All the most interesting in alanya. Turkey, Alanya - "Alanya is a city of a fairy tale-city of a dream! Local attractions!". Excursions to the sights of Alanya
Alanya is a well-known and popular resort on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, where hundreds and thousands of tourists flock to during the season. The resort boasts Blue Flag beaches, gorgeous clear seas, interesting sights and a variety of activities suitable for all ages.
Many people prefer not to leave the territory of the hotels, where there is absolutely everything for comfortable rest, but to visit Alanya and not explore the city with its surroundings means depriving yourself of new impressions and positive emotions. Fans of antiquities and history will definitely have a place to turn around - fortresses, ruins and museums are always welcome visitors.
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What to see and where to go in Alanya?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
1. Alanya Fortress
A defensive structure of the 13th century, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The fortification was erected under Sultan Ala ad-Din Kay-Kubad on the foundation of Roman and Byzantine buildings. To this day, the ring of outer walls and watchtowers have been almost completely preserved. From the viewing platforms located inside, a magnificent view of Alanya and the seashore opens up.
2. Red tower
Kyzyl Kule (the Turkish name for the tower) is one of the main attractions of Alanya, its image is even on the flag of the city. The facility is located in the port area. It was erected in the 13th century according to the design of an invited Arab architect. It reaches a height of 33 meters, the diameter of the walls is 29 meters. On the first floor there is an ethnographic museum, on the last floor - viewpoint, where you can climb the stone stairs.
3. Seaport
Port of Alanya accepts passenger ships, mainly cruise ships plying the so-called "Turkish Riviera". There is also a promenade along which you can make walking promenades or ride a bike. Restaurants and cafes located on the pier offer seafood, and you can buy some memorabilia in souvenir shops.
4. Lighthouse of Alanya
The lighthouse is located on a rocky embankment at the edge of the harbor. The structure was built and assembled in France in 1880, and then transported to Alanya. The structure reaches a height of 20 meters, the lighting equipment allows the signal to be propagated over as much as 200 miles, which is approximately 370 km. The lighthouse has been working properly for more than 100 years and is a reliable reference point for ships entering the port.
5. Tersane Shipyard
The shipyard has existed since 1228, it was used for its intended purpose until 1361, providing everything necessary for the Sultan's flotilla, which dominated this section of the sea. The architecture of Tersane is an example of the building of the Seljuk period. The shipyard is located in the port of Alanya right behind the Red Tower - along the embankment you can walk to it or take a boat.
6. Archaeological Museum
The museum collection was created in 1967, but, to this day, it is replenished, as archaeological excavations are constantly being carried out in the vicinity of Alanya. The exposition consists of artifacts from several historical periods: Phrygian, Lydian, Greek, Byzantine. The halls exhibit collections of ceramics, bronze and glassware, preserved elements of the exterior decoration of buildings, and much more.
7. House Museum of Kemal Ataturk
It is perhaps difficult to find a city in Turkey where there would not be a museum dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a reformer, innovator and statesman, who is revered in the country as the “father of the nation”. In the house in Alanya, on the territory of which the exposition is located today, he lived with his sister and mother after returning from the Syrian front. Here Atatürk held meetings and met with his associates.
8. Monument to Ataturk
The monument in honor of the first President of the Republic of Turkey is installed in Alanya on one of central squares in 1933. In the center of the composition is the decisive figure of the leader with a hand raised in greeting (he seems to be making a speech to the people and calling on his supporters to fight). On the right side of him stands a girl with an olive branch, on the left - a young man with a Turkish flag. The sculptures are on a low pedestal against the background of a white stele.
9. Monument to Ala ad-Din Kay-Kubad I
Sultan Ala ad-Din from the Seljuk dynasty ruled Alanya in the 13th century. According to historical evidence, he was a talented military leader and a far-sighted sovereign. Today, a monument in his honor adorns the city landscape. The Sultan is depicted riding a mighty horse, his facial features are stern and resolute, in his right hand he holds a scepter with the heraldic symbol of the Seljuks.
