Altinkum is a busy
resort which has been receptive to the demands of the
British holiday-maker. This resort has grown directly
behind the beach and Altinkum refers to the beach area,
Didim is the name of the actual town. Most of the locals
working here speak English and the centre of the resort
is full of restaurants and bars to satisfy the British
palate.
The main beach in Altinkum (often referred to as First
Beach) is a large bay of golden sand with incredibly
shallow waters and therefore it is very popular. There
are a couple of other sandy bays, the one to the left-hand
side is broken by a headland but can be accessed by
the beachfront promenade. Watersports are plentiful
here so there is always something to watch or participate
in. Altinkum receives a high number of repeat guests
as well as being a sought after destination by Turkish
holidaymakers. Dolphin Square no longer exists but the
Tea Garden still remains and is a great place to sit
whilst familiarising yourself with the resort and watching
the world go by. Supermarket chains such as Migros,
Tansas and Gima are located along the main Didyma to
Altinkum road making it easy to self-cater and buy provisions.
The Saturday Bazaar is also at the top end of the town
plus the old town of Didim and the ruins of Branchidai
at Didyma, the site of an ancient temple which has been
excavated since 1873, with wonderfully preserved inscriptions
including the head of Medusa. Altinkum has developed
into a lively destination with plenty to do night and
day which is why we have chosen accommodation to suit
all tastes, both close to the centre and a little further
back. The sights of Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Bodrum are
additional attractions easily accessible from Altinkum
and shouldn’t be missed.
