Aerial excursions of Antalya's historical riches are available through hot air balloon tours
Antalya Hot Air Balloon Tours: A Unique Aerial Experience
Antalya, a popular tourist destination in Turkey, now offers an extraordinary way to experience its natural beauty and historical sites from the skies. Hot air balloon tours have become a sought-after activity for tourists visiting the region, providing a unique blend of aerial views and cultural heritage.
The tours, operated by a local company, offer passengers the chance to board baskets that can hold 12, 16, or 18 people. Feedback for these tours has been very positive, with many praising the combination of Antalya's pleasant Mediterranean climate, pristine beaches, and scenic vistas.
Mehmet Keleş, director of the company behind Antalya's first hot air balloon tours, noted that Antalya had lacked this option. However, recognizing the demand, hot air balloon tours have now been launched in Antalya.
The company currently operates three balloons but plans to expand to five in the near future. Hot air balloon tours departing from Antalya primarily focus on the Pamukkale region, which is about a 3-hour drive east of Antalya. These tours offer sunrise flights over Pamukkale’s famous white travertine terraces and the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, providing a unique blend of natural wonder and historical scenery.
Although Antalya itself is a popular tourist hub along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, hot air ballooning is not typically advertised as a direct activity within Antalya city or its immediate environs. Instead, Antalya serves as a starting point or pickup location for full-day excursions to Pamukkale, where balloon flights are well-established.
Foreign tourists, particularly Russians, have shown the greatest interest in the hot air balloon tours in Antalya, with Russians leading in numbers, followed by visitors from Poland and Romania. Last year, the province of Antalya recorded a record 17.28 million visitors, with Russians topping the list, followed by Europeans and a growing number of Turkish expatriates.
The flights offer aerial views of historical sites such as the Aspendos Theatre, ancient aqueducts, the Seljuk-era bridge, and the Köprüçay River. Antalya's popularity as a tourist destination is evident, especially during the summer season. On July 19, the city welcomed over 102,000 foreign visitors by air, marking the highest number of international arrivals ever recorded in a single day for July.
Antalya is one of the top tourist destinations in Turkey, and the addition of hot air balloon tours further solidifies its status as a multifaceted and attractive destination for travelers from around the world. With its unique combination of natural beauty, historical sites, and now, hot air balloon tours, Antalya offers an unforgettable experience for tourists seeking a memorable sightseeing adventure.
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The unique hot air balloon tours in Antalya provide tourists with a thrilling travel experience that combines aerial views of the region's natural beauty and historical sites, enriching their lifestyle and broadening their horizons. In addition to the popular Mediterranean climate, pristine beaches, and scenic vistas, sports enthusiasts can now add hot air ballooning to their list of must-try activities during their stay in Antalya.
