The Turkish Riviera has over 300 days of sunshine. So it’s not surprising that Alanya has become a popular resort with Irish and Europeans alike. Situated on the Mediterranean Coast and just north of Cyprus, Alanya is often referred to as the Jewel of the Turkish Riviera.

Whether it's a quiet meal or lively bars and nightclubs you're after, Alanya has something for everyone. The most famous beach in Alanya is Cleopatra Beach. Legend has it that this is where Cleopatra met Mark Anthony. With strong influences from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, the history of Alanya can be traced back thousands of years.

Alanya is a beautiful holiday centre of modern hotels and motels, numerous fish restaurants and cafes and bars. The cafes that ring the harbour have become popular gathering places for tourists. From the town's lovely park, the road runs along the coast to the harbour, lined with countless boutiques that tempt tourists with handicrafts, leather, clothes, jewellery, handbags and the amusing painted gourds, a symbol of the area.

If you enjoy exploring you should visit the Damlatas Cave to see the eerie rock formations. Near Damlatas cave is the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, (Open weekdays except Monday). A must for any history buff

Located only 25 minutes from Antalya airport you will find this holiday paradise surrounded by a beautiful nature, with the Taurus Mountains sweeping down to the crystal clear sea forming an irregular coastline on rocky headlands. Here you will discover a rich fauna and flora, history, archaeological sites, museums and bazaars. All this, together with the international golf courses and football fields, have put Belek on the world map.

In Belek with its surroundings there are seven international golf courses, 32 5-4 star hotels with conference facilities, a tennis club with 33 tennis courts, 5 football facilities for professional players and a great number of different water sports. During wintertime one can chose on swimming in the sea, playing golf or go skiing in Saklıkent, which is about 40 km north from Antalya.

For those wishing to experience some cultural history there is a number of attractions nearby. During summer concerts, classical music, opera and ballets are performed at the almost 2000 year old amphitheatre Aspendos. Or why not visit the antique city Perge or Termessos which is built 1500 meters up in the Taurus Mountains. During the hottest days a trip to one of the waterfalls nearby, Düden, Kursunlu or Manavgat, can be cooling for both body and soul.

During spring the Caretta caretta sea turtle return to lay their eggs on or near the same beach where they hatched. The Caretta caretta can be up to 1-2 meter long and weigh up to 100-150 kg.

In Belek and in Kadriye there is a rich choice of shopping. You will find it pleasant to stroll around in the small streets lined by low buildings. The towns have together chosen to market the region by the name of Belek. In Kadriye there are approximately 13 000 inhabitants and in Belek about 11 000.

In 2004 Gardens of religions opened in Kadriye, the second in the world, where a church, a synagogue and a mosque are built on the same spot. Everyone is welcome here and the place has become very popular for marriages

Altinkum is a busy resort which has been receptive to the demands of the European holiday-maker. This resort has grown directly behind the beach and Altinkum refers to the beach area, Didim is the name of the actual town. Most of the locals working here speak English and the centre of the resort is full of restaurants and bars to satisfy the European palate.

The main beach in Altinkum (often referred to as First Beach) is a large bay of golden sand with incredibly shallow waters and therefore it is very popular. There are a couple of other sandy bays, the one to the left-hand side is broken by a headland but can be accessed by the beachfront promenade. All the beaches of Altinkum are Blue Flag rated and are manned by lifeguards, so they are incredibly clean and safe. Watersports are plentiful here so there is always something to watch or participate in.

Altinkum receives a high number of repeat guests as well as being a sought after destination by Turkish holidaymakers. Dolphin Square no longer exists but the Tea Garden still remains and is a great place to sit whilst familiarising yourself with the resort and watching the world go by. Supermarket chains such as Migros, Tansas and Carrefour (which is open 24 hours) are located along the main Didyma to Altinkum road making it easy to self-cater and buy provisions.

The Saturday Bazaar is also at the top end of the town plus the old town of Didim and the ruins of Branchidai at Didyma, the site of an ancient temple which has been excavated since 1873, with wonderfully preserved inscriptions including the head of Medusa. Altinkum has developed into a lively destination with plenty to do night and day which is why we have chosen accommodation to suit all tastes, both close to the centre and a little further back. The sights of Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Bodrum are additional attractions easily accessible from Altinkum and shouldn’t be missed.