To the east and west of Alanya lie inviting turquoise seas fringed by extensive golden beaches. The magnificent Taurus Mountains provide a pine-clad, breathtaking backdrop to this enchanting resort. Most of old Alanya lies on the great rocky promontory that juts out into the sea. Crowning the headland is a sprinkling of Citadel towers and just below is a delightful harbour guarded by the Red Tower, an unusual building that dates back to 1225. At the waterfront there are plenty of friendly bars, tea-houses, cafes and restaurants with an excellent range of international and traditional cuisine. Sea caves and grottoes indent the rocky shore below the Citadel. Some can only be reached by boat but you can walk up to the most famous, Damlatas or "Cape of Dripping Stones". The beautiful cave has a host of impressive stalactites and stalagmites with a moist warm atmosphere said to benefit asthma sufferers.

Visit the impressive 14th century fortress which sits high above Alanya. Within its walls are quaint houses, mosques and a Byzantine church decorated with frescoes. There are twisting narrow alleyways tempting shoppers with their colourful boutiques and stalls of cheese-cloth dresses, carpets, copper and jewellery. As well as its cultural and historical sights, Alanya has an unbeatable beach life too. Beautiful sandy Cleopatra beach lies to the west of the resort while the fine sands of Alanya 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 night-spots located at the edge of town. Take your pick from lively bars to late-night discos for real night-owls. Alanya is truly a holiday makers paradise. With superb scenery, historical sights, a relaxed beach life and a lively nightllife - it's easy to see why Alanya is so idyllic

The Historical Town Center
It would be most becoming to start the tour in the historical town center of Alanya from the harbor.
Starting a tour from Kızıl Kule (the Red Tower), you can make your way towards the Shipyard, the middle part of the castle and the inner castle on the top.

Kızıl Kule (Red Tower)-The Shipyard
Regarded as the most attractive architectural structure of Alanya and almost a symbol of the town , Kyzyl Kule was commissioned by Alaeddin Keykubat , the Seljukid Sultan in 1226, and called Kızıl Kule for the red (Turkish : kızıl) bricks used in the construction. Kızıl Kule is 33 m. High having an octagonal plan with five storeys.

The bottom floor of the tower, where one pays an entrance fee, is used as an annex of Alanya Museum for exhibition of ethnographic works of art. You can see costumes of the Ottoman period, hand-woven textiles of the region and looms where these handicrafts were produced among the works of art exhibited. leaving the tower behind, follow the pathway by the walls for a further 200 m after going down the stairs; you will reach the shipyard, again built during Sultan Keykubat’s period. The shipyard was built two years after the tower and is the only remaining shipyard from the Seljuks. It has five docks each of 7 m. Widht and 43 m. Depth all opening to the sea.

Alanya Castle
After Kızıl Kule and the Shipyard, Alanya Castle follows as part of the tour. It takes 45 minute walk to climb up the castle. Don’t miss to see Arap Evliyası which was built as a church in the 11th century and then converted into a mosque; the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Bedesten (market place) beside the mosque, resored and now used as a restaurant,bar and hotel, Ehmendek where the commander of the castle resided, little houses of Alanya remaining from the Seljuks and the Ottomans, Akşebe Sultan Masjid and Tomb. You can then go up the Inner Castle. Entrance to the Inner Castle is charged. The entrance gate opens to the large courtyard where on the left side you will see the big cistern vaulted with red bricks on the top. This cistern is the biggest of 400 cisterns existing on various parts of the castle and is still in use. One of the most important works of art present in the inner castle is the Byzantine Church (Aya Yorgi), once used as a Masjid during the Seljuks’s period, standing in quite strong and good condition. The stairs right behind the church will lead you to a place which we can call exactly a viewing terrace. You should view the fascinating panorama of the town in three directions, especially at sunset.Adam Atacağı Tower is the last spot of the inner castle tour. It is related that the prisoners of the Roman times were made to play a similar gamble. They were given three stones and one who managed to throw the stone into the sea was released whereas those who could not were thrown into the sea through a catapult. The name Adam Atacağı (=Man Thrower) is given for that reason.

Damlatas Cave
After the Castle tour , the second route climbing down leads you to the entrance door of Damlata? Cave which lies to the west of the peninsula. The Damlataş beach is also named after this cave.
Adorned with alluring stalactites and stalagmites of various colours, the cave has a constant temperature of 22-23 degrees Celsius. It is said that the atmosphere of the cave has a healing effect on asthma except the allergic type and rheumatism with a humidity of 90-100 % and very high rate of carbon containing some radioactivity.

The section where stalactites and stalagmites are seen is a cavity of 13-14 m. Width and 15 m. Height. Tours to the cave are scheduled in two different types: Sight seeing as well as health tours.

Caves
Join one of the excursions to cover the Alanya Peninsula from the sea, and to see Kızıl Kule, Tersane and Alanya Castle. During this excursion, your vessel will call at three caves. The first stop is the Pirate’s Cave. The second is the Aşıklar Mağarası (cave) and the third one is Fosforlu Mağara (cave). Vessels are able to enter the caves. Once inside, the water shines almost as if phosphorescently . Hence , the name : "Fosforlu Mağara". Swimming here is an enjoying experience.

