Altinkum Holidays
Altinkum Holidays – A lively beach town on the Aegean Coast
With some of the most beautiful beaches on Turkey’s Aegean Coast and impressive nearby historical sites such as the Temple of Apollo, it’s no wonder Altinkum has become a mecca for British holidaymakers. This is a small but bustling seaside town, with a modern town centre filled with restaurants, bars and shops, as well as an older quarter with harbour at the west end.
Altinkum certainly packs a punch for its size, with a wide range of attractions for everyone. First there are the three long, golden sandy beaches, lined with beach bars and cafes - ideal for relaxing in the sun. Those interested in Turkey’s fascinating ancient culture can take a trip to the spectacular ruins at Ephesus and Pamukkale which are both within driving distance. While the nightlife here is not as frenetic as Bodrum or Istanbul, there are still plenty of bars – mainly centred around Dolphin Square and the seafront promenade – ad there’s even an open-air nightclub; Medusa.
For shopping you can explore the Didyma Shopping Mall, or try your hand at haggling in the local Saturday market in Didim, a short dolmus ride away. This is a great resort for families or couples looking for a mix of beach relaxation and a vibrant nightlife scene.
When to go
The busiest time to visit Altinkum is the summer period of June-August, when the sun is at its hottest. This is also the most expensive time however – particularly over the July-August school summer holiday period. For less crowded beaches and cooler temperatures, consider visiting in spring or autumn. Strenuous outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking will be a lot more manageable and prices will be lower during these seasons. For those who like to swim in the sea, September and October have the warmest sea temperatures.
The weather in Altinkum
Holidays to Altinkum enjoy a lovely warm climate, with over 300 days of sunshine a year and soothing sea breezes sweeping in from the Aegean. April and May are the spring months, with temperatures ranging from 21-26C. June marks the onset of summer, with the mercury jumping up to around 30C before rising to 33C through July and August. September starts out almost as hot at 29C, before cooling until the autumn sets in from late September through to October to 25C. November –March is the winter season, slightly cooler and wetter than the winter period in the south western area of the country, with temperatures ranging between 14-20C.
Getting the best deal
For the best deals on peak season holidays, it’s wise to book well in advance. Being a relatively small but popular resort, the best priced rooms will sell like hot cakes, so you need to get in quick to get a good deal. If you choose to visit outside the peak season, you’ll benefit from lower prices, plus there’s a higher chance of picking up a last-minute bargain.
Booking an all-inclusive holiday to Altinkum is another good way of keeping a tight rein on your holiday spending, as all meals and drinks are paid for in advance. 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 Altinkum is the Milas-Bodrum Airport (BJV). This is a large, modern airport, built in the late 90’s. It has a spacious international terminal and a domestic terminal, with a second international under construction due to be completed sometime in 2012. The airport has cafes, duty-free shops, cash machines, money exchange facilities, restaurants and car hire. Note that it is much cheaper to buy goods such as cigarettes, alcohol and perfume in Altinkum than it is in the airport.
Flights from the UK to Bodrum Airport are limited between November-March. Come April, there is a much wider range on offer operating from most UK airports.
You can fly here from a number of UK airports, including London Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, and smaller regional hubs such as East Midlands and Bristol. The journey takes around 4 hours.
Altinkum is around 70km north-west of Bodrum Airport. It takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the resort by road. There is a 24-hour taxi service that runs from the airport, with cabs waiting outside the Arrivals hall at the international terminal. A large sign indicates the price of the fares to various destinations; you can expect to pay around £50 for a one way fare.
Alternatively, you can pre-book a private taxi, or opt for a shared shuttle taxi – usually a minivan. Sharing a taxi is a much more cost effective option, with fares costing around £10 per person each way. However the journey may be longer, depending on the number of other passengers’ and their drop off points. You can pre-book private and shuttle taxi hire with Felix travel.
It is possible to catch a public bus to Altinkum. This is a far cheaper option at around £5, but can take a lot longer, with a journey time of over 2 hours. Simply catch a HAVAS bus into Bodrum city centre 32km away, and from the central bus station there catch a bus direct to Altinkum.
The best beaches in Altinkum
Altinkum has three large, golden sandy beaches that shelve gently into the azure Aegean Sea. They are named ‘Main’ or ‘1st beach, 2nd beach and 3rd beach. The water is warm, shallow and calm; ideal for non-swimmer or young children. An attractive beachfront bustles with bars, cafes and small restaurants; great for some refreshment or respite from the sun. You’ll find sun loungers, parasols and plenty of watersports including donut rings, banana boats and pedaloes.
Walk westwards along the beach to the small harbour and you can arrange boat trips to small secluded coves along the coast, as well as scuba diving and fishing trips.
Second beach is also known as Tuntas Beach and has a number of lovely seafront cafes, along with plenty of water sports. It is smaller than the main beach and can get very busy during the peak summer period, so get here early to reserve a spot!
Third beach is found next to the harbour and also offers a range of restaurants, bars and watersports.
