This Week in Alanya : 41

Weekly summary of news in Alanya | May 12 - May 18, 2025.

May 18, 2025

Hello Everyone! 👋 Samet Çelmeli here.

Welcome to the 41st issue of This Week in Alanya, the newsletter that cuts through the clutter of clickbait and overly long news articles to bring you the real stories. If your coffee’s ready, let’s dive in! 👇

📰 General News

🕊️ In a historic move, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced on May 12 its disbandment and the end of its armed struggle against Turkey, concluding over four decades of conflict that claimed more than 40,000 lives.

🌍 A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Datça, Muğla, at 01:51 on May 14. The tremor was also felt in Alanya, causing concern among residents, though no major damage was reported.

🐟 Large tuna cages placed just 50–100 meters off Alanya's Keykubat Beach have sparked public outrage, with residents and tourism professionals condemning the move. Locals are frustrated that such an eyesore has appeared right in front of the district governor's office, demanding urgent action to protect Alanya’s coastal image and safeguard the future of tourism.

Alanya limanında orkinos kirliliği iddiası - Bursada Bugün - Bursa bursa haber bursa haberi bursa haberleri Bursa

🐢 A sea turtle entangled in fishing lines off Alanya’s Oba coast was rescued by local residents and safely released back into the sea. The swift response from concerned citizens and teams highlights the vital importance of protecting marine life along the region’s shores.

📢 Healthcare workers at Alanya Education and Research Hospital recently protested unpaid leave wages from a previous collective agreement. Gathering in front of the chief physician’s office, employees called for an immediate end to arbitrary practices and urged authorities to fulfill their contractual obligations without delay.

🌟 As part of Disability Awareness Week, Alanya Municipality opened two inclusive projects: the Mola House and the Barrier-Free Sports Park. Designed to support families and promote social inclusion, the Mola House offers a safe space for individuals with special needs, while the park encourages physical activity and social interaction. The opening ceremony saw wide participation from local leaders and citizens, reflecting strong community support.

🚗 As the summer season begins in Alanya, parking fees have sharply increased, especially in central areas like the harbor, Atatürk Street, and Damlataş. Hourly rates now reach 60 TL, prompting frustration from locals and business owners.

💧 A Norwegian couple living in Alanya were shocked by a 27,530 TL water bill issued for their vacant home in Oba. Having vacationed in Alanya since 2011, they now consider selling their property due to ongoing billing issues. Rising complaints among foreigners point to a growing crisis that could impact Alanya’s tourism and expat life.

🌧️ Despite being mid-May, summer weather has yet to arrive in Alanya. The city remains under partly cloudy skies, with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 27°C. Cloudy and cool conditions will continue through the week, keeping beachgoers waiting a little longer.

🚔 Traffic and Public Safety

🚨 A violent confrontation in Alanya’s Çıplaklı neighborhood led to tragedy when a late-night dispute between two groups escalated into gunfire, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Harun Köleoğlu. Authorities swiftly detained 19-year-old suspect A.A. and his 45-year-old father, M.A., as investigations continue.

🚓 On May 17, Alanya District Gendarmerie conducted a traffic inspection on motorcycle riders. 225 drivers were checked, resulting in fines for 41 of them, amounting to 271,586 TL. Additionally, 12 motorcycles were banned for various violations.

🔥 A fire broke out for the fourth time in a week in the same scrubland area near Cikcilli, but was quickly contained by firefighting teams before it could spread. A 27-year-old suspect, E.Y., was arrested and later jailed on suspicion of deliberately starting the fire.

🚫 During a routine inspection, Alanya Municipality’s teams discovered spoiled and moldy appetizers, meat, and meat products at a restaurant in Saray District, posing a serious public health risk. The unsanitary conditions, including cigarette butts and foul odors, led to the restaurant being permanently sealed.

🏗️ A hotel in Alanya that illegally built a pool and additional structures on public land was fined 1.9 million TL by the municipal council. Following a tip-off, Alanya Municipality confirmed the unauthorized use of 2,896 m² of treasury land next to the coastline. Mayor Özçelik reaffirmed his zero-tolerance stance on illegal construction, vowing strict enforcement across the city.

✈️ Tourism

🛳️ Alanya welcomed the cruise ship Marella Discovery 2 with 1,795 mostly British tourists and 729 crew members, marking a lively start to the tourism season. The ship’s brief visit brought a welcome boost to local businesses before departing for Rhodes in the evening.

Marella Discovery 2, Alanya'ya 10 yıl sonra demirledi - Antalya Haberleri — **Marella Discovery 2**

🛳️ The French-flagged cruise ship L’Austral arrived at Alanya Port from Kuşadası, carrying 187 mostly French tourists and 142 crew members. After customs clearance, visitors set out to explore Alanya’s historical sites. The 142-meter-long vessel departed for Antalya at 21:00 following a day of sightseeing.

💪 Despite threats, Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik has taken decisive action to reopen Sapadere Canyon with enhanced safety measures. A 300-meter walkway will be reinforced with a modern steel structure to ensure visitor security. The public tender for construction will be held on May 28, signaling a strong move toward sustainable tourism and fearless local governance.

🎭 Art & Entertainments

🎉 Alanya is set to celebrate the 23rd International Culture, Art, and Tourism Festival from May 23 to 25 with the theme of "Neighborhood." The festivities will begin with a parade and feature concerts, exhibitions, food events, and international performances. Highlights include Can Bonomo, Bulutsuzluk Özlemi, and a grand finale concert by the world-renowned Gipsy Kings on May 25 at 20:00 behind the old municipality building. Link

🔥 Alanya Youth Council is preparing an impressive torchlight parade for May 19, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. With over 250 volunteers and tens of thousands expected to attend, the march will feature flags, torches, and patriotic songs, symbolizing young people’s commitment to the Republic. May 19 marks the beginning of Turkey’s War of Independence and is celebrated as a national unity and youth empowerment symbol.

🎬 Here are the movies you can watch this weekend at Alanyum Shopping Mall:

Click on each title to see the movie details in IMDb

🏆 Sports

⚽ Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University’s football team has earned promotion to the Turkish Universities Super League for the 2025–2026 season after winning the regional league and excelling at the promotion tournament in Afyonkarahisar. The team is now among the top 12 university teams in Turkey, marking a proud achievement for Alanya.

⚽ Despite recent struggles, Corendon Alanyaspor stands three points above the relegation zone and is set to host Beşiktaş in a crucial match at Oba Stadium on Sunday at 19:00. With 38 points and sitting 15th in the league, Alanyaspor aims for a vital win against third-place contenders Beşiktaş. Coach João Pereira has called on fans to support the team in this decisive battle.

🏑 The Men's and Women's Outdoor Hockey Finals, organized by the Turkish Hockey Federation, are taking place from May 20 to 29, 2025, at the hockey facilities in Alanya’s Avsallar district. With six teams competing in each category, the semifinals are scheduled for May 26 (women) and May 27 (men), and the finals will be held on May 29. Matches are broadcast on TRT Spor Yıldız.

That's all for this week. Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed it, please subscribe and share it with others. 🙋‍♂️