How to buy property in Turkey

TURKEY is a vast country, more than three times the size of the UK, with a total coastal length of 5000 miles. Discover Turkey Homes specialise in property along the western Mediterranean coast, an area stretching from Antalya, in the west to Alanya in the east. Antalya already has its own international airport; another is due to open in 2008 at Gazipasa, only 30 minutes’ drive away from the centre of Alanya.

Looking at a map gives no hint of the enormous variation from one place to another, just as someone planning a visit to the UK could not be expected to appreciate the differences in our coastal settlements such as Torquay, Brighton and Fishguard, much less the subtle change in character from one suburb to another. We are well aware that a summer spent on the west coast of Wales would be very different from a holiday on the west coast of Devon or Scotland; yet on a map, the distance between them is not vast.

A UK resident faced with selecting property in Turkey needs to consider similar issues. Discover Turkey Homes, with its partner company Romance of Turkey, has extensive knowledge of the region, so can help to match you with the area and property type that best suits your personal preferences.

The largest city on this coast, Antalya is a well-established tourist destination with its own international airport. Direct flights from the UK bring visitors all year round to enjoy the stunning scenery and historical sights. Winter sports have also attracted tourism to Antalya: just 50 km inland is Saklikent, located on the slopes of the dramatic Bakili mountains.

In March and April, it is possible to ski there in the morning and relax on the beach at Antalya later in the day. There are good buy-to-let opportunities here due to the proximity of the airport and Antalya’s popularity as a tourist destination.

Located between Antalya in the west and Side to its east, Belek has become Turkey’s foremost golfing centre, recognised as such by the Turkish government.

There are nine top-class courses with a further five planned. This area offers great investment potential, but not just to golfers: the town itself has undergone major regeneration, with fountains and tree-lined avenues and many new shops and bars. The beach is long and sandy, offering new facilities for a wide range of adventure sports such as windsurfing, rafting, sailing, water-skiing and mountain climbing.

See “Discover... the golf courses” for full details.

The pretty and historic town of Side (pronounced See-Day) is spread over a large area, each with its own shopping centres, bars and restaurants.

Two golden beaches stretch either side of the main town, which is entered through the ruins of an ancient amphitheatre that contrasts vividly with modern architecture.

Side would suit an investor looking for peace and quiet rather than the excitement of a bustling resort like Alanya.

A relatively new area for tourists, but fast becoming an extension of Alanya, its close neighbour. With a much smaller town centre, Avsallar has a more relaxed atmosphere.

The beach here is one of the finest on the Turkish Riviera, with golden sands in a natural bay. Most of the property is set back in the hills and forests that overlook the town, offering tranquillity and wonderful views.

This area may be the most natural of the Turkish Mediterranean coast, with an abundance of wonderful picnic areas.

Sandwiched between the sparkling sea and the magnificent Taurus Mountains, Alanya is one of the most important towns on the Mediterranean coast. The ancient castle sits majestically high on the steep cliffs above the town, providing a breathtaking backdrop to Alanya’s two long, sandy, spotless beaches.

The old town is a maze of meandering streets and alleyways, tempting shoppers with their colourful boutiques and stalls. A major revitalisation and expansion of the old harbour allows cruise ships to dock, and the picturesque promenade is lined with vibrant new restaurants and cafés. Alanya was a notorious pirate stronghold in Roman times and its 13th century shipyard, flanked by a mosque with its ancient guardhouse is still in evidence today.

The main road, lined with flowers and palm trees, runs along the seafront from the beautiful park to the lively new yacht marina which is in the Old Harbour area. The town has a lively Mediterranean character, reflected in its popular fish restaurants, modern hotels, bars, clubs and large supermarkets.

Alanya enjoys a mild climate, with 210 to 320 sunny days per year. The mountains to east, north and west shelter the town from the cold winds from the interior, making it possible to bathe in the sea throughout the 12 months of the year. These ideal weather conditions, together with the extremely fertile land, means that a large range of tropical plants and fruits can be cultivated all year round. Beach activities include windsurfing, parasailing, jet-skiing, banana boating and dinghy sailing. The wildlife reserves and unspoilt rivers are well worth seeing in this modern natural paradise.

During the winter season, it’s possible to mix days on the beach with skiing and snowboarding up in the mountains. All-year-round golfing is easily accessible from Alanya. Twelve-month access to your holiday home could be supported by a good rental demand, as the town is less than two hours’ drive from Antalya airport.

Direct charter airlines run flights throughout the year to Antalya airport, making this one of the best shortfall destinations available to western Europeans. The flight time from most UK airports is less than four hours.

Mahmutlar is an extension to Antalya, some 10 km to the east. The town itself is very new and fresh, with the infrastructure following the rapidly expanding development.

The local scenery is pretty, with a long beach promenade from the centre boasting shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars. Being slightly further from the main airport at Antalya, property prices here tend to be more affordable than the rest of the area, with most developments being apartment buildings close to the sea.