Alanya Marina Nightlife

Right then lads and lasses gather round because I am about to spill the beans on one of the absolute gems of the Turkish coast. If you have been roasting yourself on the sunbeds all day like a lobster in an oven you are probably desperate for a bit of a change of scenery once the sun starts to dip. That is where Alanya Marina comes into play. Now I have spent donkey’s years wandering around Turkey and I can tell you that Alanya Marina is not just a place where posh blokes park their expensive toys. It is the beating heart of the town and if you do not visit Alanya Marina at least once during your holiday you have basically missed the whole point of coming here.

Let us get straight to the point about what makes Alanya Marina such a cracking spot. When you first walk down towards the water you are going to see something that looks like a film set. I am not having you on. The harbour at Alanya Marina is absolutely rammed with these massive pirate ships. It is like Pirates of the Caribbean on steroids. You have got ships with skulls and crossbones and massive sound systems and neon lights. It is proper mental but in the best way possible. If you are looking for a boat trip this is where you start. But hold your horses because I need to give you some serious advice on how to handle the boat guys at Alanya Marina without getting mugged off.

As you stroll along the promenade at Alanya Marina you are going to get approached by lads trying to sell you boat tickets. They are grafters and I respect the hustle but they can be a bit relentless. They will promise you the moon and the stars. My advice is to play it cool. Do not hand over your cash to the first bloke who flashes a smile. Have a wander up and down Alanya Marina first to check out all the boats. Ask about the price and then haggle. Yes you heard me right. You need to barter. If they say thirty quid you offer twenty. It is all part of the game at Alanya Marina. If you agree to the first price they give you then you are basically throwing your holiday spending money down the drain.

Now let us talk about getting to Alanya Marina without melting into a puddle or getting ripped off. If your hotel is near Cleopatra Beach you can actually walk it if you are feeling fit but be warned that the heat in Alanya is no joke. Even in the evening the humidity can be a killer. If you are walking make sure you have got water with you. If you are staying further out do not just jump in the first taxi you see outside your hotel. Taxi drivers are mostly decent blokes but some of them will try to take you the long way round to bump up the meter. If you want to save your liras for a few cheeky pints at Alanya Marina jump on the local bus which we call the dolmus. It costs peanuts and it drops you right in the centre. Just look for the bus that says Merkez on the front.

Once you are down at Alanya Marina the vibe changes completely depending on what time you go. If you go in the morning it is dead peaceful. The water is calm and you can see the turtles swimming about if you are lucky. It is a mint time to grab a Turkish coffee and just watch the world go by. But at night Alanya Marina turns into a different beast entirely. It gets busy and loud and absolutely buzzing. This is where the nightlife kicks off. You have got row after row of bars and clubs right opposite the boats. If you fancy a bit of a boogie this is the spot. But a word to the wise regarding food and drink at Alanya Marina. The restaurants right on the water’s edge pay massive rent so their prices are sky high. If you want a proper feed without needing to remortgage your house walk a couple of streets back from the waterfront. The food is often better and it will cost you half as much.

Another thing you need to watch out for at Alanya Marina is the flooring. I know it sounds daft but the stones they use on the promenade can be slippery as ice especially if you have had a few bevvies or if you are wearing flip flops with no grip. I have seen many a tourist go backside over teakettle right in front of everyone. Do not be that person. Wear decent shoes if you plan on walking the full length of the harbour towards the Red Tower. Speaking of the Red Tower it is right at the end of Alanya Marina and you should definitely pay the small entry fee to climb it. The view looking back over Alanya Marina from the top is absolutely lush and it is the perfect spot for a photo to make your mates back home jealous.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your wits about you regarding the heat at Alanya Marina. Because you are next to the water you might feel a breeze and think you are fine but the sun reflects off the sea and you will burn faster than toast. Even if you are just walking around Alanya Marina in the late afternoon slap on the sun cream. Nobody looks good when they are beetroot red and peeling.

So there you have it. Alanya Marina is a proper mix of chaos and beauty and it is essential for your itinerary. It is where you go to find the boat trips and it is where you go to party and it is where you go to see the real energy of the town. Just remember to haggle for your tickets and watch your step on the slippery stones and do not let the taxi drivers take you for a ride.

Now it is your turn. I know loads of you lot have been down to Alanya Marina before. Did you go on one of the pirate ships. Did you have a mental night out at the clubs nearby. Or did you find a hidden gem of a restaurant that does not charge tourist prices. Drop a comment below and tell us your stories. Your advice is pure gold for other British travelers planning their trips so do not be shy. Let us get a proper guide going in the comments section so we can help each other out. Cheers to you all and happy travels.