Hello everyone. During our Alanya vacation we had a full day. We visited the beach area where the Thursday market is set up at beach number 38, we swam in the sea remembered the city’s famous cat walked around the castle and old town, had dinner with a view and watched the sunset from the hill with the I Love Alanya sign. We first arrived at the area with beach number 38 because a large market is set up here. Clothes vegetables fruits food products. It is a really big market and it only takes place on Thursdays. That is why the locals usually come today for their weekly shopping. Tourists who know about this place also visit.
Most tourists shop at markets in the center on the main street but prices there are usually higher because the shops are open every day. This market only sets up once a week so prices are more affordable. Before going to the market we passed by the beach. This is beach number 38. The atmosphere is nice people are swimming there are sunbeds. There were a few cafes on the road but there doesn't seem to be one directly here just sunbeds. Along the coast there are walking paths bike paths and palm trees. Alanya keeps getting more beautiful every year. Nearby is Dimçayı. Also close to this market is Asia Beach Hotel where we stayed before. This is the area of city hotels. These hotels are bigger compared to those in the center. The name of this place is Tosmur Mahallesi. If you want to come you can remember this name.
The market starts from this part. Locals especially love this market because prices are quite affordable. The same sellers can be found in different markets on different days. For example we had been to a market set up on Tuesday before. There are also markets in Mahmutlar and Avsallar. We also went to the market in Kestel which is located before Mahmutlar.
The price tags are in euros. For example coats and vests are 10 euros. During our previous visit prices were in Turkish Lira. Euro usually means it is more expensive. But there is a wide variety here. Usually prices are higher near hotels but once you go a bit deeper prices drop. Where there are price tags prices are more reasonable. For example all sports shoes are 10 euros. We had found the same price in Istanbul. There is also a big variety here and all sizes for both men and women are available.
There is also Turkish delight tea spices. I mean the kind of tea that dissolves in water. It is very popular. You can buy souvenirs for home. There are Turkish coffee cups and perfumes but we do not like the places without price tags. Magnets are 0.50 euro which is a good price because in some places they are sold for 5 euros. Watches ceramics olive oil Turkish delight herbal teas. For example Sultan Tea is very good it helps with colds. But I do not know if it was really the tea of the sultans.
We left the market. To be honest we were not very impressed. During our previous visit bags were 3 or 4 euros. Now prices are higher then they say bargain. If you are in Alanya you can visit this market set up next to Asia Beach Hotel on Thursdays but be sure to bargain. Because you can get a discount from the listed prices.
There is also a food section behind the market. If you are staying in Alanya for a long time coming to these kinds of markets for weekly shopping is very profitable. It is set up in a different place every day. We really liked this market. Fruit vegetables and food products have very good prices and everything is very fresh. Ahead there was also a sausage section people recommended it a lot they say it is very tasty. So if you come here I definitely say visit this market and do some shopping. As an extra the prices are fixed and they do not make them up like in the clothing market.
After the market we went for a walk in Aşağı Oba because we had not explored this area much. We are usually around Cleopatra Beach but there are also very nice places and beaches here. Today we swam at a beach here. But before that I want to tell you a very sad story.
Right here there was a spot where the fattest cat in Alanya lived. It was even marked on the map as Alanya’s fattest cat. We had visited it a few times. It lived here people fed it. You would not have seen such a fat cat. It was a massive cat nearly 20 kilos. It was fed here where fresh juices are sold. The food bowls are still there but now for other cats. Because this cat is no longer here. We asked specifically. A motorcycle hit it six months ago. Apparently when we left Alanya it passed away. So we were the last ones to see it. It lived on this coast and in the small park slept on benches. It is really sad. I think many people who came to Alanya have heard of this legendary cat. It was even marked on Google Maps and had hundreds of photos.
We walked along the coast toward the castle. We swam at the beach next to the castle. I want to show you many beautiful places along the way. Here there is a fish statue made of recycled bottles and next to it another cat. But this one is skinny. That fat one was something else. I will never forget it in my life.
On the opposite side of the beach there are hotels and chains like Starbucks McDonald’s Burger King. Aşağı Oba is quite popular among tourists. On the left there are beach clubs cafes. You can rent sunbeds and swim. Compared to Cleopatra Beach the water here is not as clear I think but the sea is calm and the weather is very nice.
During our first visit to Alanya in the past we swam in this area but not during our last visit. The beaches here are very nice and less crowded compared to Cleopatra. Palm trees greenery a very well-maintained area. We came to a place with themed cafes. There is a very cute photo spot there a place full of teddy bears.
