Places to Visit in Finike

 Finike

Finike is a district of Antalya province known for its rich historical heritage and natural beauties.

Founded by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC, Finike served as an important port where Limyra, the capital of Lycia, exported its agricultural products for a long time.

Phoenicia, one of the trade centers of the Phoenicians, took its name from the Greek word ‘’PHOINIKOS’’, which means "red-colored horse".

The port, which was located in the Iskele District in ancient times, is located where Acıcay flows into the sea.

Among the ruins of Finike, there are remains of fortifications from the Hellenistic period and traces of the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Located on the Teke Peninsula, Finike has been inhabited since 3.000 years BC.

Lycians are known as a community that migrated from Crete, and archaeological excavations around Finike shed light on the ancient past of the region.

When Alexander the Great captured the region in 330 BC, Lycia came under the influence of the Roman Empire.

There are various phases in the history of Phoenicia, such as Byzantine rule, Arab attacks, the Ottoman period and the short-lived Italian occupation.

Finike, which gained the status of a district in 1914, became a municipality in 1923.

Today, Finike stands out as a modern district with 26 neighborhoods and a population of 49,307.

The district is known not only for its historical past but also for its natural beauties.

Places to Visit in Finike

• Finike Harbor Castle and Finike Museum

Finike Harbor Castle rises proudly in the heart of Finike, a city adorned with its historical riches.

The castle, which was carefully built by the Crusaders in 1191, was destroyed and re-descended by the Karamanogullari over time and managed to reach the present day by being restored.

Walking between the walls of this castle, intertwined with the sea and intertwined with history, and feeling the traces of the past is almost an invitation to time travel.

Finike Museum, right next to the Finike Harbor Castle, is the perfect stop to explore the history of Finike in depth: the Finike Museum.  

This house of culture is fascinating not only with its location, but also with its content.

Fascinating artifacts from the Lycian and Roman periods are waiting for you here.

Stone sarcophagi, ancient coins, exquisite sculptures, and enormous mosaics and ceramics from the Roman period open a window to the past by opening the pages of history.

It promises visitors an exciting journey adorned with historical textures.

The Finike Museum offers an unforgettable experience not only with its works but also with its impressive architecture that offers a visual feast.

This museum is waiting to attract history buffs and art lovers.

• Finike Beaches

Attractive Beaches of Finike

Finike is a destination that stands out not only for its historical and natural riches, but also for its magnificent beaches.

Some of the delightful beaches of Finike are:

Finike Public Beach: Finike Public Beach, one of the most popular beaches of Finike, is located on the coast of Sahilkent Mahallesi.

It is possible to reach this beach on foot, or by city minibuses.

This sandy beach, which has one of the longest coastlines in Turkey, offers a completely natural environment.

Built by the municipality, the facility offers visitors the opportunity to sunbathe, play games and meet their needs.

Amenities such as parking, shower, dressing cabin and toilet allow you to enjoy the beach.

In addition, there are facilities serving food and beverages around the beach.

Gokliman Beach: Gokliman Beach, which is approximately 5 kilometers away from Finike town center, is located close to Andrea Doria Bay.

It can be easily reached by following the coastal road to the south or by the shuttles provided by  the municipality.

This beach, which was used as a port in the history of the Lycians, draws attention with its clear sea and golden sand.

Known for its quiet and tranquil atmosphere, the beach is an ideal choice for families.

There are facilities where you can meet your food and beverage needs around Gokliman Beach, which is famous  for its turquoise sea.

Altuncan Hatun Women's Beach: Altuncan Hatun Women's Beach, which is approximately 4 kilometers from Finike town center, can be reached by city minibuses.

This beach, which can only be entered by women, can also be reached by shuttle vehicles departing from the district center.

The beach cleanliness of the beach, whose sea is generally calm, is remarkable.

The beach stands out with three wooden piers and offers an area reserved exclusively for women and children.

This private beach, where facilities such as showers, toilets and dressing cabins are offered free of charge, is one of the unique beauties of Finike.

• Limyra Ancient City

The Ancient city of Limyra, located on the borders  of Antalya, Finike District, Turuncova and Sahilkent Towns, covers the acropolis on the southern slopes of Tocak Mountain, where early buildings are generally located, and the area within  the walls of the Roman and Byzantine Ages, just south of it.

