Places to visit in Antakya

There are many points to see in and around Antakya, which was chosen by UNESCO as a city of peace. These include

Old Antakya houses, Habib-i Nectar Mosque, Antakya long bazaar, Hatay archaeology museum, Antakya Ataturk Park, St. Petersburg. St. Pierre Church, Antakya castle, Saint Simeon Monastery, Hidirbey Musa Tree, Titus Tunnel, Besikli cave, Samandag coast, Vakifli village, Harbiye and Arsuz. It is recommended to spend at least 4 days in Antakya to see everywhere.

Old Antakya Houses:

Old Antakya houses, which have been restored to a wonderful beauty as a result of renovation works in recent years, are among the frequently visited spots. Old Antakya houses, where Ottoman architecture and classical Christian architecture are seen, stand out in the beauty of their decorations and people who travel through the narrow streets find themselves in a journey through time. It is highly recommended to visit the streets that are closed to car traffic, take pictures of old houses and take a break in small and cosy restaurants and cafes.

Habib-i Neccar Mosque

It is not known when the Habib-i Neccar Mosque, which was the first mosque in Anatolia, was built. The mosque, which was converted into a church after the Byzantine occupation of the region, was converted again into a mosque in the 13th century. The mosque is named after Habib-i Neccar, who was killed while trying to prevent the apostles from being stoned and killed by the pagans. The mosque is also seen as a symbol of peace and tolerance by people from different religions.

St Pierre Church

The church is located near Habib-Neccar mountain, 2 km from Antakya city centre. The church was built of a natural cave and the exact build date is unknown. St. Peter, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, came to Antakya in 29-30 AD and gave his first sermon to the congregation in this cave. The Christian name for those who believe in Jesus was first given here again as St. Pierre and it is also known as the first church of Christianity. After the adoption of Christianity as an official religion in the Roman period, arrangements were made in the cave to give the appearance of a church. In 1963, the Vatican declared it a place of the cross for Christians, and every year on June 29, the Catholic Church held a ritual. Only fragments of the floor mosaic and traces of wall paintings have survived from the church to the present day. Museum cardholders can visit the church for free while the entrance is normally paid. Church Visiting Hours: April 15 – October 2, 08:30 to 19:00 October 3 – April 14, from 08:30 to 17:30.   

Turkey’s longest coast: Samandag Coast

Samandag Beach which is also Turkey’s longest coast, which has a 14 km long coast. The beach, which is a public beach, is also home to Chelonia Mydas and Caretta Caretta turtles. There are hostels along the beach especially for those who want to stay in Cevlik neighbourhood.

Antakya Uzun Carsi:

The Antakya Uzun Carsi is perhaps one of the few bazaars in the world. Located in the centre of Antakya, the bazaar is visited by thousands of people every day. It is very easy to find all kinds of products in the bazaar, as well as small businesses belonging to different professions can also be seen here. In the bazaar, there are different sections such as the jewellery bazaar where gold products are sold, a small street where spices are sold, a shoe bazaar, a section where food products are sold. It is located very close to Antakya Bridge and is open every day. Those who come to Antakya are strongly recommended to visit Uzun Carsi.

Hatay Archeology Museum:

In Hatay Archeology Museum, the world’s largest mosaic museum and the second museum in terms of money collection, mosaic artifacts from the excavations in various periods and civilizations, statues, sarcophagus tombs, gold coins, earthenware bowls, marble statues as well as a total of 40 thousand of artifacts are being exhibited in different rooms and halls. The museum also has exhibition halls, a library, meeting and performance halls, children’s training workshops and a cafeteria.

The museum, which was opened in 1948 in the city centre of Antakya, was moved to its new building in 2014. Hatay Archaeological Museum has a total of 53 thousand square meters and is one of the largest museums in Turkey. Museum cardholders can enter the museum free of charge.  

Museum opening hours:
2 October – 14 April from 08:30 to 17:00
April 15 – 1 October from 08:00 to 19:00.
Address:
Maşuklu Mah. Atatürk Caddesi / Antakya
Tel: 0326 225 10 60 / 66
E-mail: [email protected]

Medical and Aromatic Plants Museum:

10% of endemic plant species growing in Turkey is grown in Hatay. The first museum of medicinal and aromatic plants was opened in 2012 just to introduce the crops grown in Hatay, and raise awareness about nature and environment. The museum, which can be visited free of charge, exhibits a total of 280 different plant species. Museum address: Sehitler Mahallesi Ayyildiz sk.No:8

Antakya Atatürk Park

The park, which has existed since the foundation of Antakya, is located on the edge of the Asi River and is among the summer and winter attractions of Antakya people. Especially in the summer heat, the cafes in the park are visited by people who want to cool off and spend time with friends. The park is located in the centre of Antakya and entrances are free.