Alanya Museum
Alanya is a rich historic site. The museums of the town gives a clear idea of the wealth. Alanya Museum comprises of three secions. The first is employed to display archaeological finds belonging to the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. There are finds dated to prehistory, too. The bronze statue of Heracles in this section is remarkably impressive. There are ethnographic objects in the second section. Majority of the works are manuscripts, Korans and calligraphy. Also inside the museum a sample Alanya Home can be seen. The pieces displayed in the courtyard, comprise the third section. Sarchophagi and similar archaeological objects are  displayed here.

Alanya is a tourist resort located on Turkey's Mediterranean coast often referred to as '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 and Mahmutlar is a beautiful touristic  resort of modern hotels, luxury apartments,  fish restaurants and cafes, bars as well as large European supermarkets and wholesale stores.  

There are 1380 food stores, 1260 shops, 1130 restaurants ve 680 jewellery shops in Alanya city center

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, Mahmutlar 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: Fair day in Manavgat a town 60 km west of Alanya.
Tuesdays: In Mahmutlar and  in the small town of Gazipasa 40 km east of Alanya.
Fridays: The large central market at the Dolmus Station, Alanya and Yenihal market close to the town's big sports hall.
Saturdays: In the Mahmutlar City Center
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 Otoman 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.

SPORTS
When we talk about sports in Alanya, triathlon race which has an important place in the world sports rating is the first thing that comes to our mind. However, Alanya hosts a great number of international sports such as swimming marathon, mountain bike, beach volleyball, beach football, sky-ball, street handball, beach handball,  In a way, Alanya is like a capital of alternative sports in Mediterranean. From spring to autumn, there's an international sports activity in Alanya. On international level, Alanya sports club struggles with the professional football team in Turkey second league and woman basketball team struggles in Turkey first league.

HEALTH
There are four general hospitals in Alanya-one belonging to the state, one to the university, and two to private sector-which are open 24 hours a day and where any kind of operation can be performed. Insurance's in European countries as well as international health insurance are valid in these hospital. When needed, the patient can be transferred abroad on an ambulance plane. In Alanya, there are also dialysis centers for patients of nephrosis. Besides, in the medical centers in towns and in the touristic facilities to give first aid when needed.

SCUBA DIVING, SNORKELING AND SAILING
The interesting flora, a variety of underwater marine life and especially the enticing underwater caverns and caves have made Alanya a popular dive resort. Most of the dive sites are situated around the coastline of the Alanya Castle, the steep cliffs of which turn to dramatic drop-offs under the surface of the sea. The close proximity of these dive sites makes them easily accessible even by inflatables, and diving three or four times a day is possible with the option of returning to base after each dive. The sites are also very suitable for night dives.

Every year 1000's of people enjoy diving and sailing in the sea off Alanya. There is choice of boats to hire in Alanya, diving schools in Alanya where people can learn to dive and snorkel safely. There are places to hire diving, snorkeling and sailing equipment. Even beginners can learn to dive in Alanya at the Diving School.

The environment in Alanya is ideal for a great scuba diving experience. Almost all of the dives in Alanya take place near the magnificent Alanya Rock, which divides Alanya into an Eastern and Western part. The Rock provides a home to many different plants and fish and this helps to make diving very exiting. An opportunity for the more experienced scuba diver is deep-sea diving. An extra benefit for you is that no matter which type of dive you choose, it is possible to do it all year round.

• Located on the Mediterranean Coast 
• Approximate population 200,000
• Sunshine for approximately 320 days per year.
• Average statistical recorded temperature 19 degrees C
• Approximately 1,000,000 tourists take holidays in Alanya and it's surrounding area each year.
• Many internationally recognised companies & supermarket chains have selected Alanya to locate their main outlets, such as Metro, Tespa, Renault, Fiat, Opel (Vauxhall), McDonalds, Burger King, Benetton, Tiffany Jewellery, Adidas, VW, Nike
• Alanya has been designated as part of the South Antalya rejuvenation
  project.

6.3 million tourists visited Antalya Airport in 2004. This number increased 16 per cent in 2005 and 7.2 million tourists visited Antalya Airport in 2005. In the first 4 months of 2006 1.2 million tourists came to Antalya Airport. Between 1st of May-14th of May 2006 226.797 tourists visited Antalya Airport.

FLIGHTS FROM THE UK AIRPORTS TO ANTALYA

• FROM LONDON GATWICK TO ANTALYA AIRPORT WITH THOMAS COOK PRICES FROM 82,00 £
• FROM LONDON STANSTEAD TO ANTALYA AIRPORT WITH THOMAS COOK  PRICES FROM 110 £
• FROM LONDON HEATHROW TO ANTALYA AIRPORT (CONNECT IN ISTANBUL) WITH TURKISH AIRLINES PRICES FROM 235 £
• FROM BIRMINGHAM TO ANTALYA AIRPORT WITH THOMAS COOK PRICES FROM 106 £
• FROM MANCHESTER TO ANTALYA AIRPORT WITH THOMAS COOK PRICES FROM 170 £
• FROM NEWCASTLE TO ANTALYA AIRPORT WITH THOMSON PRICES FROM 130 £
• FROM EAST MIDLANDS TO ANTALYA WITH THOMSON PRICES FROM 167 £
• FLIGHTS FROM NETHERLANDS AIRPORTS TO ANTALYA AIRPORT
  
• From Amsterdam to Antalya Airport Prices From 19 Euros
• From Eindhoven To Antalya Airport Prices From 60 Euros.
• From Maastricht To Antalya Airport Prices From 80 Euros