Also known as the “City of Peace”, Antakya is a melting pot of cultures and religions on the Turkish Mediterranean, set between the sparkling Orontes River and the soaring Nur Mountains. It treats you to world-class archaeology museums, an atmospheric Old Town and sumptuous local cuisine.

Things to do

Antakya’s strong Arab influence means the city is brimming with mosques, bazaars and sizzling kebab shops. You could easily spend hours getting lost in the Old Town, where narrow laneways are lined with historic houses, wooden balconies and flower-strewn courtyards.

Antakya is home to the Church of St Peter, a Christian place of worship carved into the slopes of Mount Staurin. Christians believe it was once visited by Peter and Paul, also known as the "Chief Apostles". You can wander around the ancient church, admire the fading frescoes and enjoy stunning views over the mountains.

The Hatay Archaeology Museum boasts some of the finest collections of Byzantine and Roman mosaics on the planet. Some date back to the 1st century and are in almost pristine condition. Most were found at nearby archaeological sites, such as Tarsus and Harbiye.

Antakya's cuisine is renowned across Turkey. As well as traditional Turkish kebabs, you'll find plenty of Levantine influences, with specialties including oven-baked lamb kofte, sweet pomegranate syrup and spinach stuffed pastries.

Getting around

Antakya is easy to get around on foot, especially within the Old Town. The city is serviced by local buses and taxis. Long-distance buses depart from the "otogar" station, located seven kilometres from the city centre. Regional flights arrive at Hatay Airport, 20 kilometres away.