Guided tour of Antalya Museum, Perge and Aspendos

The Antalya Museum is a fantastic specimen and should not be missed if in the area. Its 14 halls display archaeological remains from different periods throughout Turkish history, from the Stone and Bronze Ages all the way through to the Byzantine Period.

A highlight is the Hall of Gods, which showcases representations of 15 Olympian gods, most of which were found at nearby Perge. This is a brilliant place to learn more about Greek and Roman mythology.

Around 10 miles (17 km) to the east of Antalya lies Perge, a large and comprehensive site that was once an important city in the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. Much of the city remains unexcavated but you can still get a good idea of the scale of the city as it was in its prime. You are likely to see local teams working on the site as you walk around; these have been trained by professional archaeologists to continue low-level excavations throughout the year.

Aspendos, to the east of Antalya, has arguably Turkey’s best, most complete theater, built during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the 2nd century AD. Aspendos is surrounded by mountains, which makes this excellently-preserved theater even more spectacular.