Everywhere is filled with teddy bears. A very original idea. When you enter the cafe you feel like you are in Disneyland. Even Disney music plays in the background. You walk in through greenery and everyone can walk around freely to take pictures. No one disturbs you. We went a little down from the beach. There are beach clubs here music is playing. Nicely arranged areas flowers.
Next to the beach clubs there are restaurants and pools. It is a good environment for those who like cocktails and music. But we kept walking because we wanted to reach the Red Tower and the castle. We slowly approached the mountain. The beach was so crowded. There are changing cabins at this beach we changed clothes here. Because I think the beach under the rock had no cabins.
There are also showers and toilets and they are free. If you rent a sunbed of course there is a fee. From here you can join boat tours. There are very interesting programs. They tour around the mountain swim hold discos. There are also diving programs. Those who love open sea can rent boats from here. There are fishing tours too. Some go tuna fishing from 6 to 10 in the morning. Then you can take the fish to the fish market to have it cleaned and cooked. That is amazing.
Prices are reasonable. They said a boat tour costs 15 euros per person. But prices can change by season bargaining is necessary. On the beach fresh juice corn and ice cream are sold. Everything is suitable for relaxing. There are many yacht options. Normal pirate themed lighted ones. In the evenings they look very beautiful.
We arrived at the famous square at the market entrance. There are cafes and big nightclubs. It is an ideal place for club lovers. We do not really like clubs so we go to the beach. There are also play areas for children. Train toys. Each boat has different programs and prices.
There is also a big kids park here called Edi Park. You can find it on Google maps. We recommend it for those coming with children. At the back there are white yachts that say 10 euros. Sunset Trip. Perfect for taking pictures ideal for those who like short tours.
And finally we arrived at the Red Tower. There was a beach right below where we could swim. From there you can walk up to the castle and old town. It is very beautiful stone streets cats flowers. The beach here is crowded the castle’s shadow falls it is a cool place. Last time we came in the heat it was tough because there was no umbrella.
The entrance is through this stone gate and once inside you pass through a cave and go down to the beach. The view is amazing. There are some pebbles on the ground but to me this place feels very special. Right at the foot of the castle walls among flowers.
One small downside you need to walk a bit in the water and the pebbles massage your feet but it is not long and then you can start swimming. The entrance is very nice there is sand and small pebbles it is much more comfortable than the place we passed. It is really soft coral like. The water is clear and the color is beautiful. And surprisingly it is very easy to enter because the water is warm.
In the past I used to prepare myself three times before entering cold water but not anymore. Above there was the Red Tower and the castle the view is beautiful I love this place. We had been before but the water was cold because it was early in the day so we could not swim. The biggest advantage is the depth increases slowly which is great for those coming with kids.
In some places like Kemer the weather can be cooler. Which part of Turkey do you like. I like Alanya in terms of rental houses but for hotels we also really loved the Avsallar area.
We swam got dressed and climbed up to the castle area. There is even a catapult here. You can walk along the castle walls. The view is amazing you can see the beach from above. It is best to come here in the afternoon because the morning sun hits hard and it gets very hot.
If you have a museum card the entrance is only 100 lira. The card is valid all over Turkey. The old town starts here small streets cafes flowers. It reminds me of the old town in Budva.
There is a dangerous descent here the stones are slippery there are even signs saying do not wear heels. A panoramic view opened up from the top. The old town continued. There are places to stay here like Villa Turka and Harmony Boutique Hotel. Cafes ice cream drinks Aperol cocktails. Both roads lead you to the castle edge.
We swam explored and now it was dinner time. My friend took us to a very popular restaurant called Lost in Alania. You go with reservation. The atmosphere is beautiful both indoor and outdoor. The menu includes Turkish cuisine Italian European meat and seafood dishes. We ordered salmon steak and seafood risotto.
First the cocktails came. A special cocktail with Aperol and the classic Aperol Spritz. The presentation was very nice. It came with garlic croutons. Then shrimp and mussels arrived. The mussels were very large and clean much better than what we ate in Istanbul.
Then the main courses came. Grilled salmon vegetables puree herbs. The risotto had mussels calamari shrimp and jumbo shrimp. It was a very filling plate.
And after dinner the price was 66 euros. Cocktails were 10 euros. If you do not order alcoholic drinks it would be even cheaper.
Finally we went up to the hill with the I love Alanya sign. There is X Lounge Park here. Beautiful views fountains heart shaped decorations cafes and seating areas. It is an ideal place to look over the city from above. You need to come by car or taxi walking would be hard. Sunset is amazing here.
Our trip ended here. We hope it was a full and informative tour. See you again soon.