Antakya Castle

Very few have survived from Antakya castle founded by Nikator I, one of the generals of Alexander the Great in 300 BC. The castle was used by Seleucids, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Seljuks and Ottomans. It is estimated that the castle, which has 12 km of walls, consists of 360 towers. The entrance to the castle, which has a magnificent view of Antakya, is free of charge and the entrances are provided via the Antakya – Altinozu highway. Works are continuing to climb the cable car to the castle, which is accessible only by private vehicles now.

Monastery of Saint Simeon

The monastery is only 19 km away from Antakya on the Antakya – Samandag road. The monastery, built on a hill 420 meters high by the disciples of Saint Simeon, the founder of the style cult, also offers a magnificent view to its visitors. The monastery, which has a history of 1500 years, can be visited with private vehicles via the Antakya -Samandag road.

Hidirbey Moses Tree

Hidirbey village, which is one of the most visited spots in the summer months, attracts its visitors especially with the Moses tree which is estimated to be 3 thousand years old. The length and diameter of the tree are 20 meters and there are seating places for visitors around the area where it is possible to cool off by putting their feet in ice-cold water. Different myths about the tree, which is frequently visited especially in the summer months, are told by the local inhabitants. It is possible to reach this area which is 35 km away from Antakya by private vehicles and also with the Hidirbey minibuses departing from Antakya.

Titus Tunnel

The tunnel, which was started to be built in 69 AD by the Roman emperor Vespasian in order to protect it from the floodwaters, was completed in 81 AD by Titus, son of the emperor Vespasian. To protect the ancient city of Seleukeia from floods, the tunnel was carved out of mountains and rocks and is 130 meters long and 6 meters wide and 7 meters high. The total length of the Titus tunnel with an open area is 1380 meters. In the construction of this engineering marvel of the Roman period, slaves and mercenaries were employed. Those who want to go to see the tunnel with their private vehicles should go to Cevlik via Antakya- Samandag highway.Those who do not have a vehicle can come to Antakya and Samandag with minibuses and come to the neighbourhood of Cevlik with a different minibus. The Titus tunnel is located in Cevlik neighbourhood, 7 km away from Samandag, and the entry is not free of charge while the museum cardholders can visit for free.

Visiting hours: April 15 – October 2, 08:30 to 19:00 3 October – 14 April from 08:30 to 17:30.

Besikli Cave

There are 12 rock tombs in the cave where Roman tombs are found. Besikli Cave which is located beside the Titus tunnel is one of the most important historical monuments of the ancient city of Seleukeia Pieria. Although it is not known exactly whose tombs they are, it is estimated that these carved rock tombs may belong to the king or important commanders.

Visiting hours: April 15 – October 2, 08:30 to 19:00 3 October – 14 April from 08:30 to 17:30.

Vakıflı Village

Located 27 km from the centre of Antakya, Vakıflı Village is the only Armenian village in Turkey. Vakıflı Village, which has been living in peace for centuries, has a population of approximately 200 people. The people living in the village present their handcrafted products and the food products grown in the region to the visitors in their own stalls

Harbiye

Harbiye, which was called Defne in ancient times, is 7 km from Antakya city centre. Defne, which was a very large city during the Selekuos period, was destroyed after the earthquakes that happened gradually over time. Nowadays it has become a frequently visited centre especially in the summer heat for eating food and resting in the restaurants accompanied by the sound of small waterfalls flowing from the spring among the greens. For those who want to stay the night, Harbiye is also accessible by minibuses departing from the centre of Antakya.

Arsuz

Arsuz, which is located near Iskenderun by the sea, is among the frequent destinations of people who want to have a quiet holiday in summer or in winter. Arsuz offers all kinds of opportunities to have a good holiday and because it has not yet been discovered it offers a very calm holiday concept. You may go to Arsuz, which is 85 km away from Antakya, by a private car or you may take the minibuses departing from Antakya and İskenderun. With its clean sea, nature and suitable accommodation options for all kinds of budgets, Arsuz offers everything that people want to have a quiet holiday.