Alanya old city. Türkiye, Alanya - “Alanya is a fairy tale city, a dream city! Local attractions!” Kyzyl Kule - red tower
The sights of Alanya seem to have conspired and are located next to each other - in the city center. All the attractions of Alanya are inexpensive and easy to visit on your own, even if you are visiting for the first time. We'll tell you how much it costs and how to do it.
Sights of Alanya in Turkey: contents of the article
Sights of Alanya: what is included in our rating
The main attractions of Alanya are a list of seven points: a water park, an archaeological museum, a funicular, Cleopatra Beach, the Red Tower and ancient buildings next to it, Alanya Fortress, Damlatas Cave. Alanya's sights are not impressive in scale, but they are all interesting and picturesque.
All the sights of Alanya can be visited on your own in two to three days. To make it easier for you to decide where to start and where to end, we have compiled a rating of Alanya attractions - in ascending order.
No. 7. Alanya Water Park
The Alanya water park is small and no longer young - that’s why its price is low. Nice place to spend a hot day. Alanya Waterpark has seven slides, a large swimming pool and a lazy river. There are cafes where you can have an inexpensive lunch: sets with hamburgers, fried potatoes and cola cost from 13 to 20 liras. The water park and the archaeological museum are located opposite each other.
Alanya Water Park opening hours: from 8:00 to 18:00. IN winter time The water park is not open.
Ticket price: 40 lira.
Alanya Water Park is not for those who want to choke on adrenaline. But not really for children either. In general, the golden mean.
The water park is located in the very center of the city, very close to hotels and residential buildings.
No. 6. Alanya Archaeological Museum
I’ll tell you a secret: initially the Alanya Archaeological Museum occupied last place in our rating, but then we decided to go there :) We were pleasantly surprised! The price is ridiculous, and there are a lot of interesting things in the museum, both in the open area and in the building inside. There are practically no visitors, but in vain. We sincerely recommend this sweetie, cubby all tourists, you will like it.
Working hours archaeological museum: from 8:00 to 18:30.
Ticket price: 6 lira.
Alanya Archaeological Museum is located near Cleopatra Beach. The pride of the museum is the rare floor mosaics, which are almost 1800 years old!
There are tombs in the museum courtyard. There are thousands of similar tombs in Turkey, but there are very few well-preserved ones.
There are a lot of interesting things inside the Alanya Archaeological Museum, be sure to go, especially since the ticket there is almost free.
No. 5. Funicular
The funicular is a newcomer to the list of Alanya attractions. It opened a couple of years ago. On weekends, teleferik (Turkish name) is in great demand among local residents, so if possible, ride on weekdays - you will ride in a cabin alone. The views from it offer stunning views of the beach, the city, and the mountains. Travel time is about 10 minutes.
Funicular operating hours: from 9:30 to 20:00.
Ticket price: one way - 22 liras, both ways - 28 liras.
When the funicular was still being built, this article was called “6 best places Alanya" 🙂
We are pleased to include the funicular in our list of Alanya attractions to visit.
No. 4. Damlatash Cave
By God, the Damlatash cave would be ready to be placed higher than the Alanya fortress only thanks to Russian tourists who exclaimed at the entrance: “Wow, this is beauty in general!” After the caves visited in Laos, it’s hard for Zhenya and I to be impressed, but these wonderful guys helped me see the cave as tourists who have just set foot on the travel path see it. The cave is really beautiful: there are many stalactites and stalagmites. The only negative is that it is small, and high season there's a lot of people. Damlatas Cave is located at the foot of the mountain to the left of Cleopatra Beach, if you face the sea.
Opening hours of Damlatas Cave: from 10:00 to 18:00
Ticket price: 7.5 lira. If you visit the Red Tower first, which tops our rating of Alanya attractions, you can save on a ticket; for more details, see point No. 1.
The name of the Damlatash cave comes from two words: damla - drop, taş - stone. You will be surprised, but this is translated as “stalactite”.
The inside of the cave is really very beautiful, especially when looking up.
Sights of Alanya: such “columns” look very impressive.
No. 3. Alanya Fortress (Alanya Kalesi)
Alanya Kalesi (read as “kalesi”, not “khaleesi”) was built in the 13th century. The fortress can easily be called the hallmark of Alanya; it is located on a rocky shore near Cleopatra Beach at an altitude of 250 meters. The fortress offers excellent views of the city and the beach. On one side the wall descends almost to the Red Tower. Part of the fortress can be viewed for free.
Despite the fact that there are often articles about the sights of Alanya or collections on the topic “What to visit in Alanya?” begin precisely with the fortress, we have given it the third, and no more high place in our rating of attractions because the fortress seemed monotonous to us, we expected more.
Alanya Fortress opening hours: from April to October - from 08:00 to 19:00, from November to March - from 8:00 to 16:45.
Ticket price: 20 lira.
How to get to Alanya Fortress? City bus No. 4 goes to the entrance to the fortress; the fare is 2.5 liras. There is a stop right at the foot of the mountain, near Cleopatra Beach, where taxi drivers stand. You can also take the funicular and then walk for 7-10 minutes following the signs.
In total, there are 140 such towers on the wall that surrounds the Alanya fortress.
I really like how doorways and arches in general were decorated in ancient times.
Archaeologists and scientists believe that the Alanya fortress could accommodate about 400 people. I think they lived quite closely.
The fortress has a couple of equipped observation platforms from where you can take excellent panoramic photographs.
These, for example, are for the fortress itself.
Or these - for the city and the beach.
No. 2. Cleopatra Beach
Cleopatra Beach in Alanya is the best in the area. This is a beautiful sand and pebble beach with emerald and always clear water, where there is all the necessary infrastructure and a picturesque landscape. The link to a detailed article about the beach is just below.
