GUIDE TO ALANYA

It’s easy to see why so many holidaymakers and property hunters
head for Alanya. Basking in more than 300 sunny days a year and
boasting a fine blend of ancient charm and modern facilities,
the city offers a great lifestyle. Still technically a town in
Antalya Province, recent years have seen tourist and resident
numbers soar. Alanya has now outgrown town status and is set to
become a province in its own right, this status sure to boost
property prices and the local economy when it comes into play.

Alanya is best known on the holiday circuit for its fancy array
of hotels and luxury resorts. Like Antalya, it attracts
tourists year round, many choosing a break during the winter
months as the weather is still warm and sunny most days. Alanya
already has all-year health care facilities, schools, shops and
amenities. Its new airport, Gazipaşa, means it’s easy to access
at just a 30 minutes drive from the centre. The town’s
infrastructure, its roads, highways and plans for further
development, promise great things for the future. It should
therefore come as no surprise that it’s gaining momentum on the
investment scene. Right now, property in Alanya can be snapped
up at some of the best prices along the Turkish coast.
With apartments in
Alanya starting from as little as £42,000, it’s an
affordable location for both budget buyers and serious property
investors.

 

Alanya’s History

Alanya has an interesting past. Its origins are hazy but the
city’s first inhabitants are thought to date back to the
Palaeolithic Era (BC 20.000 – 17.000). During ancient times
Alanya was known as both Cilicia and Pamphylia as it lay
between the two settlements. Famous historian Heredot believed
people migrated towards Alanya following the Trojan War around
۱۸۲۰ BC. The area was also ruled by the Hittites in the 16th
century, the Romans and the Ottomans – all stamping their
footprint on the landscape and leaving clues to the city’s
past. It was an Anatolian Sultan that named the area ‘Alaiye’
back in the 13th century, yet it wasn’t christened Alanya until
۱۹۳۵, when Ataturk himself gave the town its name following a
visit to the area.

 

Things To Do In Alanya

Alanya Fortress (Kale)

The most striking landmark towering over Alanya is the fortress
or ‘kale’ (castle). The castle itself and its 6km stretch of
protective stone walls were renovated by the Seljuks in 1221
when Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat chose it as his winter residence.
Around this time the Red Tower and Docklands were also
constructed and it became a base for the Seljuk navy. Today the
fortress, although in ruins, is still hard to miss especially
at night when it’s floodlit. The castle now acts as an open air
museum offering fabulous views over Cleopatra Beach and the Old
Harbour. Catch the cable car (telefrik) up and head inside to
discover the remains of a Byzantine church, bath houses and
traditional buildings. Take photos and soak in the beauty of
the area over a drink or a snack in one of the cafes. A visit
to the fortress is a ‘must’ on any trip to the area.

Damlatas Cave

Located to the west of the castle is Damlatas Cave that was
discovered by accident in 1948. Said to help those with asthma
and breathing disorders, it features impressive stalagmites and
stalactites and is a popular tourist attraction.

Cleopatra Beach

Cleopatra beach lies in-front of Damlatas Cave and to the west
of the headland. It is one of the most impressive blue-flag
beaches in Turkey. It is said that the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra
was gifted the area by Roman Emperor Mark Anthony. Today it is
a hive of activity throughout the summer when visitors from
near and far come to swim in its famed waters.

Pirate Ship Boat Trip

Many years ago pirates populated the sea. Alanya’s port offered
safe harbour and the area became a hub for Cilician sea bandits
until the Roman Commander Pompeius fought them off in a battle
in 67 BC. Today pirate ships can still be seen but these are
decidedly less imposing. These fancy, skull and cross bone
flagged ships now shuffle daily boat trippers around the local
bays, stopping off for lunch or a dip in the clear waters. A
boat trip is a great way to see the beauty of the coastline,
soak in a little history and top up the tan.

Jeep Safari

Alanya is framed by the Taurus mountains. If you don’t fancy
leaping off the summit on a tandem paragliding jump, opt for a
jeep safari as it’s one of the best ways to explore the
surroundings. Visit Sapadere Canyon, enjoy a lazy lunch in a
traditional restaurant and make friends with the locals. A jeep
safari offers a great insight into the area and its
surroundings.

 

Other activities

If none of the above appeals, try your hand at paddle boarding,
put your haggling skills to the test at the Friday market, or
simply take it easy and relax in one of the countless
restaurants or cafes in town. One thing’s for sure, it’s hard
to get bored on a trip to Alanya, there’s simply too much to
see and do!

Property In Alanya

Alanya has grown considerably over recent years with new areas
springing up to cope with demand. If it’s a seafront property
you’re after within easy reach of the city centre, areas such
as Mahmutlar, Kestel, Oba and Kargicak are good choices and all
within easy reach of the beach and amenities. Other districts
like Gazipasa (near the airport), central Alanya and Avsallar
are also popular offering a wide selection of resale, ready
built or off-plan options suiting most tastes and budgets.