Avsallar Holiday Guide
Tucked along the coast roughly 25km west of Alanya, Avsallar is a relaxed resort town built around the famously shallow, golden sands of Incekum Beach. Pine woods, big all-inclusive hotels and a gentle pace make it a favourite for families and sun-seekers wanting the Mediterranean without the bustle of central Alanya.
What Avsallar Is Like
Avsallar feels calmer and greener than Alanya's lively centre, with umbrella pines spilling almost to the shoreline and the Taurus foothills rising softly behind. It grew up around tourism, so much of the town is geared to holidaymakers: hotel strips, beach clubs, supermarkets, pharmacies and a sprinkling of local lokantas. The atmosphere is unhurried and family-friendly rather than party-focused, though you'll still find bars and evening buzz in season. The name Incekum means fine sand, and that soft, pale grain defines the whole area. Russian, German and Scandinavian visitors are common, so menus and signs are widely translated. It suits travellers who want reliable sunshine, easy beach days and comfortable resorts, with Alanya's livelier scene a short hop away when you fancy it.
Beaches and Things to Do
Incekum Beach is the star: a long, blue-flag stretch of soft sand that shelves so gently you can wade out a long way, ideal for small children and nervous swimmers. Pine-shaded picnic spots line the back of the beach, and rocky coves nearby reward a short walk with quieter, clearer water for snorkelling. Beyond sunbathing, you can try jet skis, parasailing and banana-boat rides, or join a boat trip along the coast. The pretty, wooded Incekum promontory is lovely at sunset. Inland, the cool Dim Cave and Dim River valley make an easy excursion, while the ruins of ancient Syedra sit dramatically on a hillside between Avsallar and Alanya, with sweeping sea views and old mosaics.
Who It Suits
Avsallar is tailor-made for families and couples after a straightforward, sun-and-sand holiday. The shallow, gradual beach is reassuring for parents of toddlers, and the many all-inclusive resorts mean you can settle into one spot with pools, kids' clubs and buffet dining without much planning. It also appeals to repeat visitors and retirees who like a familiar, low-key base where everything is within easy reach. Independent explorers and culture-hungry travellers may find the town itself quiet, but they're well placed for day trips to Alanya, Side and the mountains. If you crave nightclubs, a big choice of restaurants and a buzzing harbour, central Alanya will suit you better, but for relaxed, good-value beach days Avsallar is hard to beat.
Eating and Drinking
Many guests dine on all-inclusive resort buffets, but venturing out rewards you with proper Turkish flavours. Look for family-run lokantas serving grilled köfte, lamb şiş, fresh sea bass and meze, often with complimentary bread and salad. Gözleme stalls and bakeries are great for a cheap, tasty lunch, and you'll find pide (Turkish flatbread) and freshly squeezed pomegranate juice around town. International menus, from pizza to Russian and German dishes, reflect the visitor mix, so fussy eaters are catered for. Cap off a meal with sweet baklava and a small glass of çay or a thick Turkish coffee. For self-caterers, the weekly market and well-stocked supermarkets sell ripe local fruit, olives, cheeses and spices at friendly prices, perfect for a balcony breakfast.
Practical Tips
The season runs roughly April to October, with hot, dry summers softened by sea breezes; July and August are busiest and most expensive, while late spring and early autumn offer warm seas and thinner crowds. Pack reef-friendly sunscreen, a hat and water shoes for the occasional pebbly patch. Cash in Turkish lira is handy for markets, dolmuş minibuses and small cafés, though cards are widely accepted in hotels. Dolmuşes run frequently along the coast road to Alanya and beyond, an easy, cheap way to explore. Tap water is best avoided for drinking; bottled water is cheap. Tipping a little for good service is appreciated. Learn a few words of Turkish, merhaba and teşekkürler, and you'll be met with warm smiles.
Getting There and Transfers
Avsallar sits between Alanya's two airports. Gazipaşa-Alanya (GZP) is the closest, around an hour east, while Antalya (AYT) lies roughly 90 minutes to the west and handles far more flights, so most visitors arrive there. After a long journey, the last thing you want is to wrestle with timetables or haggle over fares, so a private airport transfer makes the start of your holiday effortless. With AlanyaTransferTaxi you'll be met at arrivals, helped with your bags and driven straight to your Avsallar hotel at a fixed price you pay the driver, with free hotel pickup for the return and complimentary child seats on request, ideal given how family-focused the resort is. From the same base you can also arrange day tours to Alanya, Side or the Taurus mountains.