Working hours: around the clock.
Price of sun lounger or umbrella: 10 lira, entrance to the beach is free.
Cleopatra Beach is a place where you want to stay all day, even if you have to bitterly mourn your burns later.
From Cleopatra Beach you can see the fortress, and from the fortress you can see the beach. The sights of Alanya are wonderfully adjacent :)
No. 1. Red Tower (Kyzyl Kule) and shipyard
Before visiting these places, we ourselves did not think that in the article about the sights of Alanya, the question “Where to go in Alanya?” We will primarily recommend the Red Tower and the shipyard. These two attractions became the leaders of our rating for two reasons:
1) Reality exceeded our expectations: we thought that inside the tower there was just some kind of platform, but no! Everything turned out to be much more interesting and unusual.
2) Red Tower and shipyard – unique places . We have seen a lot of water parks, caves, beaches and ancient fortress walls (and you, probably, too), but this was our first time in such a tower, and even more so at an ancient shipyard!
Opening hours of the Red Tower and shipyard: from 8:00 to 19:00.
Ticket price: visiting only the Red Tower - 7 liras, visiting only the shipyard - 7 liras, visiting the Red Tower and the shipyard - 10 liras, visiting the Red Tower, the shipyard and the Damlatas cave - 14 liras.
The Turkish Red Castle was built in the 13th century and is well preserved, but still underwent restoration 70 years ago so that tourists could easily visit it.
On the ground floor of the Red Tower hangs a portrait of the Sultan of Anatolia Ala-ad-din Kay-Kubad I, who ordered the construction of a shipyard and a tower to protect it.
“Touching objects is prohibited,” reads the sign next to the cannonballs. Zhenya pretended that he didn’t know how to speak English, and the Turks who saw this thing then pretended that they didn’t know how to speak Turkish and also began to grab the balls.
It’s good that the tower now belongs to tourists and not to the military, otherwise they would never have thought of making a railing to climb such steep steps!
At the shipyard there are several small rooms where there are ancient anchors, navigation aids and this ship's skeleton.
This is our first time in such a place, and although the shipyard is very small, it was very interesting to walk around it.
Alanya sights on the map
As you can see on the map below, all the attractions in Alanya are close to each other. Once you reach one, you can visit almost everything on foot.
We will be glad to receive your feedback and impressions about the sights you visited in Alanya!
Sights of Alanya (Türkiye) in Russian with map, photo and description
If you are not one of those vacationers who prefer not to leave the comfort zone of the hotel, then you probably want to know what interesting places you can visit a popular resort, what to see and how to surprise yourself. And we are ready to tell you about the main attractions of Alanya and the surrounding area so that you will definitely want to leave your sun lounger by the pool or exchange the beach for an exciting excursion.
Of course, Alanya is, first and foremost, a popular resort, so thousands of tourists from all over the world receive first-class service here - cozy hotels, good beaches and a variety of entertainment: from diving in the Mediterranean Sea and fishing from the deck of a yacht to horseback riding and gastronomic tours. But, despite the pretentious status of the “Turkish Riviera”, Alanya has an impressive ancient history, in which the ancient conquerors, the rulers of Byzantium, and warriors left their mark Ottoman Empire. And evidence of this is the numerous “ruins”, as well as modern monuments. In the vicinity of the resort, there are such natural places that contemplative tourists should definitely visit - Sapadere Canyon, Green Canyon, Tauride Mountains, ruins ancient cities and caves. There are also places in Alanya for those who love all kinds of attractions and extreme entertainment.
What sights of Alanya to see first?
During excursions or independent walks around Alanya, you should definitely visit the Red Tower, which for centuries defended the port from pirate raids, as well as the medieval Tersane shipyard, where ships were built from local cedar forests for centuries. To feel historical heritage Alanya needs a walk along the authentic streets to the ancient Suleymaniye Mosque and the northern fortress of Ehmedek, and then to Cleopatra Beach and Damlatas Cave. And when all the sights of Alanya have been explored, you can supplement your collection of vacation impressions with trips around the surrounding area. So that you can make your own rating of must see places, we present the “ten” most visited places and monuments.
TOP 10 best attractions in Alanya
Excursions to the sights of Alanya
It is wiser to visit any sights of Alanya accompanied by a Russian guide, choosing a suitable group or individual tour. You can, of course, read about this or that object on your own, but often the guide shares information that cannot be found in free access. In addition, getting to know the city and its surroundings will take less time, since the travel route is carefully thought out and adjusted by the organizers for maximum convenience of guests. We recommend booking excursions in advance at , where there are both popular classic programs on the main attractions of Alanya and Turkey in general, as well as original excursions from Russian-speaking guides. At online booking on Tripster, it is enough to make a 20% prepayment (the rest is ceremonially handed over to the guide or tour organizer on the spot). And if you choose an individual program, you can, during online communication with the guide, ask to make adjustments to the route and tailor the route to suit you.
Sights of Alanya with photos and descriptions
It’s absolutely certain that you won’t be able to visit all the interesting places in one day, so it’s worth setting priorities – what to see first, and where you can go if you have time, energy and money left. First of all, we recommend deciding on a thematic focus, because for some people it’s more interesting to climb ancient ruins, and for some - to squeal in the water park. Well, our top 25 main attractions in Alanya will help you choose what is interesting to you specifically.
Top 25 attractions in Alanya
1. Alanya Castle
The main attraction of the city, of course, is the ancient fortress wall, built on the foundations of a Roman-Byzantine fortress by Sultan Ala ad-Dine Kay-Kubade. The construction of the fortification dates back to the 13th century, and the watchtowers and outer walls have been well preserved to this day. Inside there are interesting ancient buildings - brick cisterns, the Byzantine Church of St. George, baths, the Sultan's palace. The observation decks located inside offer breathtaking panoramas of the city and the sea.
