Are you heading to Europe this summer, but you’re dreading the thought of spending hundreds of euros a night, if not thousands, on an Amalfi or Greek island getaway?
Despair not: there is a much cheaper alternative, with seas an unbelievable turquoise color, an Old Town dating back to ancient times, and the cheapest all-inclusive hotels across the pond.
Experts at Britain-based agency TravelSupermarket have scoured the map of Europe for the most affordable sunny getaway this year, and they’ve reached the conclusion it’s Alanya, in Türkiye (formerly called Turkey), that takes the crown:
Turquoise Seas, Ancient Wonders & It’s Dirt Cheap
You might have heard of Antalya, with its lively Konyaaltı beach and a plethora of Greek and Roman ruins, where beachfront stays start from an affordable $62-a-night and grabbing a takeout Döner kebab for dinner will cost you an average of five bucks.
Antalya is one of Türkiye’s most popular destinations, and it tends to overshadow smaller, more offbeat spots nearby.
This includes a similarly-named Alanya, roughly 83 miles east of Antalya, that does not benefit from having its own international airport and a constant influx of tourists.
Despite its relative anonymity, it boasts an incredibly picturesque historic center, with cobbled streets bordered by colorful Ottoman houses, featuring the iconic overhanging, covered wooden balconies and a wall-encircled port hugging the teal waters of the East Mediterranean.
Alanya is a cultural treasure of Türkiye, with a long history spanning thousands of years and the rise (and fall) of many an empire.
Its golden-sand Cleopatra Beach is said to have been visited by the Egyptian queen herself on her visit to the then-Roman provinces in Anatolia, and standing on a rocky outcrop towering over the beach, there is the monumental Seljuk fort.
Perhaps Alanya’s most distinguishable sight, the octagon-shaped Red Tower, dating back to the 13th century, rises high above the sea of red-tiled roofs, and it now houses the Ethnographic Museum of Alanya.
How Cheap Is Alanya Effectively?
In sum, this is as Turkish a city as it gets, with minarets dotting the skyline, its fair share of kebab takeout spots, and a lively marina lined with upscale seafood restaurants where a three-course dinner will cost only a small fraction of what you’re used to pay in Western Europe.
Ordering the full Turkish breakfast spread served at Kaleiçi Meyhanesi Alanya will set you back by $15 tops, while dinner with a view at the Sade Lounge, overlooking the port, can run you up an acceptable $29––and that’s if you’re eating lavishly.
For those on a budget, eating out at any local-frequented eatery in the Old Town is an inexpensive $8.46, on average––you can easily find them by avoiding the bustling squares flooded with European tourists.
When it comes to accommodation, the research shows us the average price for a 7-day, all-inclusive break in Alanya comes at a cheap US$708, so let’s have a look at some of the hotel listings in offer and check if this adds up:
Beachfront Hotels From $253 For The Entire Week
There are exactly 84 hotels in and around Alanya offering all-inclusive deals in the high season, with the cheapest one being Keopatra Ada Hotel, where an all-paid-for, week-long stay costs a mere $253.
At this rate, you shouldn’t expect an overload of luxury: we’re talking a single room with a balcony, a decent breakfast, and chances are your dinners won’t be prepared by a renowned chef.
Think a $30 all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet, but make it Turkish.
The top-rated hotel for customer score and low price is Ramira Joy, only a few steps from Cleopatra Beach, and equipped with an on-site restaurant, a hamper for spa services, and 4-star amenities, starting from $402.
Now, for the truly luxurious properties, they’re not a far cry from what you’d expect to pay in 5-star resorts in places like Cancun or Punta Cana: for instance, a double deluxe room at the stately Serenity Queen Hotel on Konakli Beach, costs $2,046 to book for the week.
The hotel features spa facilities, a kid-friendly water park, fitness areas and lush gardens, and higher-quality food is served.
Similar service can be found at the Green Gardens Suites for $2,462 and at the adults-only Supreme C-Lounge for $2,083.
According to Booking.com, 57 out of the 84 all-inclusive hotels will cost under $638 to book for the week, which seems to support the average rate reported by TravelSupermarket.
It’s safe to say that whether you’re traveling on a strict budget or you’re used to that Caribbean level of splurging, Alanya will feel like a steal of a deal.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
