Hatay is Turkey's southernmost province, a slender finger of land bordering Syria and the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital, Antakya—the ancient Antioch on the Orontes—was one of the great cities of the Roman and early Christian world. Hatay's layered history, distinctive Arab-influenced cuisine, and multicultural society (Turkish, Arabic, Alevi, Armenian, and Greek Orthodox communities have coexisted here for centuries) make it unlike anywhere else in Turkey. Note: a magnitude-7.8 earthquake on 6 February 2023 severely damaged Antakya; many historic structures collapsed and rebuilding is ongoing. Travellers will find a city in resilient reconstruction rather than a fully restored old town.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Hatay.
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1
Antakya Mosaic Museum (Hatay Arkeoloji Müzesi)
This museum holds one of the world's largest collections of Roman-era floor mosaics, most lifted from villas at ancient Antioch and its resort suburb of Daphne, today's Harbiye. Rooms are arranged around wide mosaic panels depicting mythological scenes, laid directly on the floor so you walk around rather than past them. The scale of the collection, not any single piece, is what makes the visit worthwhile.
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2
St. Pierre Church (Sen Piyer Kilisesi)
Cut into the rock face of Mount Starius outside old Antakya, this cave church is traditionally linked to the earliest Christian community in Antioch, the city where believers were first called Christians. The structure is simple: a natural grotto with a built stone facade added later, rather than an ornate building. Visiting means stepping into a bare, low-ceilinged cave space rather than a typical church interior.
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3
Titus and Vespasianus Tunnel (Seleucia Pieria)
This is a Roman-era water-diversion channel cut through solid rock above the ancient harbor of Seleucia Pieria, built to stop a seasonal stream from silting up the port. Named for the two emperors under whom the work was carried out, it's an engineering project rather than a monument, and its scale (a deep, narrow gorge sliced through the hillside) is the point. Walking through it means following the channel on foot between sheer rock walls.
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4
Harbiye Waterfalls (Daphne / Harpiyes)
Harbiye is the modern village on the site of ancient Daphne, the laurel-forested suburb of Antioch tied in Greek myth to the story of Apollo and the nymph Daphne. A stream runs down through the gorge here over a series of small waterfalls, shaded by dense trees, and the area has long been a retreat from the summer heat of Antakya below. It's a green, water-fed walk rather than a single dramatic cascade.
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5
Uzun Çarşı (Long Bazaar)
Uzun Çarşı is Antakya's historic covered market street, a long run of stone-vaulted shopfronts that has served as the city's commercial spine for generations. It's built for trade rather than sightseeing: coppersmiths, soap and olive-oil sellers, spice stalls and sweet shops selling künefe sit side by side along the narrow lane. Walking its length is the main activity, with occasional side alleys branching into quieter sections.
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6
Habib-i Neccar Mosque (Habib-i Neccar Camii)
Traditionally described as one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia, this mosque stands on a site associated with Habib-i Neccar, a figure referenced in Islamic tradition as an early believer martyred in Antioch. The building has been rebuilt and altered across centuries, layering Islamic and earlier structures on the same spot. The 2023 earthquake caused severe damage to the historic core of Antakya, and this mosque was among the buildings badly affected.
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7
Kurtuluş Mosque (Former Orthodox Cathedral)
This building began as a Greek Orthodox cathedral serving Antakya's Christian community and was later converted into a mosque, a change that reflects the shifting religious makeup of the city over the twentieth century. The exterior and layout still carry traces of its church origins even after conversion. It's a site that tells the story of Antakya's mixed communities more than one of showpiece architecture.
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8
Atatürk House Museum (Atatürk Evi Müzesi)
This house preserves the rooms where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed during his visit to Hatay in the period surrounding the region's 1939 annexation to Turkey, after having earlier been part of the French Mandate as the Sanjak of Alexandretta. The rooms are kept with period furniture and personal items rather than a large curated exhibit. It's a small, personal house-museum tied to a specific and locally significant political moment rather than a general history museum.
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9
Asi River (Orontes) Promenade
The Asi River (the Orontes of antiquity) runs through the center of Antakya, and the paved banks on either side form the city's main public walkway. Restaurants, tea gardens, and benches line the water, and in the evening the route fills with families out for a stroll. It's less a single sight than the backbone that connects several of Antakya's old quarters.
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10
Çevlik Ancient Port Ruins (Seleucia Pieria)
Seleucia Pieria was the harbor city of ancient Antioch, founded in the 4th century BC, and its remains sit scattered around the modern village of Çevlik on the Mediterranean coast. The most striking survival is the Titus Tunnel, a Roman-era water-diversion channel cut through solid rock to protect the harbor from silt-carrying floodwaters. Beyond the tunnel, low ruins of the ancient breakwater and port structures are visible near the shoreline.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Items
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Dress code at mosques, Photography, Best card for payments
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Antakya Mosaic Museum open?
As of mid-2026, the museum remains closed for earthquake restoration and structural repairs. A phased reopening is planned for late 2026. Call +90 326 214 61 68 or check hataykultur.gov.tr for the current status before visiting. The museum's approximately 37,000 artifacts—including the world's largest Roman mosaic collection—are in secure storage during reconstruction.
Is it safe to visit Antakya?
Antakya is safe for tourists, though reconstruction from the February 2023 earthquake is still in progress. Avoid entering visibly damaged or fenced-off structures. The area very close to the Syrian border (Yayladağı district) warrants extra caution—check current travel advisories.
Do I need a car to see Hatay's top sites?
Not essential for Antakya city sites—dolmuş (shared minibuses) serve Harbiye and Samandağ. However, to visit Titus Tunnel, Çevlik, Keldağ, and Yayladağı comfortably, renting a car at Hatay Airport is strongly advised. Car hire desks are at the terminal; budget about ₺1,500–2,200/day (~$44–65).