Top 3 Tips For Exploring Alanya

Alanya is a wonderful city - its beauty and charm are evident immediately from the moment you climb in to your shuttle transfer to Alanya. But like any other place in the world, it can pose risks to the unwary tourist. No one wants to be unduly hassled or put in danger, so the best way to ensure you enjoy everything about this lovely city is to start by following these tips.

Be Wary of Old or Battered ATMs

As a tourist who’s eager to see what the city is about as soon as you've settled in from your transfer to Alanya, you might be tempted to get out and about without checking you have enough cash on you - and cash, especially in this city, is important. Having small change allows you to pay the right price for small purchases or to pay for taxicab fare. However, if you do need to get quick cash from any roadside automated teller machine, be wary: there have been cases in which tourists withdrawing cash from a local ATM ended up as victims of what authorities call a ‘skimming device’ that ‘harvests’ your data and PIN and allows the thieves to withdraw cash from your account with impunity - that is, until your bank detects suspicious banking behaviour and stops the transaction. To avoid this, make sure to bring along with you more than enough cash for a day tour (or as much as you may need throughout your stay in the city) so as to avoid having to withdraw from an ATM. But if you must use such a machine, choose only those situated by a guarded bank or one that is not suspiciously battered.

Be Aware When Walking on the Streets

Walking is most certainly the best way to explore the city (as your driver will no doubt inform you when completing your transfer to Alanya), but, as anywhere, it can be dangerous if you become oblivious to the signs. It’s important to understand the local culture of riders and motorists in the city. For example, young men tend to ride their bicycles on crowded pavements, and those riding motorbikes love to do so very fast. When crossing the road - any road - always remember to look right and left and anticipate any vehicle that might suddenly appear at the turn. You must remember that in Alanya, drivers do not tend to stop for walkers, but the other way around.

Women Should Avoid Travelling Alone

While for the most part, touring around the city is a lot of fun and a wonderful, cultural learning experience, it can pose some problems to a woman travelling alone. After completing your transfer to Alanya, make sure you are well aware and alert when making your way around the city. For instance, keep an acute awareness of the inherent danger of traveling alone after dark, especially if you’re walking along back streets or semi-hidden alleyways where you could easily be accosted. Of course, this is common sense, but it's easy to get complacent when in holiday mode - so don't fall into that trap.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a transfer to Alanya, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.