Antalya, the pearl of the Mediterranean, is a city that fascinates not only with its deep blue sea and long beaches, but also with its thousands of years of history. With its deep-rooted history stretching from Lycia to Rome, from the Seljuks to the Ottomans, Antalya is almost an open-air museum. Today, this history, combined with the modern holiday understanding, makes the region one of the most important destinations in the world in terms of both culture and tourism.
One of the most curious topics for visitors who want to explore Antalya is: What are the hotels where you can have a holiday in Antalya? Because a comfortable and quality accommodation while experiencing this fascinating city is one of the most important parts of a holiday. At this point, facilities that are intertwined with both nature and history come to the fore.
Antalya’s Historical Journey
The history of Antalya dates back to the 2nd century BC. Founded by King Attalos II of Pergamon, the city was called “Attaleia”. Antalya, which became an important port city during the Roman period, became the center of trade and culture. The city, which maintained its importance in the Byzantine and Seljuk periods after Rome, continued its development as a strategic Mediterranean port during the Ottoman period.
Today, while walking on the streets of Kaleiçi, it is possible to see the Roman walls, Ottoman houses and Seljuk traces at the same time. Structures such as Hadrian’s Gate, Yivli Minaret, and Hıdırlık Tower reveal Antalya’s historical richness.
A Holiday Experience Intertwined with History
Antalya attracts attention not only with its history but also with the holiday opportunities it offers. The Mediterranean’s warm climate, long summer season, and natural beauty attract millions of tourists to the region every year. Therefore, one of the most important questions for visitors comes up again:
What are the hotels where you can have a holiday in Antalya?
There are many accommodation options suitable for every budget and holiday concept in and around the city. Luxury resort hotels, family-friendly facilities and boutique hotels intertwined with nature reveal Antalya’s tourism diversity. Especially Belek, Kemer and Lara regions stand out with their high standard hotels.
Mediterranean Comfort with Kilikya Palace
Antalya’s Kemer region is one of the most special spots that offers the perfect combination of nature and sea. Kilikya Palace, located in this region, is one of the important facilities that attracts attention with its comfort and wide range of facilities.
Kilikya Palace offers its guests a high-level holiday experience with its location adjacent to the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, large pool areas and rich dining options. It appeals to all age groups with its specially designed areas for families, couples and guests with children.
For those looking to explore Antalya’s history, Kilikya Palace is an ideal starting point with both modern comfort and a central location suitable for exploring the region.
Historical Discovery Routes
For those who vacation in Antalya, not only the sea and sun but also cultural excursions have an important place. Kaleiçi, Side Ancient City, Aspendos Theater, and Perge Ancient City offer visitors the opportunity to trace the traces of the past.
Especially Aspendos Theater, as one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in the world, welcomes thousands of visitors every year. These historical structures prove that Antalya is not only a holiday city but also a cultural center.
The Meeting of Modern Tourism and Natural Beauties
Antalya has developed its modern tourism infrastructure while preserving its historical texture. It meets every holiday expectation with five-star hotels, golf courses, SPA centers and water sports activities.
Thanks to this diversity, visitors can visit the ancient cities in the morning and relax in the cool waters of the Mediterranean in the evening. This balance makes Antalya one of the most special tourism centers in the world.
The Perfect Harmony of History and Holiday
Antalya is a unique city that combines the traces of the past with the comfort of today. With its thousands of years of history, natural beauty, and modern accommodation options, it offers a different experience to every visitor.
The answer to the question of which hotels can be vacationed in Antalya is actually quite wide; however, facilities like Kilikya Palace make this experience more special and unforgettable.
Exploring Antalya is not just a vacation; it’s a journey where history, nature, and the Mediterranean spirit intertwine.
A handful of coffee beans… Gathered from tropical lands and ground to powder by the grinding hands of time, these magical grains turn into a culture and a ritual as they find their consistency. Coffee is not just a beverage; it is a moment in time where friendships are cemented, time stands still, and we do not want the conversations to end in the sweetest place.
