FINIKE

Finike

Finike
Phoenicus, as it was known in ancient times, is located on the Turkish Riviera to the west of Antalya and is a wonderful place to visit. Famous for its oranges, the town mascot if you will, Finike's local economy depends on the agriculture of citrus fruits and tourism in the summer. The quiet district is the perfect place to relax, become like the locals and rent a moped to take you around, swim in the beaches (nesting ground to sea turtles) or take a walk around the marina. If you venture out to the rocky parts of the coastline you might even be lucky enough to see the rare Mediterranean Monk Seal.

Phoenicus was founded in the 5th century and used as a major trading port for Lycia. However, this port was always under attack from forces in Syria, Egypt and Rhodes until the Byzantine Empire took hold of the port. Unfortunately even they could not contain control and eventually, the Seljuk Turks took hold of the area in the 13th century. In the mid 14th century the Ottoman Empire took back control of this town.