Antakya (Antioch) Travel Guide
A guide to Antakya, the ancient city of Antioch in Turkey’s southernmost province of Hatay — one of Christianity’s founding cities and home to one of the country’s most distinct regional cuisines.
Antakya is the modern name for ancient Antioch, a city founded more than two thousand years ago at a crossing point between Anatolia, the Levant and Mesopotamia. That position made it one of the great cities of the ancient world, and it is remembered today above all as a cradle of early Christianity — tradition holds that the word "Christian" was first used here, and the followers of Jesus met in the cave now known as the Church of St. Peter, cut into the hillside above the city. Antakya and its wider province, Hatay, sit apart from the rest of Turkey culturally too, shaped for centuries by Arab, Armenian, Jewish, Alawite and Sunni communities living side by side.
The devastating earthquakes of February 2023 hit Hatay harder than almost anywhere else in Turkey, and Antakya’s old city — its bazaar, many of its historic houses and much of its centre — was badly damaged, with reconstruction still under way. Visiting now means seeing a city in the middle of rebuilding rather than the fully restored old town of a few years ago; treat this as an honest, working city rather than a polished heritage destination, and expect construction, detours and a changed skyline in places. The excellent Hatay Archaeology Museum, with one of the world’s finest collections of Roman mosaics, and much of the food culture that makes the region famous have continued through the rebuilding.
This guide sets out what there is to see and eat in and around Antakya today, when travel here makes most sense, how to reach Hatay, and how to think about where to stay while the city continues to recover.
Top things to do in Antakya
The Hatay Archaeology Museum is the single best reason to come: its Roman-era mosaic collection, lifted from villas across the region, is among the largest and finest anywhere, with hunting scenes, mythological panels and the famous "Evil Eye" mosaic. The Church of St. Peter (Sen Piyer Kilisesi), a grotto church cut into the rock face on the edge of town, marks one of the earliest Christian meeting places and remains open to visitors. Antakya’s food culture is a destination in itself — this is the home of künefe (a syrup-soaked cheese pastry, with the neighbouring town of Harbiye particularly associated with it), along with dishes rarely found elsewhere in Turkey such as hummus with pastırma, oruk (bulgur shells stuffed with meat) and a distinctive style of kebab. Day trips from Antakya reach the ancient port city of Samandağ on the Mediterranean coast and the atmospheric waterfalls and gardens of Harbiye.
When to visit Antakya
Hatay has a Mediterranean climate, milder and less extreme than central Anatolia. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–November) bring comfortable temperatures for walking around the city and out to Samandağ’s coast. Summers (June–August) are hot and humid, particularly inland, though the coast offers some relief. Winters are mild and wet rather than cold. Given the ongoing reconstruction, it is also worth checking current conditions closer to travel, since building work and access to parts of the historic centre can change.
How to get to Antakya
Hatay Airport (HTY) serves the province with year-round domestic connections, mainly via Istanbul, and sits roughly 25 km from central Antakya; a taxi or private transfer takes about 30–40 minutes. There is no significant international air service directly into Hatay, so most overseas visitors connect through Istanbul. The city can also be reached by road from Adana and the wider Çukurova region, a drive of a few hours along the coastal and inland highways.
Where to stay in Antakya
Accommodation in and around Antakya has been directly affected by the 2023 earthquakes, with parts of the historic centre still rebuilding and the range of hotels narrower than before. Most visitors currently base themselves in whatever part of central Antakya has functioning hotels, treating a visit as a short, focused stop built around the museum and the region’s food rather than a multi-day base. Some travellers instead stay in Adana or elsewhere in Çukurova and visit Hatay as a day or overnight trip while the city continues to recover.
Know before you go
Hatay Airport (HTY) is about 30–40 minutes from central Antakya by transfer.
The Hatay Archaeology Museum holds one of the world’s largest collections of Roman mosaics.
The Church of St. Peter, a grotto church on the city’s edge, marks one of Christianity’s earliest meeting places.
Antakya is the home of künefe and a distinct regional cuisine including oruk and hummus with pastırma.
The February 2023 earthquakes badly damaged the old city; reconstruction is ongoing and shapes what can currently be visited.
Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable weather; summer is hot and humid.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Antakya safe to visit after the 2023 earthquake?
Antakya is open to visitors and its main sites, including the Hatay Archaeology Museum, are functioning, but reconstruction after the February 2023 earthquakes is still under way across parts of the historic centre. Expect construction, some altered access and a city that is rebuilding rather than a fully restored old town, and check current conditions closer to your travel dates.
What is Antakya famous for?
Antakya is the modern name for ancient Antioch, one of the great cities of the classical world and traditionally regarded as the place where the term "Christian" was first used. It is known for the Church of St. Peter, its exceptional Roman mosaic collection, and a distinct regional cuisine built around künefe and dishes found nowhere else in Turkey.
How do you get to Antakya?
Fly into Hatay Airport (HTY), about 25 km from central Antakya, with year-round domestic connections mainly via Istanbul; a transfer to the centre takes about 30–40 minutes. Antakya can also be reached by road from Adana and the Çukurova region.
What food is Antakya known for?
Antakya has one of Turkey’s most distinct regional cuisines, shaped by its Arab, Armenian and Levantine heritage. Signature dishes include künefe (especially associated with nearby Harbiye), hummus served with pastırma, oruk (stuffed bulgur shells) and a local style of kebab rarely found elsewhere in the country.
How many days do you need in Antakya?
A day or two is enough to see the Hatay Archaeology Museum, the Church of St. Peter and to eat through the local specialities, especially while parts of the historic centre remain under reconstruction. Many visitors currently treat Hatay as a focused stop rather than a multi-day base.
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