10. Suleymaniye Mosque
The mosque was built under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. The building is a classic example of Ottoman architecture: strict rectangular shapes, pointed arches, a spherical dome of the prayer hall and a minaret towering over the entire structure. The Muslim temple is active, so it is problematic for representatives of other religions to get inside.
11. Water Planet Water Park
The water park is located about 30 km from Alanya on the territory Hotel Water Planet Deluxe Hotel & Aquapark 5*. It is a complete set for family vacation with dozens of slides, pools, artificial rivers and bungee rides. The space is divided into zones for children, adult visitors and extreme sports enthusiasts, so that everyone will choose entertainment for their liking and adrenaline level.
12. Alanya Aquapark
There is also a water park in Alanya itself, so there is no need to go several tens of kilometers away. You can have a great time without leaving far from the hotel, which many tourists will appreciate. And although it is more modest in size and composition of attractions than Water Planet, it has everything you need: water slides, pools, recreation areas and standard infrastructure.
13. Sealanya Dolphinarium
Dolphinarium is located near the city in a few minutes drive. It is worth going to this place to watch spectacular shows with the participation of dolphins, sea lions and seals, which show funny tricks, which indescribably delight the audience. If you wish, you can order a session of dolphin therapy or just swim surrounded by animals to get a boost of positive energy.
14. Gardens of Alanya
City park near the coast, where you can take a walk, take a break from the sweltering sun and admire the slender rows of palm trees. Wide walking alleys are laid along the square, flower beds interspersed with green lawns are laid out throughout the territory. The picturesque landscape is complemented by fountains, stairs and wooden bridges across an artificial reservoir.
15. Dim Cave
The cave is located 12 km from Alanya on the territory of the Western Taurus mountain range in the gorge of the Dim Chay River. It is the second largest in Turkey. Speleologists discovered the grotto in 1986, since 1998 it has been open to visitors. The length of the tourist route is just over 400 meters, it consists of two sections. The most interesting is the first one, which ends with a large underground hall with a lake.
16. Damlatash cave
Damlatash is located within the city limits, literally 100 meters from the seashore, it was discovered in 1946 during the construction of the port. Previously, there was a quarry on this site. The entrance to the cave is located very conveniently, next to it there is a beach and a small market. Damlatash is not large – there is only one hall, but here you can look at the stalactites and stalagmites of incredible beauty.
17. The ancient city of Siedra
The ruins of the ancient city are located 20 km from Alanya at the junction of Cilicia and Pamphylia - historical regions Asia Minor. It is believed that the ancient settlement was founded in the 1st century. In ancient times, Siedra flourished - they even printed their own coin here. Reservoirs for reservoirs, a stone-lined street, part of the acropolis and a whole building with the remains of a mosaic inside have survived to this day.
18. Sapadere Canyon
The gorge is located about 40-50 km from Alanya near the village of the same name. This place is incredibly popular among tourists who want to diversify their vacation and take a hiking route, enjoying the views of the mountainous area, fresh air and the pleasant coolness of the waterfalls (some even swim in rather cold lakes). A 750-meter long path is specially equipped for visitors.
19. Dim Chai River
Dim Chay Valley, located 6 km from Alanya, is a popular holiday destination among locals - people often come here for family picnics and friendly companies. Moreover, the place is well equipped: there are cafes of national cuisine, restaurants, water activities, attractions, fishing areas, viewing platforms, gazebos and terraces. The total length of the Dim-Chay River is 60 km.
20. Cleopatra Beach
The beach is considered one of the best in Alanya and the surrounding area. This is a long, well-groomed area covered with clean sand, along which numerous hotel complexes are located. The beach is perfectly suited for families with small children due to the developed infrastructure and a gentle entrance to the sea. There is entertainment for every taste: water skiing, banana, catamarans, paragliding, a volleyball court.
