Is Alanya worth visiting?

Is Alanya worth visiting? If you want to make sure about it, we try to shine light on the distinctive features and special assets of this city. Staying in Alanya is a great option for a relaxing vacation in Turkey. This city has just a short drive distance to Antalya. It has everything you need for a memorable holiday. There is a lively nightlife in the town, with many cafes and restaurants serving delicious food and dancing until dawn. You can find many valuable things to do in Alanya, including sandy beaches, history, people who are cordial and hospitable with a unique eastern tradition.

Turkish culture is built on hospitality and providing excellent service is a hallmark. That is why Turkey is a favorite among European tourists. It can be interesting for families and parents when their children do not feel alienated and witness friendly behavior and special attention to them.

Alanya’s strengths

Alanya is worth visiting and traveling due to its unique features and valuable assets. Some of these unique features are as follows:

• Living city with Abundance of shops, bars, cafes, and busy streets.
• Suitable for nightlife enthusiasts.
• Alanya is open all year. If you’re looking to visit outside of peak season, don’t be afraid to wander the streets or shop in the dark.
• It can be explored easily by foot, bus, or taxi.
• Enough number of accommodations, including 5-star luxury hotels at the outskirts of the city and smaller hotels in the middle.

Valuable assets of Alanya

• Stunning coastlines

Alanya’s stunning coastline is one of its best assets worth visiting. It has secluded bays and dramatic rocky settings with calm waters. There are many boat tours available to explore the town, including one that takes you out on a boat tour. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take party boats, sightseeing tours or even go under the water and diving. 

Cleopatra’s Beach is one of the most famous here. It is known for its fine sand and was gifted to the Egyptian queen by Mark Antony. Cleopatra Beach is located in the west part of Alanya and is 4km long. The beach is sandy and rocky, and the sea is beautiful in its azure hue. Legend has it that Cleopatra the queen of Egypt bathed here. Blue Flag is awarded to the beach, which certifies the water’s purity.

• Interesting historical places

Alanya is rich with history, making it a great place to go sightseeing during your holidays.

• Alanya Castle (Alanya Kalesi) is the city’s most significant monument, that situated on the 250-meter-high hilltop. It was built in the 14th century in the classic era. It offers a stunning view of the entire city and beaches from the top. Tourists can hike along the fortification’s 6 km length to enjoy stunning views of the sea and mountains. Another interesting area is Alanya’s Old Town, which can be found within the walls. You can visit the ruins of the fortress. The cableway (Teleferik), which takes tourists up the hill, has been in operation in recent years. The castle, which dates back to the classical era, is one of the most prominent landmarks in the town.
  
• City Mosque: If you are on holiday in Turkey it is worth visiting the mosque at least once to learn more about another culture and religion. It is distinguished by its beautiful blue decorations and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings within the city. You should prepare yourself properly for entry. Both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees. A scarf should be worn by women to cover their hair. The party heart of the city is the port (Iskele). This is the perfect place for lovers of nightlife. This place is a vibrant entertainment spot in the evening. There are bars, restaurants, pubs, and clubs with live music. There are several key points in the port of Alanya.
  
• The restored and charming shipyard Seljuk (Tersane)
  
• The Red Tower with Ethnographic Museums (Kızılkule)
  
• The entire historic district called “Old Town” or “Tophane“, where you will find stylish cafes and hotels, and renovated stone homes.
  
• You should also take a stroll to the Lighthouse (Deniz Feneri), where you can enjoy the views of the harbor and Taurus Mountains.

• Historical places outside the city

You can combine visits to multiple cities. Many daily tours and excursions allow visitors to explore nearby cities. Side, Antalya, and other nearby cities are yours to enjoy. You can visit historic places in the cities around Alanya if you are interested in ancient history. Aspendos’ ancient Roman theatre was built in 2nd century AD. It is one of the most well-preserved examples of its type. It can hold 15,000 people, and it is still used today for concerts and other performances. In June and July, the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival takes place here.

You can also visit the site of Perge, an ancient city.

Also worth visiting are Side’s beachfront ruins and the Temple of Apollo.

• Ideal for nature exploration

People who visit Alanya for their first time will be amazed at the lushness and greenness of the surrounding countryside. The dramatic Taurus Mountains provide a backdrop to the Mediterranean. The foothills are covered with fragrant pines and offer stunning scenery.

In addition to archaeological sites, Alanya has great places for nature exploration. You can enjoy the beautiful views and waterfalls in a mild climate. You will also find cool rivers and canyons in the region.

• Sapadere Canyon is one of the most accessible natural wonders in Alanya. It is a wonderful combination of the impressive landscape, the majestic rocks, and stunning views that makes for a refreshing experience in the country. 
  
• The famous Koprulu Canyon National Park (Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı), it features an impressive natural setting and archaeological sites. There are also many activities such as rafting.
  
• Dimçayı is a small village located just a few kilometers from central Alanya. Dimçayı also has a mountain river. The restaurants are set up on the plateaus so they almost touch the water. You can escape the heat, take a break and enjoy delicious Turkish food by going here. If you like cold water and hardening of your body, you will love the temperature of this river. However, if you prefer standard water temperatures we recommend the pools located here. This spot is a great place for a picnic.
  
