Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Alanya, Turkey

This elegant resort is positioned against the Gulf of Antalya, flanked by the imposing Taurus Mountains.

The landscape features a 250-meter-high promontory extending into the Mediterranean, a site of historical fortification.

In Alanya, visitors can enjoy leisurely days on picturesque beaches and explore the majestic castle ruins, accessible via a cable car that commenced operations in 2017. This initiative is part of several developments that have modernized Alanya into a leading beach destination in the 21st century.

The city also serves as a starting point for scuba diving, cruises, and excursions into the Taurus Mountains, where hiking in canyons, cave exploration, and refreshing swims in mountain streams await adventurers.

1. Alanya Castle

The city’s steep peninsula, encircled by the Mediterranean on three sides, is crowned by a 13th-century castle, featuring 6.5 kilometers of fortified walls.

This natural formation provided a strong defense, and the present castle structure incorporates earlier Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine fortifications.

Within its bounds, there are 83 towers and 140 lookout points in the walls, with many of the original 1,200 cisterns still in operation.

Alanya Castle serves as a vast archaeological site awaiting extensive exploration.

Your exploration should commence at the citadel, or Kale, on the southwest side, where the Byzantine Church of St. George can be found, later converted into a mosque.

On the north side of the promontory lies the Seljuk Ehmedek Fortress, constructed upon Hellenistic remnants and home to a military garrison, arsenal, and Sultan’s treasury for centuries.

This area boasts countless ruins alongside historic 19th-century architecture that emerged after the castle’s defensive role diminished.

2. Red Tower (Kızılkule)

The emblem of Alanya, the 13th-century Seljuk defensive tower, derives its name from the distinctive red brick that constitutes the upper floors and parapet of the structure.

The Red Tower features an octagonal layout that rises to 33 meters, utilizing marble blocks for its lower walls.

This extraordinary example of Medieval military architecture was built to safeguard Alanya’s harbor and shipyard, welcoming visitors to the city for centuries.

Inside, there exists a cistern capable of collecting rainwater, alongside historical siege-repelling murder holes, where boiling water and pitch were once poured on invading forces.

The first floor hosts a small ethnographic museum showcasing tools and crafts that reflect Turkmen culture from the Taurus Mountains.

3. Kleopatra Beach

Beginning at the western base of the promontory is Alanya’s primary beach, a prolonged gentle curvature of coarse sand, ideal for low-to-moderate surf activities.

Kleopatra Beach is expansive, narrowing only slightly as one travels further north, offering unobstructed views of the castle and the majestic Taurus Mountains.

Beach clubs equipped with sun loungers are spaced throughout the area, and a wide promenade along Atatürk Boulevard provides scenic views, relaxing under swaying palm trees and buffered from the street by verdant greenery, complete with playgrounds and flowerbeds.

4. Alanya Teleferik

Situated on the eastern side of the beach, the lower station of a cable car, which opened in the summer of 2017, transports visitors to the castle promontory.

The Alanya Teleferik ascends 250 meters along a 900-meter trajectory, with one of its 14 gondolas departing every 19 seconds.

While aboard, passengers are treated to breathtaking 360° views of the Gulf of Antalya, the resort, and beyond to the Taurus Mountains.

When this article was composed in March 2019, a round trip ticket cost approximately 28 TL (around $4.50). Sunset presents an excellent opportunity for the journey, with the gondolas illuminated in green and blue at night from street level.

5. Sapadere Kanyonu

The grandeur of the Taurus Mountains is awe-inspiring, and for those seeking to immerse themselves in this remarkable landscape, the Sapadere Canyon, approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Alanya, is an ideal choice.

Temperatures in the mountains can be a few degrees cooler, and the noticeable lack of humidity is particularly striking.

There are seven-hour guided tours available that include treks along 750 meters of wooden walkways along the rugged gorge walls, allowing exploration of waterfalls and the chance to swim in refreshing, clear pools.

Your journey will conclude with a visit to Sapadere village for lunch and a close-up experience of rural life in Antalya Province.

6. Damlataş Cave

In 1948, while quarrying stone on Alanya’s peninsula for harbor construction, workers discovered a cave filled with mesmerizing stalagmites and stalactites.

Accessed via a stairway, the Damlataş Cave extends 50 meters in length and reaches a height of up to 15 meters, with its unique formations carefully illuminated for visitor enjoyment.

It is important to note that the chamber sustains a high humidity level (96%), elevated carbon dioxide, and a consistent temperature of 22°C.

This atmosphere may deter some visitors; however, since its discovery, Damlataş Cave has gained recognition for its therapeutic attributes for individuals suffering from respiratory issues.

Each year, tens of thousands of asthma sufferers participate in a 21-day treatment course that involves four hours in the cave each day, scheduled from 06:00 to 10:00 before the cave opens to the general public.

7. Alanya Harbour (Limani)

Alanya’s harbor serves as the launching point for tourist cruises and diving expeditions, with Kızılkule providing protection to the south, making it an ideal location to meander and explore.

A promenade runs alongside the water, bordered by gardens adorned with palm trees, lawns, and ornamental hedges.

Visitors can find numerous spots to pause and enjoy views of the sea, the castle, and the imposing Taurus Mountains that dominate the skyline.