Most of the fortress can be viewed for free, but entrance to the castle costs 20 Turkish lira. From April to October, the ancient complex, turned into a Museum under open air, open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., from November to March – from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2. Red Tower / Kizilkule
If you hear what the Turks are talking about Kyzyl Kule, know - we're talking about about another key attraction of the city, which flaunts on the flag of Alanya - the octagonal Red Tower. It was built according to the design of an Arab architect in the 13th century, and was built to such high quality that today it remains one of the best-preserved examples of medieval military architecture. On the 1st floor of the tower there is an ethnographic museum, and on the last floor there is an observation deck. You will have to walk up 85 steps to get there.
Opening hours: April-October – 9.00-19.00, November-March – 9.00-17.00. You will have to pay 7 Turkish lira for the entrance ticket.
3. Tersane Shipyard / Old Shipyard
The shipyard is located just behind the Red Tower. It was used for the construction of the Sultan's flotilla from 1228 to 1361. Stone structure on the water, divided by arches into five workshop rooms, is an excellently preserved example of Seljuk architecture. Until the 60s of the last century, ships were still being repaired there, but today the shipyard is a museum with models of medieval ships, mechanisms for lifting cargo, unusual nautical charts, workbenches with tools and other interesting things.
Shipyard in summer time open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (opening hours may change in winter). Ticket price – 6 liras. By the way, it is more profitable to purchase complex tickets, for example, you can visit the Red Tower and the shipyard for 8 liras.
4. Cleopatra Beach
The best beach in Antalya has been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness and comfort. Two kilometers of “golden” sand, which, according to legend, was brought all the way from Egypt itself, is definitely worthy of your heels;) The entrance to the clearest water is gentle, so the place is ideal for relaxing with children. A well-developed infrastructure will allow you to alternate between lying on a sun lounger and riding catamarans, water skiing, or banana boats. The beach has changing cabins and showers (both paid and free). Interestingly, there are toilets not only for people, but also for dogs. There are many cafes along the entire beach, but to save money, it is better to shop at the markets on Damlatas Street.
The beach is open to the public every day. Entrance is free, but if there are not enough free sun loungers, you will have to pay for a sun lounger and an umbrella.
5. Damlatas Cave / Damlatas Caves
Not far from Cleopatra Beach, right at the foot of the Alanya Fortress, there is the Damlatas Cave - small and not at all gloomy, which is worth a visit to see the thousand-year-old stalactites and stalagmites, decorated with very beautiful lighting. You are unlikely to last more than half an hour in the cave. With absolute humidity and a temperature of about 25 degrees, it is difficult to view the underground masterpieces, although local doctors assure that the record levels of carbon dioxide will benefit asthmatics. But entry into the cave is not recommended for “core” people.
You can visit the Damlatas Cave daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance fee: 7.5 Turkish liras for an adult ticket and 3.5 liras for a child’s ticket.
6. Seaport of Alanya / Port of Alanya
The seaport receives daily cruise ships and yachts, and walking along the embankment is one of the favorite pastimes of local residents. For a long time, the port was a haven for pirates, until the “gentlemen of fortune” were “asked to leave” by the Roman Empire. There are many cafes on the embankment where you can order mussels with lemon. And if you go on an excursion with a Russian guide, he will definitely lead you to a place in the port, from where you can see the main attractions of the city - the Red Tower and the Lighthouse. It is from the port that all excursion ships depart, many of which are stylized as pirate ships.
Opening hours: daily. Per visit seaport There is no charge.
7. Water Planet water park
Water Park “Planet of Water” in the village of Okurjolar, 30 km from Alanya – perfect place to have fun. Almost three dozen different slides, a 75-meter bungee ride, Kamikaze and Black Hole rides, rafting on the lazy river - everyone can choose what they like best. On the territory of the Water Park there are a dozen swimming pools with comfortable sun loungers, as well as several restaurants and cafes.
For those staying at the hotel of the same name, visiting the water park is free (they are given special bracelets upon check-in). Other tourists can buy a ticket with or without meals: an adult will cost 40/30 dollars (respectively), a child (for children from 6 to 12 years old) – 35/25 dollars.
8. Alanya Archaeological Museum
It’s also worth visiting the archaeological museum in Alanya in the company of a Russian guide, because all the signs on the exhibits are in English, and the services Russian speaking guide the museum itself does not provide. The museum's exhibition is quite interesting: all kinds of figurines, jewelry, dishes, household items dating back to the Lydian, Phrygian, Byzantine and Greek periods. In one of the halls there is only one exhibit - a statue of bronze Hercules, cast in the 2nd century. BC. There is a hall dedicated to marine finds - sunken ships and treasures. In the cozy garden of the museum, fragments of antique columns and various agricultural implements are displayed, and walking peacocks and fragrant plants complement the peaceful atmosphere of the museum.
The museum is open from April to October from 8.30 to 19.30, from November to March - from 8.30 to 17.30. Monday is a day off. The entrance ticket costs 6 Turkish lira.
9. Alanya Aquapark
In the center of Alanya, behind the Migros supermarket, there is a small city water park. It has only 9 slides, which are not too steep and not at all new, several pools, a waterfall and a rafting channel. You cannot visit the water park with your own food, and prices in local cafes are higher than in markets. The city water park is almost always very crowded, so there may be queues for some attractions. Before including a water park in the program, you should clarify whether it is fully open after reconstruction and which attractions are working.
You can visit the city water park every day, from 9 am to 6 pm, but the attractions start only from 10. Entrance fee: for adults - 25 liras, for children - 15 liras. You can also buy a ticket with a “snack” (cola, fries and hamburger) for 35 liras.
