Elmali District, Antalya

Elmalı is a municipality and district in Antalya Province. It covers an area of 1,433 square kilometers and has a population of 40,774. Located approximately 114 kilometers from Antalya's city center, Elmalı is situated on the southern slopes of Mount Elmalı. The district offers a cool and refreshing highland environment, with an altitude of up to 1150 meters above sea level, making it a popular escape from the summer heat of Antalya and nearby areas. With a history dating back to the 5th century BC, Elmalı has seen the presence of various civilizations, including the Lycians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans.

Elmalı is known for its rich culinary culture, featuring regional dishes such as okra with filet, juicy salad, Arabaşı soup, tas kebab, kölle, and flour halva. The district is also renowned for its weaving and handicrafts, including sackcloth rugs woven from goat hair and various traditional artisanal works like woodworking, coppersmithing, goldsmithing, blacksmithing, and stonework.

Elmalı seamlessly blends history, culture, and natural beauty. It proudly preserves its traditional values and offers numerous opportunities for cultural tourism, including historical and archaeological sites, traditional festivals, and festivities. Notable attractions include the Historical Elmalı Yeşilyayla Oil Wrestling Wrestling, Elmalı – Tekke Village Abdal Musa Festivals, Hıdrellez Festivals, Historical Elmalı Houses reflecting Anatolian culture, and the Semahöyük and Müren Mounds displaying traces of various civilizations and prehistoric times. The district is also home to mausoleums adorned with mosaics and frescoes, tumuli, and mosques that bear the architectural heritage of the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.