Antakya Tours

Antakya is located on the banks of the Orontes River , approximately 22 km inland from the Mediterranean coast. In ancient times the city was known as Antioch and has historical significance for Christianity, being the place where the followers of Jesus Christ were called Christians for the very first time. The city and its massive walls also played an important role during the Crusades. Antakya has slightly cooler temperatures than the coast because the city is in a valley surrounded by mountains. With its remarkable history there is much for visitors to see in Antakya, although much has doubtless been lost in the rapid growth of the city in recent decades. Main sights: Antakya Archaeological Museum, the rock-carved Church of St Peter ( a site of Christian pilgrimage ), the seedy Gündüz cinema, the waterfall and restaurants at Harbiye, the Ottoman Habib-i Neccar Camii is the oldest mosque in Antakya, the labyrinth of narrow streets in the old market area, the views of the city from the hillsides above.