Alanya

General

There are 2 airports in Antalya. One of them is located so closed to city center which is Antalya International Airport and the other (Gazipaşa Airport) is located 175 Km away from main city center.Antalya International Airport is located 12 km away from city center ( Kaleici - Old City) and 25 km from Antalya Main Harbour. There are a few ways you can get from Antalya Airport to City Center or other region of Antalya. Let s have a look at them, so you can go by; AIRPORT TAXI SERVICE By taxi is without doubt the fastest way to leave from Antalya Airport but it is not necessarily the fastest way to get to your destination because of the high coast. It can drive you nuts and usually taxi drivers mostly do not speak any language and insufficient to find the adresses especially in the narrow streets of old city or other regions to drive more and to make more money.Also as you walk out of the main entrance of the terminals, there is always a long queue of taxis waiting to take you to your final destination.The taxis 90 pourcent are 3 seater and there is not enought place for lugguages... There are taxis 7/24 all year long and they will always have change of a 20 Euro note ( This is your right as a customer ) But any bigger note than that, could cause you problems when paying especially late at night. The taxi meter should be in a visible position and it should start at the beginning of the journey and stop as soon as you reach your destination. If the meter is not on you are not obliged to pay the minimum fare unless otherwise agreed before hand.Eating, drinking and smoking are forbidden (Note that smoking become illegal in any enclosed public in Turkey.)See below some of the taxi price from Antalya Airport depending to the final destination: For hotels in Lara, it costs approximently 25-30 Euro for 3 seater vehicle For hotels in Belek, it costs approximently 50-60 Euro for 3 seater vehicle For hotels in Side, it costs approximently 75-85 Euro for 3 seater vehicle For hotels in Kaleici, it costs approximently 30-35 Euro for 3 seater vehicle For hotels in Alanya, it costs approximently 85-90 Euro for 3 seater vehicle For hotels in Kemer, it costs approximently 75-85 Euro for 3 seater vehicle For hotels in Tekirova, it costs approximently 90-95 Euro for 3 seater vehicle PUBLİC BUS SERVİCE There is local public bus going to Antalya City Center once in very half hour. It is going until Main bus station. it costs 4 Turkish Lira ( almost 2 Euro) per person. it takes around 1 hour trip from Airport to last station. It is moving from domestic terminal and international terminal 2. it doesn t exist in terminal 1. You can have public bus from last station to go to Kemer, Tekirova, Belek, Side, Alanya or other regions of Antalya. The trip takes long time by bus and especially on summer time, it is irresistible with the lugguage... PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER SERVICE COMPAGNY The airport transfer service is, as you may have already guessed, a private service. You prebook these service mostly online from internet, the price depends on destination as it is private. That way is one of the fastest and most cheapest way to arrive to final destination. They work any time of the day. They are fully insured and they give receipt also after payment. You pay the cost mantionned on the voucher.There are a vairety of airport transfer providers such as: www.voyagetransfers.com www.rivieratransfers.com www.scandinaviatransfers.com http://antalyaairporttransfer.co.uk www.transfersantalya.com www.tr-transfer.com

Language

The local language spoken is Turkish however it is easy to communicate in English, Russian and German.

Currency

The currency is the Turkish Lira

Visa requirements

Immediately after arriving in Alanya, you can buy the tourist visa for € 15 which is available at any border. During the trip to Turkey, your passport must still be valid for at least 3 months. The visa is valid for only 30 days. After having received the Visa you can travel to Alanya via bus, the airport is about 120 km away from Alanya.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are not needed.

Communication

There are no adaptors needed for European citizens as they have the same plugs. There is accessible network therefore mobiles should work without a problem; however you do need the roaming option on your phone in order to use it.

Traditions and Culture

Until recently Alanya was a small city however, tourists quickly discovered the sandy beaches of Alanya and every year more and more tourists started visiting Alanya in the summer. It now is one of the most popular tourist resorts.It is believed that a settlement was founded by Greek colonists. It was named Kalonoros. Then it was subsequently taken over by pirates from Cilicia. After the pirates, the Romans conquered the city. Mark Anthony gave Cleopatra the city. In 1221 the town was overrun by the Seljuk sultan, who gave it its current name. Traditions / Religion 99% of the Turkish population professes Islam. The Turks live in the religious Shiite areas in the south-east of Turkey. The majority of Turks are from birth introduced to the Muslim religion and know the five basic principles of Islam, although it is not always strictly enforced. The main point of Islam, as in other Arab countries is the belief in Allah (one God) and his prophet Muhammad. They pray 5 times a day and at least once in their life they participate in almsgiving and fasting during Ramadaan. However, Turkish Islam is more liberal. Ramadan is a quiet period in Turkey, a day of silence; however at night they have a celebration.

Experience and enjoy

Lifestyle / Sights If you're in Alanya it is worth visiting:- The Red Tower, built by the architect of Syrian Arabic.- Ethnographic Museum- Ottoman era shipyard- The ruins of the fort- Alanya Museum- Cave dripping stone, full of stalactites and stalagmites, with warm and humid air, which has a positive effect on people with asthma.- TL-cave in the middle of the water which is bright green- You can also relax on the beach of Cleopatra, who is considered the finest beach in Alanya.

Events

Turkey is a country rich in culture and there is something of interest for everyone. The major holidays are national holidays, such as:January 1 - New YearApril 23 - Independence Day and the Day of the Child.August 30 - Liberation DayOctober 29 - Republic Day.November 10 - Day of the death of Atatürk.In addition to public holidays in Turkey are a number of religious holidays such as Ramadan (the annual fasting month), Kurban Bayrami (Feast of Sacrifice) and Ramadan Bayrami (a 3-day festival at the end of Ramadan).

Food

The Turkish cuisine has many great dishes to offer. The Turkish cuisine is influenced by Greek, Bulgarian and Turkish tastes. Known to us a kebab includes sliced ​​meat, bread with tomato sauce and vegetables. If you choose a kebab you can slightly change the form by choosing rice or fries instead of the bread. Turkey is also very popular in the Gözleme. These are pancakes with minced meat and spices. If you prefer a lighter soup corba is highly recommended. For dessert the most popular dish is a baklava (layers of pastry layered with honey, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, soaked with icing).