Alanya
AlanyaGorgeous beaches, historic ruins and a vibrant social scene have made Alanya one of Turkey’s most popular destinations. This colourful working town is situated around two hours’ drive east of the city of Antalya. The old quarter is famed for its
Impressive 13th Century castle and Red Tower and on the eastern side of the peninsula you can find the picturesque fortified harbour.
Apartment In Avsallar
Hot spots
Alanya is surrounded by white sandy beaches and interesting ancient sites. Boat trips are popular with visitors to explore the surrounding areas and to combine walking and discovering with a cool dip in the blue waters.
Sightseeing :
The Alanya Fortress is located on a hilltop and is surrounded by a four-mile long wall consisting of 140 towers. The fortress features old buildings, baths, Byzantine churches, houses, and around 400 cisterns. The Red Tower is a famous monument in Alanya with five floors. To escape the midday sun, take a visit to one of the exhibitions on the lower ground floor. With 90% humidity, the Damlatas Cave is said to have beneficial qualities for people with respiratory problems. Regardless, it is a wonderful sight to see the stalagmites and stalactites.
Beaches :
One of Alanya’s biggest attractions are its beaches, many of which have Blue Flag status. Cleopatra’s Beach is probably the most picturesque with soft sand and clear blue waters. Altogether there are an estimated 35 kilometres of beaches in Alanya. Many of the beaches offer a range of water sports and facilities. For children looking for more water fun, a great family day out is a visit to Aqua Park Water Planet, just 30 kilometres from Alanya in Okudzalar.
Winter tourism in Turkey
Shopping :
packed with an array of colourful shops in and around the old town, there are lots of bargains to be had for those on the look out for leather, shoes, clothes, spices and jewellery. For those after are more modern shopping experience, the Alanyum Mall in the Oba district, which includes a cinema, children’s activity centre and supermarket is the place to visit. For fresh food, there’s a farmer’s market every day but the most popular takes place on Fridays and is commonly known as the Cuma Bazaar.
Dining :
there is a huge range of restaurants and cafes offering a variety of food from fast food joints to more fine dining and everything in between. The old town below the castle has some popular eateries and with views overlooking the harbour, it is a top spot for many visitors.
Partying :
Alanya has a buzzing nightlife scene with plenty of disco bars and nightclubs. The busiest area is by the harbour where there are major nightclubs such as the Robin Hood club with its Sherwood Forest décor. But there are also plenty of quieter bars and cafes to relax and enjoy your evening set back a little from the main harbour.
Indulging:
start off your visit to Alanya with a traditional Turkish bath, also known as Hamam, and a relaxing massage. There are many situated throughout the area and it’s a great way to indulge.
Need to know
You will need a visa before entering Turkey. It’s very simple to do online and for a cost of $20 or equivalent currency you can get a 90 days multi entry visa. For more info visit https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Getting around Alanya itself is easy. There is a modern transport system with buses and taxis, as well as the cheap and cheerful Dolmuses. As you’d expect, there are also dozens of tour companies offering trips and days out.
The castle views in the evening are fantastic and it is lovely eating at one of the many restaurants along the hill and enjoying the lights off the main harbour area.
Getting there
Gazipasa airport serves Alanya directly. The airport is located 45 km southeast of Alanya.
Beautiful Places around Alanya
This is where it starts getting interesting because regions around Alanya are incredibly picturesque and an excellent example of Turkey’s nature and wildlife. The national, protected Koprulu Park is home to a large, canyon with a fast flowing river gushing through it. Covering 366 kilometres forested with cedar trees, an old landmark Roman bridge receives little attention because people mainly flock for outdoor activities.
Riverside fish restaurants are bases for family picnic days out while walking routes retrace footsteps of the biblical Saint Paul when he trekked through this region. White water rafting by far is the highlighted activity, though. Passengers after receiving their safety equipment and briefing set off with a guide to navigate the 8.5-mile river downstream. It is not for the faint hearted so anyone seeking a slower paced excursion would do well to book a Green Canyon tour instead that is a leisurely 17-kilometer long boat cruise with swimming breaks and lunch served on-board.
Other Towns, Cities, and Villages to Visit near Alanya
Heading in a westerly direction on the D400 highway, a multitude of towns and villages each with their own vibes and characteristics are worth seeing. Historical Side earned international fame for its Temple of Apollo that once hosted Cleopatra and Marc Anthony on a romantic rendezvous. Ancient ruins of the large Hellenistic theatre situated in the heart of the town also receive many daytime visitors from other regions.
Further, up the coastline, Belek is a golfing mecca while Kemer plays host to the nearby dominant and majestic Mount Tahtali. Every day, passengers ascend in cable cars for a short ride to the viewing platform that gives off a dramatic 360-degree panoramic view of the coastline and backing Taurus mountain range.
