Konakli holidays

Holidays to Konakli are all about lazy beach days beside the Taurus Mountains, with a side of sightseeing in Alanya.

Traditional Turkey

This peaceful coastal town’s slotted between Alanya and Side, along Antalya's popular coast. It’s right near the Taurus Mountain range so everywhere you look you’ll see mountains covered in pine trees with the sweet aroma wafting into the town. And, where there’s not mountainous landscape to admire, you can feast your eyes on widescreen views of the Mediterranean Sea. Hotels are starting to set up shop along the shore, acting as a quiet base for people to pop into Alanya. But this place doesn’t lack the local touch, so it’s easy to get a slice of authentic Turkey alongside your dose of sand and sea.

Bathe like Cleopatra

You’ve got a beach on your doorstep here – it’s a sandy bay called Konakli Beach. The shore runs all along the town, so there’s lots of room to lay out your towel. There’s also a pier where you can hire a sunlounger if you want to be right by the sea without the sand. Cleopatra Beach is worth a visit, too. It’s a 20-minute drive away, and legend has that it was one of Egyptian queen Cleopatra’s favourite swimming spots, thanks to the warm and clear waters which still remain to this day. These days it’s got the modern addition of watersports – you can jet-ski, hire pedalos or paraglide from the surrounding mountains.

Sights and slides

Alanya’s just 20 minutes’ drive down the road. You’ve got lots of options, whether you want family fun or a dose of sightseeing. There are also lots of bars and restaurants where you can try Turkish classics like kebabs and mezzes, too. You could start the day at Alanya Aquapark – it’s got 22 waterslides, a rafting trail and a wave pool. Then, for a bit of culture it’s off to the Alanya’s town centre to eye up an ancient castle and the Red Tower that goes with it, perched on the edge of the harbour by the stone walls which enclose the town.