Alanya Beach and Alanya Attractions You Can’t Miss!

Alanya is often passed up for its more popular neighbor, Antalya. But is Alanya worth visiting? In a word, yes. The world-famous Alanya beach – Cleopatra’s Beach, and several Alanya attractions are worth a few days’ visit.

Alanya is a resort town on Turkey’s central Mediterranean coast (also known as the Turkish Riviera). Its broad sandy beaches, mild Mediterranean climate, natural attractions, ancient fortifications, and rich cultural heritage make it an attractive vacation playground.

Know Before You Go

Americans need a visa to visit Turkey, which is easy to get online.
The climate is pleasant with hot summers and mild winters (although winter can be rainy). We visited in September and felt this was the best time because it was warm but not hot, and after high season so it wasn’t jammed with tourists.

Here are our ten favorite things to see and do in Alanya including the best Alanya beach.

10 Hammam

If you’ve never had a traditional hammam experience, you must try it at least once. In these Turkish baths, you have access to sauna, hot tubs, and massage. However, the big “attraction” is that they will scrub your skin down if desired. I had this done in Jordan a couple of years before and one-and-done so I passed this time. You can find hammams all over town.

9 Damlatas Cave

Satirdan kahraman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Damlataş Cave, just below Alanya Castle, is a 15,000-year-old natural formation. Due to the carbon dioxide gas, high humidity, low temperature, and radioactive atmosphere, the cave is said to possess healing benefits for asthmatic patients. The stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave are estimated to be around 20,000 years old.

8 Alanya Bazaar

The bustling bazaar area across from Cleopatra Beach is the place to shop for unique items such as carpets, lamps, handmade artisan products, and clothing to traditional souvenirs. Bargaining is expected, so don’t be afraid to negotiate for a better price. Be sure to go at night when the colorful lights and chaos create a festive vibe.

7 Alanya Marina

The Alanya Marina (aka Limani) is lined with bars and restaurants, many with scenic views of the harbor, the castle, or the Taurus Mountains. It’s a great place for sipping Turkish coffee or a bit to eat.

The Alanya lighthouse sits at the end of a walkway. Along the water, there’s a promenade, surrounded by lush gardens, palm trees, and topiaries.

6 Alanya Teleferik

On the east side of the beach is the lower station for a cable car that opened in summer 2017, whisking you up to the lofty castle promontory.

14 gondolas depart around every 20 seconds with a capacity of 1,100 people per hour. On your ride, you’ll be treated to stunning panoramic views of the Gulf of Antalya and the Taurus Mountains.

Alanya Teleferik is one of a few projects that have helped transform Alanya into a 21st-century beach resort.

5 Red Tower

This iconic landmark boasts a rich history and stunning architecture. Built in the 13th century by the Seljuks, the Red Tower (aka Kızıl Kule) served as a defense fortress against invading forces.

The tower gets its name from the red brick that makes up the structure’s top story and parapet. The 108-foot octagonal Red Tower was constructed to protect Alanya’s harbor and shipyard. Climb to the top for gorgeous views over the port area.

Our itinerary was to visit the Red Tower right after we visited the castle. But we I misjudged the way to get to the shore (“as the bird flies” is often not the same as “as the path leads”). Instead of taking the cable back, we embarked on what turned out to be a bit of a treacherous (but scenic!) trek down the cliff to reach the Red Tower and the uber-scenic Alanya shipyard.

View of the coast and Red Tower.

It was scorching hot but we finally made it down unscathed (mostly).

4 Castle

You can’t miss the massive fort-turned-open-air museum, standing sentry on a craggy cliff with far-reaching views of the sea and town. The present embodiment of the UNESCO Alanya Castle are the ruins, walls, towers, and gates of a Seljuk fortress, which was constructed after Alaeddin Keykubat I’s conquest of Alanya in 1220. Today, the castle is a unique blend of architecture showcasing Byzantine, Seljuk, Hellenistic, Roman, and Ottoman styles.

The castle has been witness to numerous historical events, including pirate take-overs of the castle during the reign of Alexander the Great.

The best way to get to the castle is via a stylish gondola ride (see #6 above). From the top, you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the city, coastline, and the Mediterranean.

3 Sunset at Occo Beach Club

Occo Beach Club is set on Cleopatra Beach and was our favorite place to view the vibrant sunset over the lovely waters. They also had the best pizza in Turkey!

We loved this spot so much that we went back twice, for the sunset and the pizza – something we rarely do.

2 Old Shipyard

Even if you are not a fan of maritime tourism, the ruins of the Alanya Shipyard (aka Tersanesi) are arguably the most picturesque spot in Alanya. The shipyard consists of 5 arched docks, built in 1228 by the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Kayqubad I, interconnected by a series of passages – the only surviving example of its kind.

In medieval times it was the major shipyard on the Mediterranean and where they used to dock the ships when they needed to have work done. Apparently, a Roman crane pulled the ships in.

Set back from the rocks on the south side is a defensive tower once armed with cannon.

1 Cleopatra Beach

Cleopatra Beach is the most famous beach on the Turquoise Riviera, named after the world-famous Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, who was so charmed by the beauty of the beach that she used to stop by during her voyages in the Mediterranean to swim in its waters. The beach has crystal-clear turquoise water, soft golden sand, and towering cliffs.

Go to the north end of the wide beach for great views of the castle and the soaring Taurus Mountains.

Cute beach clubs line the beach where visitors can lounge on a sunbed or enjoy some delicious food and/or a cocktail while gazing at the sea.

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What to Eat in Turkey

Turkey is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine. Here’s a guide to famous Turkish foods.

Conclusion

Alanya was a stop on our month-long road trip around Turkey. We spent two nights and about a day and a half there and felt like it was enough before moving on. However, you could certainly spend up to five days here and not run out of things to do, such as:

Dim Cave
Alanya Archaeological Museum
Jeep Safari Through The Taurus Mountains
Alanya Aquapark

Alanya is a versatile destination that offers something for every kind of traveler.

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About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.