Although Antakya is the second name of Hatay on the map, it is actually a district of Hatay. Antakya is the meeting point of many religions. So, the city offers you a fascinating experience with its historical places and natural beauties. The city is also home to different civilizations and cultures. We have prepared a list of places to visit in Antakya for you to discover and visit Antakya and see all its beauties.
Historical Places of Antakya
- Antakya Castle
If you want to have a bird’s eye view of Antakya, your first stop among the places to visit in Antakya should be Antakya Castle. It was used by many civilizations such as the Ottoman, Seljuks, Rome and Byzantine. The castle was built on the slope of Habib Neccar Mountain.
- Saint Pierre Church
The church is located at the foot of the Hac Mountain. Saint Pierre Church is one of the three places visited to be pilgrims for Christians. St. Pierre held the first religious meeting here to spread Christianity. Therefore, the church is considered the center of Catholicism. It is the world’s first Catholic church. Although the Saint Pierre Church is actually in the form of a cave, some additions were made to its structure later. The church attracts a lot of attention from tourists among the places to visit in Antakya. The church is open from April 15 to October 2. Museum card is valid for church entrance. One of the other two churches in Antakya is the Orthodox Church of St. Peter and St. Paul and the other is the Protestant Church.
Places To Visit in Antakya
- Archeology Museum
It is 5 minutes away from Saint Pierre Church by car. The Archeology Museum was opened in 1948. It contains more than 3000 square meters of mosaic. The other name of the museum is Antakya Mosaic Museum. It is also the second largest mosaic museum in the world. It has archaeological works belonging to many civilizations and cultures such as Rome, Byzantine and Hittite. On the other hand, the museum has the third largest coin collection in the world. This huge museum, which is full of historical artifacts such as mosaics, sculptures, columns and inscriptions, should definitely be included in your guide to places to visit in Antakya.
- Titus Tunnel and Beşikli Cave
It was built in the Roman period to survive floods and raids. There are many historical ruins belonging to the period in and around the tunnel. After visiting Titus Tunnel, you should visit the Besikli Cave, another historical place belonging to the Roman period. It is the most famous of the tombs carved on the rock. Stone columns and stairs draw attention in the Besikli Cave.
- Habib-i Neccar Mosque
It is the first mosque built in Anatolia. Habibi Neccar Mosque should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Antakya. The person who gave the mosque its name is a carpenter who lived in Antakya in the 40’s AD and is mentioned in the Surah Yasin in the Quran. Habibi Neccar was one of the first believers in Jesus’ apostles and therefore he was killed with the apostles. The tomb of Habibi Neccar and the graves of Yunus and Yahya, the apostles of Jesus, are inside the mosque.
Natural Beauties of Antakya
- Reyhanlı Hamamat Thermal Springs
- Vakıflı Village
- Harbiye Waterfall
- Asi River
- Hıdırbey Musa Tree
You should also see the Plane Tree in Hıdırbey Village, known as the place where the prophet Moses put his staff. While visiting the village, we recommend you to taste the Katıklı Bread baked in tandoor.
What to Eat in Antakya?
If you have prepared your list of places to visit in Antakya, it’s time for the dishes you should definitely try in Antakya Cuisine. Antakya’s Simit (bagel) is different from all simit you know. It is large and has a little sesame. It is eaten by dipping in a salt-cumin mixture. Hot Tomato Paste Pastry is also a different flavor. Flavors such as Spinach Borek, Sac Oruğu and Firik Pilaf are among the dishes of Antakya. Also, you should eat Tepsi Kebab, Kağıt Kebab and Antakya Döner in Antakya. You can rent a car in Hatay Serinyol and discover the unique tastes of Antakya.
How To Get To Antakya?
Where is Antakya? Antakya is located in the south of the country and is a district of Hatay. It has a Mediterranean coast and has a Mediterranean climate. Antakya is preferred for travel, especially in the spring and summer months. There are bus services to Antakya from almost every province of the country. Travelers who find the bus journey tiring may prefer the airline. There are flights to Hatay Airport from all over the country. For a comfortable transportation, you can fly to the region, rent a car at Hatay Airport and start your trip. On the other hand, if you want to find suitable opportunities and compare prices, you can use the Yolcu360 system to rent a car in Hatay.
Add comment