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| Altinkum Travel Guide: Altinkum - my second home
| | Written by Ann1956 on 07 Jul 2006 about a trip in Jun 2006.
Trip was for a single traveller on holiday. Ann1956 would definitely visit again.
| About Altinkum | | Altinkum is a resort with something for everyone!
There are 3 main beaches - 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The main beach stretches from the harbour to the far end of the restaurants. 2nd beach is approx 10 minutes walk from 1st, beside Orion Hotel with more bars. 3rd beach is reached by free minibus and is much quieter than the main beach. It is where you will find watersports.
A short dolmus ride will take you to the local saturday market, where you can haggle for clothes, hats, handbags or anything else that takes your fancy. Or if you want to sample the culture a short bus ride will take you to the Temple of Apollo.
During the day you will also find the harbour, where daily boat trips leave from.
Turn left along the beach and you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to eating. From fast food to Chateau Briand - there's something for every taste. Pinocchio's probably boasts the widest choice of authentic Turkish cuisine which is usually brought to your table with a fire show. This year you will get 3YTL to the £1, whereas last year it was 2.3. so even though prices may seem to have risen, many restaurants are actually cheaper than last year.
In short - Altinkum has something for all ages, and all tastes. The most friendly place I've ever been. |
Getting to Altinkum | | | Bodrum is the closest airport. It is approximately one and a half hours by transfer coach, or a lot less if you book a private transfer. This will cost approximately £45 each way for up to 4 people. Taxis, however, are quite expensive. |
Getting around Altinkum | | The local 'dolmus' - or minibus, is the cheapest form of transport and also the most crowded! Taxis are quite cheap in the resort, but always get a price first if you are going further afield. Don't drive if you are of a nervous disposition! |
Altinkum attractions |   8.0 | All three beaches are of a very high standard. 1st beach gets very crowded during the Turkish holiday in July. The sea is very clear and shallow for about 100 metres, so it is ideal for children and those of us with little confidence in the water!
For a piece of the local culture visit the Temple of Apollo - a 10 minute dolmus ride. |
Altinkum restaurants | 10.0 | | There are many restaurants - mainly along 1st beach. You can get anything from a burger to Chateau Briand! Restaurants usually open at 8am and close at 1am. Be adventurous - try the local dishes. They are not particularly spicy - although if you ask they will add extra chilli for you! Many Turkish dishes have a tomato, onion and garlic base. Some restaurants have a 'pide' (Turkish pizza) wood burning oven, and some bake fresh 'lavas' which is served before your meal with chilli or yogurt and garlic dips. Pinocchio's is one of the restaurants which does this. They also have the widest choice of authentic Turkish cuisine that I have seen in Altinkum. Many dishes come to your table accompanied by a fire show, so you can be assured the food is piping hot. All ingredients are fresh daily. There are also a couple of Chinese and Indian restaurants - but why not save that for home and sample the local dishes. You won't be disappointed! Try a 'Testi kebab' in an earthen pot - delicious!! |
Altinkum nightlife | 10.0 | Come down the main road to the beach and turn right and you will find bars and nightlife. Plenty of choice for the young - and the young at heart. From the open air 'Roof Top Bar' to 'Galaxy' or 'Seal'. Party until the early hours!
Plenty bars and nightclubs along 1st beach towards the harbour. Also set back on road behind beach or along main road. Medusa is probably largest nightclub and is between 1st and 2nd beaches.
It is usually a safe place, but it always pays to be careful, and always keep a close eye or a hand on your bag or wallet. |
Altinkum shopping | 10.0 | Shopping is great! There is a shopping centre at the bottom of the main road, just before the beach. You will find clothes, shoes, bags, beautiful tablecloths, bed linnen etc. etc. My favourite is the jewellery. All gold is 14k and very good quality if you buy from larger jewellers. Always barter!!
I have several pieces of jewellery that I've bought over the years, and when I have it valued in the UK it is usually worth double what I paid!
