Antalya Turkey. Vacation, Tourism.

Once seen simply as the gateway to the Turkish Riviera, Antalya today is very much a destination in its own right. Situated right on the Gulf of Antalya (Antalya Körfezi), the largest city on Turkey's western Mediterranean coastline is both classically beautiful and stylishly modern.

At its core is the wonderfully preserved old-city district of Kaleiçi (literally 'within the castle'), which offers atmospheric accommodation in the finely restored Ottoman houses on its winding lanes. The old city wraps around a splendid Roman-era harbour with clifftop views of hazy-blue mountain silhouettes that are worth raising a toast to.

Just outside of the central city are two beaches and one of Turkey's finest museums. One of the most attractive and frequently visited places in this city is the Archeology Museum, which was opened in 1972.

The halls of this museum contain precious finds discovered during excavations in the 18-20th centuries. Previously these priceless exhibitions were stored in Yivli Mosque until the museum offered a dozen of spacious halls for that purpose.

Most probably, the most famous architectural building in Antalya is Hidirlik Kulesi. This tower was built during the Roman Empire times.

The historians name several theories concerning the building to this tower. Some assume the tower was built for protective purposes, while the others think this is an ancient lighthouse.

There is also a giant square shaped stone inside the tower, which makes the historians think the tower could have been used as a burial vault for one of great kings. .