arts

Antalya, located on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast, is the country’s capital of international tourism. The city hosts millions of international guests every year at its luxury hotels, virgin bays, remarkable seashores, ancient cities, and dynamic cultural structure that derives from its long and rich history.

The Antalya State Symphony Orchestra, the Antalya State Opera and Ballet, and the Antalya State Theater are at the heart of the city’s artistic and cultural scene, and play an important role in the development of the cultural and artistic life in Antalya.

In addition to the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, which is the first opera and ballet festival to be organized at the ancient theater of Aspendos, the performances staged by the Antalya State Opera and Ballet throughout the year in Antalya are closely followed by art lovers.

The mystical atmosphere of the ancient theater of Aspendos, one of the world’s most well-preserved ancient theaters, the ancient theater of Side, and Temple of Apollo combine with the fascinating power of art to offer audiences unforgettable moments in Antalya. These special venues host art events, festivals, and concerts organized by the Antalya State Symphony Orchestra, the Antalya State Opera and Ballet, and the Antalya State Theater, as well as private institutions.

Many theatrical performances are staged throughout the year in Antalya by prominent theater groups such as the Antalya State Theater, the Antalya Municipality Theater (Antalya Büyükşehir Belediyesi Şehir Tiyatrosu), and many district municipality theaters of Antalya. Guest theater groups also visit Antalya frequently.

Alongside the music and arts festivals, world-famous artists from different music genres meet their fans at the mega concerts held in Antalya. These concerts take place at both performing arts centers and charming five-star hotels in the city. 

Museums and Arts & Culture Centers

The Koç University Suna & İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum is located in a complex of buildings that are registered cultural heritage sites in Antalya Kaleiçi, the city’s historical center. Following its restoration, the museum opened its doors to visitors in 1996 as an ethnographical museum including a rich ceramic collection, oil paintings, and a photography collection. The second building in the museum garden is an Orthodox church known to have been built in honor of Aya Yorgi (Agios Georgios/Saint George). In the church, which was organized as an exhibition space after the restoration, different cultural artifacts and artwork from the Suna and İnan Kıraç Collection are exhibited, and concerts and cultural events are organized.

The Antalya Cultural Center (AKM), located in the city center, is a multipurpose convention complex and hosts many cultural and artistic events, especially the performances of the Antalya State Opera and Ballet, the Antalya State Theater, and the Antalya State Symphony Orchestra. It has two halls, and lower and upper foyers that are used for exhibitions and receptions.

The Glass Pyramid (Glass Pyramid Sabancı Congress and Exhibition Center) is located in the Atatürk Cultural Park Complex and opens its doors to concerts, festivals and performances. Visitors can take the opportunity to visit the Atatürk Cultural Park and enjoy the great view of the Konyaaltı Cliffs and Beydağları Mountains after or before the performances.

The Haşim İşcan Cultural Center is another notable cultural center in the city where theater, opera, and ballet performances are staged. The Antalya State Theater and the Antalya State Opera and Ballet use the center as their permanent stage. Alongside the cultural and artistic performances, the center also accommodates movie theaters, a library, an archive, and photography, sculpture, and painting workshop venues.

The Antalya Culture and Arts is a platform founded by ATSO Education, Research and Culture Foundation in 2015 in order to bring all forms of arts & culture to local and foreign guests. In addition to national and international exhibitions, educational workshops, events, talks, and concerts take place at the Antalya Culture and Arts.

There are also several arts & culture centers that belong to district municipalities and private institutions which greatly contribute to the city’s vibrant art scene.

Visitors can enjoy the artistic and cultural activities in the parks of Antalya year-round thanks to the beautiful Mediterranean climate. The Konyaaltı Open Air Theater located near Konyaaltı Beach Park and the Arif Nihat Asya Open Air Theater at Kepez Urban Forest are popular venues for concerts and performances especially on summer nights. Karaalioğlu Park located in the city center is one of the most amazing parks that hosts various open-air exhibitions mostly organized by the Antalya Museum.  

Art Galleries  

Antalya is also home to many art galleries. The Antalya State Fine Arts Gallery (Antalya Devlet Güzel Sanatlar Galerisi), the Antalya Museum Art Gallery, and the Metropolitan Municipality Culture Hall are open to visitors and host painting and sculpture exhibitions, and other fine arts activities. In addition, there are many private art galleries around the city, especially at Kaleiçi, Antalya's Old City.