Turkish coffee is a work of art that is created by finely grinding coffee beans in expert hands and patiently cooking them on embers or over a slow fire. The foam is abundant, the consistency dense, the flavour deep… Each cup contains a heritage of hundreds of years. This unique tradition, which dates back to the Ottoman Empire, has found its place everywhere from coffeehouses to palace tables, from friendly gatherings to the serene corners of solitude.
In Search of a Cup of Coffee: A Journey from Tradition to Flavour
A unique flavour resulting from the slow cooking of finely ground coffee beans in a copper coffee pot… Turkish coffee is not only a beverage but also a culture. Accompanying friendly gatherings for centuries, being the cornerstone of deep conversations and meeting with hopes when the fortune is closed, this ancient flavour hides the spirit of time.
Turkish coffee, which continues to exist as a ritual everywhere from Ottoman palaces to coffeehouses, from the centrepiece of the mansion to the humblest homes, is distinguished from other coffees with its unique cooking method and presentation. The fact that it is cooked without boiling, has plenty of foam and is served in a small cup gives it a noble identity. When you take a sip, it makes you feel a heritage from the past, first with its intense aroma and then with the soft grounds that remain on the palate.
A cup that warms the hands at a friendly gathering in the summer, a cup that warms the hands by the stove in the winter accompanied by a cool wind… It is drunk as a partner to the sadness of autumn by mixing with the floral scents of spring. Even though the time changes and the place differs, Turkish coffee is always the same for every day with its smell, taste and warmth that leaves forty years of memories.
Sweet, medium or plain… Each cup reflects the mood of the drinker. When accompanied by Turkish delight or dates, this elegant presentation is a sign of hospitality. When the coffee cup is closed and turned upside down, the lines of fate appear in the grounds and fortune telling begins with whispered curiosity.
A Source of Both Flavor, Culture and Healing
A tradition of more than 1000 years, Turkish coffee is also served to the families of the couples before marriage. The groom candidate who can drink salted coffee, which is one of the most important Turkish traditions, is considered to have promised everyone that he will make his wife happy for life.
A cup of coffee is not only a flavour but also a source of healing.
A cup of Turkish coffee every day:
☕️ It purifies the body with its antioxidants.
☕️ Opens the mind.
☕️ It is good for the heart.
☕️ In spite of fatigue, it is a friend to sleepless nights.
A cup of coffee commits one to forty years of friendship!
What is it they say? ‘A cup of coffee commits one to forty years of friendship.’ Turkish coffee keeps memories fresh, reinforces friendships and continues to be one of the most valuable parts of our culture with its timeless flavour. The story of this saying is as follows:
One day, a janissary living in Istanbul during the Ottoman period enters a Greek coffee shop and asks for a cup of coffee. The coffeeman offers a cup of coffee to his guest. Years pass, the borders of the Ottoman Empire expand and some lands are conquered. At this time, the janissary, as the commander of the Ottoman army, becomes responsible for the administration of a region.
One day, a Greek among the captured local people attracts his attention. When he examines the man closely, he realises that he is the coffee seller who offered him coffee years ago. He prevents him from being harmed and frees him. When the coffeehouse owner was surprised and asked why he had done him this favour, the janissary gave the following answer:
“A cup of coffee commits one to forty years of friendship.”
In Turkish culture, coffee is not only a beverage but also a symbol of hospitality and friendship. Serving coffee to someone meant valuing them. For this reason, it was believed that even a cup of coffee carried the meaning of a friendship and memory that would last for many years.
How will you have your Turkish coffee in the new season at Kilikya Palace?
Breakfast is considered one of the first and most important meals of the day and is celebrated in unique ways in different cultures around the world. The breakfast culture of each country is a reflection of the local cuisine, climate and lifestyle. Breakfast, which has been a centuries-old eating and drinking culture, has changed with the changing times in every community.
After World War II, with the increase in the number of factory workers, the increasing urban population caused a change in breakfast culture. As a result of long working hours, the energy deficit to be taken daily has increased, so the varieties consumed at breakfast have also increased.
