Hatay (ancient Antioch on the Orontes) is Turkey’s southernmost province and one of its most culturally layered. Antioch was the third city of the Roman Empire, a centre of early Christianity (where followers were first called “Christians”), and a seat of the Seleucid and Crusader kingdoms. The Hatay Archaeological Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Roman mosaic floors - over 1,500 square metres of mosaics from 3rd–5th century CE Roman villas found in the area.
The city of Antakya (modern Antioch) is also home to an Arab-Alawite, Turkish, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Syriac, and Jewish community mix that makes the food culture - Arabic-inflected, spice-heavy - unlike anything in western Turkey. We have mapped 8 top-rated Hatay tours below.
Top Hatay Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antakya Mosaic Museum and Old City Tour | 3 hrs | From $25 | History, art |
| St Peter’s Grotto Church Tour | 2 hrs | From $20 | Christian heritage |
| Antakya Food and Spice Bazaar Walk | 3 hrs | From $30 | Food culture |
| Harbiye (Daphne) Waterfalls and Ruins Tour | Half day | From $25 | Nature, ruins |
| Samandağ and St Symeon Monastery Tour | Half day | From $25 | Coast, archaeology |
| Hatay to Seleucia Pieria Day Trip | Half day | From $30 | Roman archaeology |
| Antakya Multi-Faith Heritage Walk | 3 hrs | From $25 | Cultural diversity |
| Private Hatay Culinary and History Tour | Full day | From $90 | Custom experience |
For History and Art
Antakya Mosaic Museum and Old City Tour
The Hatay Archaeology Museum holds the world’s single largest collection of Roman mosaics in situ - floor mosaics from Roman villas excavated at Daphne (Harbiye), Seleucia, and the city centre, depicting mythological scenes (Narcissus, Thetis and Achilles, Dionysus) with extraordinary colour preservation. Severely damaged in the February 2023 earthquakes, the museum is reopening in phases through late 2026 with an expanded collection of approximately 40,000 artifacts (up from 37,000 pre-earthquake). As of late 2026, initial wings are accessible to visitors.
The museum and old city tour covers the main mosaic halls (1.5 hours), then the old city: the Habib-i Neccar Mosque (built over a Byzantine church, reputedly housing relics of early Christian martyrs), the Orthodox church of St George, the Armenian church, and the synagogue quarter - four faiths within 200 metres.
Duration: 3 hours | Price: From approximately $25 | Includes: Guide, museum entry | Note: Confirm which wings and galleries are currently open before booking - the phased reopening is ongoing through end of 2026
For Christian Heritage
St Peter’s Grotto Church Tour
The Church of St Peter (Aziz Petrus Kilisesi) is a natural cave cut into the cliff of Mount Staurin, 2 km from Antakya centre. It is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world - identified since the 4th century CE as the site where St Peter preached and where the Christian community assembled before the Apostle moved to Rome. The guided grotto tour covers the cave’s archaeological layers, the frescoes (4th–6th century, fragmentary), and the outdoor terracing with views over the Orontes valley.
Duration: 2 hours | Price: From approximately $20 | Includes: Guide, entry
For Food Culture
Antakya Food and Spice Bazaar Walk
Hatay cuisine is the most Arabic-influenced in Turkey: hummus made with local sesame tahini, oruk (a kind of Hatay içli köfte with spiced lamb inside bulgur shell), kisir (fine bulgur salad with pomegranate molasses, sharper than Istanbul’s), and künefe - the dessert of cheese soaked in sugar syrup and sprinkled with pistachios for which Hatay is nationally famous.
The food and bazaar walk visits the spice bazaar (Uzun Çarşı area), a künefe maker where you watch the dessert prepared on a copper tray over an open flame, and a traditional Hatay breakfast spread (morning tours only) with up to 25 small dishes including local olives, thyme, pomegranate paste, and six kinds of cheese.
Duration: 3 hours | Price: From approximately $30 | Includes: Guide, tastings
For Nature and Ruins
Harbiye (Daphne) Waterfalls and Ruins Tour
Harbiye (ancient Daphne) is a wooded valley 8 km south of Antakya where the Orontes tributaries cascade through laurel and plane trees into a series of pools. In antiquity it was the resort suburb of Antioch - emperors built villas here; the famous Daphne mosaics now in the museum came from these estates. The Harbiye tour visits the waterfalls, the reconstructed Roman villa foundations, and the ruins of the Daphne oracle temple.
Duration: Half day | Price: From approximately $25 | Includes: Transport, guide
Practical Information
Getting to Hatay: Hatay Airport (HTY), 25 km from Antakya, has flights from Istanbul (1.5 hours) and Ankara. The city was severely affected by the February 2023 earthquakes - much of the old city was damaged; reconstruction of the historic centre is ongoing as of 2026.
Earthquake context: The 2023 earthquakes (7.8 and 7.5 magnitude) destroyed large parts of Antakya’s historic centre. The Hatay Archaeology Museum is reopening in phases through late 2026 - most key mosaic galleries are now accessible, but confirm the status of specific halls before booking. Other reconstruction work continues across the old city.
Künefe: The best versions are in Antakya and Iskenderun. Hatay künefe is made with fresh, unsalted peynir cheese (not processed) - the salt balance is distinctive.