Alanya is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the Antalya region with some of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. Locals say that the sun smiles down on this beach resort, which is packed with things to see and do. The local building restrictions mean the resort has retained much of its traditional charm and atmosphere. Alanya attracts a range of visitors from families to couples to groups of friends. There are a vast number of shops and stalls throughout the city, offering clothes, home-wares, and all the usual beach and tourist goods you’d expect to find in a holiday resort. Alanya is bursting with restaurants catering for all budgets and tastes, and at night the city comes alive with dozens of bars particularly around the harbour area, with many offering music, live acts and karaoke. Alanya is rich is in historical and cultural sites as well as being surrounded by some spectacular natural wonders including the stunning Taurus Mountains, a spectacular natural wonder covered in evergreen pine trees. If you are interested in soaking up the area’s natural beauty a trip to the Damlatas Caves is highly recommended. For a dash of history, try a visit to the Citadel of Alanya. For an altogether more relaxing day there are two large sandy beaches: Cleopatra’s beach – two kilometres of pale sand with shingle – is one of the finest in Turkey; Alanya beach is almost as impressive but with rocky areas at the water’s edge in many places. Facing south, both are sun-kissed from dawn to dusk, and there are a variety of watersports on offer. For a change of scene, check out Ulas and Incekum beaches which are well worth a visit. Here is the perfect place to just lie back and soak up the sun.
When to go
Beach-friendly temperatures are par for the course in Turkey. Whichever part of the country you’re visiting, expect things to start hotting up around Easter – temperatures in the early 20s are common as early as April. By July, they’ve crept up to the 30°C mark – and they’ll often climb even higher. Plus, the summer months pack in a whopping 12 hours of sun a day. If you prefer things a bit cooler, autumn temperatures usually hover in the mid to high 20s, and there are still plenty of blue-sky days. Winter is the cooler rainy season, although you still won’t need a hat and scarf – in Antalya, average temperatures are between 15 and 20°C during that time.