The importance of breakfast worldwide has increased day by day. People who have breakfast every day have both a healthy body and a pleasant social activity with their close environment.
Starting the Day with Energy: Breakfast fills the stomach after an overnight fast and boosts the body’s energy levels. It is especially important for providing the energy needed throughout the day after a long period without eating. A balanced breakfast helps maintain alertness and improve concentration.
Speeds Up Metabolism: Breakfast boosts metabolism, allowing the body to burn more calories throughout the day. Therefore, skipping breakfast is generally not recommended for a healthy lifestyle.
A Cultural Routine: Breakfast is seen as a social event in many cultures. It is common for families or friends to gather for long and enjoyable breakfasts, especially on weekends.
A well-planned breakfast contains protein, fibre, healthy fats and carbohydrates. These nutrients provide most of the vitamins and minerals the body needs. Eggs, whole grain products, dairy products, vegetables and fruits are indispensable parts of breakfast. Eating breakfast is one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels, increase the ability to focus and provide a feeling of satiety for a long time.
Turkey’s Secret to a Happy Start to the Day; Mixed (Serpme) Breakfast!
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, having a regular breakfast provides a sense of routine and security. Starting the day with a structured meal can lead to feeling better psychologically. Breakfast is seen as a way to begin the day positively. The taste of delicious foods, along with fresh coffee or tea, brings a sense of peace, positively affecting one’s mood. A slow and enjoyable breakfast helps people feel more content and at ease.
The term “kahvaltı” in Turkish, which means breakfast, originated during the Ottoman era. It was used to describe snacks consumed before drinking coffee in the morning, combining the words for coffee (“kahve”) and under/before (“altı”). Thus, “kahve altı” referred to “before coffee.”
Breakfast has been an integral part of Turkish cuisine for centuries, serving as an opportunity for families to start their day together. Across Turkey, certain staple ingredients form the basic foundation of breakfast, reflecting local traditions. Breakfast tables also provide an opportunity to showcase local products. Organic honey, homemade jams, local cheeses, and fresh bread are offered, promoting these goods and providing economic benefits.
In Turkey, the mixed style of breakfast is particularly popular. It is usually enjoyed over prolonged periods, especially on weekends, encouraging hospitality, sharing, and extended conversations.
The word “mixed” signifies the scattering or spreading of a wide variety of dishes across the breakfast table. This style of serving involves offering numerous small portions of different foods, allowing everyone to choose according to their taste preferences.
Generally, cheese types (white cheese, cheddar cheese, tulum cheese), olive types (black, green, spicy), fresh vegetables (tomato, cucumber, pepper), honey, clotted cream, jam types, butter, various delicatessen products (sucuk, pastrami) and eggs (Menemen, fried eggs, omelettes), pastries, bagels, pastries and fresh bread varieties are available. While the honey-cream duo is a very popular choice for dessert, chocolate paste or fruit jams are also frequently served.
Tea is an indispensable part of the mixed breakfast, served continuously in small, tulip-shaped glasses. When the tea runs out, a fresh pot is promptly brewed, facilitating prolonged sitting and chatting.
Mixed Breakfast is a social event where families, friends, or large groups gather to enjoy a leisurely time together. Especially during weekends and holidays, it becomes a long, conversation-filled affair. In rural areas or villages, such breakfasts offer distinct flavors through the use of natural products like village butter, homemade jams, village bread, and organic eggs.
Mixed Breakfast Shows Richness and Diversity According to Regions of Turkey!
Each region brings its own local products and cuisine to the breakfast table, which increases the richness of the mixed breakfast. Here are the characteristics of mixed breakfasts served in various regions of Turkey:
Aegean Region
Olives and Olive Oil: Indispensable for Aegean breakfasts are olive varieties and appetisers with olive oil. Green and black olives, olive oil flavoured with thyme, fresh vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers are always present on the table.
Herbed Cheeses and Herbs: Local tulum cheese and curd cheese, as well as the famous herbs of the Aegean region (radicchio, rocket, nettle) are on the breakfast table.
