Good to know

How Alanya works

The things I'd tell you on your first evening if we were sitting at the hotel gate. Not rules; how it actually goes here.

Money

Euro or lira?

Tours, most shops and restaurants near the hotels quote in euro and take it. The dolmuş, the market, the pharmacy and small cafés want lira. Change a little at a time; the rate at the airport is the worst you'll see.

ATMs

Use a bank's ATM, not the standalone boxes inside shops. When the machine offers to convert in your own currency, say no: your bank's rate is better than the machine's.

Tipping

Not expected everywhere, appreciated almost everywhere. Round up in cafés; in restaurants about 5–10 % if service was good; in the hamam a small note to the person who scrubbed you. Tour guides and drivers: Adnan's line to be added.

Getting around

The dolmuş

White minibuses along the main road, every few minutes in season. Wave to stop one, say where you're going, pay the driver in lira, say "inecek var" or just stand up when you want to get off. Cheapest way to Alanya: Konaklı → Alanya 45 TL, Türkler → Alanya 55 TL, Avsallar → Alanya 60 TL per person (Haberci Alanya (UKOME tariff), 7 Feb 2025 · may have risen since). All prices →

Taxis

Yellow, metered. Make sure the meter is on; a "fixed price" offered at the hotel gate is usually higher than the meter. Night rate applies after midnight. Official tariff since 23 Mar 2026: meter starts at 60 TL, 70 TL per km, minimum 250 TL (short-trip fee) (Yeni Alanya (official Alanya–Gazipaşa taxi tariff), 18 Mar 2026).

Airport

Antalya is about 2 hours from Türkler by car, Gazipaşa about 45 minutes. Agree the transfer before you land; it's one of the few things worth fixing in advance.

Manners

Mosques

Visitors are welcome outside prayer times. Shoulders and knees covered, shoes off at the door, women with a scarf (usually available at the entrance). Don't walk in front of someone praying.

Bargaining

Yes at the market and in bazaar shops without price tags; no in supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants or shops with prices on the goods. Start friendly, stay friendly; walking away is allowed, being rude isn't.

Photos of people

Ask first, especially at the market and in villages. A smile and a raised phone is a question most people say yes to.

Ramadan and holidays

Life goes on in the tourist areas; some locals fast during the day. On the two Bayram holidays, shops may close for a day or two and families travel; ask me what's open.

Health and safety

Water

Don't drink the tap water. Bottled water is everywhere and cheap; the 5-litre ones are the best value for the room.

Sun

Strongest between 12:00 and 15:00. The sea breeze hides it. Children burn faster than you think; the river water at Dimçayı is cold enough to shock, go in slowly.

Emergencies

112 is the single emergency number for ambulance, police and fire. Every centre has pharmacies; one in each district is open all night (nöbetçi eczane), ask me or the reception which one tonight.

Things to be careful with

"Free" factory or shop visits are sales events. "Today only" prices come back tomorrow. A tour sold cheaper than everyone else usually has the lunch or the entrance left out; read what's included.

Written by Adnan. Figures marked "to be confirmed" are being checked this season. If something here is out of date, tell me on WhatsApp and I'll fix it the same day.