antalya çıkışlı karadeniz turu 

Right then you lot gather round and listen closely because if you have been baking yourself on Cleopatra Beach like a potato in the oven you are probably desperate for a bit of air conditioning and a break from the relentless sun. I have been coming to Turkey for donkey’s years and I know that as much as we love the heat there comes a point where you just want to stop sweating for five minutes. That is where Alanya Museum comes into play. It is one of those spots that most Brits walk past without even noticing because they are too busy eyeing up the cable car or hunting for a cold Efes but let me tell you Alanya Museum is a proper hidden gem and you would be a mug to miss it.

Let us start with the location because Alanya Museum is actually dead easy to find. It is slap bang in the centre of town on Ismet Hilmi Balci Street. If you know where the Damlatas Cave is or the bottom station for the cable car then you are practically standing on the doorstep of Alanya Museum. It is literally across the road. This means you do not need to faff about with taxis. If you are staying on the Cleopatra side just use your legs and walk there. If you are staying further out or near the harbour jump on the number one or number one hundred and one dolmus which is the local bus. It costs peanuts and drops you right nearby. Do not let a taxi driver charge you a tenner for a trip that should cost pennies. The drivers are usually sound but some will try to pull a fast one if they hear your accent so stick to the bus or walk if you can.

Now you might be thinking why on earth would I want to look at a bunch of old stones when I could be swimming. I hear you but Alanya Museum is not just boring rubble. The star of the show is this bronze statue of Heracles. Even if you are not into history you have to admit it is impressive. It is small but the detail is mental. It has become the symbol of the whole town. The Alanya Museum does a cracking job of displaying it. The lighting is spot on and it makes for a brilliant photo to show the folks back home that you did a bit of culture between the fry ups and the beach days.

The best thing about Alanya Museum in my opinion is the garden. It is like a little oasis of calm in the middle of the chaotic city. There are peacocks roaming around freely which the kids absolutely love. You can sit on a bench in the shade and just chill out. It is peaceful and quiet and nobody is trying to sell you a fake handbag or a boat trip. The garden at Alanya Museum is also full of old Ottoman tombstones and massive jars that they used to store oil and wine in. It is proper interesting stuff if you take a moment to look.

Let us talk about the practicalities of visiting Alanya Museum. The entry fee is something you need to watch out for. As of my last visit there was a ticket price but with the inflation in Turkey moving faster than a scalded cat the prices change all the time. It used to be dirt cheap but it has gone up a bit recently. You should check the board at the entrance for the current price in Lira. If you are a resident or have a Turkish mate they might have a Museum Card which makes it free but for us tourists you have to pay the standard fare. Even if the price at Alanya Museum has bumped up a bit it is still worth it for the air conditioning alone. I am not joking. The inside of Alanya Museum is freezing cold and it is the best place to be between twelve and three in the afternoon when the sun is trying to kill you.

Another tip is to combine your trip to Alanya Museum with the other sights nearby. Since it is right next to the cable car and the cave you can knock out all three in one afternoon. Do the cave first then cool down in Alanya Museum and then head up the cable car for sunset. That is a solid itinerary that requires minimum walking in the heat. Just be careful of the tourist traps in that specific area. The cafes right next to Alanya Museum and the cave can be a bit pricey because of the location. If you want a cheaper feed walk a couple of streets back into the residential areas and you will find a lokanta serving decent food for half the price.

Do not expect to spend the whole day at Alanya Museum though. It is not massive like the British Museum in London. It is compact and well organized. You can probably see the whole thing in about forty five minutes to an hour if you are taking your time. This makes Alanya Museum perfect for a quick escape. You pop in and cool down and see some amazing history and then you are back out for a drink. It is distinct from the massive tiring sites like Ephesus. Alanya Museum is bite sized culture.

One thing I have to mention is the staff at Alanya Museum. They are usually dead friendly and relaxed. It is not stuffy and strict. You can wander around at your own pace. Just remember not to touch the exhibits or flash your camera in the forbidden zones or you will get a telling off.

So there you have it. Alanya Museum is the unsung hero of the town centre. It has got air con and peacocks and a world famous statue and it is easy to get to. It is a no brainer really. Next time you are walking past and sweating buckets just pay the entrance fee and step inside Alanya Museum. You will be chuffed you did.

Now I want to hand it over to you lot. I know loads of you have walked past that building a thousand times. Have you ever actually gone inside Alanya Museum. Did you see the peacocks in the garden. Did you think the entry fee was fair or a bit steep. Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts. Your experiences are what makes these guides useful for the next lot of Brits flying out. Let us help each other avoid the duds and find the good stuff. Cheers and enjoy the rest of your holiday.