The sights of Alanya seem to have agreed and are located next to each other - in the city center. All the sights of Alanya are inexpensive and easy to visit on your own, even if you have arrived for the first time. We tell you how much it costs and how to do it.
Attractions of Alanya in Turkey: content of the article
Sights of Alanya: what is included in our rating
The main attractions of Alanya are a list of seven points: water park, Archaeological Museum, funicular, Cleopatra beach, Red tower and ancient buildings next to it, Alanya Fortress, Damlatas cave. The sights of Alanya are not striking in scale, but they are all interesting and picturesque.
All the sights of Alanya can be visited independently in two or three days. To make it easier for you to decide where to start and where to end, we have compiled a rating of the sights of Alanya - in ascending order.
No. 7. Alanya Aquapark
Alanya's water park is small and not young anymore - that's why the price for it is low. A good place to spend a hot day there. Alanya Water Park has seven slides, a large 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 lira. The water park and the archaeological museum are opposite each other.
Alanya Water Park opening hours: from 8:00 to 18:00. The water park is closed during winter.
Ticket price: 40 lira
Alanya Water Park is not for those who want to choke on adrenaline. But not really for kids. 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. Archaeological Museum of Alanya
I’ll tell you a secret: initially, the Alanya Archaeological Museum took the last place in our rating, but then we decided to go there 🙂 We were pleasantly surprised! The price is ridiculous, and there are many 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 nice, cozy place to all tourists, you will love it.
Opening hours of the archaeological museum: from 8:00 to 18:30.
Ticket price: 6 lira
The Archaeological Museum of Alanya is located near Cleopatra Beach. The pride of the museum is the rarest floor mosaics, which are almost 1800 years old!
There are tombs in the courtyard of the museum. 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 in the list of attractions in Alanya is a newcomer. It was opened a couple of years ago. On weekends, teleferik (Turkish name) is in great demand among locals, so if possible, ride on weekdays - you will go in a cabin alone. The views from it are stunning and the beach, and the city, and the mountains. Travel time is about 10 minutes.
Funicular opening hours: from 9:30 to 20:00.
Ticket price: one way - 22 lire, both ways - 28 lire.
When the funicular was still being built, this article was called "6 the best places Alanya" 🙂
We are pleased to include the funicular in our list of attractions in Alanya that you need to visit.
No. 4. Damlatas cave
By God, Damlatas cave would be ready to be put higher than the fortress of Alanya only thanks to Russian tourists who exclaimed at the entrance: “Wow, this is beauty in general!” After the caves visited in Laos, Zhenya and I are hard to impress, but these wonderful guys helped me see the cave the way tourists who just set foot on the travel path see it. The cave is really beautiful: it has a lot of stalactites and stalagmites. The only negative is that it is small, and in the high season there are a lot of people. Damlatas cave is located at the foot of the mountain to the left of the Cleopatra beach, if you stand facing 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 number 1.
The name of Damlatash cave comes from two words: damla - drop, taş - stone. You will be surprised, but it translates as "stalactite".
The inside of the cave is really very beautiful, especially if you look up.
Sights of Alanya: these "columns" look very impressive.
No. 3. Alanya Fortress (Alanya Kalesi)
Alanya Kalesi (read as "kalesi", not "khalisi") was built in the 13th century. The fortress can be safely called the visiting card of Alanya, it is located on a rocky shore near Cleopatra Beach at an altitude of 250 meters. The fortress offers a great view 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?” start with the fortress, we gave it the third, and not higher place in our ranking 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 the fortress of Alanya? City bus number 4 goes to the entrance to the fortress, the fare is 2.5 lira. There is a stop right at the foot of the mountain, near Cleopatra Beach, where taxi drivers stand. You can also climb 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 fortress of Alanya.
I really like how doorways and arches in general were decorated in ancient times.
Archaeologists and scientists believe that the fortress of Alanya accommodated about 400 people. I think they lived quite closely.
