Alanya is best known for its beaches. The stretches of sand in the town itself and along the surrounding coastline are all about laid-back resort holidays and are usually crowded with a northern European clientele from June to August.
However, Alanya has more to offer than its coast. The peninsula’s high cliff contains an ancient castle district, all surrounded by well-preserved, sturdy stone walls. More historic ones appear to have survived down by the harbor, towering over a bay where yachts stand ready to take you out to sea.
Alanya is also just a day trip away from some of the famous ancient sites and tourist attractions of this Mediterranean region. If you also want to shed the sand for the day and set off to explore, there is plenty to do on the beach.
Besides the places mentioned on this list, you can also easily take day trips to Antalya to visit the museum and stroll around the old town, Aspendos (the most famous Roman theater in Turkey) and other important sites near Antalya like Perge.
The city of Alanya is also a starting point for diving, cruising and trips to the Taurus Mountains, where you can hike in gorges, explore caves and bathe in cool mountain streams.
Here is a list of things to do in Alanya that can make vacation in the city cheerful and fun.
Alanya’s wide sandy beaches have seen the city on the Turkish Riviera grow from a humble resort town to the popular summer playground it is today. With a large expat community drawn by the roughly 300 days of sunshine a year – not to mention the laid-back lifestyle – there’s also plenty going on outside of the busy summer season.
Beyond the beach, cosmopolitan Alanya has a rich cultural heritage with ancient fortifications, a historic shipyard and several compelling museums. They’re a far cry from the noisy bars and crowded restaurants of the waterfront, but together with the resort’s modern attractions they form a well-rounded and compelling package.
Here are some things to do in Alanya. So, let’s go!
To start your holiday in Alanya in the best possible way, you must definitely visit a hammam. It’s the ultimate in pampering and one of the best things to do in Alanya – and Turkey in general.
Typically, you’ll first come into a steam room, after which you’ll be scrubbed from head to toe. Then at the end of your visit you will receive a wonderful relaxing body massage. Doesn’t that sound great? At least I think so.
I recommend that you visit a hammam at the very beginning of your holiday in Turkey. But why, you will ask? Your dead skin cells will be sloughed off during the process, so you’re likely to lose your tan color. It would be a shame if you’ve already worked hard to get it. After a visit to the hammam, your skin will be beautifully soft and ready to absorb the sun even better.
Hammams have been an important part of Islamic bathing culture for centuries and can still be found throughout Turkey today. So, if you don’t mind getting a massage from a stranger… Well, then a visit to a hammam is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Alanya.
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Sheltered on three sides by the Mediterranean Sea, the city’s steep peninsula is crowned by a 13th-century castle with 4 miles of fortified walls.
This mass of rock is a natural defense and the current castle was built on earlier Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine enclosures.
There are a total of 83 towers and 140 towers in the walls, and many of the 1,200 original cisterns continue to serve their original function.
Alanya Castle is a vast archaeological site that requires hours of exploration.
The starting point must be the citadel or kale on the south-west side, where you come to the Byzantine Church of St. George, which was later rebuilt as a mosque.
The north side of the promontory is the site of the Seljuk Ehmedek Fortress, which was built on Hellenistic remains and housed a military garrison, arsenal and the sultan’s treasury for hundreds of years.
Here you’ll discover countless ruins, along with historic 19th-century houses that were built after the castle lost its defensive purpose.
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It is impossible not to be impressed by the Taurus Mountains, and if you want to break out and experience this exciting landscape, the Sapadere Gorge, some 40 kilometers north-east of Alanya, is your best bet.
In the mountains, the temperature is a few degrees lower, and what is immediately noticeable is the lack of humidity.
There’s a seven-hour tour on excursionsbooks.com/ that takes you 750 meters of boardwalks along the gnarled walls of the gorge into the mountains, past waterfalls with refreshing, clear pools for you to swim in.
Afterward, stop in Sapadere village for lunch and see rural life in Antalya province up close.