The saturday market is great for clothes, bags etc. It's also worth the trip to see all the fresh fruit and veg! |
When to visit Altinkum | Unless you are a great sun-worshipper, and not put off by crowded beaches, avoid July and August, when temperatures can soar to 45c. This is when thousands of Turks flock to Altinkum for their annual holiday!
May, June, September and October are still hot, but not unbearably so. Although the 'season' doesn't officially start until May, April is a lovely time to visit. There are not many direct flights then, but it is possible to travel to Izmir - a 2 hour car journey away. |
Altinkum day trips | | | There are several boat trips which leave every day from the harbour. Most take in 5 bays where you will get the chance to swim in the sea. Lunch is served on the boat. A great opportunity to relax and get a fantastic tan! Taffy's boat has more on offer, including a trip to nearby Akbuk market, or an evening fishing trip. If you like horse-riding you can book a horse safari along the cliffs and beach behind the Apollon Temple. To see more of ancient Turkey a trip to Ephesus is worth taking. There you will find ancient ruins and an amphitheatre. Make the short journey from the car park to the main entrance in a horse and trap through orange groves. Beautiful! |
Altinkum events | | The Muslim fast of Ramazan takes place every year. This year I believe it begins mid September. It lasts for one month. During this time Muslims can not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset - so be patient. Not many of us could last all day in those temperatures without a sip of water!
If you go into a restaurant or cafe at the time when they are breaking their fast respect their beliefs and give the staff a couple of minutes to do this together. |
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All Altinkum Travel Guides | The travel guides below were written by diytravel.co.uk members who have visited Altinkum in Turkey. To write your own guide, click the 'Add Guide' button above.
| Altinkum guide | | 8.0 | A Great Week in Altinkum | | Shopping was good, plenty of 'designer' goods to be found in the many shops along the beach front. The main shopping center at the bottom of the Ataturk Blvrd is your best bet though. There is... |
| Altinkum guide | | 10.0 | Altinkum - a great place for families and couples | | The Temple of Apollo located in altinkum was called the Didymaion in ancient times. The Greek traveller Pausanias who travelled during 160A.D. recorded that the temple was constructed even before... |
| Altinkum guide | | 8.8 | Best holiday I've ever had! | | We flew straight from London Luton airport into Bodrum which was very straightforward. We then had a 90 minute transfer from the airport to our hotel. All very easy.The easiest way to get around is... |
| Altinkum guide | | 5.0 | beautiful place - best in turkey | | loads of history and culture if you want itdolmus is really good value - if a bit hot!just love wandering down the front and mingling with all the turks eating their nuts lol...and watching the ABO... |
| Altinkum guide | | 9.5 | Altinkum - my second home | | Altinkum is a resort with something for everyone!
There are 3 main beaches - 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The main beach stretches from the harbour to the far end of the restaurants. 2nd beach is approx 10... |
| Altinkum guide | | I live here | | i have lived here for 4 years and wouldnt chang it for the uk any day.best to go the local dolmus mini bus most understand eng so give it a golots of things to do boat trips diving trips fishing... |
| Altinkum guide | | 7.7 | mint place 2 go | | i have been going to altinkum now for about 4 years and the last time i went was just as good as the first i would advise this place to any one. its got everything you need if you are the type of... |
| Altinkum guide | | A great big thumbs up to Altinkum. | | This was our first visit to Turkey and quite honestly I was not sure what to expect. After arriving in the early hours of the morning and then going to bed until lunchtime the next day, we wondered... |
| Altinkum guide | | July is extremely busy due to Turkish national holidays. | | Just returned from a 2 week stay in Altinkum and have to say what a lovely little resort. The people are friendly the food is great. Plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. And cheap. Only... |
| Altinkum guide | | Absolutely love it! | | I've been to Altinkum twice on the trot now an absolutely love it! We are now good friends with a couple of our favourite bar's staff (Churchill’s and eddy's cafe) Everyone is really friendly! It has... |
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Altinkum: Dolmus to the Milli Park and Doganbey