I have written a lot about real estate and investment in Antalya, about business and housing standards. But before purchasing a home in another country, it is not enough to know how profitable it is. It is important to feel the atmosphere of this place, find out how the locals live and relax, where they go shopping and in which parks they have family picnics. You need to feel the “soul” of your future home. I will try to help with this in articles about the most interesting locations in the province of Antalya and start today with Belek and Alanya.

Antalya Province: An Overview

Who hasn’t heard of Antalya? It is the largest tourist center in Turkey, where more than 30% of all vacationers in the country come. Every self-respecting tourist has been here at least once, because there is always sun and “all inclusive”. Here you will always be greeted and accepted as an old friend, they will find you entertainment for any request and budget, and if you wish, also a job or a turnkey business (please contact us if anything – we have ready-made business projects).

The main thing is that all these are not just slogans, but real statistics – almost everyone who has been here then returns again. And every third person buys housing for vacation or for permanent residence – including from the Expert Property agency.

Agree, how can you refuse a house or apartment with a view of the majestic mountains, azure sea and protected forests? 9 months of summer and a beach near the house is the dream of millions, which is becoming a reality in Antalya. This is truly a fabulous place.

All this applies not only to the capital of the province of Antalya – the city of the same name, but also to other areas that are part of this province. There are many delightful places, the beauty and comfort of which I will briefly tell you today – these are Belek and Alanya.

But first, it is necessary to explain a little the administrative structure of Turkey, because foreigners are sometimes baffled by the local system of “cutting” districts, when a city area can also be a district of the province. That is, a completely independent administrative unit, a “city within a city”.

In Turkey, there is no usual Soviet division into a region and a city – the entire province (in Turkish “il”) is divided into districts with the same status, and it does not matter whether the district is located in the city or in the suburbs. It turns out that there is no such thing as a “city” or “province” in the Soviet sense here at all – they merge together, turning the entire region into a single system.

The best example is the city-province of Istanbul. Over time, if Antalya continues to develop as rapidly, then it will turn into a single city-province. Already, the city includes more and more districts, which, at the same time, remain completely autonomous, with their own municipalities.

So, Muratpaşa is both a district of the city, and, at the same time, a district of the province – an independent administrative unit. All districts of the city of Antalya have this status. Until relatively recently, Dosemealti was a separate district, but then it was included in the city of Antalya, while it remained as a district. But Alanya, for example, is a separate district, although in appearance it is the most natural city with multi-storey buildings.

From the outside, everything looks a little confusing, but in practice the system is very reasonable and flexible. It transforms the entire province into a single organism, giving everyone better opportunities for development, because resources are distributed more evenly and taking into account the interests of the inhabitants of each district.

Thanks to such a system, Turkey does not have a long-standing problem of post-Soviet states, when the main city is actively developing, and the area around it comes to desolation because the city around it. Resources allocated for the entire region “settle” only in the administrative center. In Turkey, every district is actively developing.

This should have been clarified so that you understand that the difference in comfort between the city of Antalya and, for example, the district of Alanya will not be as big as it could be in post-Soviet countries. Choosing housing outside the provincial capital, you can get almost the same benefits, but for less money. Both locations will be cozy and sunny, although, of course, Antalya is much more dynamic than Alanya. But enough boring conversations – let’s move on to the beauties of the province!

Alanya city-district

Alanya stretches along the Mediterranean coast, 180 km from the city of Antalya within the same province. This is an area that has already become a full-fledged city in terms of living standards, although it has not yet officially received such a status. But the Turkish system of division into districts does not require this.

Alanya is rapidly developing and ennobling, which is why it is increasingly chosen not only for recreation, but also for permanent residence in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. This location has attracted people since ancient times and deservedly so.

In previous articles, I have already said that this is part of the so-called, which is very popular with tourists. The “Turkish Riviera”, which attracts foreigners from all over Europe and Asia like a magnet. For their convenience, they even built their own airport, which is still little used to communicate with the CIS – usually they fly through Antalya. But this is undoubtedly a matter of time.

Alanya has all the advantages of the “Turkish Riviera”, such as a warm climate, sea, mountains, hotel infrastructure and a long history. It is distinguished from the city of Antalya by a more measured way of life, less fuss, but more peace. And lower real estate prices. These advantages have long been appreciated by our compatriots, who are most actively purchasing housing in the Mahmutlar microdistrict.

The history of Alanya is interesting – it was founded in the 2nd century BC (more than 2200 years ago!), In the Roman era. Moreover, at the dawn of its existence, it was the pirate capital of the Mediterranean, where various robbers and smugglers gathered. The first inhabitants called it Kalonoros or “Beautiful Mountain” – since then it has become even more beautiful!

Once the Roman emperor Pompey specially equipped a huge fleet and an army of 120 thousand people to pacify local pirates. What they managed to do in the end during a large-scale battle just off the coast of Alanya in 67 BC. So Alanya became part of the Roman Empire.

However, a few decades later, the Roman commander Mark Antony gave these lands to the legendary Cleopatra so that she could build her own combat fleet here. However, their plans failed to come true – they lost in that war.

However, Alanya still has Cleopatra Beach, where the Egyptian queen bathed with her lover Mark Antony. This is one of the reasons why many young couples are so eager to buy a home in Alanya – the place is literally imbued with romantic traditions.

