Altinkum is a small and clicky holiday resort on the Aegean coast of Turkey. It has attracted much negative press because of expats who have been swindled out of life savings by unqualified property dealers who saw quick cash to be made during a property boom.
Also a famous American writer visited Altinkum last year and declared that she will never come back because it was not traditional Turkey. Now, I could come out in defence of “Tinky town” as it is nicknamed and ask the writer to define traditional but it is as plain as day that Altinkum has been influenced by British presence.
Mavisehir Market & Temple of Apollo in Didim / DIDIM
Turkish Bath - With 20 Min. Oil Massage / DIDIM
Altinkum Harbour
Altinkum Harbour
The facade on offer to holiday makers is far different from the small fishing village that Altinkum used to be. However, the holiday resort has just adapted to what tourists want. Business owners are fulfilling a demand for a bucket and spade holiday.
Most visitors to the resort compare Altinkum to sunny Blackpool and they are right. Walk along the beach front and you will see plenty of signs advertising English breakfasts and traditional British Sunday lunch.
Lads working in restaurants come out wearing their English football tops, chanting their latest sales patter in a perfect English accent. Patrick days, Halloween and Christmas are also widely celebrated events in resort. Far from the Turkish vibes that many first time visitors to the country expect.
That is Altinkum but there is another part to the small resort, called Didim.