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We may already be in the middle of Pumpkin Spiced Latte and leaf season, and temperatures continue to dip below the tolerable 70 degrees all over the Northern Hemisphere, but it has come to our attention that certain European destinations didn’t get the memo:
Whether it’s the sunny Algarve or idyllic Malta, there are a handful of spots in the Old World that last all summer long – not that we’re complaining – and while they may not always be remembered, this undiscovered European oasis is one of them . .
With mild weather, pristine beaches and believe it or not, cheap hotels on the Mediterranean, Alanya in Turkey is the continent’s most underrated autumn destination:
Europe or Asia?
Before you scroll to the comments section to denounce an alleged geographic inaccuracy, we should make one thing clear: we know approximately 97% of Türkiye is actually in Asia, including the city in question.
That being said, for all intents and purposes, it is generally considered one European destination.
Think about it: the Turkish coast is just a half-hour boat ride from a number of Greek islands, or even literally a stone’s throw away, it borders the same sea, and if we want to delve deep into history, that continental divide becomes everything but a construction:
There were parts of Türkiye that were at one point predominantly Greek and parts of Greece that had a significant Turkish minority, and as a whole the Mediterranean is a melting pot of cultures that clash and complement each other
To make this fun for everyone to read, let’s leave these technical details aside, okay? So…where were we? Oh yes, that forgotten piece of paradise that bears the (equally beautiful-sounding) name Alanya:
Alanya. Not Antalya.
While Antalya is a bustling Mediterranean port city that has already made a name for itself in tourism, Alanya is the smaller, much more relaxed and unusual sister, tucked away in a quieter part of the Turkish Riviera, and more difficult to reach. to some extent.
The nearest major airport is still Antalya International, but that’s about it a whole 70 miles awayand unless you do your very best to specifically If you visit Alanya on a sunny trip to Türkiye, chances are you’ll miss it completely.
This is why you shouldn’t:
If you are a culture lover like us, then you have come to the right place: Alanya is it one of the most historically charged cities throughout the Mediterranean, and has served as a naval base for countless successive empires, from the Romans to the Byzantines and the Ottomans.
The city itself is the setting of (oriental) fairytales: with its winding streets full of souvenir shops and informal eateries, colorful bazaars, imposing minarets and traditional covered balconies, it is a lively medieval maze that we like to get lost in. a few hours.
Besides being a sensory overload, Alanya is home to a number of ancient structures, most notably Alanya Castle, located on a prominent hill atop the urban sprawl, and the striking Red Tower which dominates the harbour, with defensive walls along the turquoise Mediterranean Sea.
And here we come to the actual good part:
Beautiful Mediterranean beaches
If you are looking for inventive ways to extend the summer happiness just a little while longerLook no further than sun-drenched Alanya and its surroundings paradise beaches.
None of the ruggedness of the Italian coast, and certainly none of the pesky pebbles of Croatia: here it’s mainly fine golden sand, whether it’s the busy beach of Damlatas, or the more remote Incekum, some 30 minutes’ drive outside the city.
You can even visit a beach that was once visited by Cleopatra – yes, the Queen of Egypt – during the summer she spent in Alanya in the Ptolemaic era: it’s called, you guessed it, Kleopatra Beach, and we’re not there yet . see waters as crystal clear and just as inviting.
Oh, and if you’re wondering if the seas are still warm enough for swimming in October, do we need to remind you that this is the Mediterranean? Unlike other parts of Southern Europe, it is still pleasant 75.2 degrees in the waterso don’t be afraid to jump right in!
How warm is Alanya in autumn?
Weather-wise, Alanya is one of the warmest destinations on the Mediterranean this fall: believe it or not, it can reach up to 80 degrees during the day, well into October – as for the average daily minimum, that’s still a very mild temperature. 68 degrees.
This is reported by a European-based travel agency TUIyou have one 70% chance of a perfectly sunny day in Alanya this season, with a 30% chance of ‘some clouds’, while rainfall is limited to only 39 mm for the whole month.
In other words, nowhere in Europe does it get more summery than this this late in the year – maybe some of the Greek islands just off the Turkish mainland or maybe the increasingly trendy Cyprus, but either way, they can’t match Alanya by one thing:
How cheap that’s it, as this is a sunny, Mediterranean destination that prides itself on its possibilities perfect again well into the colder winter months:
Alanya is an affordable beach holiday this autumn
Türkiye is one of the least expensive Mediterranean hotspots around, and before you rush to the comments section to denounce that that is in fact no longer the case, and rightly point out the country’s volatile inflation: hear us:
Yesit has become more expensive compared to what it was five or even three years ago, and Noit’s still not in the same price range as Italy, France, Croatia and the like – both things can be true at the same time.
That has been established, how cheap is Alanya actually in particular?
Kebabs for just $5
It turns out that it is less than you would expect, and that is due to the absence of a major international player in the immediate vicinity of the city, and to its relative obscurity compared to the much better known Antalya:
Everything from food to accommodation is cheaper here compared to other Turkish hotspots, starting with the food: you can find the usual combination of doner and soft drinks for less than $5 at takeaways on street corners; as far as more elaborate dinners go, $17.50 is a reasonable ask at a mid-range restaurant.
For a special occasion meal for two at a beachside restaurant like Merlot, where they serve incredible Mediterranean dishes, set aside around €75 – €80, and as for the drinks, beer lovers, it’s your time to rejoice: that’s an affordable €3.50 for a pint, according to Numbeo estimates.
Beachfront stays from $68 per night
When it comes to hotels, this is the highest rated accommodation with the lowest price on Booking.com Comfort apartwhere a fully furnished apartment with balcony will cost you $68 per night––and within 700 meters of the beach!
If you prefer a more relaxing hotel stay with breakfast, and an exceptional continental spread, Ada Port Hotel is the adults-only retreat you’ve been looking for: located just out of town, in a quiet stretch of unspoilt coast, double rooms with garden views here cost $78.
Keep your eyes peeled for the all-inclusive deals, including rates as cheap as $117 per night at the 4-star Villa Zonnebloem Beach Hotel––Mid-range all-inclusives in Türkiye probably won’t come close to the level of luxury you get in the Caribbean, but it’s good enough.
Just don’t expect every meal to be the same haute cuisine.
For a truly luxurious experience, consider staying here Woman (no women) Luxury hotelas long as you have no reservations about halal meat: from $227 per nightyou will get a standard double room with a view of the Anatolian mountains and unbelievable food and amenities.
It has a private beach and tennis court, and you can even request a shuttle from Antalya Airport.
All these wonders for less than $300 a night in the thriving Mediterranean? We’re not sure whiny Joes will always find something to complain about, but… we call that a bargain!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
