Alanya on the south coast of Turkey is framed by the pine clad hills of the Taurus Mountains. Turkish holidaymakers have long enjoyed the seaside resort of Alanya and it is now very popular with the British. Guaranteed summer sunshine, a warm and gentle sea, welcoming locals, good food and a lively nightlife all conspire to persuade people to take an Alanya holiday.
Although Alanya is well planned as a holiday resort it has not sacrificed the authentic appeal of a Turkish town. There is much to see in and around Alanya and it provides enough leisure activities to satisfy the more energetic holidaymaker.
Alanya is popular with most age ranges and appears to satisfy most tastes. Families with small children and those who just want to relax in the sun will find the beaches have safe shallow waters. There is a wealth of sporting activities to satisfy the most energetic of holiday makers. There are also many places of historic interest in the area.
The holiday season lasts from early spring until late autumn when the temperature range is from the twenties to the high thirties. Although the summer period is the most popular, spring and autumn are good times to visit historical sites when the days are cooler.
Alanya city is situated on a peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea between two long beaches and is considered part of the Turkish Riviera. On the east side of the peninsula is the harbour which is busy by day with yachts and boats and by night with revellers. The beaches stretch for miles and are composed of fine white sand which shelves gently in the warm blue sea. Water sports include wind surfing, banana boating and parasailing.
Alanya has an interesting history and its thirteenth century Seljuk fortress is one of the most magnificent sights on the coast. There are one hundred and fifty towers along the well preserved walls of the citadel. Within the walls are various ruins including a mosque and a church.
The Damlatas Caves are another popular tourist attraction with its strange rock formations. The temperature in the cave is a constant seventy two degrees and with high humidity it is said to be good for those with chest complaints.
If you tire of the beach, and have transport, you can very soon enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Taurus Mountains as well as experiencing traditional life in the small villages.
Most of Alanya’s liveliest nightlife is centred on the harbour area. Many of the clubs close fairly early but there is a free shuttle service to an enormous venue, The Auditorium, which is away from the town centre. Here you can party for the whole of the night. Other venues provide more traditional entertainment with belly dancers and folk music.
Alanya has a good range of shops including some excellent jewellers and clothing boutiques. Remember that haggling is expected in Turkey and do not offer to pay the asking price which is usually inflated by up to fifty percent. Leather goods, carpets and gold and silver jewellery are popular as gifts and souvenirs.
Alanya has a large number of restaurants serving a wide variety of food which caters for most tastes. There is everything from fast food outlets to traditional Turkish menus. Traditional Turkish food is very tasty and includes stuffed peppers and vine leaves, kebabs and of course feta cheese, olive and tomato salads. Rice dishes are also popular. There is also a good range of restaurants serving international cuisine.