Homemade Jams and Honey: Homemade jams and honey also have an important place in Aegean cuisine. Especially jams made from fruits such as tangerines, figs and grapes are highly preferred.
Warm Aegean Bread and Bagels: Warm breads, bagels and buns with plenty of sesame seeds accompany breakfast.
Black Sea Region
Mıhlama (Kuymak): The most famous flavour of the Black Sea mixed breakfasts, mihlama is prepared with melted cheese, butter and corn flour. This dish, full of warm and stretching cheeses, is especially warming on cold days.
Butter and Cheese Types: Local butter, local cheese varieties such as minzi (cottage cheese) and kolot cheese are indispensable for breakfast.
Corn Bread and Fresh Pita: Corn bread is frequently included in Black Sea breakfasts. Warm pita bread is also served with it.
Roasting with Egg: Roasted meat mixed with egg is especially rich in protein.
Eastern Anatolia Region
Kavut and Tandır Bread: In Eastern Anatolia, foods made with roasted wheat flour called kavut and bread varieties baked in tandoor are frequently seen at breakfast.
Cheese Types: Special cheeses such as Erzincan tulum and Kars gruyere stand out on the table. These cheeses are very famous due to the cold climate and animal husbandry culture of the region.
Cream and Honey: Natural highland honey and homemade clotted cream are among the sweet flavours of breakfast in this region.
Pastrami and Sucuk: Breakfasts in this vast geography stretching from Erzurum to Kayseri are enriched with quality sausages and pastrami.
Southeastern Anatolia Region
Katmer and Pastry Types: Katmer, pancakes and various pastries stand out in Southeastern breakfasts. Especially antep katmer is prepared with clotted cream, pistachio and sherbet and served as a sweet breakfast.
Menengiç Coffee and Tea: Menengiç coffee, one of the special drinks of the region, is served with breakfast. Of course, tea is also a must.
Acuka and Zahter: Spicy and paste flavours such as acuka (a paste with walnuts and peppers) and zahter (a type of thyme) add a different taste to breakfast.
Cheese and Olive Varieties: Curd cheeses, tulum cheese and local olive varieties are frequently found in the mixed breakfasts of Southeastern Anatolia.
Mediterranean Region
Olive Varieties and Olive Oil: Thanks to the fertile soils of the Mediterranean, olive varieties and high quality olive oils are widely used for breakfast.
Greens and Fresh Vegetables: Fresh greens such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, mint and parsley are a colourful and healthy part of the table.
Cheese Pies and Pancakes: Yufka bread, cheese pies and pancakes are frequently included in Mediterranean breakfast.
Citrus Jams: Jams made from citrus fruits such as orange, tangerine and lemon form the sweet side of breakfast.
Central Anatolia Region
Pastrami and Sucuk: Kayseri’s famous pastrami and sausage have an important place in the mixed breakfasts of Central Anatolia. It is usually served with egg.
Cream and Honey: Fresh clotted cream, natural honey and molasses varieties are frequently found on breakfast tables in this region.
Village Cheese and Tulum Cheese: Local cheese varieties are served with fresh bread and pita bread.
Bread Types: Local bread types such as phyllo bread, flatbread and tandoori bread stand out in Central Anatolian breakfasts.
Marmara Region
Delicatessen Products: Breakfast tables in Istanbul, Edirne and other Marmara provinces are usually full of delicatessen products. Varieties such as salami, sausage, bacon are frequently found.
Various Cheeses: Various cheeses such as feta cheese, cheddar cheese, cream cheese take place on breakfast tables in the Marmara region.
Fresh Bread and Bagels: Different types of bread such as Istanbul bagel, rye bread and baguette are also served on the tables.
Homemade Jams: Jam varieties from different regions of Marmara add flavour to the breakfast.
Mixed breakfast is a culture enriched with local flavours all around Turkey. Each region brings its own local products and traditions to these tables, making breakfast not only a meal but also a cultural experience.
