Alanya is a touristic center on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, 135 kilometers east of Antalya. The city of Alanya is a large town on the seacoast. To the east and west of Alanya lie inviting turquoise seas fringed by extensive golden beaches. The magnificent Taurus Mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop to this enchanting resort. Crowning the headland is a sprinkling of Citadel towers and just below is a delightful harbour guarded by the Red Tower, an unusual building. Adjacent to the tower are the dockyards where five vessels could be worked on at a time. Next to the dockyards is a tower called Tophane Kule, where cannons were cast during Ottoman times. Nearby close to the seashore is a cave called Damlataş. The large popular resort center of Alanya lies at one end of a rocky promontory which juts out into the Mediterranean between two long sandy beaches.
Alanya is a beautiful holiday center of modern hotels and motels, numerous fish restaurants and cafes and bars. There are twisting narrow alleyways tempting shoppers with their colourful boutiques and stalls of cheese-cloth dresses, carpets, copper and jewellery.
As well as its cultural and historical sights, Alanya has an unbeatable beach life too. Beautiful sandy Cleopatra Beach lies to the west of the resort while the fine sands of Alanya Beach stretch to the east. A good range of water-sports are available too. The nightlife is easy-going and relaxed with a wide choice of night-spots located at the edge of town. Take your pick from lively bars to late-night discos for real night-owls.
The magnificent Seljuk-era castle crowns the rocky promontory high above the city. Dating from the 13th century, it features 140 towers, 6 km of walls, and stunning panoramic views. Inside the castle walls, you'll find a small mosque, cisterns, and the remains of a palace. Allow 2-3 hours. A taxi or the cable car (teleferik) saves a steep climb.
This octagonal tower is Alanya's most iconic landmark, built in 1226 by Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad. The 33-meter-high tower served as a defensive fortification and now houses a museum. The viewing platform offers excellent harbor views.
Adjacent to the Red Tower, this dockyard was built in 1227 and could accommodate five ships simultaneously. The arched galleries are remarkably well preserved and still used for boat maintenance today.
Legend says Egyptian Queen Cleopatra swam here, and the fine golden sand was supposedly imported from Egypt. Whether true or not, this long, sandy beach west of the castle is Alanya's most famous. Sunbeds, umbrellas, and water sports are available. Gets very crowded in summer.
Stretching east from the harbor, this sandy beach is quieter than Cleopatra Beach. Family-friendly with shallow waters. The beach is backed by a promenade lined with cafes and restaurants.
Located at the western base of the castle hill, this cave is famous for its high humidity and stable temperature (22-23°C year-round). The air is claimed to help asthma sufferers. The cave features impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
About 8 km east of Alanya, the Dim River flows through a scenic valley. Many restaurants are built right over the water where you can sit on platforms and dip your feet in the cool river while eating. Dim Cave, further upstream, is one of Turkey's largest caves with impressive formations.
Opened in 2017, the cable car runs from near the Red Tower up to the castle. It saves a steep 30-40 minute walk and offers spectacular aerial views. A one-way trip takes about 10 minutes.
Alanya's coastline offers beaches for every preference:
Water Sports: Jet skis, parasailing, banana boats, and scuba diving are available at most beaches. Several dive centers offer day trips to nearby reefs.
Alanya's nightlife is diverse but generally less intense than Marmaris or Bodrum. Main areas include:
Popular organized tours from Alanya include:
Alanya offers excellent shopping opportunities:
Getting there: Alanya is served by Gazipaşa Airport (GZP), about 45 km east (40 minutes by car), and Antalya Airport (AYT), about 120 km west (90-120 minutes by car). Frequent buses (coaches) connect Alanya to Antalya, Side, Manavgat, and other coastal towns. Dolmuş services run within the city and to nearby beaches.
Getting around: The city is walkable if you stay near the harbor or beach. For the castle, consider the cable car or local buses. Dolmuş (shared minibuses) run along the main roads connecting neighborhoods.
Best time to visit: May-June and September-October offer ideal weather (25-30°C) with fewer crowds. July-August are very hot (35-40°C) and crowded, but the sea is warm. Winter (November-March) is quiet; many hotels close or offer low rates.
Accommodation: Alanya has hundreds of hotels ranging from budget pensions to 5-star all-inclusive resorts. Oba, Konaklı, and Tosmur are quieter beach neighborhoods east of the center. The castle area has boutique hotels but access is steep.