Living in Alanya

Alanya is a resort town on the Mediterranean coast of Antalya province, squeezed between the Taurus Mountains and the sea. Tens of thousands of foreigners live here — some all year round, others for the winter or the summer season.

Climate and seasons

Summers are long and hot: from June to September daytime temperatures are usually +32…+38 °C with high humidity. You can swim from May until mid-November. Winters are mild — +12…+18 °C in the daytime — but December to February brings rain, and flats without insulation can feel chilly. When choosing a flat, ask whether the air conditioning heats and whether the building is insulated.

Neighbourhoods at a glance

• City centre and Cleopatra Beach — promenade, castle, everything within walking distance. Pricier and noisier in summer.
• Oba and Tosmur — green areas next to the centre, popular with families; schools, hospitals and a shopping mall nearby.
• Mahmutlar — a large district in the east with full infrastructure and a big international community; lots of new complexes with pools at affordable prices.
• Kestel and Kargıcak — between the centre and Mahmutlar, quieter, with sea views from the hills.
• Cikcilli — on the slope above the town: new complexes and panoramas, but you will want a car.
• Avsallar, Türkler, Konaklı — to the west, closer to Antalya: quieter, newer complexes, long beaches.

More about each area in Alanya neighbourhoods.

Cost of living

Guide figures for autumn 2026. Lira prices rise quickly with inflation, so treat them as an order of magnitude:

• Long-term 1+1 rent — usually 17,000–36,000 TRY a month, about 25,000 TRY on average. Plus aidat (complex maintenance) of 1,000–4,000 TRY.
• Electricity and water — around 2,000 TRY a month; more in summer with air conditioning.
• Home internet — around 950 TRY.
• Groceries for one — around 12,000 TRY.
• Total — a modest budget for one person including rent is about 45,000 TRY a month.

Fruit and vegetables are cheaper at the weekly markets (pazar) — each neighbourhood has its own market day.

Getting around

The nearest airport is Gazipaşa-Alanya (GZP), about 40 km east. The main international airport is Antalya (AYT), about 125 km away — 2 to 2.5 hours by transfer or bus. City buses and dolmuş minibuses run along the coast; taxis can be booked through apps or taken from ranks. If you live in Kargıcak, Cikcilli or up in the hills, your own or a rented car makes life much easier.

Healthcare, schools, language

There is a state hospital and several private clinics, some with English- and Russian-speaking staff. You need health insurance for a residence permit anyway, so a policy is worth having. There are state and private schools, kindergartens and clubs in English and Russian. You can get by without Turkish day to day, but a few basic phrases make life noticeably easier — and locals appreciate it.

Where to start

Before buying, rent for 1–3 months in the area you like: neighbourhoods feel very different in winter and in summer.