10. Lighthouse in the port of Alanya / Alanya Lighthouse
At the beginning of the last century, a 20-meter lighthouse appeared on the edge of the port harbor, which was assembled in Paris and guided ships to the French shores for more than 50 years. The lighthouse was then transported and installed in Alanya. Its compact size does not prevent it from illuminating the sea for 200 miles for more than a hundred years, and tourists are invited to climb to the observation deck. The climb will not be too tiring, because inside the walls of the lighthouse are decorated with beautiful panels with sea scenes.
The lighthouse is open every day, but access inside can be both free and paid, so it would be good to enlist the help of a Russian guide who will tell you when to climb lighthouse observation deck they won't take the money.
11. Sapadere Canyon
An amazing natural area near Alanya was opened to tourists in 2008, and every year it becomes more and more popular. A walk along the wooden deck stretched along the rocks will be an escape from the heat and will give you a lot of impressions from contemplation pine forests, magnificent mountain peaks and icy mountain streams.
An excursion to the Sapadere Canyon can be booked at
12. The ancient city of Syedra
In ancient times, Syedra was a major trading port with its own mint. Today these are ruins where turtles rule, but it’s worth climbing the mountain to the ancient polis if only to see stunning panoramas of the sea, walk along the remains of ancient paving stones, imagine the splendor of the ancient Column Street or try to examine fragments of an ancient mosaic.
13. Suleymaniye Mosque in Alanya Fortress / Suleymaniye Mosque
The current and oldest mosque in the city was built in 1231 by Sultan Alaadin Key Qubad (the same one who ordered the construction of the Red Tower). And the Suleymaniye Mosque is called because it was restored after a fire by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. On the minaret there are speakers from which the call to prayer is heard. Inside the mosque everything is traditional and ascetic.
14. Monument to Ala ad-Din Kay-Qubad I
The Seljuk Sultan, who ruled Alanya in the 13th century, is today the first to greet guests arriving at the resort from Antalya. It was this sultan who ordered the construction of the main religious attractions of Alanya - the Red Tower, the Suleymaniye Mosque, the Tersane shipyard, and under him the Konya Sultanate achieved greatness. Today, a huge pedestal on which a fearless warrior on horseback “prances” reminds us of the determination and courage of this ruler.
15. House-Museum of Kemal Ataturk
The exhibition of the house-museum is dedicated to the people's favorite - Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - the first president of Turkey, reformer politician and military leader. The fact that Kemal was in this house only once in 1935 did not stop the residents of Alanya from the temptation to open a museum in the building. On the ground floor there is an exhibition with Ataturk’s personal belongings, photographs, and documents signed by him. The second is a reconstruction of the interiors of a Turkish house with authentic household items.
16. Dim Cave
One of the largest caves in Europe is located 12 km from Alanya. It’s hard to say what’s more magnificent: the views of the surrounding area on the way to the cave, the panoramas of the valley from its observation platforms, or a walk through the cave itself. As a warm-up, you should first look into the small 50-meter hall, and then go to the large 300-meter hall. A cosmic spectacle awaits you - literally and figuratively.
17. Alanya Gardens Park
The park, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Ataturk, is very popular among tourists who, after a hot beach, don’t mind taking a breather in the shady alleys. The park has many exotic trees, stunningly beautiful flower beds, recreation areas, and artificial ponds and fountains.
18. Seyir Terasi observation deck
It’s worth going up to the observation deck to see all the sights of Alanya at once, and the walk will be magnificent both during the day and in the evening. On the upper observation deck there is a park and a restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner. There is a playground for children. Turkish dance groups perform on stage. On the lower platform you can comfortably sit on one of the many benches and admire the city.
19. Green Canyon/Green Canyon
The Green Canyon was created not by nature, but by man. This huge reservoir in the valley of the Taurus Mountains has the status national park, and its main attraction is Lake Oymapinar, which is fed by three dozen mountain springs. Ideal place for a picnic and peaceful relaxation surrounded by local beauty.
An excursion to the Green Canyon from Alanya can be purchased at
20. Monument to Ataturk
The monument to the “father of the Turks” was erected on Republic Square (near the street, named again in honor of Ataturk). The figure of the bronze “leader” is surrounded by pioneers: a boy with a flag and a girl greeting guests. On the massive pedestal is a quote from Ataturk: “Peace in the country! World peace!" When you look, you involuntarily remember everything famous monuments Soviet leader. 😉
21. Dolphinarium Sealanya
While visiting the Dolphinarium in Alanya, you can not only see the fiery performances of fur seals and dolphins, but also swim with the latter (for an additional fee). Guests can also take unique photos with the stunning animals or attend a dolphin therapy session - chat with dolphins to relieve stress and improve your mood.
22. Yil Ataturk Parki
You can enter Ataturk Park along Cleopatra Beach both from the embankment and from the adjacent street. You can walk along the paved paths endlessly. The huge fingers cast a good shadow, and standing on one of the many bridges near the artificial pond and fountains, it’s easy to enjoy the freshness of the purest water. There are a lot of interesting plants in shape, for example, in the form of a pineapple grown into the ground. The irrigation system works flawlessly, so the park is always green.
23. Incekum Beach
23 km from Alanya is one of the oldest and most popular beaches in Incekum. You can get there by minibus in half an hour. The beach is famous for its fine sand. Actually, tourists come here to trample on it with their bare feet, and at the same time swim in the sea. 15 minutes from the beach is the village of Avsallar, where there are many restaurants and cafes.
