Alanya

 Alanya - the Pearl of the Turkish Riviera

To the east and west of Alanya lie inviting turquoise seas with inviting golden beaches. Taurus Mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop to this amazing unspoilt resort. Crowning the headland is a sprinkling of Citadel towers and just below is a delightful harbour guarded by the old Red Tower. Adjacent to the tower are the dockyards where five vessels could be worked on at a time.

The large popular resort centre of Alanya lies at one end of a rocky promontory which juts out into the Mediterranean between two long sandy beaches. Alanya is a beautiful holiday resort of modern hotels, numerous fish restaurants and cafes, bars as well as large European supermarkets and wholesale stores. There is also the old town which is a maze of meandering streets and alleyways tempting shoppers with their colourful boutiques and stalls.

Alanya has a mild and tropical climate, the many natural seas and land caves, the wildlife parks, valleys and rivers are all worth seeing in this modern nature paradise. 

Alanya experiences a typical Mediterranean climate with 310-320 sunny days per year. By comparison with other regions Alanya has special characteristics. Through the mountains in the East, North and West the cool winds from the interior are broken making it possible to bathe in the sea for over 10 months of the year. Given the ideal weather conditions and the extremely fertile land, Alanya plays host to a large range of tropical plants and fruits, which are cultivated all year round.

As well as its cultural and historical sights, Alanya has unbeatable beach life too. Beautiful sandy Cleopatra Beach lies to the west of the resort while the fine sands of Alanya Kekybut beach stretch to the east. A good range of water-sports are available too. The nightlife is easy-going and relaxed with a wide choice of nightspots located at the edge of town. Take your pick from lively bars to late-night discos for real night owls.

MARKETS

It is not only small items that can be found at the markets of Alanya. Often there is the possibility of obtaining a very good bargain. Local farmers sell fruit and vegetables, laboriously brought from the mountains and markets outside the town. Many different people visit the markets. Tourists and locals all come to shop for their daily needs. The markets are open from sunrise to sunset.

Mondays and Tuesdays: Fair day in Manavgat a town 60 km west of Alanya.
Tuesdays: In the small town of Gazipasa 40 km east of Alanya.
Fridays: The large central market at the Dolmus Station.
Fridays: Yenihal market close to the town's big sports hall.
Sundays: Pazar market in the Hacet area behind the 25 metre road.

TURKISH FOOD

When the best cuisines in the world are judged, it comes as a surprise to most people that Turkish cuisine has been rated as one of the three great cuisines of the world, along with the French and Chinese. It was during the 500 years of Ottoman rule that Turkish culinary skills were developed. Access to fresh ingredients was easy and infinite varieties of fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables and a countless number of spices were used. At the same time many people from different cultures settled in the country and this brought further inspiration to the cooking. Turkish specialities are numerous and certainly worth a try.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE MOUNTAINS

When the transfer buses from the airport throw a glance and a thought at the Taurus Mountains. Completely different and exciting experiences are waiting here. Take a drive up the small mountain roads to experience the villages where life almost stands still. From the centre of Alanya it takes no more than ½ hour before hotels and restaurants are replaced by clay-built houses, children playing in the dust, and old women guarding the family's only cow. Another possibility is to follow the Dimcay-river to the valley by the same name. Here you will encounter the construction of the new and great Dimcay dam from where the turbines are supposed to deliver electricity to Alanya in a few years. If you continue past the building site the mountains and valleys will once more open up to you.

NIGHTLIFE IN ALANYA

Nights out in Alanya are for partying and having fun until the early hours of morning. Everything from large international discotheques to smaller bars can be found here. Because of it's size and intensity there is something for everyone - so whatever you like, rock, pop, disco, techno, salsa or Turkish music, there is a place for you here. Almost all nightlife is concentrated around the harbour area with the large discotheques facing the water and the smaller bars behind.

During high season even Sundays and Mondays are considered party nights. For a tourist a good night out starts with a visit to one of the many restaurants in the bazaar area and then continues at a bar from around 11 p.m.. The parties at the discotheques are best after midnight and continue until closing time. At 3 a.m. music at the harbour has to stop but it is possible to continue even later at the discotheques away from the centre. As a general rule imported beverages are more expensive than local ones, especially when it comes to alcohol where the difference in price can be more apparent.