're welcomeLütfen
  [Loot-fen]
• Thank youTeşekkür ederim
  [Teh-sheh-kuhr eh-deh-reem]
• Excuse me/SorryÖzür dilerim
  [Oz-ur dee-leh-reem]
• How are you?Nasılsınız?
  [Nah-suhl-suh-nuhz]
• Fine. And you?İyiyim. Siz?
  [Ee-yee-eem. Sehz]
• Do you speak English?İngilizce konuşabiliyor musunuz?
  [Een-gee-leez-jeh koh-noo-shah-bee-lee-yor moos-nooz]
• I don't understandAnlamıyorum
  [Ahn-lah-muh-yor-um]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMenüyü görmek istiyorum, lütfen
  [Men-yoo-yoo guhr-mehk ees-tee-yor-um, loot-fen]
• I don't eat meatEt yemem
  [Eht yeh-mem]
• Cheers!Şerefe!
  [Sheh-reh-feh]
• I would like to pay, pleaseÖdemek istiyorum, lütfen
  [Ehd-eh-mehk ees-tee-yor-um, loot-fen]

• Help!Yardım edin!
  [Yahr-duhm eh-deen]
• Go away!Uzaklaş!
  [Oo-zahk-lahsh]
• Call the Police!Polisi arayın!
  [Poh-lee-see ah-ry-uhn]
• Call a doctor!Doktor çağırın!
  [Dohk-tohr chah-uh-ruhn]
• I'm lostKayboldum
  [Kah-yohl-doom]
• I'm illHasta oldum
  [Hah-stah ohl-doom]

• I'd like to buy...Satın almak istiyorum...
  [Saht-uhn ahl-mahk ees-tee-yor-um]
• I'm just lookingSadece bakıyorum
  [Sah-deh-jeh bah-kuh-yor-um]
• How much is it?Bu ne kadar?
  [Boo neh kah-dahr]
• That's too expensiveBu çok pahalı
  [Boo chohk pah-hah-luh]
• Can you lower the price?Fiyatı düşürebilir misiniz?
  [Fee-yah-tuh doo-sheh-reh-bee-leer mees-neez]

• What time is it?Saat kaç?
  [Sah-aht kah-ch]
• It's one o'clockSaat bir
  [Sah-aht beer]
• Half past (10)On buçuk
  [Ohn boo-chook]
• MorningSabah
  [Sah-bah]
• AfternoonÖğleden sonra
  [Oh-leh-dehn ah-sor-ah]
• EveningAkşam
  [Ahk-shahm]
• YesterdayDün
  [Doon]
• TodayBugün
  [Boo-goon]
• TomorrowYarın
  [Yah-ruhn]
• 1Bir
  [Beer]
• 2İki
  [Ee-kee]
• 3Üç
  [Ooch]
• 4Dört
  [Dohrt]
• 5Beş
  [Behsh]
• 6Altı
  [Ahl-tuh]
• 7Yedi
  [Yeh-dee]
• 8Sekiz
  [Seh-keez]
• 9Dokuz
  [Doh-kooz]
• 10On
  [Ohn]

• Where's a/the...?... nerede?
  [Neh-reh-deh]
• What's the address?Adresi ne?
  [Ah-dreh-see neh]
• Can you show me (on the map)?(Haritada) gösterebilir misiniz?
  [(Hah-ree-tah-dah) guhs-teh-reh-bee-leer mees-neez]
• When's the next (bus)?Sonraki (otobüs) ne zaman?
  [Sohn-rah-kee (oh-toh-booos) neh zah-mahn]
• A ticket (to ....)Bir bilet (....'a)
  [Beer bee-let (ah)]

Antalya, originally known as Attaleia, was founded by King Attalus II of Pergamon in the 2nd century BC. The city quickly became an important port and trade center in the region, benefiting from its strategic location on the Mediterranean coast.

Under Roman rule, Antalya flourished and expanded. Emperor Hadrian visited the city in 130 AD, and the grand Hadrian's Gate was constructed in his honor. Roman architecture, such as aqueducts and public baths, left a lasting imprint on the city.

During the Byzantine period, Antalya remained a crucial stronghold. It was fortified with extensive walls and towers to protect against Arab raids. The city also became a significant center for Christianity, with numerous churches and religious buildings erected.

In the early 13th century, Antalya was captured by the Seljuk Turks. The Seljuks developed the city further, building mosques, madrasahs, and caravanserais. The Yivli Minaret, a distinctive fluted minaret, is a notable architectural achievement from this period.

Antalya became part of the Ottoman Empire in the late 14th century. The city continued to thrive as a key port and commercial hub. Ottoman architecture, including mosques and hammams, added to the city's rich cultural tapestry.

In the 20th century, Antalya experienced significant growth and modernization. The city transformed into a major tourist destination, renowned for its beautiful beaches, historic sites, and vibrant culture. Today, Antalya blends its ancient heritage with modern amenities, attracting millions of visitors annually.

Antalya is served by the Antalya Airport (AYT), which is well-connected to many international and domestic destinations. From the airport, you can take a taxi, shuttle bus, or rent a car to reach the city center, which is approximately 13 km away. Another option is to arrive by bus or car from other major Turkish cities like Istanbul or Ankara.

Antalya offers various transportation options, including buses, trams, taxis, and rental cars. The Antalya Tramway connects the city center with major landmarks and the Antalya Airport. Public buses and minibuses (dolmuş) are affordable and connect most parts of the city. Taxis are readily available and can be hailed on the street or booked via apps. For more flexibility, consider renting a car.

The official currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops. It's advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments and markets. ATMs are widespread, and you can easily withdraw Turkish Lira using your bank card.

Antalya is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, as with any travel destination, it's important to take standard precautions. Avoid isolated areas at night and be cautious of pickpockets in crowded places. Areas such as the old town (Kaleiçi) are generally safe but stay vigilant. Be aware of potential scams targeting tourists, particularly in busy tourist areas.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance. Antalya has several hospitals and medical facilities. It's recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are available in the city for over-the-counter medications. Always keep your embassy's contact information handy.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing overly revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. When visiting mosques, dress modestly and remove your shoes. Public Transport: Do give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake. A slight bow of the head is also a sign of respect. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Antalya like a local, visit the local markets such as the Antalya Bazaar where you can buy fresh produce and traditional goods. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about the city's history and culture. Don't miss visiting the Düden Waterfalls and experiencing a traditional Turkish bath (hammam). For a unique experience, take a boat trip along the coast to explore the beautiful Mediterranean waters.