Colakli Holidays
Colakli Holidays - A small, laid back resort close to Side
Colakli is a small, laid-back resort on the southern coast of Turkey in the Antalya region. Don’t come here expecting frenetic clubbing or bustling crowds; this resort is all about peace, quiet and relaxation. Huge beaches of soft white sand shelve gently into the warm aquamarine Mediterranean waters, providing an excellent place to top up your tan. The seafront has an attractive promenade packed with beach front bars and restaurants; a great place to watch the sunset with a refreshing cocktail.
If you fancy a change from the chilled-out pace of Colakli, the historic old town of Side is just 4 miles further up the coast. Here you’ll find a vibrant nightlife scene, and attractive harbour, two long sandy beaches and numerous cultural attractions including the crumbling Roman Temple of Apollo and huge 15,000 seat Amphitheatre.
Windsurfing and canoeing are popular activities to try, or you could hire a traditional Turkish sail boat (gulet) and explore the sandy coves along the coast. This is a great option for older couples or families with small children who are looking for a quiet, peaceful location, but with easy access to the larger, busier resorts in the region. Younger couples and families with older children may find the Colakli a little too quiet for their tastes.
When to go
If you’re a beach lover who likes the sun hot, Colakli holidays are best taken in the summer months of June-August when temperatures are at their highest. This is peak season however, so holiday prices will be more expensive and the crowds will be bigger. For those who prefer a cooler climate, spring and autumn offer plenty of sunshine at lower temperatures, less crowds and lower priced accommodation. These seasons are also more favourable for outdoor pursuits such as hiking and cycling.
Lovers of jazz, opera and ballet should consider visiting the resort in June. Around 40 minutes’ drive away at the huge ancient Roman amphitheatre in Aspendos, the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival and Aspendos Jazz Festivals annually at the beginning of summer.
The weather in Colakli
The hottest months in Colakli are between June-August, with average temperatures of 30-33C and highs periodically hitting the late 30’s and even early 40’s. You will see long sunny days over these months, with 12-13 hours sunshine a day on average. Spring (April-May) is cooler at between 21-25C, as is autumn (late September-October) at between 27-31C. November-March is considered the winter period, but even at this time you’ll see 17-21C up to December, and 15-18C from December to March. Winter sun holidays are definitely on option here, although there is an increased chance of rainfall and the resort will virtually empty over this period.
Getting the best deal
To get the cheapest prices, you should consider visiting outside peak season. If you do wish to travel in the summer months and don’t have to travel over the school holidays, June will generally be cheaper than July. April-May and September-October are considered off-peak, and will see lower accommodation rates as well as the chance to pick up last minute bargains. Last minute bargains are less easy to come by in the peak summer period, as demand is higher. For peak season bookings, you’re more likely to save money by booking as early as possible, as the most popular hotels will sell out fast.
Consider an all-inclusive holiday to Colakli. All your meals and drinks are paid for upfront, giving you a tighter rein on your holiday spending. On the other side of the coin, a self-catering break is a good way to save cash for those who are happy to prepare their own meals while away. Find the best prices we have to offer by looking at the deals below or alternatively by visiting our late deals offers here.
Airport and transport need to know
The nearest airport to Colakli is the Antalya International Airport (AYT). This is a bustling, modern hub with three terminals; two international (T1 & T2) and one domestic (T3). There is a good selection of bars, restaurants and shops servicing the Arrivals, Departures and lounge areas. You’ll find money exchange facilities at both international terminals, and cash machines at T1.
Flights operate from numerous UK airports to Antalya, including from London Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, Edinburgh, Manchester and Cardiff, and smaller regional hubs such as Leeds Bradford and Bristol.
You can catch a taxi to Colakli from outside the Arrivals halls at the international terminals. There will be a large, unmissable queue of taxis with a sign indicating the prices to the various resorts. Before you get in the car, make sure you have agreed the price with the driver to avoid a shock when you get to the resort. You should expect to pay around £50 or the journey, and it will take just under an hour.
A cheaper way of getting a taxi is to take a shared one – these generally come in the form of a minivan and you will share the cost of the journey with other passengers. The cost the journey in a shared shuttle taxi is around £15 per person. The journey is likely to take longer however, depending on how many stops have to be made and where. You can expect the journey time to increase by up to 50 minutes when taking this option. Private taxis and shared taxis can be pre-booked from reputable companies like HolidayTaxis.com.
Many people opt to hire a car for the duration of their holiday. Provided you are happy to drive on the right hand side of the road and you don’t mind navigating your way to the resort, this can be a good way of getting to Colakli from the airport. You can expect to pay between £20-£35 a day depending on the model and size of car. Companies such as Argus Car Hire and others at the airport will arrange this service.
The best beaches in Colakli
While Colakli itself is fairly small and low-key, it benefits from being close to some larger, lively resorts nearby. As such, while Colakli’s own beach will be more than enough to keep beach-lovers happy, there is also the opportunity to explore more of the coast nearby – particularly at neighbouring Side.
Colakli beach
Colakli beach is a seemingly endless stretch of fine, golden sand stretching into the warm blue Mediterranean. Many of the larger beach front hotels have their own ‘private’ stretch of beach, and the public beach area in the front of the resort proper can become very busy in peak season. Fortunately however, due to the beaches size you just need to walk 10 minutes down along the coast and you can be completely alone. You’ll find plenty of sun loungers and parasols here, as well as an attractive promenade lined with beach cafes, bars and small restaurants. The beach also has a variety of watersports, from banana boast to pedaloes.
Side’s Sorgun beach
Around 20 miles up the coast from Colakli you’ll find the bustling beach resort of Side. There are two large, popular beaches here, each with its own distinct character. The eastern of ‘Sorgun’ beach (named after a nearby village) is the less-developed of the two, offering peace and tranquillity. It is backed by sand dunes and has plenty of amenities, from sun loungers and parasols to watersports including jet-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and banana boating.
Side’s Kemer beach
The western beach, also known as the Kemer beach, is the better of the two for admiring the sunset. It stretches for around 10km and is more developed than the Sorgun beach, with cafes, beach bars and restaurants lined along the promenade behind. This beach is favoured by families due to the calmer waters and fewer rocks.
USEFUL LINKS:
http://www.taxfreetravel.com/Antalya%20Airport
http://www.flightmapping.com/europe/turkey/antalya
