Harbiye Waterfalls

Now essentially a suburb of Antakya, Harbiye was once a Roman summer resort named Daphne. Today, there's not much evidence of the area's rich history, but it is still something of a summer resort, attracting Arabic-speaking tourists to its waterfalls in a gorge that has the potential to be quite spectacular.

The waterfalls are not particularly impressive, even less so with all the rubbish surrounding them. Maybe they are cleaned up in preparation for the summer crowds, but I have my doubts. Even the cafe owners were at it, hurling their empty cigarette packets over the side.

On the steep road down to the gorge from the dolmus stop, note the souvenir stalls. Aimed at certain Syrians I guess, you can buy carpets and keyrings with the face of the Syrian president on. Syria is just a couple of kilometres south, and many families are split by the border.

Getting to Harbiye is fairly simple. At the end of Hurriyet Caddesi (the main street in the old part with shops and cafes), keep going straight and uphill slightly until you reach the main road, where dolmus (minibuses) wait for Harbiye-bound passengers. A ten to fifteen minute drive, and you're in Harbiye. Walk downhill for the waterfalls... the driver will probably assume that's where you are going and tell you anyway.