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Antakya
From Wikitravel
Contents
Antakya, also known as Antioch, Antioch-on-the-Orontes, or Hatay is the capital of Hatay Province, Mediterranean Turkey. It is not to be confused with Antalya, another city in Mediterranean Turkey, but located several hundred kilometers to west from Antakya.
[edit] Understand
This city in the very south of Turkey was an important centre of early Christianity, with some of the first non-hidden churches. Today it’s a truly multicultural place, where you can hear prayers in many different tongues. Many sects of Christianity (Greek Orthodoxy, Syriac Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism to name a few) and Islam, as well as Judaism, are all represented with their dedicated temples in Antakya.
The city is not located on the sea-shore, but the Asi River (formerly known as the Orontes River) flows through the city center.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By air
Domestic flights are available to Hatay Airport, 25 km from the city center. However, nearest international airport is located in Adana, located a couple hundred kilometres to the north
[edit] By train
Nearest station is in Iskenderun, which has several daily train connections with Adana and Mersin.
[edit] By bus
Has Turizm operates comfortable buses from all major cities in Turkey. There are also bus connections with Aleppo, Syria.
[edit] Get around
[edit][add listing] See
- Mosaic Museum (Mozaik Müzesi) in the city has the second largest collection of classical/Roman mosaics in the world.
[edit][add listing] Do
[edit][add listing] Buy
- Thanks to the large laurel (Laurus nobilis) groves on the mountains surrounding the city, laurel soaps (defne sabunu, also known as garlı sabun locally), which are said to have some benefits on the skin and hair, are unique to this city and are made of local olive oil with some laurel extract stirred in.
[edit][add listing] Eat
The city is known for its tasty cuisine (one of the most delicious in Turkey), which has many Middle Eastern influences.
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- Ottoman Palace a five-star thermal resort and spa convention center.
- Büyük Antakya Oteli a four-star hotel in the city.
[edit] Contact
Telephone code of Antakya is 326.
[edit] Get out
To get from Antakya to Aleppo in Syria, the best option is to catch a bus from the central bus station outside of town. It should cost 10 Turkish Lira for the journey. Keep in mind that the last bus (during Ramadan) leaves at 11AM! This might be different when there's no Ramadan, though. You can also try to catch a taxi from the city centre, but this can be a bit difficult, as you normally have to wait until there's enough people sharing the taxi with you. The journey should cost you 25 Turkish Lira. If you don't want to wait, you will have to pay for the whole taxi, which is going to be about 100-125 Turkish Lira.
Don't try to cross the border step by step! The Lonely Planet mentions this option, which means you catch a bus to the Turkish border control, hitchhike to the Syrian border (which is like 5 km, you are not allowed to walk!!) and take a taxi to Aleppo. You should speak Turkish and Arabic and be prepared for an extremely time-consuming trip!
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