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Located at the end of the port, the Red Tower is one of Alanya’s biggest tourist attractions and landmarks. The tower was originally built as a water tower and lookout tower. Today, however, the 33-meter high tower serves as an ethnological museum and a popular viewpoint in Alanya.
Inside the Red Tower in Alanya you can learn about the history behind the tower and the Ottoman Empire. You can also see historical collections of weapons and other antique items. The highlight, however, is the beautiful view from the top of the tower. Climbing the 85 steep stairs can be strenuous, but the stunning view from the top is worth the effort.
In Alanya there is a wide range of local markets. In fact, there is at least one market every day. The markets are spread all over the city and each offer a wide range of goods. Here you can find everything from exotic fruits, vegetables and spices to counterfeit items such as clothing, shoes and bags.
You can often get much better deals in Alanya’s markets than in the bazaar. Normally the vendors in the markets don’t pay that much for a booth space… So they are more willing to lower the price.
There is no doubt that the markets are one of the most authentic things to do in Alanya, Turkey. Slip into the stalls of fragrant spices and colorful vegetables and soak up the atmosphere of Turkish trade.
Dim Cay is a popular picnic spot in the most beautiful setting of the Taurus Mountains. Restaurants line the Strip along the Dim Cay River. Here there is ample opportunity to enjoy lunch on a raft or in a wooden gazebo on the mountainside. Some of the restaurants even have their own water park and sun beds, while others have water slides right in the river.
The water in the Dim Cay River is freezing cold and never gets above 15 degrees. So it is an icy pleasure to jump into the water. Let me put it this way; a bit of courage is definitely required! For this reason, Dim Cay is also the obvious spot in Alanya when you need a break from the sun.
So if you dream of a quiet environment, then you should definitely avoid Sundays. In any case, Dim Cay is one of the best things to do in Alanya.
Alanya Teleferik is a cable car in Alanya that opened in the summer of 2017. Since then it has become one of the most popular attractions in Alanya. It was actually supposed to transport tourists from Cleopatra Beach up to the castle. But now the cable car itself has become a major tourist attraction in Alanya.
While sitting in the cable car you will be greeted by the most beautiful views. From here you have a breathtaking panoramic view of Alanya, the bay and the Taurus Mountains in the distance. By the way, the best time for a cable car ride is definitely at sunset.
Cable car in Alanya usually runs daily between 11:00 and 21:00. The route extends over 900 meters and has a climb of a few hundred meters. You should plan about 5 minutes for a cable car ride in Alanya.
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One of the things you cannot miss in Alanya is a boat trip. A day at sea is really wonderful in the Turkish heat. Here you can swim in the sea and enjoy the sun on the ship’s deck. You are surrounded by the most scenic surroundings. You might even be lucky enough to see dolphins or sea turtles in the ocean.
The choice of boat trips in Alanya seems endless. Therefore, it is a good idea to get an overview of the options and prices in Alanya Marina before the trip.
You can find anything from a full day trip of around 5-6 hours to a short boat ride of 1-2 hours. Also, lunch and drinks are included in the price on some boats. So, before your boat trip in Alanya, do some thorough research.
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Do you like speed and wild experiences on the water? Then you are exactly right with us. Alanya has a wide range of water sports activities . How about jet skiing, banana boats, water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, scuba diving or something completely different?
The opportunities for water sports activities in Alanya are endless. And it’s great to spend some time on the water in the heat.
In the vicinity of Alanya you will find many exciting day trips . Some of the most popular activities near Alanya are visiting the scenic Sapadere Canyon and Manavgat Waterfall . The cities of Antalya , Side, Mahmutlar and the ruined city of Perge are also very popular. If you want to experience the “real Turkey”, I strongly recommend you to visit a small Turkish village in the mountains.
If you’re willing to venture further afield, you can also take a trip to the natural wonders of Pamukkale and Cappadocia. However, you should be aware that they are so far away that an overnight stay may be necessary. The wide range of day trips is best experienced on a guided tour .
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