This Turkish province near the Syrian border has centuries-old mosques, Roman ruins, and a UNESCO-listed food culture blending Turkish, Arabic and Armenian flavors.
In Turkey's southernmost province of Hatay, walk through streets where shopkeepers call out in both Turkish and Arabic. Step into the Hatay Museum to see 2nd-century Roman mosaics depicting gods and merchants, or climb to St. Peter's Church - a cave chapel carved into mountain rock. Cool off by the rushing waters of Harbiye's waterfalls, then end your day with a plate of künefe, watching as bakers pull the sweet cheese pastry fresh from the oven.
Getting to Hatay
You can reach Hatay through its airport, located 25 km north of Antakya, with daily flights from Istanbul. The toll motorway O-53 connects the province to other parts of Turkey. Trains arrive at Iskenderun station three times daily from Mersin and Adana. The nearest international airport is in Adana.
Archaeological Treasures
The Hatay Museum houses Roman mosaics covering over 1,000 square meters, depicting scenes from mythology and everyday life in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The collection survived the 2023 earthquake intact, though the building needed repairs. The Titus-Vespasianus Tunnel cuts 130 meters through solid rock - Roman builders created this channel to protect the ancient city from flash floods.
Religious Sites
Early Christians carved the Cave Church of St. Peter into the mountainside, creating a place where the apostle preached to the first Christian community. The Vatican designated it as a holy place in 1983. Inside the cave complex, you can explore tunnels used by early Christians and see ancient frescoes surrounding a stone altar. The Habib'i Neccar Mosque sits in central Antakya, its octagonal minaret rising 25 meters above the surrounding bazaar.
Local Food Scene
In 2017, UNESCO added Hatay to its Creative Cities Network for gastronomy. Local bakers make künefe by layering shredded wheat around white cheese, baking it golden, and pouring sweet syrup on top. Try hummus made with local tahini, lamb kebabs seasoned with Hatay's red pepper paste, or sıhılmahsi - summer squash stuffed with minced meat and cooked with onions and tomatoes.
Day Trips from Antakya
Visit Harbiye, 8 kilometers south of Antakya, where three waterfalls cascade through gardens filled with laurel and oleander trees. Take a trip to Samandag, 29 kilometers from Antakya, to walk its sandy beach near the ruins of ancient Seleucia Pieria. In Kapisuyu village, start at the Zeus Temple and follow the walking path to spots overlooking the Mediterranean coast and the Antakya plain.
