Perge is about 10 miles from central Antalya and a very large, interesting site to visit.

The earliest traces of habitation found here date back to around 5000BC with evidence of continued occupation from the 3rd millennium BC onwards.

However, as with so many other sites in Turkey, what we see today dates mainly from the 2rd and 3rd centuries AD when the Romans ruled.

Above is the main entrance to the site which, the man in the ticket office informed us, is always busy with tour groups all year round, though naturally even busier in the summer months.

Istanbul University have been carrying out annual excavations at the site since 1946.

One result of this is lots of informative signage in Turkish and English.

This photo shows the sign for the huge South Baths which features a clearly recognisable hypocaust, or underground heating system as we would call it today.

Perge is spread out over a vast area and, again as with so many other sites in this country, is a hot place to explore on a sunny day – take lots of water.

After visiting Perge you should go to Antalya Museum to see all the amazing statues and other artefacts which have been recovered from the site.

Entry to Perge costs 15TL (2010 prices) and it may be worth going as part of a guided tour as your entry fee will be included in the tour cost, plus you will have a guide.

If you want to get there independently, Perge is clearly signed, a mere 2km from the main Alanya road in a place called Aksu on the boundary of Antalya city. So you could catch a bus to Aksu and walk to the site.