Posted: December 12, 2015

In April 2016, Expo 2016 Antalya-Turkey will open its door to welcome the world. Find out what’s happening at the expo and on the streets of Antalya.

For six months, starting April 2016, the city will play host to Expo 2016 Antalya-Turkey, which will be the first World Fair to be ever held on Turkish soil. Where is Antalya?

Sounds exotic! Indeed, the name is as exotic as the place itself. It’s the ‘heaven on earth’ as some visitors may call it. Antalya is sits right along the Maritime Silk Route, set against the majestic backdrop of the Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.

Expo 2016 Antalya-Turkey’s theme is Flowers and Children with the slogan, A Green Life for Future Generations. History, bio-diversity, sustainability and green cities are the key sub themes. The main exhibit area will showcase the garden cultures of different countries. Standing tall will be the Expo Tower representing the historical Hadrian’s Gate from the Roman era, an important Antalya icon.

Within the 112 hectares site in Aksu is also an agriculture and biodiversity museum, a children’s island featuring learning and entertaining activities for kids, a children science and technology world, and several other structures and facilities. Over 100 countries and 30 international corporations are anticipated to take part in the horticultural exposition. According to the organiser, Expo 2016 Antalya Agency, over eight million local and foreign visitors are expected during the six months expo.

Beyond the Expo

Besides the exposition, visitors can explore the old city district of Kaleiçi, the historical treasures of the Byzantine and later empires at Aperlai’s Ancient City. Be awed by the ancient port of Patara, the sunken city at Kekova Island, and more. Rejuvenate with a Turkish bath at one of the many wellness spas that dot the city’s coastline or golf at the world-class greenways of this Turkish Rivera.

Savouring Turkish Cuisine

Savouring exquisite local fare is a must. Turkish cooking is among the world’s top cuisines, rich and savoury with ample use of vegetables. It’s a legacy of the Ottoman cuisine or better known as palace food. Full of irresistible flavours – tangy, spicy, sweet and sour, similar to Thai cuisine, except it’s more labour intensive to prepare.

Turkish breakfast or Kahvalti (before coffee) starts with a well-stepped cup of tea. The breakfast spread includes cheeses like feta, black and green olives, slices of tomatoes and cucumbers, eggs, sucuk (dry, spicy sausage), bread, honey, butter, and a selection of jams – which Antalya is known for. Popular lunch dishes include kebabs, pitas, meatballs and lahmacun (Turkish pizza), downed with a cup of ayran (salty yogurt drink).

Turkish cooking is among the world’s top cuisines

A platter of cold and hot mezes (appetizers) opens dinner. Mezes range from dolmas (vegetable with meat wrapped and cooked in vine leaves) to hummus, borek (phyllo pastry stuffed with meat, cheese or spinach) and a selection of stuffed vegetables. The meal continues with a selection of entrées, desserts and finishing with a strong cup of Turkish coffee.

Antalya Specialties

In Antalya, a meze platter often features salads like the toros salatasi (Taurus salad) and antalya piyaz (bean salad with tahini). The mild, sunny Mediterranean climate coupled with rich coastal soil makes Antalya’s homegrown produce taste extra delicious.

The regional cuisine is an eclectic mix of Arabic and Mediterranean influences with specialties like tarhana corbasi (vegetable soup), tavuk guveci (baked chicken), yoruk kebabi (nomad stew) and the decadent Fimali baklava. Food critics voted 7 Mehmet Restaurant, the city’s oldest restaurant one of the places to enjoy traditional Antalya cuisine.

Antalya is an hour’s flight away from Istanbul and Ankara, and about four hours flight from major European and Middle Eastern countries. To learn more about Expo 2016 Antalya, the regional attractions and how to get there, click on Expo 2016 Antalya and Tourism Turkey