Many people think that when the “official” summer season in Alanya is over there is nothing to do here.
As for me, this is the best part of the year. The summer heat is gone, and it’s possible to walk at daytime, enjoying the warmth of less aggressive but still hot summer days. This gives you a chance to attend and see properly the numerous historical and just beautiful sites in Alanya and around it, which was hardly possible before in an exhausting summer heat. The season of exploration has just begun.
You can walk to Alanya Castle and see Alanya from bird-eye view. You will find a lot of hidden places which can tell you the history of the old Alanya fortress. Let yourself get lost in the sophisticated ornament of old winding streets of Tophane Mahallesi, the oldest part of Alanya, where the old houses and modern villas climb the hill.
You also have a chance to see Alanya Castle itself from above, if you take a bus to Tepe Mahallesi (“Hill District”) of Alanya. Alanya is growing every day, and started to grow up to Taurus Mountains. From there you can see whole Alanya as if spread at your feet.
There are many things to see just driving by the country roads. You will see different Turkey, without its tourism show business glam, but hospitable villagers who wave hello to every one passing and treat strangers as guests. Driving just 1 hour you can find yourself in a completely different civilization, where people never heard of the internet and live in natural economy.
But if you are not a fan of country life and history, there are still things to do in the city. The restaurants, bars and shops thin out, and you can have them all to yourself. No more crowds and running about waiters. You can feel as a special guest and enjoy the different spirit of a place you thought you know very well.
If you like shopping – this time is just perfect for you. A lot of shops are selling out the goods to close up for winter, some to get rid of this season’s collections to bring the new ones. We have seen “Sale” banners everywhere all summer long, but that’s the time when we can see what the real sale is.
What is the best in this time of the year – is that you still can enjoy the beach. The sea may not be as warm as in summer, but you can still sunbathe under the generous Alanya sun and swim. And let your friends, who stayed in your home country telling you that the summer in Alanya is over, envy you. Have a good time!
Polina Akar
