Things to Do in Alanya

Alanya in a nutshell

Alanya lies on the eastern stretch of the Turkish Riviera, roughly 135 km from Antalya, and everything in town revolves around its rocky peninsula. On top stands the castle, built by the Seljuks in the 13th century, with walls that tumble all the way to the waterline. The eight-sided Red Tower watches over the harbour and the old shipyard cut into the rock, while Cleopatra Beach runs west from the foot of the peninsula, where Damlataş Cave opens. Straight behind the town the Taurus climbs into forest, so the sea and the mountains are never far apart.

From the water

The easiest first day is a boat trip around the peninsula to the sea caves and Cleopatra Beach: the pirate boat from the city harbour, the giant Big Kral from Türkler or your own private boat. Divers explore the reefs on the scuba day, anglers head out on the fishing trip, and the tandem paraglider lands right on Cleopatra Beach.

Into the mountains

The forest starts just behind the town. The jeep safari follows the Dim River, the Sapadere trip walks into a canyon east of Alanya, and the quad and buggy let you drive the tracks yourself; the night safari catches the sunset from high above the coast.

Family days and slow afternoons

Children love the water park and the dolphin show at Sealanya, and a Turkish hamam makes the perfect lazy afternoon. Two airports serve the town – Gazipaşa about 40 km away and Antalya about 125 km – see airport transfers.