Walk around Alanya
For many tourists, their acquaintance with Turkey begins with Alanya. This resort town is located on the Turkish Mediterranean coast. Alanya originates from the ancient settlement of Korakesion “vineyard”, founded by Greek settlers. During its existence and great history, this southernmost and sunniest resort was under the yoke of ruthless Cilician pirates, and also became a paradise there for the lovers of the past, the Egyptian queen Cleopatra and the Roman general Antony.
Holidays in a wonderful place
The city itself is located on a small peninsula, the north of which is occupied by the city of Taurus, while the southern side of the resort is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This is, after all, a real tourist paradise, delighting every person with a warm sea with velvet beaches, and nightlife lovers, with many different nightclubs and discos. More relaxed holidaymakers will find a rich history with a large number of ancient architectural monuments. Simply put, this resort is not only for lovers of large and noisy companies and reckless fun, but also for those who want to spend time in silence on one of the heavenly beaches.
The city's attractions
The main part of the old city is located on a large rocky cape that extends far into the sea. On a cliff of more than 250 m, protruding 2 km from the sea, rises the ancient Seljuk fortress of Kale, built by Sultan Keykubatomi in 1226-1232. It is divided into 3 parts:
- the real inner Bastion (Kale Ichi);
- middle old fortress (Hisarichi);
- lower outer bastion (Tophane).
The mountain has a fortress wall 6.5 km long, with 140 watchtowers located on it, and a serpentine road leads up along the wall. This is a kind of old city of Alanya, which is reliably hidden from the rest of the world. Important and interesting are the Suleiman Mosque, the Red Tower, the Seljuk Tersane shipyard, the cable car, the ruins of the Church of St. George, and the archaeological museum.
Main areas of the resort town
Every person who comes on holiday to Alanya should know that it is divided into resort areas, in which the necessary services are well developed and there are excellent sandy beaches:
- Mahmulat. A very picturesque area with various attractions, it is rich in natural sites, very comfortable and beautiful.
- Avsallar. It is located 20 kilometers from the city border. The Alaran caravanserai, dating back to the 13th century, is located in this area. The place is rich in varied nightlife and club life.
- Konakli. A huge center of tourist nightlife, with a large number of clubs and discos, outdoor areas and bars. To get from Alanya to Konakli, you need to travel about 10 km to the west.
- Incekum. A one and a half kilometer sandy beach, next to which there are pine forests. A place with well-developed service. It is in this area that tourists love to relax.
Weather
Alanya is considered one of the hottest Turkish resorts. Located not far from the Taurian Mountains, the city is protected from the cold northern winds. The holiday season lasts from May to October; holiday pricing is often lower than at other resorts in Turkey. The climate has hot and dry summers and rainy, warm winters.
When the peak of the season arrives, sea water warms up to + 26 + 28C. May water is a little cooler, its temperature reaches about + 22C. At the end of the season, the air differs from the water by only a couple of degrees. According to statistics, the most comfortable period of rest, when the sun becomes much softer and the sea remains warm, is mid-September.
Beach spaces
The resort coast of Alanya resembles a horseshoe, divided into cozy bays, against which the sea waves crash. One of the best in Turkey are the narrow beaches of Alanya with fine sand, with a safe, gently sloping shore. That is why couples with children of all ages love to relax in this place. The cleanest sea is confirmed by the “blue flag” flying over most beaches in Alanya. This symbol is an international award given to the cleanest beaches. Excellent ecology indicates the absence of ports and industrial fishing; many different rivers flow from the Tauride Mountains into the sea, which constantly renew the nearby water area.
There are separate beaches owned by hotels, and you can swim and sunbathe for free on municipal beaches. Several of them are located in the eastern part of the resort town, and two in the western. On the western side of Alanya, at a distance of 2 km along the coast, is the most popular and beautiful beach “Cleopatra”. This is what lovers of active recreation prefer, as here you can ride a catamaran, water ski, banana boat, and master surfing, since this part of the beach often has waves. A little further west, near the Damlatash cave, there is a wide beach that bears the same name as the cave.
Guest preferences
Recently, tourists coming to Alanya to relax for a couple of weeks do not stay in hotels, but most often rent apartments or rooms. Since the owners are not completely “spoiled” yet, you can rent accommodation not far from the sea, much cheaper than in a hotel. Apartments for rent are mainly located in complexes where there are fitness rooms, spa centers and salons, playgrounds and swimming pools. Those who like to have fun stay in hotels located on the embankment or in the city center, where many different entertainments are concentrated: clubs and discos, bars and restaurants.