24. Cable car to the Alanya Fortress / Alanya Teleferik
A funicular ride to the top of the Ich Kale fortress will give you the opportunity to contemplate stunning views of Alanya. The cabins are closed, but with large panoramic glazing, so you won’t miss anything during the ascent and descent. The trip takes no more than 5 minutes. Then - an observation deck and a walk to the fortress itself, you can wander around the territory of which for a very long time due to the numerous shops, cafes and other interesting things.
25. Dim-Chai River / Dim River
The Dim Chay River, which originates from Konya and flows into the Mediterranean Sea, is popular among tourists due to its beautiful developed infrastructure. There are many restaurants, including those with cabanas right on the water, cozy picturesque picnic spots and fishing spots.
Alanya is a city of impressions in Turkey. The unique climate and inexpensive leisure attract tourists from all over Europe. The small Turkish town is located at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, housing many attractions. It is surrounded on all sides by orange and lemon orchards, and inside is filled unique architecture. It is not surprising that during the Roman Empire Alanya was the favorite vacation spot of Cleopatra herself. Here you will find the TOP interesting and beautiful places, where to go in the city and surrounding areas.
Excursions and entertainment in Alanya (Türkiye)
Alanya is one of the most popular resorts Turkey. Every tourist will find something to their liking here. Excursions to Pamukkale, Cappadocia or Demre will immerse you in the world of the Middle Ages, take you back to the times of Roman rule and show you historical places these ancient cities. Must-see attractions and picturesque surroundings near the resort, which you can visit on your own by looking at the map.
Local guides offer a large number of tours and organized excursions
Fans of extreme sports can choose a good rafting tour, the right diving or motosafari on ATVs. Those who want to know water world, can take a tour and visit the unique Aquarium structure with 45 branches and hundreds of representatives underwater world. The guides will also take you to the most secret corners of the Alan caves, lower you to the bottom of the Dim-Chay River and organize an unusual picnic there.
For those who like to relax, there are special tours to the Turkish Hammam, yacht trips or evening pop and music shows with light music and laser lights.
What to see in one day
This small town, so you can see all the main attractions on your own. Start your route from the Red Tower and see Alanya from above. Go down to the Tersane shipyard and look into every archway. See the Ataturk Monument and visit the house museum in his honor. You can end your first acquaintance with the city on Cleopatra Beach, relax and feel all the warmth of the Mediterranean Sea.
Walk along the port promenade and enjoy a gorgeous view of the sea and moored yachts
To continue exploring the city, you can walk along Ataturk Boulevard, go to the park and go to the embankment. Plunge into the coastal waters on Damlatas Beach, visit the cave of the same name and visit the Alanya Fortress and the Archaeological Museum. In the late afternoon, you can take a trip on a pirate ship and taste local delicacies, exotic dishes and aromatic Turkish coffee.
Where to go with children
Favorite children's activity in resort town What remains is a visit to the water parks Water Planet, Utopia World, Water Park and a trip to the Sealanya Seapark dolphinarium. However, excursions to the Damlatash and Dim caves or the fortresses of Kyzyl Kule, Ich Kale, and the Tersane shipyard will leave no less impressions.
Children will love the fast water slides
A walk along the embankment will be a real holiday for a child, because there is great amount free children's playgrounds, attractions and mini-gyms. And, of course, cleanest beaches with clear water: Cleopatra, Keykubat, Damlatas and Incekum children's beach.
This monument is dedicated to the great ruler Sultan Ala ad-Din Kay-Kubad I. The peak of his reign dates back to 1220-1237. During this time, the military leader was able to significantly expand the Seljuk possessions. He conquered the port of Kalon Oros (now the Tersane shipyard and the Kyzyl Kule tower) and was able to appropriate southern Crimea for some time.
The monument is located in the back of Alanya. He meets all tourists who arrived from the airport. The military leader is depicted sitting on a horse and giving the order to attack the enemy. It is interesting that modern rulers often try to justify their power by saying that they belong to the Kay-Kubadu family.
The mosque was built back in the 13th century during the reign of Sultan Aladdin Keykubat. It is a whole complex. On the territory of Suleiman you will see a palace, a minaret, military buildings and a school for Muslim children. In the 16th century, the building was completely reconstructed; this is exactly how we see the mosque in our time.
The special thing about this place is the unique sound inside the mosque. Ancient architects achieved perfect acoustics. To do this, they placed 15 small balls under the dome itself. The work of the builders can be fully appreciated by getting inside the structure during prayer.
The tall snow-white lighthouse has been towering over the Turkish coast for a century and a half. It was built in 1880 in France, and only in 1935 it migrated to Turkey. The lighthouse is only 22 meters high, but its light at sea reaches 300 nautical miles. There are so many people who want to get to the lighthouse that people line up even before the opening of visits. And it's worth it.
The Water Planet water park is located 30 km from Alanya in the village of Okurcalar. Here you can ride the most extreme coasters in Turkey - "Kamikaze" and "Black Pipe" - and enhance your sensations by jumping from a 75-meter high bungee jump or flying by parachute over the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
In the park you will find a rafting course 450 meters long, four pools, including one with artificial waves, where you can take surfing lessons. The water park has 24 adult slides. There is also a children's area with safe, but no less exciting, attractions.
Water Planet is located on site, so you will have a tennis court, mini-football and volleyball courts at your disposal.
The fortress was built at the beginning of the 13th century by the Seljuk Sultan Ala ad-Din Kay-Kubad. It is located on a steep cliff at an altitude of 250 meters above sea level directly above Cleopatra Beach. The building is clearly visible from the sea and land. You can get to it along a narrow path from the beach or by going down from the Red Tower.
Unfortunately, most of the castle was destroyed. However, it is certain that it had two gates, a 6.5 km long wall and 140 towers. IN given time the ruins are completely open to the public and are an open-air museum.