Limyra's name is mentioned as ‘’Zemuri’’ in Lycian inscriptions.

This is proof that the city has been inhabited since at least the 5th century BC.

The most active period of the city was the time of the Lycian King Pericle in the first half of the 4th century BC, during which Limyra was the capital of Lycia.

As a result of the researches, from historical records; It is understood that Persian domination was in question during the years when Pericle was trying to establish the Lycian League and expand his area of sovereignty, but this domination remained only in words and Limyra, like other cities, remained in great freedom.

Limyra, which relived its brilliant period after the Pericle Period in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, was rebuilt, although it was damaged by earthquakes from time to time.

The city, which was the episcopal center during the Byzantine rule, was built in the 8th and 9th centuries. It was abandoned after the Arab raids in the centuries.

The ancient city of Limyra has been excavated by Austrian archaeologists since 1970.

Finds from different periods have both illuminated the history of the region and brought very important finds to the Antalya Museum.

Located in the northernmost part of the ancient city, the acropolis consists of an inner castle and a lower castle in the north.

In the lower castle, there are the city wall, cisterns, the Byzantine Church and the Perikle Heroon.  

The mausoleum of King Pericle, dated to the 4th century BC, is of particular importance as its architecture is similar to the Nereids Monument in Xanthos and its important parts are exhibited in the Antalya Museum.

Where the acropolis reaches the plain, right next to the Turuncova and Kumluca highway, there is a theater building, originally from the Hellenistic period, which has undergone major repairs.

South of the highway; It is divided into two separate islands divided into east and west by the Limyros stream.

The area within the Early Byzantine Period wall to the west of Limyros contains older remains than the eastern one.

A structure called ‘’Ptolemaion’’ was unearthed in the southern wall of the city wall.

This monument, which was built in the Hellenistic Period, and the plastic artifacts exhibited in the Antalya Museum are important finds of the Limyra excavations in recent years.

Another important building in this area is the monumental tomb of Gaius Caesar, the adopted son of Emperor Augustus, built in AD 4.

This monument was built on the occasion of the death of Gaius Caesar in Limyra on his way back to Rome from Jerusalem.

The funeral or urn containing the ashes was taken to Rome and a monumental tomb was built in his memory.

In addition to its monumental architecture, it is famous for the marble reliefs surrounding it, of which the high relief exhibited in the Antalya Museum is perfect in terms of staging the realism of the Augustan Period.

Limyra is one of the cities with  the most rock tombs in the Lycian Region.

There are more than four hundred rock tombs in the ancient city and most of the tombs are known by name with their inscriptions written in the Lycian language.

• Suluin Cave

Suluin Cave is a natural wonder located in the Finike District of Antalya and known as the deepest cave in the Asian Continent.

This cave, which has an 80-meter entrance mouth, has still not been fully explored despite descending to 122 meters in an underwater research team dive carried out on 27.08.1995.

Suluin Cave, which is only 1 kilometer away from Finike town center, is also known as ‘’İncirli’’ Cave among the people and has survived from history to the present day by preserving its mystery.

Suluin Cave, one of the natural riches of Finike, which was an important port city in ancient times, draws attention with its interesting structure.

In 1955, an American underwater team made a discovery in the cave by descending to 122 meters, but lost his life in the process.

After this incident, a ban on entering the cave and diving was imposed.

In the researches carried out by American divers, it was determined that Suluin Cave is the largest underwater cave in the Asian Continent.

Suluin Cave, located on the Antalya plateau, is located on a travertine plateau.

The cave, which is formed by water and limestones originating from the plateau, is located at a point where fresh water sources mix with the sea.

In the research carried out in 1995, it was determined that the depth of the cave reached 83 meters and there was a large hall covered with stalactites, travertine pools and other formations inside.

Numerous side tributaries and passages have also been discovered in the cave.

• Arykanda Ancient City

The ancient city of Arykanda, located in Antalya's Finike District, is known as ‘’Ary-ka-wanda’’ in the Lycian language, which means ‘’the place next to the high cliff’’.

The ancient city is one of the oldest cities in the region and its history contains very interesting details.

Together with the Late Chalcolithic-Early Bronze Age axes found in Arykanda, Limyra and Patara, it shows that the region was intensively inhabited.