There are a couple of equipped viewing platforms in the fortress, from where you can take excellent panoramic photos.
Here are some, for example, on the fortress itself.
Or such - to 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. A link to a detailed article about the beach is just below.
Working hours: around the clock.
The price of a sunbed 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 the beach of Cleopatra 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 an 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 have become 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 saw a lot of water parks, caves, beaches and ancient fortress walls (and you, probably, too), but in such a tower, and even more so at an ancient shipyard, we visited for the first time!
Opening hours of the Red Tower and the 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 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 can freely 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.
“It is forbidden to touch objects,” reads a sign near the cannonballs. Zhenya pretended that he did not know how to speak English, and the Turks, who saw this business, then pretended that they did not know how to speak Turkish and also began to grab the balls.
It's good that the tower is now owned by tourists, not the military, otherwise they would never have thought of making a railing to climb such steep steps!
There are several small rooms at the shipyard, where there are old anchors, navigational aids, and such a skeleton of a ship.
This is our first time in such a place, and although the shipyard is quite small, it was very interesting to walk around it.
Attractions of Alanya on the map
As you can see on the map below, all the sights of Alanya are close to each other. Once you get to one, you can visit almost everything on foot.
We will be glad to hear your feedback and impressions about the visited sights of Alanya!
Sights of Alanya (Turkey) in Russian with a 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 in 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 its surroundings so that you will definitely want to leave a sun lounger by the pool or exchange the beach for an exciting excursion.
Of course, Alanya is primarily 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 the soldiers of the Ottoman Empire left their mark. And evidence of this is the numerous "ruins", as well as modern monuments. In the vicinity of the resort, such natural corners have been preserved that are definitely worth a visit for contemplative tourists - the Sapadere Canyon, the Green Canyon, the Tauride Mountains, the ruins of ancient cities and caves. There are also places in Alanya for those who love all kinds of attractions and extreme entertainment.
What are the sights of Alanya to see first
During excursions or independent walks around Alanya, you should definitely visit the Red Tower, which for centuries protected the port from pirate raids, as well as the medieval Tersane shipyard, where ships were built from local cedar forests for centuries. To feel the historical heritage of Alanya, you need to walk along the authentic streets to the ancient Suleymaniye mosque and the northern fortress of Ehmedek, and then to the Cleopatra beach and Damlatash cave. And when all the sights of Alanya have been studied, you can supplement the treasury of vacation impressions with trips to the surrounding area. So that you can make your own rating of must see places, we present the "top 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 the public domain. In addition, getting to know the city and its surroundings will take less time, as the organizers carefully thought out the travel route and adjusted it for maximum convenience for guests. We recommend booking excursions in advance at, where there are both popular classic programs for the main attractions of Alanya and Turkey in general, and author's excursions from Russian-speaking guides. At online booking on Tripster it is enough to make a 20% prepayment (the rest is solemnly transferred to the guide or tour organizer on the spot). And if you choose an individual program, you can ask to make adjustments to the route and adjust the route for yourself during online communication with the guide.
Sights of Alanya with photos and descriptions
It is absolutely certain that you won’t be able to visit all the interesting places in one day, so it’s worth prioritizing what to see first and where you can go if there is time, effort and money left. First of all, we recommend deciding on a thematic focus, because someone is more interested in climbing ancient ruins, and someone is more interested in squealing in a water park. Well, our top 25 main attractions of Alanya will help you choose what is interesting for you.
Top 25 attractions in Alanya
1. Alanya Castle / Alanya Castle
The main attraction of the city, of course, is the ancient fortress wall built on the foundations of the Roman-Byzantine fortress by Sultan Ala ad-Din Kay-Kubad. The time of construction of the fortification dates back to the 13th century, while 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. From inside the viewing platforms offer breathtaking panoramas of the city and the sea.