Damlatash is translated from Turkish as “stone drop”. The cave fully lives up to its name, because its entire surface is literally covered with multi-colored stalagmites and stalactites. Their age is at least 15 thousand years, and the landmark was discovered only during the construction of the port in 1948. This is one of the few Turkish caves equipped with stairs.
The peculiarity of Damlatash is its unique air, which helps to cope with diseases of the respiratory system. Its temperature here is +22-+23 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is 90%; it contains an increased concentration of carbon dioxide with little radioactivity and ionization.
This is one of the newest places in Alanya. The port was built only 8-10 years ago, but its newness does not make it any less interesting. Here you can see the popular monument to the anchor, watch real pirate frigates and walk to the place where modern yachts, ferries and boats moor.
The attraction is located along the entire sea coast. Numerous bushes with unusual shapes, flower arrangements and unusual sculptures make this place especially photogenic.
This is the pride of Alanya, a unique landmark in the heart of the city and the owner Blue Flag for perfect cleanliness. The length of the beach is more than 2 km, and the daily attendance is about 10 thousand people. However, there is enough space for everyone.
The sand on this beach is a brilliant pale yellow. Locals tell a legend that Mark Antony himself brought it to the beach as a gift to Cleopatra. But in fact, the beach is located close to Antalya.
The advantage of Cleopatra Beach is free entry, showers and changing rooms. There is only a fee for renting sunbeds and umbrellas.
Located near the Damlatas Cave on the west side of Cleopatra Beach. There is the same clean beautiful sand, but the entrance to the sea is smoother. This is why this beach is so popular among tourists with children.
In addition, there are much fewer vacationers here. On this beach you will find peace and can fully enjoy your holiday.
This monument is dedicated to the first ruler of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It symbolizes the power and strength of the state, which was created thanks to such a courageous leader. And two children on either side of the ruler talk about the future of the Turkish people. At the foot of the monument you can see Ataturk’s famous phrase: “Peace in the country, peace in the world”
The monument is located in the very center of Alanya. It attracts dozens of local citizens and attracts crowds of tourists. A second similar monument was installed opposite the Red Tower, but it is much smaller in size.
Blue Flag holder. The beach is located in the western part of the peninsula. Compared to other beaches, Keykubat is wider and has a length of 3 km. Its covering is pebble with sand.
Entrance, changing rooms and showers on the beach are free, but you will have to pay extra for a separate sunbed and umbrella.
This is a museum that is constantly being updated. Its opening date is 1967. IN this moment there are so many exhibits that they simply do not fit into the building. Some historical finds Museum staff placed them in the courtyard and even in the garden.
In the museum you can see ancient writings and fragments of monuments, such as a handwritten text of the Koran, a tombstone from the 1st century BC and a Finnish stone with inscriptions from 625 BC. The pride of the museum is the bronze statue of Hercules from the 2nd century BC. They even allocated a separate room for her.
When you come to this place, you plunge into the atmosphere of Turkey of the last century. The history of the museum began with the arrival of the Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It was his things that became the basis for the creation of a historical monument. Over time, other tools of everyday life of the Turkish people were added to the house.
To get to the house-museum you need to go through the center to the Şekerhane district and exit onto Azaklar Street.
Sealanya Seapark water park is located 35 km from Alanya on the way to Antalya. This water park is unique not only big amount slides and other attractions. Grand performances with dolphins take place here several times a day.
The highlight of the park is the diving service. In a separate pool with an instructor you can swim with stingrays, dolphins and even sharks.
Syedra is antique city, founded during the reign of the Romans, in the middle of the 1st century BC. At that time it was a large port city and shopping mall. Here they minted coins and carried out trade not by exchange, but by payment in money.
Row historical events led to the destruction of the city, but even today you can see many elements from the life of ancient Turkey. In the territory ancient city there are three swimming pools that are filled from a natural source, Triumphal Arch and mosaics on the walls.
The central street of the city will make you feel like a Lilliputian, because this is where there are lying columns, the scale of which is simply amazing.
This is a unique oasis in the jungle of the city. The park area is 950 meters long and 480 meters wide. The garden is surrounded on all sides by benches, ponds, artificial gardens and fountains. In its center are palm trees, olive trees, oranges, tangerines and other exotic plants and flowers.
The highlight of the park is a small house where real cats live. They are revered by local residents, looked after and cared for. This is a real place to relax.
The canyon was opened in 2007. It is located 40 km from Alanya. But even such a long road is full of adventures and attractions, which is worth the Foggy Cave alone.
The canyon is clean and cool air, an absolutely clear and cold mountain river, high and steep cliffs, waterfalls and heavenly landscapes. A unique feature of this place is the warm springs. Any visitor will be able to take a hot bath and plunge into the cold water of a mountain river.
This is a place that not all tourists know about. It is unique for its landscapes. Locals come here on weekends, have picnics and organize romantic dates.
The cave was discovered in the 80s of the twentieth century, and its age is about a million years. It amazes with its size: the depth of the left part reaches 360 meters, the right - 50 meters. By the way, you can also go on a picnic to Dim Cave, right at the bottom of the river.
This structure was erected in 1228 during the reign of Aladdin of Cape Town. The shipyard served as a place for the construction and repair of warships and was located in such a way that enemy fleets could not detect it from the sea.
You can get to this historical building by descending from the Red Tower. You can also swim to this narrow place at the bottom of the hill from the sea.
A special feature of this part of the coast are five arched openings. If you go for a boat ride in the evening, you can see how all the recesses are illuminated from the inside. An incredibly mysterious and bewitching sight.
This is the main attraction of the resort. It is Kyzyl Kule that is the symbol of Alanya and is depicted on its flag. This structure served as the defense of the city. Through loopholes, Turkish soldiers poured molten tar onto their enemies.
