Living on the Işıklar Cliffs and Around Karaalioğlu Park, Antalya

The Işıklar cliffs and Karaalioğlu Park are where central Antalya comes closest to the sea: just south of Kaleiçi, a park, cafés and homes stand side by side on top of high rock cliffs. Living here means combining a window onto the Mediterranean with city life, but it also comes with things you should know about, such as limited housing supply, parking and the summer crowds. This post covers the area, the sunset spots, how you get into the sea and what to look for when house-hunting here.

At a glance

• Location: south and south-east of Kaleiçi; Karaalioğlu Park and the Işıklar area along the clifftop (Muratpaşa).
• The cliffs: travertine rock rising tens of metres above the sea; a protected natural area.
• Hıdırlık Tower: a Roman tower from the 2nd century AD, about 14 metres high.
• Getting into the sea: no sandy beach; you swim from wooden platforms, ladders and the rocks.
• Who it suits: people who want a sea view, a walkable central life and the old town on their doorstep.

Where are Işıklar and Karaalioğlu Park?

Central Antalya does not meet the sea with a strip of sand but with steep cliffs. Starting at the walls of Kaleiçi, these cliffs run east for kilometres towards Lara. Karaalioğlu Park sits on top of them just south of the old town, and the residential area that continues east along the cliff edge is commonly known as Işıklar.

Construction of the park began in 1941 and took about three years; it first opened as İnönü Park. With its mature trees, shaded paths, sculptures and seafront viewpoints, it is one of the city's most used green spaces. Entry is free, and it is busy at every hour of the day, from morning runs to evening strolls.

The story of Hıdırlık Tower

At the Kaleiçi end of the park, where the land walls meet the sea walls, stands Hıdırlık Tower. Built in the Roman period in the 2nd century AD, it has a cylindrical body rising from a square base and is about 14 metres high.

Its original purpose is not known for certain. It may have been a monumental tomb, a lighthouse or a defensive tower; it is known to have been used for defence in the Byzantine period. Today the area around the tower is one of the most popular photo spots overlooking the old harbour and the gulf.

Where can you watch the sunset in Antalya?

The Işıklar cliffs and Karaalioğlu Park are the city's best-known sunset spots. As the sun sets behind the Beydağları mountains to the west of the gulf, their silhouette and the light on the water put on quite a show.

The best spots

• Around Hıdırlık Tower: the old harbour, the rooftops of Kaleiçi and the mountains in one frame.
• The viewing terraces in Karaalioğlu Park: ideal for a quiet sunset from a bench.
• Clifftop cafés along Işıklar: for those who want to watch it over a tea or a coffee.

Because sunset times vary through the year, you will need to be in place late in the evening in summer and much earlier in winter. Arriving about half an hour before sunset makes it easier to find a good spot on busy days.

How do you get into the sea from the cliffs?

There is no sandy beach in the centre; swimming means going down to the foot of the rocks. That is why wooden and concrete platforms with ladders down to the water have been built along the cliffs.

• Adalar: a swimming area among the rocks below Karaalioğlu Park, entered from wooden platforms.
• Mermerli Beach: at the foot of the Kaleiçi walls, right next to the marina; again, you enter the sea from platforms.
• Cliff venues towards Işıklar and Lara: beach clubs and cafés reached by steps, platforms and, in some places, lifts down the cliff. Most charge a fee, and entry and sunbed terms vary by venue and season.

The pleasure of swimming from the cliffs is reaching deep, clear water within a few steps. On wavy days, however, ladders and platforms can be slippery, so take care with children. If you want sand, Konyaaltı and Lara beaches are a short drive away.

The cliffs are a protected area because of their natural features. In recent years the level of protection in some sections and construction along the shore have been the subject of frequent public debate. This is also one reason why new building here remains limited.

Living on the cliffs: pros and cons

Pros

• The view: nowhere else in the city do you get the sea and the Beydağları mountains this close.
• Walkability: Kaleiçi, the park, cafés, schools and daily shopping are within walking distance.
• Lasting appeal: the coastline is almost entirely built up, so new housing supply is very limited.

Cons

• Humidity and salt: in seafront buildings, metal fittings, window frames and outdoor air-conditioning units are more exposed to salty air, so maintenance matters.
• Parking: street parking is difficult in the area. A building with covered parking is a big advantage.
• Summer crowds: the park and Kaleiçi are lively on summer evenings; if you want quiet, the floor and the side of the building you choose become important.
• Older building stock: a large share of the buildings here are old. Always check the structural condition of a building before you buy.

What should you look for when buying here?

Ask whether the view is permanent, in other words whether another building could ever rise in front of you. Check which way the flat faces and how much sun it gets: sea-facing sides take strong afternoon sun in summer. Make sure the building has covered parking, a generator and a lift. For a broader picture of the district, see our guide to living in Lara and Muratpaşa.

There are very few new projects on this stretch of coast. One of them is Sirius Manzara, right on the seafront on the Işıklar cliffs: a four-storey boutique building with only 10 apartments, with sea-view 3+1 flats and a 4+1 roof duplex. Its covered parking and full-capacity generator directly answer some of the drawbacks listed above.

If a seafront budget is not in your plans, look a little further inland. About 1.5 km in a straight line from the cliffs, Meridien Nova in Yüksekalan is a more affordable central alternative with a pool courtyard and covered parking, about a 20–25-minute walk or a few minutes' drive from Karaalioğlu Park. Ask us for the current plan and its advantageous payment options.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Karaalioğlu Park?

No. Karaalioğlu Park is a public city park and entry is free. The cafés and restaurants inside the park set their own prices.

Is there a sandy beach in central Antalya?

There is no sandy beach around Kaleiçi and Işıklar; you get into the sea from platforms and ladders at the foot of the cliffs. The nearest sandy beaches are Konyaaltı to the west and Lara to the east.

When was Hıdırlık Tower built?

Hıdırlık Tower was built in the Roman period, in the 2nd century AD. The roughly 14-metre structure, a cylindrical body on a square base, stands where the land and sea walls of Kaleiçi meet.

Can new homes be built on the cliffs?

The cliffs are a protected natural area, and the coastline is already largely built up. New projects are therefore rare, and most are redevelopments of existing plots.

Who is life in Işıklar best suited to?

It suits individuals, couples and retirees who value a sea view, a walkable city centre and the cultural life of Kaleiçi, and who want to drive less. If quiet is your priority, choose the building and the flat's aspect carefully.

Cover photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (cropped).