Alanya

Situated on the Gulf of Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, Alanya has been a favoured seaside resort for over 800 years. Today's European package tourist is drawn here for much the same reasons as the Seljuk Turks all those centuries ago; the sea is warm and gentle, the beaches stretch for miles and the town has an interesting history. The southern part of the town is the most tourist-orientated, although fortunately a height-restriction has limited the sprawl common to resort towns; there is, however, the usual collection of resort-style hotels and tourist-orientated fare. The harbour is a hub of activity, particularly at night, and when tired of relaxing on the beach, there are several sites such as the Damlatas Caves, Alanya Castle and the Red Tower to visit. Alanya is also backed by the pine-forested Taurus Mountains and a half an hour's drive out of town allows visitors to enjoy spectacular views, as well as the charm of small, rural villages where life continues much as it always has.