On the ground floor there is an ethnographic museum. It tells the history of Alanya and the Kyzyl Kule tower, as well as the heraldry of the double-headed eagle that is depicted on the flag.
The Red Tower was founded in 1226 and got its name because of the color of the bricks. The shape is an octagon with a height of 33 meters and a diameter of 29 meters. The building has 5 floors. There are 85 steps leading to the top of Kyzyl Kule. It is there that the Turkish flag flies, and also offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city itself. This real paradise for lovers of photography.
On this map you can see where the attractions of Alanya are located in order to plan the ideal route:
Many attractions can even be reached on foot (especially if you live in the city center) or by car. public transport. And if you want more comfort, but don’t want to overpay for a taxi, it’s better to spend a couple of days so that you can see distant sights without any problems.
Renting a car in Alanya will cost on average from 20 euros/day; you can view car options, prices and detailed information about rentals on the website. The offers of most rental companies are presented there, so you can immediately compare prices and choose the best option.
2. City center
2.1. Cleopatra Beach in Alanya
There is a romantic legend associated with the most beautiful beach in Alanya. According to legend, the beach was given to Queen Cleopatra by the Roman commander Mark Antony. To please the queen, they even brought sand from Egypt. Now Cleopatra Beach is considered one of the best in Turkey, and it recently received the Blue Flag.
The beach has changing rooms with showers and a children's playground. Admission is free; sun loungers are available at an additional cost.
You can also paraglide. To do this, either buy a flight directly on the spot, or book in advance online:
Where is: next to Damlatas Cave. Detailed information You can read about the beach in a separate article.
2.2. Park in the center of Alanya
Alanya is one of the greenest resorts in Turkey. And the main role in this is given to parks, which give special comfort and harmony to the city. Located in the very center of Alanya beautiful park– one of the favorites for both locals and tourists.
Where is: next to Damlatas Cave
2.3. Damlatas Cave
In the very center of the city there is an amazing Damlatas cave. It was discovered quite recently when an explosion occurred at the quarry. Then the entrance to a cave with stalactites and stalagmites opened. The cave will be interesting to visit for tourists with children and all nature lovers. The cave is open every day from 10.00 to 18.00. The ticket costs 7.5 liras per adult and 3.5 lira children's ticket.
Where is: 100 meters from the sea. You can watch a video from the cave and find out more details at sightseeing tour with a visit to the cave - .
2.4. Archaeological Museum
If you're tired of beach holiday, you can always diversify your vacation and go to a museum. The pride of the archaeological museum is a collection of coins and vessels, a statue of Heralkos and ancient stones with inscriptions.
Where is: between the Damlatas cave and the water park. Read more about the museum itself in.
2.5. Alanya embankment
One of the best places for walking is the Alanya embankment. Ships, yachts and even fishermen's boats moor here. It will be interesting to look at the skillfully stylized pirate ships. You can ride many of them and take memorable photos.
Where is: next to the fortress and tower of Kyzyl Kule. Read about how we walked along the embankment and what interesting things we saw there.
2.6. Damlatas Water Park and Water Planet
Not far from the embankment there is a small water park called Damlatas. Most recently, the park was renovated and installed more slides“Children have a blast here.” It’s better to come in the morning, when there are no queues for the slides. The water park is open from 9.00 to 18.00 every day. A day ticket costs 50 liras no lunch 70 liras with lunch (prices 2019).
Where is: next to the Damlatash cave behind. Details
IN Water Planet water park It’s a long way to go, so it’s easier to just take a tour with a round-trip transfer. The cost of such a trip will be 32 euros, you can see the details and book.
2.7. Kyzyl Kule - red tower
One of the main attractions and unspoken symbol of Alanya is the Kyzyl Kule watchtower. It was erected at the beginning of the 13th century to protect the harbor. Entrance to the tower is open from 9.00 to 19.00 from April to October, from 8.00 to 17.00 from November to March. The ticket costs 6 lire.
Where is: on the embankment at the port. You can see the tower with our eyes and watch the video at.
2.8. Park near Kyzyl Kule
In the center of Alanya there is a city park, where it is nice to visit after a walk around the city to enjoy nature in peace and quiet. The park is surrounded by greenery, there are benches with gazebos everywhere, there are small ponds and fountains, and even a mini-town for cats. A wonderful place, definitely worth a visit.
Where is: opposite the Ataturk monument. You will find detailed information in.
2.9. Alanya Port
Located in a picturesque harbor main port Alanya, where you can buy a boat tour by sea, look for souvenirs to take home and try fresh mussels with lemon in one of the restaurants on the waterfront.
Where is: on the embankment on the way to the Kyzyl Kule tower.
2.10. Alanya Fortress
The main attraction of Alanya is impossible not to notice - huge defensive structures tower over the city and are visible from any point. Alanya Fortress was built in the 13th century and has not yet lost its former grandeur. Inside the fortress there is a mint, a mosque, a monastery, Winter Palace Sultan and about 400 underground rivers.
Where is: in the city center on the top of the mountain, next to the lighthouse. The fortress can be reached by public transport (stop at the foot of the fortress, the bus is coming straight to the top), on foot or by cable car. Price 20 liras.
Detailed information and review about visiting the fortress (as well as stunning photos from observation deck!) look.
2.11. Ulash Beach
Ulash Beach – a good place for lovers have a relaxing holiday. It is not as crowded as Cleopatra Beach, but the water is incredibly turquoise and there are equipped picnic areas.
Where is: 5 km west of Alanya
3. Surroundings of Alanya
3.1. Dim Cave
The second largest cave in Turkey is located near Alanya. Previously, hunters took refuge in this cave, but now tourists from all over the world come here to see the unusually beautiful halls with stalactites.