Most of the fortress can be viewed for free, but the entrance to the castle costs 20 Turkish Lira. From April to October, the ancient complex, turned into an open-air museum, is open from 9 am to 7 pm, from November to March - from 9 am to 5 pm.
2. Red Tower / Kizilkule
If you hear what the Turks are talking about Kyzyl Kule, you should know that this is 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 of such high quality that even 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 top floor there is an observation deck. You will have to walk up to it on 85 steps.
Opening hours: April-October - 9.00-19.00, November-March - 9.00-17.00. You will have to pay 7 Turkish liras for the entrance ticket.
3. Tersane Shipyard / Old Shipyard
The shipyard is located just behind the Red Tower. For the construction of the Sultan's flotilla, it was used from 1228 to 1361. The stone building on the water, divided by arches into five workshops, is an excellent example of Seljuk architecture. Until the 60s of the last century, ships were still being repaired in it, but today the shipyard is a museum with models of medieval ships, mechanisms for lifting cargo, unusual sea charts, workbenches with tools and other interesting things.
The shipyard is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer (changes in the opening hours are possible in winter). The ticket price is 6 lire. By the way, it is more profitable to purchase complex tickets, for example, you can visit the Red Tower and the shipyard for 8 lire.
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, are definitely worthy of your heels;) The entrance to the purest water is gentle, so the place is ideal for families with children. A well-developed infrastructure will allow you to alternate lying in a sun lounger with catamarans, water skiing, "bananas". There are changing cabins and showers (both paid and free) on the beach. 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 buy in the markets on Damlatas street.
The beach is open to the public daily. Entrance is free, but if there are not enough free sun loungers, you will have to pay for a sunbed and an umbrella.
5. Damlatas Caves
Not far from the 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 inspect the thousand-year-old stalactites and stalagmites, decorated with very beautiful illumination. More than half an hour in the cave, you are unlikely to hold out. With absolute humidity and a temperature of about 25 degrees, it is difficult to consider underground masterpieces, although local doctors assure that the record content of carbon dioxide will benefit asthmatics. But the entrance to the cave is not recommended for the "cores".
You can visit the Damlatas cave daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance fee: 7.5 Turkish lira for an adult ticket and 3.5 lira for a child.
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 activities 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 should order mussels with lemon. And if you go on an excursion with a Russian guide, he will definitely lead you to such a place in the port, from where you can see the main sights of the city - the Red Tower and the Lighthouse. It is from the port that all sightseeing ships depart, many of which are stylized as pirate ones.
Hours of operation are daily. There is no charge for visiting the seaport.
7. Water Planet Water Park
Aquapark "Planet of Water" in the village of Okurjolar, 30 km from Alanya, is a great place to have fun. Almost three dozen different slides, a 75-meter bungee ride, Kamikaze and Black Hole rides, lazy river rafting - everyone can choose what they like best. On the territory of the Aquapark 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 (when they check in, they are given special bracelets). 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 is 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 museum itself does not provide the services of a Russian-speaking guide. The exposition of the museum is quite interesting: all kinds of figurines, jewelry, dishes, household items related to the Lydian, Phrygian, Byzantine and Greek periods. In one of the halls, there is only one exhibit - a bronze statue of Hercules, cast in the 2nd century BC. BC. There is a hall dedicated to marine finds - sunken ships and treasures. Fragments of ancient columns and various agricultural implements are exhibited in the cozy garden of the museum, while 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 can’t 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 queues for individual attractions are not excluded. Before including the water park in the program, it should be clarified whether it is fully open after reconstruction and which attractions are open.
You can visit the city water park daily, from 9 am to 6 pm, but the rides start only from 10 am. Entrance fee: for adults - 25 lire, for children - 15 lira. You can also buy a ticket with a "snack" (cola, fries and a 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 sent ships to the French coast for more than 50 years. Then the lighthouse was transported and installed in Alanya. Its compact size does not prevent it from illuminating the expanses of 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 works every day, but the passage inside can be both free and paid, so it would be nice to enlist the help of a Russian guide who will tell you when they won’t take money for climbing the lighthouse observation deck.
