CityBuddy
Yivli Minare
Best time to visit
Late afternoon around 4-5 PM, when the low sun casts dramatic shadows across the fluted grooves and the surrounding old town streets are quieter before the evening call to prayer.
Budget tips
The exterior and courtyard are freely accessible at all hours. The adjacent mosque interior is free to enter between prayer times, and no ticket or museum pass is needed.
Recommended for
History enthusiasts, Photography lovers, Solo travelers, Architecture admirers
Plan your visit
20-30 minutes
About
Quick facts: Rising 38 meters into Antalya's skyline, the fluted minaret features eight distinctive grooved sections made from deep red brick and turquoise tiles. Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I ordered its construction in the 13th century, and its call to prayer has echoed across the old city for nearly 800 years.
Highlights: Stand directly beneath the minaret at dusk, and you'll see the last rays of sun catch each of its eight fluted grooves in sequence, like a sundial marking the end of day. Local legend says that if you count the bricks from the base upward, you'll find exactly 90 rows, matching the number of names for Allah in Islamic tradition.
Insider tips
- Visit just before sunset and stay for the evening call to prayer, which echoes beautifully through the narrow Kaleici streets.
- The best photo angle is from the cafe terrace across the street, not from directly below where the tower leans into the frame.
- Remove your shoes before stepping onto the prayer rug area outside the mosque entrance, and women should bring a scarf to cover their heads.
- Combine your visit with a stroll through the adjacent Kaleici neighborhood, where the tower appears around nearly every corner.
Where to Stay in Antalya
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