Dim Cave is open from 9.00 to 20.00, the entrance fee is 18 liras (prices 2019).
Where is: 12 km northeast of Alanya. You can get to the cave by car or by bus 101, and then walk (I wrote how to get to the cave, you can also watch the video there).
3.2. Pirate Cave
There are many stories associated with the Pirates Cave. According to one version, pirates hid looted gold here, which they then transported to the city along a narrow corridor. The corridor could not be found due to numerous collapses, but the beautiful legend is still preserved.
Where is: The cave can only be entered by water, by booking a tour or renting a boat.
4. What else to do in Alanya
But the interesting things about Alanya and its surroundings don’t end there! What else can you do in Alanya?
- ride a tourist tram;
- take bus 101 and travel across the entire coast;
- book a boat excursion along the coast (from $19);
- take a walk around historical center Alanya;
- go to and buy amazingly tasty and cheap fruits;
- go on a sightseeing tour of the city (for example);
- see the ruins of the ancient port city of Aitap and the city of Syedra;
- go to the Alara Khan caravanserai;
- go to the stunning Sapadere Canyon for the whole day, enjoy the waterfall and delicious food ()
- take a walk
Speaking of cities south coast Turkey, then Alanya among them at first glance is ordinary resort town. But this is only at first glance. He does not reveal his charm immediately, but gradually, as if looking closely at you, will you be able to discern behind lush facades numerous hotels and beautiful beaches its centuries-old history and glorious past. If you can do it, the love between you and the city will be mutual forever.
History of Alanya
And this city itself is a gift of love. It arose in the 4th century BC. Antony presented the ancient Korakesion (as Alanya was previously called) as a gift to his beloved Cleopatra. In the 2nd century BC. here, on the border of Pamphlia and Cilicia, pirates ruled. Korakesion was their base, their resting place. The entire coastline is indented with numerous bays and grottoes, where sea robbers hid their loot and divided their booty. In one of these grottoes, “Kyzlar Magarasy” - the “Maiden Cave”, pirates hid kidnapped women and other captives, who were then successfully delivered to the slave markets of ancient cities.
Alanya Old Town
The ancient Korakesion itself, the so-called “ Old city"was originally located on a small rocky cape. A well-fortified fortress was built around it by pirates, which was subsequently captured by Pompey. The ancient battlements of the Ichkale fortress stretch for 7 km. One of the fifty towers “Kyzyl Kule” - “Red Tower” in the north-east of the city walls was built in 1225 from red brick, its height is 30 m. Now it houses an ethnographic museum (unfortunately, there is no Russian-speaking guide in it, but if you know English well - no problem). A small Byzantine basilica has been preserved in the fortress. This is actually all that remains from the period of Byzantine rule in this city.
In the 13th century, the Seljuk Sultan Aladdin Keykubad founded his winter residence in the fortress, giving it the name Alaya, which later became Alanya. In one of the towers there was an execution place “Adam Atajagi”: from here those disliked by the Sultan were thrown into the sea, leaving them with a scanty chance of surviving if the condemned person threw a stone to the sea, which was actually unrealistic.
Near the harbor you can see ancient shipyards where the Seljuks maintained their fleet. Nearby there is a small bath of Cleopatra, which is supposedly connected by a tunnel to the fortress.
Sights of Alanya
All that remains is to visit the Old Quarter of the city, where under the same Sultan Aladdin Keykubad the Akchebe Sultan Mosque and the Turbe Tomb were erected. Be sure to check out the caravanserai, and if you're lucky, you'll catch a mesmerizing Sufi performance or the famous belly dance. Be sure to visit the Bedestan open bazaar, where you can find everything your heart desires. But even if your heart doesn’t want it, you will still buy it, because local merchants will grab you by the sleeves, inviting you to look at the goods and asking you to buy all sorts of unnecessary nonsense, assuring you that you definitely need it. By the way, learn the two golden rules of the oriental bazaar. First, be able to politely and firmly say “no” if you really don’t need the item and you don’t want to lose money. Second, know how to bargain. Don't assume that the dealer is telling you the real price. As a rule, it is overestimated by five times. The ability to bargain is a kind of game, a hobby of the locals, unless they bargain in supermarkets, and even then not always. Play this game, please both yourself and the seller, and he, smiling and satisfied, will give you something really good for ridiculous money just because you honor local traditions.
In general, it must be said that there are, as it were, two Alanyas - one for tourists, with luxury hotels, beaches, discos, foam parties. The other is for our own, locals. And if you want to see the real Alanya, leave the hotel in the evening and walk along the coast. Honestly, standing on the shore and watching the crimson disk of the sun fall into the Mediterranean Sea, you will feel this indescribable feeling of the connection of times, realizing that before you, hundreds and thousands of years ago, people also stood on the shore in the same way and looked at the beautiful sunset. And then you will be able to see what idle vacationers usually do not see. Here is a Turkish family going to the beach with their children - no, not swimming and sunbathing. Daytime is a time of noisy tourists. Evening is the time of the locals. The family sits on the shore, has dinner and also admires the sunset. Some guy stands on a rocky spit and catches fish with a spinning rod. Here is the hotel Bobik running around the rocks and catching crabs. And everywhere and everywhere you are accompanied by the heady smell of azaleas, ice cream vendors, local guides and monuments to grandfather Kemal Ataturk (well, remember our: “Lenin lived, Lenin lives…”).
Would you like some ice cream? Go up to the van and say a few words to the ice cream man in Turkish (I advise you to definitely learn it). And now he, smiling widely, gets you the best, wishing you a pleasant appetite. And you yourself suddenly notice that you are smiling back...
In general, when vacationing in Turkey, smile more often, and sincerely, from the heart. Believe me, a smile is the key that opens any door.