11. Sapadere Canyonu
An amazing natural corner near Alanya was opened for tourists in 2008, and every year it becomes more and more popular. A walk on a wooden deck stretched along the rocks will be a salvation from the heat and will give you many impressions from the contemplation of pine forests, magnificent mountain peaks and icy mountain streams.
Excursion to the Sapadere Canyon can be booked on
12. The ancient city of Syedra
In ancient times, Siedra was a large trading port with its own mint. Today, these are ruins where turtles live, but climbing the mountain to the ancient polis is worth at least to see the stunning panoramas of the sea, walk along the remains of ancient paving stones, imagine the magnificence of the ancient Column Street or try to examine fragments of ancient mosaics.
13. Suleymaniye Mosque in Alanya Fortress / Suleymaniye Mosque
The current and oldest mosque in the city was built in 1231 by Sultan Alaadin Kei-Kubada (the 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 are speakers from which the call to prayer is heard. Inside the mosque everything is traditionally ascetic.
14. Monument to Ala ad-Din Kay-Kubad I
The Seljuk Sultan, who ruled Alanya in the 13th century, today is the first to meet guests who come to the resort from Antalya. It was this sultan who ordered the construction of the main cult sights of Alanya - the Red Tower, the Suleymaniye Mosque, the Tersane shipyard, and under him the Konya Sultanate achieved greatness. The decisiveness and courage of this ruler today is reminiscent of a huge pedestal on which a fearless warrior on horseback "prancing".
15. House Museum of Kemal Ataturk
The exposition of the house-museum is dedicated to the people's favorite - Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - the first president of Turkey, a 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 first floor there is an exposition with personal belongings of Ataturk, photographs, documents signed by him. On the second - the 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 is difficult to say what is more magnificent: views of the surroundings on the way to the cave, panoramas of the valley from its viewing platforms or a walk through the cave itself. As a warm-up, you should first look into a small 50-meter hall, and then go to a large 300-meter one. A cosmic spectacle awaits you - literally and figuratively.
17. Park Gardens of Alanya / Alanya Gardens
The park dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Ataturk is very popular with tourists who, after a hot beach, are not averse to taking a breath in shady alleys. There are many exotic trees in the park, flower beds of stunning beauty are laid out, recreation areas are organized, there are artificial reservoirs and fountains.
18. Lookout Seyir playground Terasi
It is worth climbing 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. At the top of the 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 the stage. On the lower platform, you can comfortably sit on one of the many benches and admire the city.
19. 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. An ideal place for a picnic and a relaxing holiday surrounded by local beauty.
Excursion to the Green Canyon from Alanya can be bought at
20. Monument to Ataturk
The monument to the "father of the Turks" is installed on the Republic Square (near the street, again named in honor of Ataturk). The figure of the bronze "leader" is surrounded by pioneers: a boy with a flag and a girl welcoming guests. On a massive pedestal is a quote from Ataturk: “Peace in the country! World peace!" When you look, you involuntarily recall all the famous monuments to the Soviet leader. 😉
21. Sealanya Dolphinarium
While visiting the Dolphinarium in Alanya, you can not only see the incendiary performances of fur seals and dolphins, but also swim with the latter (for an additional fee). Guests can also take unique pictures with the stunning animals or enjoy a Dolphin Therapy session to “crackle” with dolphins to relieve stress and improve their mood.
22. Yil Ataturk Parki
You can enter Ataturk Park along Cleopatra Beach both from the promenade and from the adjacent street. You can walk along the paved paths endlessly. Huge fingers cast a good shadow, and standing on one of the many bridges near the artificial reservoir and fountains, it is easy to enjoy the freshness of the purest water. There are a lot of plants of interesting 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
Incekum, one of the oldest and most popular beaches, is located 23 km from Alanya. You can get there by bus in half an hour. The beach is famous for its fine sand. Actually, to trample on it with bare feet, and at the same time swim in the sea, tourists come here. 15 minutes from the beach is the village of Avsallar, where there are many restaurants and cafes.
