Strike gold with Altinkum holidays on the Aegean coast

Altinkum Holidays
Altinkum Info
Altinkum Map
Altinkum Offers

Altinkum’s popularity is constantly rising as more travellers discover its beauty and charm. Altinkum means “golden sand” and with its clean, spacious Blue Flag beaches and warm shallow seas, it’s a great place to go if you’re travelling with children. Those keen to soak up the sun can enjoy the many loungers along the beach.

The climate in Altinkum has even been known to have positive health effects due to its low humidity. Travellers can enjoy fantastic snorkelling and diving amongst the nearby reefs, or head to Dolphin Square for a drink or a bite to eat at one of its many bars and restaurants. There is also a Turkish bazaar here selling all kinds of local crafts and gifts.

Other Bodrum resorts

Currency

The official currency is the New Turkish Lira (TRY), which was introduced on 1 January 2005, whereby six zeros were dropped from the TL and the sub-unit New Kurush was created. Currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange booths, post offices, airports and ferry ports; banks have the worst rates and highest commissions, but will exchange lesser known foreign currencies.

Banks open mainly Monday to Friday, but some are open daily in tourist areas. ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas, but Turkish ATM keypads usually do not have letters of the alphabet on their keys. Most bank branches have ATMs which accept Cirrus and Plus. Major credit cards are widely accepted; the most popular are Visa or MasterCard, but American Express is accepted in many of the more expensive places.

Travellers cheques can be exchanged at some banks and currency exchange offices, but are not as welcome as cash or credit cards. US dollars or Euros are preferred. Some pensions and hotels in the most popular destinations accept US dollars as payment.

Altinkum Climate

Both the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers, with temperature often rising above 30ºC (86ºF) in July and August. Showers are unlikely in the summer months, but the rainfall is quite high in winter.

Time

Local time is GMT +2
(GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Language

Turkish is the official language, but English is widely understood
in the main tourist areas.

Shopping

Shopping opportunities, in haggling Turkish style, abound along the pedestrianised seafront of Altinkum, which is packed with souvenir shops, jewellery stores and boutiques selling copies of designer clothing. The main centre is Dolphin Square, and there is a modern shopping complex called the Didyma Shopping Mall not faraway. Self-caterers will find all the provisions they need at thetwo main supermarkets, Gima and Migros, between the seafront and town centre.

Nightlife

While it is not as rowdy as the major Turkish resorts, those whowish to indulge will find plenty of after-dark entertainment andfun in Altinkum, where nightlife is centred mainly in Dolphin Square and in the bars along the sea front promenade. Everythingfrom disco dancing, karaoke and belly-dancing to bingo and pool ison offer, the entertainment fuelled by cheap drinks and cocktails. Clubbers are catered for during the height of the summer season at Medusa, an open-air night club that is regarded as Altinkum's mosthectic party point. Another hot favourite for young people is theDolphin Bar.

Activities

There are sunbeds and umbrellas aplenty to rent on Altinkum'slovely beaches, where the turquoise waters shelve gently allowingfor safe bathing. Those who are more energetic can try their handat windsurfing, jet-skiing, pedaloes, a banana boat ride or perhapsa scuba diving lesson: all these activities and more are availableon the beaches. A variety of tours, boat trips and excursions tosurrounding resorts, towns and historic sites are available, orvisitors can hop on a dolmus (mini-bus) and explore on their ownplaces like the Roman ruins at Ephesus, the Pamukkale spas andcalcium deposits, or the lively resorts of Kusadasi and Bodrum.

Restaurants

Altinkum is bursting with good restaurants serving most forms of international cuisine, although Turkish and traditional Englishpredominates to cater to the demand of holiday makers. Most restaurant menus indicate prices in Sterling, and many are even willing to accept Pounds in payment. With such a feast of eateriesit is difficult to single out any particular establishment, but for the best of British it is hard to beat Ali Babas for friendliness, price and quality. Barneys Restaurant prides itself in introducingvisitors to the delights of Turkish cuisine. For a family group orparty of varied tastes opt for The Grand Restaurant in Dolphin Square, where the menu consists of Turkish, Indian, Chinese andEnglish dishes, all of high standard.