 Altinkum is a friendly seaside resort and you will find the locals "laid back" and relaxed in their attitude towards tourists and foreign residents. You will get to know them quickly and they will enjoy nothing better than chatting over a glass of Turkeys famous apple tea. Dont be surprised when you return year after year to visit your newfound friends! The resort of Altinkum is situated back to back with the neighbouring town of Didim and together they sit on their own peninsula on the western coast of the Mugla region on the Aegean coastline. Close by are Lake Bafa and the Menderes River on the northern border of the region. Its about 100 km to the Aydin region, 50 km to the busy town of Soke, 70 km to the popular holiday resort of Kusadasi to the north, and 110 km to the well-known resort of Bodrum to the south. ALTINKUM means "golden sands" and with its beaches gently sloping into the inviting turquoise blue Aegean sea, you will soon see how the resort got its name. The excellent beach life in Altinkum includes water sports, or pedaloes for those who prefer the pace of life a bit slower. Sun beds and umbrellas are available for hire at very reasonable prices and once settled on the beach there will be no need for you to move until sunset. The location of todays Didim used to be centred on the Apollo temple at the ancient Didyma town. Todays Didim is a rapidly growing holiday resort completely different from 10-15 years ago, welcoming a large population of tourists from all over the world with its beautiful beaches, ancient towns, culture and climate. But in comparison to the big tourist resorts like Bodrum and Kusadasi it remains unspoiled.  Didims market is held on Saturdays and can be easily accessed by local transport (Dolmus) running every 5 minutes from Altinkum, or if you fancy some exercise it is approximately a 25-minute walk. You can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, trinkets, clothes, household goods, fresh fish from the local fishermen and a variety of hardware. This is where the local population does its main shopping although increasingly more stalls are catering for the tourist market. You can discover the secluded beaches, natural coves and bays by boat trips organized daily from the harbour in the summer season, which starts at the beginning of May. Water sports, diving courses and fishing tours are also available. Didim itself is much closer to ancient towns and natural wonders compared to most other holiday resorts in Turkey. You can discover the area through local travel agents who organize tours to Lake Bafa, Akkoy village, Didyma, Miletos, Priene, Soke Market, Kusadasi Market, Bodrum, Ephesus, the Virgin Marys house, Pamukkale, Aphrodisias, Dalyan, and even boat trips to the Greek island of Kos, etc... Or if you are really feeling adventurous, you can hire a car or minibus for the day or week and see the sights at your own pace. There are plenty of places to hire a car, moped or bicycle so dont forget to bring your driving licence with you! Like Bodrum and Kusadasi, Altinkum is heavily frequented by British tourists, but unlike these other busy resorts Altinkum is small and quiet, making it perfect for families with young children and those seeking a relaxed, easy-going beach holiday. The resort towns main attraction are its three long sandy beaches, that stretch from the small harbour at one end of a gently shelving bay to a rocky cliff at the other end. Little wonder that the name Altinkum means "golden sands". In this resort devoted to leisure and pleasure, lazy days on the beach are the order of the day, perhaps indulging in some water sports, while night time is spent trying out the laid back restaurants and bars, many of them serving up British fare and famed for familiar English landmarks. Those with a yen for sightseeing will find Altinkum perfectly placed to visit two major ancient sites, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the vast Roman ruins at Ephesus, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, or visitors can hop on a Dolmus (mini-bus) and explore on their own places like the Pamukkale spas and calcium deposits, or the lively resorts of Kusadasi and Bodrum. |
 Night Life While it is not as rowdy as the major Turkish resorts, those who wish to indulge will find plenty of after-dark entertainment and fun in Altinkum, where nightlife is centred mainly in Dolphin Square and in the bars along the sea front promenade. Everything from disco dancing, karaoke and belly dancing to bingo and pool is on offer, the entertainment fuelled by cheap drinks and cocktails. Clubbers are catered for during the height of the summer season at Club Medusa, an open-air night club that is regarded as Altinkums most hectic party point. Another hot favourite for young people are the bars in Dolphin Square. |
 Beach Life All the resorts have an abundance of water sports; jet skis, water skiing, windsurfing, and the usual banana boat rides and pedaloes. Visit one of the areas aqua parks for the day, a superb day out for all the family - there are organized coach trips from most resorts. The Aqua Park at Kusadasi is the largest in Europe. There are also scuba diving schools in the resort. Fishing from the rocky coastline is also a popular pastime for locals and visitors alike. |
| Shopping Shopping opportunities abound along the seafront of Altinkum, which is packed with souvenir shops, jewellery stores and boutiques selling copies of designer clothing, and where price haggling is all part of the shopping experience here. The main shopping centre is opposite Dolphin Square, and there is a modern shopping complex called the Didyma Shopping Mall close by. Self-caterers will find all the provisions they need at the three main supermarkets: Tansas, Carrefour and Migros, between the seafront and Didim town centre. |
