Antalya Archaeology Museum, Antalya (must see)

The Antalya Museum, known as the Antalya Archaeological Museum, stands as one of Turkey's largest museums. Situated in Konyaaltı, Antalya, it boasts 13 exhibition halls and an open-air gallery, covering an expansive area of 7,000 square meters (75,000 square feet). Within its walls, around 5,000 works of art are proudly displayed, while an additional 25,000–30,000 artifacts are safely preserved in storage. As a repository of cultural heritage that sheds light on the history of the Mediterranean and Pamphylia regions in Anatolia, the Antalya Museum holds a position of great significance among Turkey's prestigious museums. In recognition of its excellence, the museum was honored with the esteemed "European Council Special Prize" in 1988.

Following the conclusion of World War I, when Antalya was under Italian military occupation, Italian archaeologists commenced the removal of archaeological treasures found in the city center and the vicinity of the Italian Embassy. They justified their actions in the name of civilization. To counter these initiatives, Süleyman Fikri Bey, Sultan's advisor, assumed the position of voluntary curator of antiquities and applied to become the provincial governor of Antalya in 1919. He took it upon himself to establish the Antalya Museum, to salvage and preserve whatever remnants remained in the city center.

Initially, the museum operated within the Alâeddin Mosque in 1922. Subsequently, it found a new home in the Yivli Minare Mosque in 1937. Finally, in 1972, it relocated to its present-day building. In 1982, the museum temporarily closed its doors to visitors to undergo extensive modifications and restorations. Thanks to the efforts of the General Directorate of Ancient Objects and Museums, it was revamped according to modern museum concepts and unveiled to the public in April 1985, showcasing its restored exhibits in carefully arranged displays.