Antakya — the ancient Antioch on the Orontes — was the capital of the Seleucid Empire and one of the great cities of the Roman world. The extraordinary wealth of Roman mosaic art recovered from its ruins fills one of the finest museums in Turkey.
The province borders Syria and shares its cuisine, architecture and cultural DNA with the Levant. Hatay is considered by many chefs to produce the best food in Turkey — a tradition of Arabic, Ottoman and Mediterranean flavours.
- Region
- South Anatolia / Levant
- Ancient name
- Antioch on the Orontes
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Known for
- Mosaics, Silk Road food
Hatay Archaeological Museum
The Hatay Arkeoloji Müzesihouses one of the world’s largest and finest collections of Roman floor mosaics — arguably rivalling even Gaziantep’s Zeugma. The mosaics, recovered from Roman villas across Antioch, depict mythological scenes, hunting parties and domestic life in extraordinary detail.
Allow at least three hours. Many panels are displayed in situ on the museum floor, allowing visitors to walk around them as the original occupants would have.
St. Pierre Church — the first Christian church
Carved into the rock face of Mount Starius above Antakya, the Cave of St. Peter(Aziz Petrus Kilisesi) is considered one of the oldest churches in the world — the site where the Apostle Peter preached to the early Christian community of Antioch. The simple cave is a place of pilgrimage and reflection.
The food — Turkey’s hidden culinary capital
Hatay cuisine is genuinely distinct from anywhere else in Turkey. Arabic flatbreads, olive oil dishes, künefe (hot cheese pastry with syrup), hummus,muhammara (red pepper-walnut paste) and the extraordinary variety of mezze make Antakya a serious food destination.
The old bazaar quarter around the bazaar mosque is the place to eat — small restaurants serving traditional Antakya dishes that have barely changed in centuries.
Hatay in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Hatay
3Hatay is famous for its extraordinary Roman mosaic collection in the Archaeological Museum, the Cave of St. Peter (one of the world's oldest churches), and its distinctive Levantine-influenced cuisine.
Yes — it is one of Turkey's most rewarding and least-visited destinations. The mosaic museum, food scene and Silk Road atmosphere are unique in the country.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) — summers are extremely hot and humid in this Mediterranean-Levantine climate.