Although there are not many finds before the 5th century BC, it is known that Arykanda remained under the rule of Limyra, changed hands with Alexander, and joined the Lycian League during the Roman period.

Arykanda is located on a south-sloping terrain starting from the bottom of  a steep rock face.

The watchtower, temple, stadion, theater and other structures in the city reflect the rich history of Arykanda.

The need for water is met by four-level canals that carry the water obtained from the springs of the Contrary River.

Arykanda offers a unique experience for visitors who want to explore the Roman period.

It is recommended to be at the top of the list of Places to Visit in Finike.

• Andrea Doria Bay & Radiophor Bay

Andrea Doria Bay is also popularly known as Radiophora Bay and is named after the Genoese Admiral Andrea Doria. 

The bay dates back to the historic Preveza Naval Battle; It is known as a port where the commander of the crusader navy, Andre Doria, took refuge while fleeing from Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha.

Andrea Doria Bay is an important stopover point where Caretta Caretta turtles and endangered Mediterranean monk seals roam freely.

The Genoese Admiral Andrea Doria, after whom it bears his name, is an important figure who enriches the history of the bay.

When you travel to Finike, be sure to take the time to explore the immense natural beauty of this bay, understand its historical context, and see Andrea Doria Bay, one of the unique natural wonders in the area.

It can be an impressive experience for nature lovers.

• Orange Groves

Finike, known as Turkey's citrus store, has  been approved by  the University of California in the USA in a worldwide study  and Finike Orange  has been awarded the first prize.

This success shows that Finike is famous for its quality and delicious oranges.

On your visits to Finike, following the soothing scent of orange blossoms will lead you to the magnificent orange groves.

In order to experience this unique experience, you can visit the orange groves and pluck one from the branch and enjoy that unique taste.

In addition, the International Finike Orange Festival, which is held every year, stands out as one of the most colorful festivals in the Mediterranean.

During the festival, Finike's name is announced to a wider audience with concerts, competitions, award ceremonies and various events.

Hundreds of local and foreign guests have the opportunity to discover the unique culture and flavors of Finike by participating in this festival.

• Gokbuk Canyon

Gokbuk Canyon is located in Gokbuk District, which is approximately 22 km from Finike district center.

Although the canyon is known by a small number of people, it stands out among the undiscovered beauties of Western Antalya.

Welcoming its visitors with impressive views and peaceful atmosphere, the canyon also draws attention with its structure suitable for many nature sports.

Gokbuk Canyon, which is approximately 5 kilometers long and 300 meters deep, offers a magnificent visuality.

The water level of the canyon is quite good and there is a 1-kilometer walking path that reaches  the mouth.

Accompanied by the soothing sound of water, this walk allows you to enjoy nature, fresh air and silence.

In the inner part of the canyon, the cute ponds formed as a result of the erosion of the water also offer views worth seeing.

Gokbuk Canyon is home to dense vegetation covered with citrus fruits, oak, sycamore, cedar, juniper and sandalwood.

In addition, endangered wildlife creatures and many endemic plant species can be observed in the canyon.

Among the activities you can do in and around Gokbuk Canyon, one of the hidden paradises of Antalya, are canoeing, swimming, trekking, examining endemic plants, paragliding, fishing, observing endangered wild animals and camping there are many options such as.

This natural paradise offers an ideal setting to make unforgettable memories with your family.

From Finike, you can easily reach Antalya Airport (AYT) and Gazipasa Airport (GZP) on time.

Transportation Options: You can easily reach Antalya Airport (AYT) and Gazipasa Airport (GZP) by using public transportation options, Municipal Buses, Metro and Tram.

Before using these lines, you should check and select the appropriate timetables for your trip on the website.

Air transfer lines: You can reach Antalya Airport (AYT) and Gazipasa Airport (GZP) comfortably and effortlessly with your Airport Transfer reservations made on the Airtransferlines website.

With Airtransferlines, it provides a comfortable, unique Airport Transfer experience with the latest model luxury vehicles.

Click www.airtransferlines.com to take advantage of the advantages of Airtransferlines, to find the right vehicle and driver for you with a wide range of transfer options, to get information about your destination or to make a reservation.

AIRTRANSFERLINES is your personal TRANSPORTATION advisor.