old city of antakya

Walking around the old part of the city allows you to see many old building in the classic Hatay style, protruding upper story and wooden shutters. Many have been restored, but there are still many waiting.

It gives you the feeling you are somewhere you knew before. The people are so friendly. The old bazar is interesting.

Old cities are impressing, mostly. This one is a kind of big bazar in one part, while the other parts are just boring. Narrow streets are dirty, cats, birds. Maybe someone like it, but defenitely know better ones.

I liked that it has so many different houses of worship, belonging to usually clashing faiths, living harmoniously near each other.

We two Americans visited Antakya in October 2014. It is an amazing city! I was worried before we left home because of the Syrian war situation, but there was no reason to be concerned. The downtown area is vibrant with life. Everyone was very friendly. The kunefe (dessert) is intoxicating, not to mention the mosaics in the museum, and the bazaars. Antakya is a unique blend of cultures, unlike any other city in Turkey.

Hatay province is located at Turkey's southern tip. It is a centre of civilization abundant in historical and cultural legacies in every corner. Antakya is the biggest district of Hatay. According to the history, it was founded in around 300 BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of the commanders of Alexander the Great. Recently, it was part of Ottoman Syria and, after World War I, part of French Mandate Syria, but joined the Turkish Republic by plebiscite just before World War II. Though the two countries have remained generally peaceful in their dispute over the territory, Syria has never formally renounced its rights to it.Antakya (Hatay) is famous for several things, chief among them the marvelous Roman mosaics in its Archaeology Museum (Antakya Arkeoloji Müzesi). It is said that it has the world second biggest mosaic pieces collection. The most of the pieces exhibited in the museum consist of the mosaics from the Roman period in Antakya (1st to 5th centuries AD). The artistry of the mosaics is amazing: look close, and all you see is little bits of coloured stone. Look from the optimal distance and you see distinct images with refined colours. Harbiye (about seven km south of Antakya) is perched on a steep forested hillside looking toward the Mediterranean. Harbiye was known as Daphne in ancient times. To the Romans, Daphne was a place of resort for the rich and powerful of Antioch-ad-Orontes (Antakya). Most of Harbiye/ Daphne is modern cityscape. Today's attraction is a steep forested valley with deep shade, numerous waterfalls and water courses, tea gardens and restaurants. Restaurant tables and chairs are set by the water, or even right in the water.Photo Curtsey - Periyasamy KS

Antakya is ancient and very, very, very cosmopolitan with many religions, sects, and languages. Layers upon layers of history. The old city cannot compare to Jerusalem, Cairo, or Damascus of course, but it is charming. Covered markets filled with spices, dried fruits, cheeses, doughs, giant cooking caldrons, olive oil soaps, locally even silks and cottons, and then the fruits of the Turkish shoe and manufacturing industry! People are extremely nice, respectful, and tolerant. This is an old fashioned small town where a trader will leave his shop to show you the way to what you are looking for. Lots of restaurants, tea houses, bakeries, bars, and juice bars too

Whilst much of the market is the usual mix of shoes, clothes etc the main street through is full of marvellous sights and sounds. Go when you are hungry as there are all sorts of street food opportunities. Nearby just wonder around the old area: a tangle of lanes and alleys. Worth mentioning that we were never hassled nor felt any concerns walking about.

The city is really historical although it was rebuild several times. You can see the remains of old bridges and houses in the middle of the city. Narrow streets are cute. And the most important is the food, to pick one, you must try 'künefe', delicious.

Enjoy the old city of Antakya but, stating at the Harbour enjoying the old pirate ships and climb the city walls to see en vist olde street with their old shops and buildings.

We spent a week in Antakya and loved every minute. The old streets were ripe with history with a modern flair. Good restaurants and street food and the old market was very much a local favorite without that tourist appeal.

Very Arabic feeling pleasure to walk in the shaded side streets on d minus side hard pressed to find a decent place to enjoy a social glass of wine to go down with the excellent food on offer in various restaurants

My friend drove me through this city which is across the river. I just got a good feeling that this was the place where Paul and Barnabas stayed for over a year teaching the early disciples from the gentile background. Here also there is a Born Again church which functions on the New Testament Pattern.

We have been a few times to the Antakya old quarters and both enjoy 'getting lost' and finding our way to our favorite soap maker. Walking with my husband and even alone during the day, we/I have always felt completely at ease and safe. Nobody has hustled or bugged us, ever! Very peaceful experience, even during hot August and when it is full with people.There are some enchanting old alleys and houses and courtyards. Spend the morning, have a tea/coffee, then go for lunch in the Soltan Sufrasi restaurant or others. In the afternoon, head to the hills, visit a few castles to walk off your lunch or drive to Samandag's Titus tunnel.

Would be great to have a small "hotel de charme" in one of those old stone houses!