Situated on Turkey's southern coast, Alanya is a popular Turkish holiday resort framed by the pine clad hills of the Taurus Mountains. Alanya holidays hold the promise of hot summer days, fantastic beaches and gentle lapping waters that are perfect for swimming and water sports. The city of Alanya is located on a peninsula that forms the main section of what is considered the Turkish Riviera. Much of the fun and sun of holidays in Alanya takes place in the lively harbour area, where boats and yachts bob up and down on the water as they come and go throughout the day. In the evening the harbour comes alive with revelers enjoying bars, restaurants and traditional entertainment venues, frequented by locals and visitors alike.

There is plenty for the keen shopper to enjoy about a holiday in Alanya, with a good range of jewelers and clothing boutiques offering silver and gold items and all manner of leather and fabrics, all sold with the requisite haggling typical of the area. You can enjoy the traditional tastes of Turkish cuisine in the restaurants and tavernas of Alanya harbour, but there are plenty of examples of international cuisine alongside the ubiquitous fast food joints.

There is no shortage of historical interest to enjoy on a holiday in Alanya. The 13th century Seljuk Fortress is just one example of the numerous preserved buildings and walls dating back to antiquity. There are 150 towers running along the full length of the walls of the citadel, as well as various ruins of religious buildings and temples. A natural attraction of Alanya is the Damlatas Caves, which maintains an almost constant temperature of 72 degrees, and features an incredible array of strange rock formations.

For many visitors to Alanya, holidays are all about spending time stretched out on the beach by day, and partying the night away in the bars of the town, well into the early hours. There is more than enough opportunity to enjoy exactly that sort of beach holiday, but Alanya thankfully manages to maintain its demure authentic Turkish appeal, as well as having a great party atmosphere. To work on your tan with as much vigor as possible, the hot summer months are the best time for holidays in Alanya. However, the mild spring and autumn weather means there is scope to visit this fantastic area at other times of the year as well, and the beaches are quieter too!