Altinkum is a peninsula therefore it is blessed with 53km of golden beaches and bays. There are a variety of shops and supermarkets along with cafe's, restaurants and bars.
Altinkum means "golden sand" and with its two main beaches which gently shelve into the inviting turquoise blue Aegean, you will soon see how the resort got its name.
Beach life is excellent in Altinkum. There are water sports available or pedalos for those who prefer the pace of life a bit slower.
Altinkum is a friendly resort and you will find the locals "laid back" and relaxed in their attitude towards tourists.
This resort is situated on the west Aegean coast.
Altinkum is served by three airports; Bodrum is 1hr away, Izmir two hours and Dalaman three hours.
A few minutes outside Altinkum is Didim, where the ruins of the famous Apollo Temple are found. This temple's porch originally held 120 columns and Apollo's twin sister, Artemis, also had 120 columns in her temple near Ephesus. Ancient Didima was not a town, but the home of a god and his priest. In the temple grounds are fragments of its rich decoration including a striking head of Medusa [she of hair on snakes]. Just over the road you can relax in an original stone house, sampling some local cusine, whilst the sun sets over the temple!
About Altinkum.
Beaches ahead of the rest in the Aegean, the golden sands of Altinkum are priceless. A more informal, less hurried Turkish treasure with a relaxing aura.
Altinkum means ‘golden sand’ and the name more than delivers: this is a beachlover’s paradise. Wide beaches of soft, golden sand shelve gently into the sea and are ideal for families. For daytime sightseeing don’t forget that the splendid Roman ruins of Ephesus are within easy reach for an excursion, while the Temple of Apollo at Didyma is a short dolmus ride from the resort. After dark, Altinkum’s nightlife is generally centred among the lively bars and restaurants along the main seafront promenade.
There are plenty of souvenir and cheap clothing shops in Altinkum, where you can stock up on jeans and T-shirts, lace and embroidery. A trip inland to the designer label discount stores will ensure some great bargains and there's a small traditional market held in the village centre each Saturday morning.
There's a great selection of waterfront bars open until around midnight when the party atmosphere moves underground to a selection of nightclubs. The pace really hots up after dark and it can get lively in high season when the holiday spirit is in full swing.
Altinkum offers many restaurants and cafés to enjoy a good meal in. The menus on offer are varied, but fish is very popular.
Turkish Carpets.
These are not cheap, so be sure to know what you are looking for before you enter into a purchase. These carpets are usually weaved in villages; Ayvacik and Konya are two famous carpet-making regions so ask the dealer where the carpet was made. The carpets can be hand or machine made. The latter will last longer but it may be difficult to distinguish between them. The knots are usually a good indicator as they are of the ‘Gordion type and irregular it is likely to be hand made. The carpet may be made from silk or wool, cotton carpets will no last more than a few years. Carpet dyes can be a problem, running a damp cloth over the carpet will indicate its durability; the colour will not fade in the sun or should not come off onto the cloth if a vegetable dye has been used. Keep your receipt to show customs and remember that you are not allowed to take antique carpets out of the country. Less than 60 years old is legal. There is a good carpet shop adjacent to the Temple of Apollo, reputed to be one of the best in the region.
Turkish Tea and Coffee.
The Turks drink Turkish tea everyday all day and you will probably be offered it during your visit to Turkey. The tea comes from The Black Sea Coast mainly from Rize. It is served in small tulip shaped glasses, usually without milk, this is a western additive but you may if you wish drink it with milk. Turkish Coffee is also served in small cups, usually with a glass of water. Thick and strong it is served with or without sugar. Try a refreshing drink at the Oracle Penysion, near the temple, which gets a fabouls sunset.
Food in Altinkum.
The foundation of Turkish food is, if anything, the dough made of wheat flour. Bread is called "ekmek" - the ordinary white bread or "pide" - flat bread, "simit" - sesame seed rings, "manti" - dumplings, a whole family of food made up of thin sheets of pastry called "borek" falls into this category. Ekmek, pide and simit are meant to be eaten the same day they are baked. Try Altin Ekmek near the Migros supermarket, which bakes the bread daily for the resort of Altinkum.
Given the numerous types of kebabs, it helps to realize that you categorize them by the way the meat is cooked. Sis kebab is grilled cubes of skewered meat. Doner kebab is made by stacking alternating layers of ground meat and sliced leg of lamb on a large upright skewer, which is slowly rotated in front of a vertical grill. As the outer layer of the meat is roasted, thin slices are shaved to be served. "lzgara"- mixed grilled meat, it is how main course meat dishes are prepared at a meat restaurant. Mixed grills are likely to include lamb chops, "kofte", or "sis"(select cubes of meat). The way of preparing ground meat will be the "kofte". These are grilled, fried, oven-cooked or boiled, after being mixed with special spices, eggs, and grated onions and carefully shaped into balls, oblongs, round or long patties.
During the day visit Didyma, home of a magnificent temple to the god Apollo. The site is huge and was never finished although it was worked on for 150 years. Look out for the snake-adorned Medusa near the entrance. Nearby Bodrum is also home to the ancient site of the Mausoleum of Masusolos, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus is relatively close and its Greek-Roman ruins and famous library are worth a visit. The historical sites of Miletus, Priene and Ephesus are also just a short drive away and there’s a useful ferry service to Bodrum during the summer. The area around nearby Lake Bafa is beautifully unspoilt and excellent for walking in the springtime.