A millennium later, having changed several owners, Alanya was in the hands of the Seljuk Sultan Ala ad-Din Kay-Kubad. He, in fact, gave the city the name “Alania” (i.e. “the city of Sultan Al”), and to emphasize this, he even erected the fortress of Kyzyl Kule or the “Red Tower”. This landmark of the 13th century and now stands in the port of Alanya – every tourist will recognize its outlines at a glance. As well as the earlier Byzantine fortress of Ich-Kale.

Centuries later, the city became part of the Ottoman Empire, and then became part of the Turkish Republic, where it is located to this day. Each era has left its mark on Alanya, creating a special flavor and character of this place. Another attraction here is an extensive network of caves (Damlatash, “Fsophora Cave”, “Cave of Lovers”, etc.), a medieval shipyard, the Ataturk House Museum and much more. It is a true paradise for lovers of history and nature.

A couple of decades ago, Alanya was interesting for tourists, but little adapted for permanent life. Usually they stayed here only to relax in one of the many hotels. Nevertheless, the area began to settle down, especially in the coastal strip, and the village began to take on the modern outlines of the city.

Today, Alanya has all the urban and social infrastructure. This is a relatively small but cozy town by the sea, where there is a lot of entertainment and attractions. There are schools, clinics, banks, markets, shops – everything you need for life and recreation.

A separate pride of local residents is the beaches awarded the Blue Flag, as well as a beautiful promenade, with restaurants, squares and even open-air gyms. And almost everything is adapted for family vacations. This means that restaurants have a children’s menu, parks have playgrounds and exercise equipment.

True, all this is concentrated closer to the historical and tourist center of the settlement – Ataturk Boulevard. From the outskirts of Alanya, where such popular cottages and villas are located, you will have to drive a little. But Alanya is not so big that it becomes a serious obstacle. In addition, it is constantly being built and expanded. In 10 years, it will change beyond recognition, making a noticeable competition to the popular Antalya.

Young and daring Belek

This is the youngest (built only in 1984), but already the most respectable resort of the Turkish Riviera. It is located 30 km from the popular Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast. There is a lot of sea and luxury hotels surrounded by protected pines and eucalyptus.

The beaches here are atypical for the South of Turkey – golden soft sand, instead of the usual small pebbles. It is not surprising that almost the entire coastal strip is divided into recreation areas near 5 * and 4 * hotels. However, 20 km of beaches is enough for everyone – you can visit the municipal beach Belek Beach Park for free, 4 km from the city center. Its length is 1 km, and along the beach there are numerous bars and restaurants, showers, a kindergarten, gazebos, a park and much more.

Belek was created not just as a resort – but as a sports resort. Here it catches the eye everywhere. Even the municipal beach mentioned earlier has a football stadium. Plus treadmills and bike paths, simulators both in the open air and in numerous gyms.

Belek is especially appreciated in the world for its endless evergreen golf courses. Here is the largest golf center in the country and one of the largest in the world – 8 giant courses in one center, this is not a joke. In addition, there are 10 smaller independent golf clubs, which have 15 courses for all. These clubs are based at luxury hotels.

The golf locations here are simply striking in their views. Playing among crystal clear lakes and emerald forests is not just pleasant – it is very useful. Here everyone can take their soul away and find peace after difficult working days. It is no wonder that in 2008 Belek was awarded as the best golf resort in Europe. Even those who do not like to chase balls through the holes will not be able to pass by this elite sport in Belek.

The unique combination of mountain and sea air makes this resort extremely popular with football players. And world-class stars. National teams and top clubs such as Galatasaray, Shakhtar, Spartak, Dynamo, Legia and others hold training camps here. Isn’t this the best indicator of the level of service and quality of infrastructure? Many courses have FIFA certificates and they are attached, like golf courses, to luxury hotels.

There are also swimming pools, bike trails, jogging tracks and much more. After a run, you can relax in one of the many restaurants, saunas and other places where it is so pleasant to relax after sports. Simply put, it has everything an active vacationer could want to recharge their batteries for many months to come.

It is for rest that everything is designed here – the urban infrastructure is not yet very developed, and the most popular type of housing is country villas. They are available in a wide range, two- and three-level, with a large and small swimming pool, with an ornamental garden and even with a eucalyptus park. Many have their own pier for the yacht, which goes directly to the sea or to the river flowing into the sea.

Wealthy Turks most often use these villas as summer cottages – for seasonal holidays and short-term rentals to numerous people. For permanent residence, they often choose neighboring Antalya or distant, but very businesslike Istanbul. However, the infrastructure here is constantly being developed. And this is good news for the patient investor, because Every year the value of real estate is constantly growing.

Inference

Today we briefly looked at two very different, but equally interesting locations – Alanya and Belek. Alanya is ancient and calm. Belek is young and active. But both of these towns are located in the same magical province of Antalya – in the land of a thousand wonders!

Such diversity makes the region so popular not just for recreation, but for permanent life and earnings, because there is absolutely everything that you can desire.

So that there is no doubt, we invite you to an introductory tour, during which you will personally be able to compare Alanya and Belek with the capital of the province of Antalya, feel their atmosphere and understand what is closer to your soul and heart.

Yours Tatiana Güneş