Dishes, Desserts and Drinks You Must Try During Your Holiday in Turkey

Antalya, located in the Mediterranean region, is the fifth most populous city in Turkey, attracting many domestic and international tourists. It’s a blend of nature and history, nestled between the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean and the mystical Taurus Mountains, reflecting centuries of civilization.

Antalya is more than just a city; it’s a source of inspiration. Its cuisine, like the city itself, embodies the richness of the Mediterranean, the coolness of the mountains, and the cultural influences that have shaped the region. Every bite tells a story: sometimes the freshness of the sea, sometimes the warmth of the earth, sometimes the deep flavors of age-old traditions.

While Antalya’s natural beauty is a major draw for visitors, its diverse and delicious cuisine is equally important. Antalya’s dishes, influenced by seasonal ingredients and traditional methods, offer a delightful array of flavors.

The Diversity of Antalya’s Cuisine Stems from its Geographical Features!

The region’s Mediterranean climate and fertile land have fostered a thriving production of fruits and vegetables. The continuation of the Yörük culture in the highlands supports the region’s livestock farming. The cuisine emphasizes grains, vegetables, and meat, deeply rooted in the local geography.

Exploring a region’s cuisine is a key part of understanding it. Fresh herbs, seafood, and aromatic spices reflect the city’s soul.

Antalya’s Regional Cuisine: A Blend of Mediterranean Freshness and History

Antalya’s cuisine is a harmonious blend of Mediterranean freshness and the flavors of civilizations that have inhabited this land. From seafood to olive oil dishes, from vegetable dishes to sweets, Antalya’s diverse culinary scene leaves a lasting impression. Here are some local dishes:

Antalya Piyazı (White Bean Salad)

Unlike traditional white bean salads, Antalya’s piyaz is unique with a creamy sauce made of tahini, garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, and pomegranate molasses. It’s often served with meatballs.

Cive (Tomato Rice Soup)

A light and nutritious tomato and rice soup, especially popular in the summer months.

Hibeş (Tahini Dip)

A thick dip made of tahini, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, and olive oil, typically served as a meze (appetizer) with fish or meat dishes.

Bergamot Jam

Given Antalya’s citrus production, bergamot jam is a popular breakfast spread.

Arabaşı Soup

A renowned chicken soup, a signature dish of Antalya.

Enginarlı Girit Kebabı (Artichoke Cretan Kebab)

Despite its name, this kebab is uniquely Antalyan, featuring lamb, onions, local butter, and fresh artichokes, optionally with meatballs.

Frigya Biber Dolması (Phrygian Stuffed Pepper)

These peppers, filled with a minced meat mixture without bulgur (cracked wheat), are served fried and are gaining popularity as an aperitif with tea.

Haluşka (Halušky)

A type of dumpling served with tomato sauce, yogurt, and cheese, showcasing Antalya’s culinary originality.

Yörük Kebabı (Yörük Kebab)

Reflecting the culinary traditions of the Yörük people, this kebab is made with lamb, yufka (thin flatbread), and strained yogurt.

Antalya’s cuisine, prepared with fresh ingredients by skilled chefs, offers unforgettable culinary experiences, transcending any preconceived notions.

Nazar bead, which has an important place for Turkish communities in history, is a symbol believed to get rid of bad energy. It is believed to be protected from bad eyes, energy and words when wearing the Nazar bead, which continues its existence in the culture of the Turks, which is a traditional heritage.

Dating back to 3300 BC, the nazar bead had a very important place in Mesopotamian civilisations. This bead, which the oldest findings obtained from the findings in Mesopotamia, is thought to keep evil spirits away from the people living at that time.

The nazar bead, which is believed to ward off the bad energy of the blue colour, was also found in Ancient Egypt, where talismans used for a similar purpose were found.

In Greek and Roman mythology, blue beads, which are believed to be protected from nazar in the same way; played a protective role in order to be removed from the concept of nazar.

When the Turks migrated from Central Asia to Anatolia, they brought the belief in the nazar with them. In the Pre-Islamic Period, various talismans were used to ward off evil spirits under the influence of Shamanism. The nazar bead has been accepted as one of these talismans and has survived until today. In the Ottoman Period, the use of nazar beads became widespread and was used in various art forms, household items and jewellery.

Characteristics of Nazar Bead Shape and Colours

Nazar bead, which is generally in the shape of an eye; It is believed to be designed with the idea that the eye is the window of the person opening to the world. Eye; It is the first exit point of all positive, negative, good, bad thoughts of the person towards the world. Eye to eye with a person can understand the emotions in that person’s thoughts, state and movements. Therefore, the gaze that comes eye to eye with the gaze can reflect their energy to the person opposite them.

It is believed that the nazar bead protects the person by attracting all this bad energy. At the same time, it was also believed that it brought good luck. The furnaces made for the nazar beads were opened with special ceremonies among the people and only the nazar beads were made from glass workmanship in these furnaces. For a real Nazar bead, it is not allowed to make anything else in its furnace, and the master reserves the furnace of the bead only for it.

The shape of the nazar bead is usually blue in colour and eye-shaped. In the centre there is a white circle and inside it a smaller black or dark blue circle. The outer part may be light or dark blue. This design gives the nazar bead an ‘eye’ like appearance.

The colour of the nazar bead; blue is a colour that is thought to have protective properties against evil. According to ancient beliefs, it absorbs and neutralises the evil energy of the nazar. The eye-shaped design provides protection by reflecting or scattering evil glances.

Nazar Beads Will Be the Luckiest Item You Will Bring with You When You Return from Your Holiday in Turkey!

Nazar bead, which symbolises thousands of years of belief, is believed to give luck and positive energy to its wearer because it collects evil spirits, moods and energy on it. Designed in the form of glass using many shades of blue throughout history, Nazar beads can be found as jewellery accessories such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings in Turkish markets. Or large versions can be used to hang at the entrance of the house, workplaces, cars or baby carriages.

When returning from your holiday in Turkey, you can give it as a gift to your loved ones to protect them from the evil eye. You can present the nazar bead, which is a popular gift for those who open a new workplace or new homeowners, especially for newborn babies, to your loved ones around you.