Cafés are conveniently located along the waterfront, providing opportunities to enjoy traditional Turkish coffee, and for the best vistas, a stroll along the harbor’s southern arm offers splendid perspectives of Alanya and its mountainous backdrop.

8. Alanya Archaeological Museum

Historically, the region referred to as Pamphylia featured numerous cities, many of which are significant archaeological sites today.

Thus, while visiting the Turkish Riviera, a trip to an archaeological museum remains highly recommended.

Alanya’s museum is renowned for a bronze statue of Hercules from the 2nd century CE, measuring just over half a meter in height.

Additional exhibits include intact amphorae dating back to the 2nd century BCE, coins from as early as 700 BCE, an inscribed Phoenician tablet from 625 BCE, and a substantial letter from Roman Emperor Septimus Severus.

The museum also comprises an ethnographic section that highlights local historical lifestyles, and an outdoor display showcasing ancient agricultural techniques as well as funeral customs spanning from ancient times through the Islamic era.

9. Alanya Tersanesi

In 1228, Sultan Kayqubad I of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire commissioned the construction of this remarkable shipyard, positioned to the east across the bay, just south of Kızılkule.

During the Medieval period, Alanya functioned as the primary shipyard for the Seljuk Empire on the Mediterranean, and the remnants are well-preserved, allowing public access along a wooden walkway.

A series of five pointed arches spans more than 55 meters, leading to vaulted bays extending 44 meters inland.

The shipyard’s eastward orientation was designed to maximize sunlight, and it is flanked by a mosque and a guardroom.

Nearby, a defensive tower, once equipped with cannons, is prominently situated on the rocky southern slopes.

10. Dimçayı

The Dim River flows down the eastern edge of Alanya, originating from the Taurus Mountains.

In addition to nourishing a lush array of vegetation along its banks, the river is refreshingly cool, even amidst summer’s intense heat.

A cherished local tradition involves families visiting the river below Dim Dam to engage in paddling in its tranquil sections, fishing, and enjoying barbecues on the banks.

Numerous restaurants cater to day-trippers, many boasting shaded terraces on wooden jetties or even on pontoons floating on the water.

Some riverfront establishments feature pools, slides, and diving boards, while others provide fishing rods for patrons wishing to catch their own trout.

Upstream from Dim Dam, a 5.5-kilometer rafting adventure awaits, beginning at Akköprü, replete with picnic spots along the banks.

11. Dim Cave (Dim Mağarası)

While visiting the Dim River region, allocate time to explore the largest cave system in the Alanya vicinity, formed by water erosion over millions of years and discovered only in 1999. The Dim Cave stretches 360 meters and is renowned for its stunning natural formations.

It is essential to be aware that navigating the Dim Cave involves numerous steps and narrow pathways, making it less accessible for some visitors.

Similar to the Damlataş Cave, it has a high humidity level of 75%; however, it offers a cool retreat from the summer heat, with temperatures never exceeding 19°C.

12. Alanya Belediyesi 100. Yıl Atatürk Parkı

This park’s charm is enhanced by its prime location adjacent to the cable car station, tourist information center, Damlataş Cave, and archaeological museum, situated at the eastern end of Kleopatra Beach.

A short walk north along Güzelyalı Cd. leads to numerous dining options.

As for the park itself, it offers a respite from the heat beneath palm trees or expansive ficus trees.

Facilities include a mini-golf course, a fishpond, flower gardens, and public art installations, such as a ceremonial statue of Cleopatra.

This park also exemplifies Alanya’s affection for stray cats, which roam freely among the lawns, enjoying specially constructed wooden shelters and feeding stations.

13. Seyir Terasi

For locals and frequent visitors, the best panoramic views in Alanya can be found from this observatory located in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains.

Accessible by car or taxi in under 15 minutes, once there, you may be reluctant to leave.

This lush viewpoint offers unparalleled vistas of the castle’s peninsula, the geometric white architecture of modern Alanya, the harbor, and the azure expanse of the Mediterranean.

The terrace is equipped with a telescope, and a café-restaurant is located above, where in the evening families gather to light barbecues.

14. Alanya Boat Trip with BBQ Lunch and Drinks

Among the myriad views to appreciate in Alanya, some of the finest can be enjoyed from the water.

Embarking on a cruise from the old harbor, guests witness the castle, shipyard, Kızılkule, and the Taurus Mountains, akin to the perspective of a Medieval sailor.

The coast of Antalya Province is also stunning, with three different cave systems easily accessible within a short sail from Alanya.

Throughout this six-hour excursion, the boat occasionally anchors, allowing guests to relax on the deck or dive into the refreshing turquoise waters.

Guests can enjoy complimentary beverages and a barbecue lunch aboard the vessel.

15. Scuba Diving Tour With Lunch

For those looking to immerse themselves in the crystal-clear waters surrounding Alanya, a full-day diving experience is highly recommended.

This opportunity is suitable for divers of any skill level and includes hotel transfers and boat trips from the harbor to two distinct dive locations, with a cooked lunch provided onboard the yacht en route to the second site.

Beginners are well-supervised, diving in small groups of no more than two per instructor.

Non-divers are welcome to join the excursion, and they can bring their own snorkel and mask or rent equipment from the boat, allowing for a carefree day of swimming and sunbathing in the crystalline waters.