24. Cable car to the fortress of Alanya / 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 windows, 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, wandering around the territory of which can take a very long time because of the numerous shops, cafes and other interesting things.
25. Dim River
Originating from Konya and flowing into the Mediterranean Sea, the Dim Chay River is popular with tourists due to its well-developed infrastructure. There are many restaurants, including those with cabanas right on the water, cozy picturesque picnic areas and places for fishing.
If we talk about the cities of the southern coast of Turkey, then Alanya among them at first glance is an ordinary resort town. But this is only at first glance. It does not reveal its charm immediately, but gradually, as if looking closely at you, will you be able to discern its centuries-old history and glorious past behind the magnificent facades of numerous hotels and beautiful beaches. If you can, the love between you and the city will be mutual and forever.
History of Alanya
And in itself this city is a gift of love. It arose in the 4th century BC. Ancient Korakesion (as Alanya was called before) Antony presented 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, a resting place. The entire coast is indented with numerous bays and grottoes, where sea robbers hid their loot and shared their booty. In one of these grottoes "Kyzlar Magarasy" - "Maiden's 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 promontory. A well-fortified fortress was built around it by pirates, later captured by Pompey. The ancient crenellated walls of the Ichkale fortress stretch for 7 km. One of the fifty towers of "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 know English well - no problem). A small Byzantine basilica has been preserved in the fortress. That's actually all that remains of 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 turned into Alanya. In one of the towers there was a place of executions "Adam Atajagi": from here, those who were objectionable to the Sultan were thrown into the sea, leaving them a meager chance to survive if the condemned man threw a stone to the sea, which was actually unrealistic.
Near the harbor you can see the ancient shipyards where the Seljuks kept their fleet. Nearby is a small bath of Cleopatra, which is supposedly connected by a tunnel to the fortress.
Sights of Alanya
It remains only 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 see a mesmerizing performance of Sufis or the famous belly dance. Be sure to visit the Bedestan open bazaar, where you can find everything your heart desires. But even if the soul does not wish, you will still buy it, because local merchants will grab you by the sleeves, inviting you to look at the goods and begging you to buy any unnecessary nonsense, assuring you that you definitely need it. By the way, learn the two golden rules of the oriental bazaar. First, learn to politely and firmly say “no” if you really don’t need the item and you don’t want to lose money. Second, learn to bargain. Do not think that the merchant is giving you the real price. As a rule, it is overestimated five times. The ability to bargain is a kind of game, a hobby of the locals, unless they are bargained in supermarkets, and even then not always. Play this game, please both yourself and the seller, and he, smiling and pleased, will give you something really good for ridiculous money just like that, 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 one is for the locals. And if you want to see the real Alanya - leave the hotel in the evening and take a walk along the coast. Honestly, standing on the shore and watching the crimson sun disk 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 something that idle vacationers usually do not see. Here a Turkish family went to the beach with their children - no, do not swim and sunbathe. The day is the time of noisy tourists. Evening is the time of the locals. The family is located on the shore, having dinner and also admiring the sunset. Some guy stands on a rocky spit and fishes on a spinning rod. Here is a hotel Bobby running over stones and catching crabs. And everywhere you are accompanied by the heady smell of azaleas, ice-cream workers, local guides and monuments to grandfather Kemal Ataturk (well, remember ours: "Lenin lived, Lenin is alive ...").
Do you want ice cream? Go to the van and say a few words to the ice cream man in Turkish (I advise you to learn it). And now he, smiling broadly, gets you the best, wishing you a pleasant appetite. And you yourself suddenly notice that you are smiling back ...
In general, while relaxing in Turkey, smile more often, and sincerely, from the bottom of your heart. Believe me, a smile is the key that opens any door.