• The observation deck (Seyir Terası), has been a popular spot for many years. From here, you can view the entire city of Alanya in a completely new perspective. It is worth visiting the viewing platform at sunset, as well as during the day. The huge sign “I LOVE ALANYA”, that is visible from every location in the city, located here. You can also enjoy traditional Turkish cuisine at some of the restaurants, and take in beautiful views from Alanya.
  
• The Damlatas Cave (Damlataş Mağarası), which is home to impressive stalagmites and stalactites. This cave is a must-see when you’re on vacation in Alanya, that located in the western region, close to the beach Cleopatra. It named “Dripping Stone“, because of water that drips from the stalactites. People with asthma and other respiratory conditions, will find the climate in the cave to be very healing. 22 degrees is the constant temperature in the cave throughout the year.
  
• The Manavgat River is located just outside Side, about an hour drive from Alanya. Here you can take a boat ride and view the stunning waterfalls.

• Delicious food

Alanya, like every other region of Turkey, has its own unique flavors and recipes. It is highly recommended that you try the local dishes. For more information about this, refer to Foods in Alanya section in the article About Alanya.

Turkish cuisine is renowned for its fresh, local ingredients. You will find that most of the fruits and vegetables you will be eating in Alanya’s restaurants are grown locally. The region is well-known for its oranges, bananas, and other citrus fruits.

Traditional meals consist of small plates of starters, known as “meze“, followed by grilled meat or fish – typically lamb or chicken. Turkey is known for its succulent kebabs. Try Köfte, small meatballs, or Şiş Kebap. Syrup-soaked desserts like Baklava are often made with pistachios and other nuts. Turkish food is full of flavor but not too spicy.

• Active recreation for everyone

The holiday season in Alanya lasts for a long time, beginning in April and ending at the end of October. The average temperature is about 25 degrees Celsius. So, you can swim in the sea up to November, and there are at least five hours of sunlight per day even in winter. Alanya is a great place to visit year-round, and offers a variety of active recreation for people with different tastes and ages. So Alanya is great for a holiday and definitely worth a visit.

• Air recreations

The sky of Alanya has the possibility to do skydiving, paragliding, and parasailing in most of the year.

• Water sports

• You can enjoy a wide range of watersports in the sandy beach like parasailing, kayaking or windsurfing. You can learn to scuba dive, or snorkel in the clear water. For more information about water sports in Alanya, refer to the Surfing in Alanya section in the article What’s up with Alanya surfing?
  
• You can take a boat ride known as a “blue cruise“, named from the turquoise water, to explore the coastline and its beautiful bays and unusual caves. Or take a boat tour and participate in their exciting programs and parties.
  
• White-water rafting is possible on the Köprüçay River, in the beautiful Köprülü National Park. This river features an impressive canyon.
  
• Belek also has the Land of Legends, a fantastic theme park that features 41 water-slides and a variety of water-themed rides.
  
• You can also enjoy unique experiences like swimming with dolphins. Review the article Swim with dolphins in Alanya.

• Recreations on land

For those who prefer to stay on the dry ground, quad biking, jeep safaris, and mountain biking are all options. You may prefer your golf to be more relaxed. Nearby Belek is just an hour away from Alanya. It has more than 14 top-quality golf courses, all surrounded by stunning scenery. Shopping centers

Local markets

Every district in Alanya has its own market, which takes place on a particular day of the week. Cuma Pazarı is the most popular market in Alanya every Friday. Local markets are great for souvenir shopping. On Fridays, the main street market in central Alanya is held. The second famous market is on Tuesdays in the West of Alanya. There are many delicacies to be found in local markets, including fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses as well as olives, Turkish sweets and many spices. There are many souvenirs available, as well as the famous Turkish clothing. It is a wonderful experience to receive the sights, sounds, and smells of these markets.

• Malls

The shopping centers in the city may be a good option for those who like to shop internationally or are interested in the Turkish textiles. Popular products include leather goods, silk and cotton goods.

Premium and affordable accommodations

• Fair prices

You won’t find resort hotels with this level of quality at these prices anywhere else in the world. You can save up to 40% by booking in advance. For families traveling with children will find it easier to save budget for all-inclusive accommodations. If you do decide to eat out, however, canteens in most cases are quite affordable, especially for local restaurants.

• Great environment for families, especially children

The resort hotels in Alanya are ideal for families with kids. Many offer amenities for children, such as kids’ clubs, pools with slides, and playgrounds. Many have summer entertainment programs for children, which include games and music. They have funfair rides and games rooms for children.

• Great spa facilities with Turkish Bath

Many resort hotels in Alanya have excellent spa facilities. While they offer many different amenities and treatments, most hotels include the famous Turkish Bath or Hammam. The Turkish Bath is still a popular option for even modern hotels here. They offer the traditional treatment of Kese, which involves clean the skin with an abrasive glove or cloth to remove dead skin cells. After that, the body will be treated with Köpük, a foam-based massage to eliminate toxins. You’ll feel healthy, energized, and refreshed after your treatment. Alanya is a great foundation for glowing skin and getting a tan.

Resorts with private women beaches

Some of Alanya’s resorts offer many options for women. You can choose to use the swimming pool or mixed beach, or the exclusive facilities for women. There are many hotels that have separate beaches for women. These areas are private and secure, and can only be accessed by women. These resorts have both indoor and outdoor swimming pools as well as spas for women only. Many of them also offer prayer rooms and cafes. These Alanya’s beach resorts are famous for having dedicated beaches that are exclusively for women. They have only female staff member who provide privacy for women to sunbathe or swim in an all-female environment.