Car & Van Hire - Hatay

Hatay province hosts a wide range of festivals and events throughout the year. Hatay Gastronomy Expo, a two-week culinary festival, takes place every year with music, food and cooking courses. Antakya International Film Festival launches in December with a range of acclaimed Turkish and international films.

Hatay has a vibrant sports culture with a local professional football team, Hatayspor Kulübü, playing in the Süper Lig. The team is based at the New Hatay Stadium in Antakya, where league games are also hosted. Hatay's women's team, Hatay Dumlupınarspor, competes in the Third Football League. Basketball is also popular in Hatay, with the women's team, Homend Antakya, playing from the 2,500-capacity Antakya Sports Hall.

There are plenty of cultural sites and museums in the Hatay region that span centuries-old monuments and modern exhibition centres. Hatay Archaeology Museum hosts one of the world's most impressive collections of Roman mosaics. It's a grand and sprawling museum that offers a deep dive into Hatay's ancient past. Other noted sites include Habib-i Neccar Camii, one of Turkey's oldest mosques dating back to the 7th century.
 
Hatay's charming centre consists of Antakya's Old Town. This ancient settlement has been populated by Catholics, Jews and Muslims throughout history and offers some of the best examples of medieval Hatay architecture. Look for the Memorial Church of St Peter, an early Christian church carved into the side of Mt Haç. Jesus Christ is believed to have met his disciples here, where he preached to new followers in secret.

Hatay is a UNESCO gastronomic city, so-named for its rich flavours, fresh Mediterranean produce and historic significance as the centre of the spice trade. Standout eateries include Hidro Restaurant, a waterfront joint specialising in mezes, and Humuscu İbrahim Usta, the go-to spot for hummus. Hatay is renowned for its kebabs (kebabı), made from mincemeat cut with rounded knives, a method unique to Hatay.

Hatay boasts a wide range of modern and traditional shopping districts. The shopping centres Primemall and Palladium Mall provide contemporary spaces for international and Turkish fashion, electronic and homeware shopping. For something more special, head to Uzun Çarşı Street, home to the oldest bazaars in the region. Here, you can browse scarf, silk and linen stalls or shop for spices from across Turkey and the Middle East.
 
Hatay is blessed by its proximity to the glistening Mediterranean coast and the dusty Nur Mountain of ancient legends. If you are visiting Hatay with children, the coast offers endless possibilities, from beach days to sailing. İskenderun is your entry point to the vast sandy shores, with Sariseki beach and Rhosus beach being among the best. The Habib Najjar Nature Conservation Areas and Canyon National Park provide excellent hiking opportunities just moments from Hatay's capital, Antakya. Explore the region's hidden gems and ancient settlements with a car rental in Hatay.

Driving in Hatay is both convenient and necessary for regional exploration, making car or van rental in Hatay recommended for visitors. This region's road infrastructure is less well connected than Istanbul, with a state highway connecting north to south. This then splits between the coast and inland areas with state and local roads.

The principal highway in Hatay is the European route E91, which connects from Toprakkale to Yayladağı in southern Hatay on the D.817 and D.825. It essentially functions as a ring road around Hatay's Antakya centre. As the region's most important road link, it allows for cross-country travel via Adana in the northwest and Gaziantep in the northeast. The D.825 state road splits from the European route at Şenbük, heading northeast to join Turkey's important O-52 motorway.

For those interested in renting a car in Hatay, it is worth noting that vehicles drive on the right side of the road throughout Turkey. Speed limits are always signposted in km/h. These are enforced by both fixed and mobile cameras in Turkey, although in Hatay, this is often done by police cars/vans.

Parking in Hatay is relatively straightforward. The city of Antakya is served by public car parking lots with ample on-street parking, as well as private garages. Locals can be quite chaotic when it comes to street parking, so be careful when approaching and manoeuvring junctions for any parked vehicles, particularly in the city's suburbs. You'll also find convenient parking at most shopping centres and business addresses.
 
Speed limits in Hatay are 50 km/h in urban areas, with rural roads increasing to 90 km/h. Highways have speeds of 120 km/h, including minimum speeds of 40 km/h on motorways. Hatay does not have many low-speed zones. However, you should always abide by these lower signposted speeds near schools, mosques and hospitals.