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 Dimçay-river
to the valley by the same name. Here you
will encounter the construction of the
new and great Dimçay 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 its
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 11pm. The parties at the
discotheques are best after midnight and
continue until closing time. At 3am 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.
