Antioch & the East
Antioch (modern Antakya) was Rome's third-largest city and gateway to the Silk Road.
Chapter 6 of Roman Wine Odyssey · Turkey
The stops
- Tour · Price: low 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 · Free 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.
- Adventure · Price: low 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 · Free 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.
The story
This frontier adventure explores stunning mosaics, early Christian sites, and Turkey's emerging southeastern wine scene. Travel conditions may be challenging.
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