We may already be in the midst of Pumpkin Spiced Latte and foliage season, and all around the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures keep dropping below the acceptable 70 degrees, but it’s come to our attention that certain European destinations did not get the memo:
Whether it’s the sunny Algarve or an idyllic Malta, there are a handful of Old World spots that are dragging out the length of summer––not that we’re complaining––and though not always remembered, this undiscovered European oasis is one of them.
Offering balmy weather, unspoiled beaches and believe it or not, cheap Mediterranean-front hotels, Alanya in Türkiye is the continent’s most underrated fall getaway:
Europe Or Asia?
Before you scroll down to the comment section to denounce a supposed geographical inaccuracy, let’s make one thing clear: we know around 97% of Türkiye is in fact located in Asia, including the town in question.
That being said, for all purposes, it’s commonly considered a European destination.
Think about it: the Turkish Coast is only a short half-hour boat ride from a number of Greek islands, or even a literal stone’s throw away, it lines the same sea, and if we’re to dive deep into History, that continental divide becomes all but a construct:
There were parts of Türkiye that were predominantly Greek at one point and parts of Greece that had a significant Turkish minority, and as a whole, the Mediterranean is a melting pot of cultures that both clash with and complement one another
For the sake of making this a fun read for all, let’s leave those technicalities aside, shall we? So… where were we? Oh, yes that forgotten slice of paradise that goes by the (equally beautiful-sounding) name of Alanya:
Alanya. Not Antalya.
While Antalya is a bustling Mediterranean port that’s made a name for itself already on the tourism front, Alanya is the smaller, far more laid-back, more offbeat sister, tucked away in a quieter end of the Turkish Riviera, and is harder to reach to an extent.
The closest major airport is still Antalya International, though that’s a whole 70 miles away, and unless you’re going out of your way to specifically visit Alanya on a sunny trip to Türkiye, chances are you’d be missing it altogether.
Here’s why you shouldn’t:
If you’re a culture buff like us, then you’ve come to the right place: Alanya is one of the most historically-charged towns in all of the Mediterranean, having served as a naval base for countless successive empires, from the Romans to the Byzantines to the Ottomans.
The town itself is the stuff of (oriental) fairytales: with its winding streets lined by souvenir shops and casual eateries, colorful bazaars, imposing minarets, and traditional covered balconies, it is a lively medieval maze we wouldn’t mind getting lost in for a couple of hours.
Other than being a sensory overload, Alanya is home to a number of ancient structures, most notably Alanya Castle, perched on a prominent hill atop the urban sprawl, and the striking Red Tower which dominates the harbor, with defensive walls running along the turquoise Med.
And here we get to the actual good part:
Stunning Mediterranean Beaches
If you’ve been looking for inventive ways to extend that summer bliss just a tad longer, look no further than sun-drenched Alanya and its paradisiacal beaches.
None of the ruggedness of the Italian coast, and certainly none of Croatia’s irksome pebbles: here it’s mostly fine golden sands, whether it’s the busy Damlatas Beach, or the more secluded Incekum some 30-minutes driving outside town.
You can even visit a beach that was once frequented 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 yet to see waters as crystal-clear and as inviting.
Oh, and if you’re wondering whether the seas are still warm enough for swimming in October, must we remind you this is the Mediterranean? Unlike other parts of Southern Europe, it’s still a pleasant 75.2 degrees in the water, so don’t be afraid to jump right in!
How Warm Is Alanya In The Fall?
Weather-wise, Alanya is one of the warmest Mediterranean destinations this fall: believe it or not, it can get as hot as 80 degrees during the day, as late as October––as for the average daily minimum, that’s still a very mild 68 degrees.
According to Europe-based travel agency TUI, you have a 70% chance of a perfectly-sunny day in Alanya this season, with a 30% chance of seeing ‘some clouds’, while rainfall is limited to only 39mm for the entire month.
In other words, it doesn’t get more summery than this anywhere in Europe this late in the year––perhaps in some Greek islands just off the Turkish mainland or maybe the increasingly-trendy Cyprus, but either way, they can’t beat Alanya on one thing:
How cheap everything is, considering this is a sunny Mediterranean destination boasting perfect weather well into the colder winter months:
Alanya Is An Affordable Beach Getaway This Fall
Türkiye is one of the least expensive Mediterranean hotspots out there, and before you rush down to the comment section to denounce how actually that’s no longer the case, rightfully pointing out the country’s volatile inflation, hear us out:
Yes, it’s got more expensive compared to what it was five, or even three years ago, and no, it’s still not in the same price range as Italy, France, Croatia and the like––both of these things can be true at the same time.
That being established, how actually cheap is Alanya in particular?
Kebabs For As Cheap As $5
As it turns out, it is less than you would expect, and you have the absence of a major international within the city’s immediate vicinity, and its relative obscurity compared to a much-more famous Antalya to thank for:
Everything from food to accommodation is less pricey here compared to other Turkish hotspots, starting with the grub: you can find the usual doner and soft drink combo for under $5 in street-corner takeouts; as for more elaborate dinners, $17.50 is a reasonable ask in a mid-range restaurant.
For a special occasion meal for two in a beachfront restaurant like Merlot, where they serve incredible Mediterranean food, set aside some $75 – $80, and as for the booze, beer buffs, it’s your time to rejoice: that’s an affordable $3.50 for a pint, as per Numbeo estimates.
Beachfront Stays From $68 A Night
When it comes to hotels, the best-reviewed property with the lowest price on Booking.com is Comfort Apart, where a whole fully-furnished apartment with balcony will set you back by $68 a night––and within 700 meters from the beach!
If you’d prefer a more laid-back hotel stay with breakfast instead, and an exceptional continental spread at that, Ada Port Hotel is the adults-only haven you’ve been looking for: located a bit out of town, in a quiet stretch of pristine coast, double rooms with garden views cost $78 here.
Keep your eyes peeled for those all-inclusive deals, also, with rates as cheap as $117 a night at the 4-star Villa Sunflower Beach Hotel––mid-range all-inclusives in Türkiye are nowhere near the level of luxury you get in the Caribbean, probably, but it’s good enough.
Just, you know, don’t expect every meal to be haute cuisine.
For a truly luxurious experience, you might want to consider staying at Wome (not women) Deluxe Hotel, as long as you have no reservations about halal meat: from $227 a night, you get a standard double room overlooking the Anatolian mountains and incredible food and amenities.
It has a private beach and a tennis court, and you may even request an airport shuttle from Antalya Airport.
All of this amazingness for under $300 a night in the blooming Mediterranean? We’re not sure about the whining Joes out there who will always find something to complain about, but we call that a steal of a deal!
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