Outdoor & Sports
SPORTS
When we talk about sports in Alanya, the first thing that comes to mind is the Triathlon Race which has a very important place in the world of sports. However, Alanya hosts a great number of international sports such as swimming marathons, mountain bike competitions, beach volleyball and beach football. In a way, Alanya is like a capital of alternative sports in the Mediterranean. From Spring to Autumn, there is an international sports activity in Alanya.
Due to the perfect climate and good training facilities found here in Alanya, many of the world famous sport teams have chosen to have their training camps here. Especially the top national football, beach volley, triathlon and bicycle teams come from all over Europe to Alanya yearly for training.
BICYCLE
Due to the excellent climatic conditions in the winter Alanya is a perfect destination for triathlon teams.
With an altitude of up to 1500 meters above sea level, good quality asphalt mountain roads and wide straight quality asphalt streets. There are also mountain biking and downhill trails. The local people of Alanya pay attention to, appreciate and respect the athletes.
Due to the proximity of Alanya Gazipasa airport and the superb accommodation possibilities with appropriate facilities for the teams, Alanya is an attractive center for training teams.
PARAGLIDING
Paragliding is the simplest , easiest and the most respectful discipline of air sports, to the nature. You may become one of the privileged individuals who actually with the unique contraction of the green tones of the Mother Nature with the blue shades of the ocean, from above the ground, while performing a floating landing on the beaches of the Mediterranean coasts, from the summit of the Taurus Mountains, resembling a bird’s flight in the sky that lasts for hours. Several regions in the country are suitable for paragliding in terms of physical, geographical and climatic conditions.
TREKKING
Within the scope of Alanya Nature Sports there are 19 walking / trekking, biking and off-road/driving courses plus 12 exclusive walking/trekking courses which have been identified, giving a total of 31 routes. On these specified routes which are within the scope of the project and plotted accordingly on the Alanya Nature Sports Map, you may comfortably perform your trekking and biking activities. By following the directional signs placed on both sides of your travelling route, you will be able to follow the length of travel information in kilometres. Our hope is that both our local and international guests, who have not previously explored Alanya would like to get familiar with nature sports in our region.
Within the framework of the Project, informational signboards with a map of the course and project-specific directional signs displaying length of travel in kilometres were placed along the trekking, biking and off-road routes on the existing interconnecting roads. This covers an area of 2,240 square kilometres with a width of 56 km and depth of 40 km which encompasses the Ancient Cities of Syedra and Leartes in the East, Akdag Skiing Centre, Oba – Alacami, Kizilalan, Aksaray, Basirli, Mahmutseydi, Turktas, Suleymanlar and Gedevet districts in the northeast, Alara Han and Hamaxia in the west, Little Ayasofya historical site in the north and Alanya central Roads district in the south of Alanya downtown, in addition to (2 each) crossing bridges at Kizilalan county, where mountain biking events are organised, and two panoramic landscape viewing / observation/ meeting towers, one located at the paragliding take-off point at the piedmont of Cebelireis Mountain and the other, in the Yasir Ali county falling right above the Hidirellez Church.
Night Life
Sunset in Alanya gives a piece of good news that the nightlife begins and it lasts until next morning. Bars, discos wait for those who are young in spirit. There is no limit with the dance and the music. Pop-music, Turkish pop-music, live music. Different kinds of music come from everywhere in town. Even the stars in the sky dance.
Museums
The Alanya Museum, Ataturk House and Museum, the Herbarium, Bazaar Gate, Gemici Mosque, Silk House, Culture House, City Museum, the Cistern of Mecveddin, Ickale and Ehmedek citadels, Kizil Kule (Red Tower) and Tersane (shipyard) are the places which were designed to serve as museums, in Alanya.
These museums are generally open to public service during all weekdays and may be visited between 08.00 and 19.00 hours during summer months and between 08.00 and 17.00 hours during the winter.
