Alanya is one of the most popular resorts of the Turkish Riviera and in Turkey as a whole. It’s hardly surprising too, as you’ll find pretty much everything here. Warm to mild climate, golden sandy beaches, turquoise sea, plenty of greenery, shops, cafes, beautiful nature, restaurants and lots of ancient ruins. With so much to offer, how do you even make a choice? We’ll help you with that in today’s guide.
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Alanya
What to see in Alanya?
Alanya is a beautiful seaside city in southern Turkey, quite close to Side and Antalya. It is one of the most popular cities among tourists in Turkey. Before we’ll get to the list, here are some little tips for your stay in Alanya:
- Only consume alcohol in designated areas
- Take off your shoes before entering a temple or a mosque
- Don’t discuss politics with locals unless they start it themselves (more about that here)
- Remember to bargain at the bazaar 🙂
- Don’t drink tap water
Alanya Promenade
The longest promenade in Alanya
This seaside promenade is the pride of Alanya. The promenade is over 4 miles long and is a popular spot for meetings, lazy walks or morning runs. There are also plenty of restaurants and party venues located along the promenade, which does get quite busy and loud at night. The promenade ends at Alanya’s charming little harbour, from where you can take a cruise to various nearby spots.
Teleferik
The scenic cable car ride in Alanya
Alanya’s cable car is a relatively young invention – it opened in 2017. The route is 900 metres long and the height at which you’ll be hanging around is up to 300 metres. As you ascend, you can enjoy a phenomenal panorama of the city and picturesque views of the coast. The cable car, called Teleferik by the Turks, has its starting station on Cleopatra Beach, right next to the Damlataş Cave. It will take you up to the castle hill, where you can visit a 13th-century fortress and a 14th-century mosque.
The Seljuk Castle on a hill
Great viewpoint in Alanya
The Kale hill towers over the rest of Alanya, where you’ll find the Seljuk Castle. It was built in the 13th century and is one of the best-preserved monuments of the city. You can enter the castle grounds yourself, though there’s a small entry fee. You can get to the hill on foot, by bus or by the Teleferik we just mentioned. The top offers a beautiful panorama of Alana, the coast and the Cleopatra beach below. It’s an exceptionally beautiful spot late in the afternoon from which to watch the sunset right from the castle walls.
Anemurium
Ancient ruins near Alanya
Anemurium refers to the ruins of an ancient city of the same name that are still relatively undiscovered by the vast majority of tourists. Which is, of course, a very good sign, as it means that the ruins are given the peace and quiet they deserve. Anemurium is located about 60 miles from Alanya. You can see plenty of Hellenistic and Byzantine influences interwoven here. Additionally, the spot has some great views, apart from its dominantly historically-aesthetical values.
Dim cave near Alanya
A beautiful natural spot
Just a few kilometres from Alanya you can find some of the proudest handicrafts of nature – Turkish caves. From all the beautiful ones nearby, we’d recommend the Dim Cave. It’s over 400 metres long (of which 360 metres are open to visitors) and its interior conceals a small charming lake. Keep in mind that the cave is very humid and the temperature is consistently lower than outside (around 18 degrees) so take some extra clothing with you.
Köprülü Canyon near Alanya
Turkey’s largest canyon
Steep, rocky cliffs, lush green pines and cider trees and an azure-turquoise river meandering between the rocks. This is the kind of landscape you’ll see in Köprülü National Park in the Taurus Mountains. Its main attraction is Turkey’s longest canyon (over 8 miles), called Köprülü. It is also the grandest and tallest gorge in the whole country. In addition to the natural beauty here, you can also see an ancient bridge here which, despite its age, still serves its purpose proudly and you can use it to cross. A trip to Köprülü Canyon will be an ideal attraction not only for those who appreciate natural wonders, but also for adrenaline seekers – you can find organised rafting or kayaking here.
Sapadere Canyon
More natural wonders near Alanya
Are all the nature spots near Alanya so far right up your alley? Well, don’t worry, because there’s even more. Take a look at the Sapadere Canyon, also in the Taurus Mountains, around 25 miles from Alanya. Amidst the bare, jagged walls of the canyon, people have built wooden platforms to get around the waterfalls and the crystal clear blue waters of the river. There’s also a lovely little lake at the end of the path. It’s possible to swim in the waters here, though it’s only if you’re already well-versed in the cold-shower cult, because the waters here are icy cold all year round.
Pirate ship cruises!
A sea adventure in Alanya
Back to Alanya though. Due to its coastal location, the city offers plenty of maritime activities. Amongst the various local cruises you’ll even find a pirate ship. You can admire the panorama of Alanya from the sea’s perspective, take a dive from the ship’s deck, see the nearby caves and finally the phenomenal Cleopatra Beach. There are, of course, plenty of fun activities for children and hearty meals for the big adult sea rats.
Syedra near Alanya
Mysterious ruins of an ancient city
Syedra is another ancient city in the area, or rather its remains, that we’d recommend you pay a visit to. The settlement was founded by the Romans and consisted of two parts – the lower part including the harbour and the upper part, located on a hill. Thanks to its coastal location, Syedra was an important point on the commercial map of the time. The city was abandoned in the 13th century, when the Seljuks conquered the area on the southern coast of present-day Turkey.
Today, among the ruins of Syedra, you can admire a well-preserved triumphal arch, baths, a temple and an oil-pressing workshop. Syedra is under the patronage of the Alanya Archaeological Museum, which has funded the construction of benches and viewpoints to improve our viewing comfort. When planning your visit, do take into account that travel agencies don’t organise tours here, and so you’ll have to get to Syedra by your own (hired) car.
As we’ve said, we could list a lot more in Alanya. Even if our points don’t yet make you convinced, trust us, you’ll find plenty more to do in the region. Be it the Cleopatra’s Golden Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey, the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, the ancient ruins and beautiful natural spots, or the various clubs inside the city, you’ll invariably be left satisfied.
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