Antioch & the East

Antioch (modern Antakya) was Rome's third-largest city and gateway to the...

Antioch (modern Antakya) was Rome's third-largest city and gateway to the Silk Road. This frontier adventure explores stunning mosaics, early Christian sites, and Turkey's emerging southeastern wine scene. Travel conditions may be challenging.

A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi

4 experiences 🇹🇷 Turkey moderate 3 days

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Curated by Wine Memories

  1. 1
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    Antioch (Antakya) Archaeological Museum

    Antioch was the Roman Empire's third-largest city and capital of the Eastern provinces. This museum houses one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics, including Bacchus and wine-themed floors from wealthy villas. Antioch was famous for its pleasure-seeking lifestyle and wine culture.

    tour $
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    St. Peter's Cave Church

    One of Christianity's oldest churches, carved into a mountainside in Roman times. St. Peter founded the church of Antioch here. Early Christians celebrated communion with wine in this cave, continuing Roman wine rituals in a new context.

    tour free
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    Harbiye (Daphne) Waterfalls

    Ancient Daphne was Antioch's pleasure garden — Rome's Dionysian playground. The waterfalls and sacred groves were where wealthy Romans came to drink wine, feast, and escape the city. Temples to Apollo and Dionysus stood here. Today it's a peaceful natural retreat.

    adventure $
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    Samandag Beach & Roman Harbor

    The ancient port of Seleucia Pieria, Antioch's harbor. Wine from across the Eastern Mediterranean flowed through here — from Lebanon, Syria, and Asia Minor bound for Rome. Today it's a quiet beach with Roman ruins scattered in the sand and hills.

    adventure free

Plan the trip

Insider tip. The Antakya Museum has mosaics rivaling anything in Rome — the Dionysus mosaic is exceptional.

Getting there and around

Car required
Yes
Parking
Easy in smaller towns
Nearest airport
Hatay (HTY) or Adana (ADA)
Drinking and driving
Limited wine scene — bring from Cappadocia

Where to stay

Base yourself in
Antakya
Nightly range
€40-100/night

What it costs

Includes
2-3 nights, car, sites, meals
Per person
€200-400