Hotels near Yivli Minare Mosque

The Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) is Antalya's most recognisable landmark and has appeared on the city's official logo for decades. Built in 1230 by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, the 38-metre minaret is covered in turquoise-blue and dark-blue tiles arranged in eight fluted columns - a distinctive Seljuk design not found elsewhere on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. The attached mosque, rebuilt in the 14th century, is still active.

The minaret stands at the top of the cliff overlooking the old harbour, making it visible from most of Kaleiçi. Entry to the mosque courtyard is free (remove shoes before entering the prayer hall, and dress modestly). The surrounding square has several other Seljuk and Ottoman buildings, including a former Mevlevi lodge and a pair of small tombs. The whole complex takes 20-30 minutes to appreciate, and it is a natural stopping point between Hadrian's Gate and the harbour.

Pro Tip: The best photograph of the minaret is from the old harbour below, where the full fluted shaft is visible against the sky. From the cliff-top level, you are too close to capture the entire structure.