Geography
Alanya is located on 36°33′ northern latitude and 31.01° eastern meridian. It’s acreage measures 2.085 km². Alanya is located in Mediterranean region within the borders of a province called Antalya. On its east there is Alanya Bay that has the same name. There are Meditarrenean Sea on its south, Gazipaþa on its east, Manavgat on its west and Toros Mt. on its north. Toros Mt. lie like a chain on its north with plains and mountains height of whose range from 500-600 m. to 2500-3000. Along the coast there are plains not too high. Climbing down to the plains from mountains is done through plateaus. Plateau begin to fade away as you get closer to the west on which there is Alanya Peninsula. To climb up to mountains from plateaus, it is necessary to pass steep slopes.
Climate and Vegetation Cover
There is a typical Meditarrenean climate over Alanya. It is hot and arid in summer, rainy and humid in winter. As the town is surrounded by high mountains on the west, north and east, winds that come from these directions can not reach Alanya and this makes the town a perfect place to grow a variety of plants that are also grow all around the world.
Other than the fruit growing that is done by the townsfolk, there is a fruit production station. The town is capable of producing 500.000 saplings a year thanks to a 1000 decare land since 1938 which is located among the borders of Aþaðý Oba Village on the towns east. Fruits are distributed all around the country starting from Alanya. Though it is not too much, the station is able to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables producted as well worldwide. Some of these are Japanese plum, pomegranate, coffee, walnut, pineapple, guava, avocado, jujube and decoration plants for gardens. Greenhouse cultivation is a common occupation in and around Alanya. Farmers in Alanya can grow and distribute such fruits and vegetables that they can not survive the harsh cold of winter. Banana is also an important source of income other than early grown fruits and vegetables. Alanya’s bananas are very popular and delicious. Citrus fruits, orange, lemon and grapefruit are well known around the country.
Beaches
The coast of Alanya extending about 100 km. is famous with its natural beaches. These beaches are wide and they have Blue Flag. These beaches extending towards the east, is about 24 km and 36 km to the west. In Alanya, the colour of the sea turns to turquoise from blue. In still weather, it is possible to see the fish deep in the sea. In the west, are Damlatas and Cleopatra beaches and in the east are Keykubat and Portakal beaches. Entrance to the beaches and the showers are free. Sunbeds and beach umbrellas are provided for a small payment; however, it is not obligatory to seek this service. At the buffets on the beaches, the prices are fixed. On the beaches, no boats and water sports vehicles are allowed within a certain distance. From the coast, swimming areas are determined with barriers. In the west of Alanya the famous beaches are Alara, İncekum, Avsallar, Türkler, Payallar, Konaklı and in the east; Oba, Tosmur, Kestel, Mahmutlar, Kargıcak, Demirtaş beaches.
Modern Alanya
The Turkish Republic is a secular and democratic state of law, which was founded in 1923, under leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It is currently a member of the European Council and a full membership candidate to the European Union. The unit of currency is Turkish Lira. The right lanes of roads are used for driving vehicles and the maximum permitted travelling speed is 90 km in all express ways. Traffic policemen conduct speed checks at blind spots with radars. The official business hours in Turkey is between 08.00 a.m. and 17.00 p.m. and official weekend breaks are on Saturday and Sunday. Alanya is a remote district of Antalya province, hosting a population of around 308 thousand. Prices are set according to the free market conditions, however, all shops and retailers must use labels to indicate such. Shopping is also allowed in most places using international currencies, led by US Dollars and Euros. Exchange offices are available for exchanging currencies. Several mobile phone operators offer international communication services and phones may use prepaid lines. There are a large number of rental agencies renting cars, jeeps and motorcycles.
All public institutions are closed during religious and national holiday breaks, with the exception of museums. Museums on the other hand stay closed until noon of the first day of religious holidays. As the opening and closing hours of museums may differ greatly between summer and winter months due to daylight saving time, getting information from local authorities is strongly advised.