Alanya

With its vast beaches, historical sites, cafes and bars, innumerable fish restaurants and its modern hotels and motels,  Alanya, is an outstanding holiday getaway. The first thing to greet the visitor is the 13th century Seljuk Castle, which sits like a crown atop Alanya Peninsula. As well as the impressive castle, there is the bustling yacht marina and the beautiful Red Tower (Kızıl Kule).  All along the road which runs beside the harbour are late night cafes and bars and boutiques selling handicrafts, leather clothing, jewellery, handbags and local gourds painted in amazing colours.

If you like exploring caves, then you must visit Damlataş Cave, which is near the Ethnography Museum. By boat you can reach three other caves: the Phosphorous Cave with its phosphorescent rocks,  Kızlar Cave (Girls Cave), where pirates held their women prisoners and Aşıklar Cave (Lovers Cave). The cool shade of Dim Brook Valley, 15 km east of Alanya, is an ideal place to get away and relax. The sea all around is excellent for swimming.

History

According to archaeological evidence found between the villages of Bademağacı and Oba northeast of the city, Alanya has been inhabited since pre-historic times. It was sometimes considered part of Cilicia, sometimes part of Pamphilia and was later ruled by the Hittites. In a poor state of repair after a number of invasions and wars, the city was rebuilt by the Romans. In the Byzantine era, Alanya was called Kolonoros, which means the 'beautiful mountain'.

Climate

Alanya has a typical Mediterranean climate with damp winters and hot dry summers, so plants from all over the world can be found here. Some of the most common are oranges, bananas, vegetables of all kinds and a variety of dates and coffees. There are even tropical fruits from South Africa and India, such as papaya, guava and avocado. The average year-round temperature  is 19ºC and the sea temperature averages 21ºC.