Alanya is a delightful Turkish city surrounded by the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Every year, thousands of tourists come to Alanya to enjoy a beach holiday and get acquainted with Turkish culture. If you are looking for entertainment in Alanya, then check out the list of the most incredible attractions.
The amazing Seljuk era castle, located on the rocky peninsula of Alanya and surrounded by 6 km walls, offers a beautiful view of the city and mountains. Right at the top is the inner fortress of Ich-Kale, inside which are numerous ruins, including about 400 cisterns, the body of a small 11th-century Byzantine church, and a platform over a dizzying cliff to the sea.
The famous Red Tower, in which you can see traces of Seljuk architecture, has been a symbol of Alanya for many centuries. The octagonal structure was built in the 13th century by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubad. The tower is located in the historical center of the city, not far from the Seljuk shipyard Tersane. The top floor offers breathtaking views of the harbor and other towers that surround the peninsula.
Cleopatra Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey, which is definitely worth a visit during a trip to Alanya. It is marked with a blue flag and is located in the western part of the peninsula.
Thanks to its crystal clear waters and numerous water sports, it attracts about 2 million tourists a year and is becoming more and more popular every year.
Okurcalar is a beautiful tourist resort located 33 km from Alanya and 105 km from Antalya. Okurcalar has many tourist facilities, hotels and attracts attention with its hot climate and clean beaches. Sandy beach, famous 5-star hotels and other facilities, entertainment centers make Okurcalar one of the most popular tourist resorts in Turkey.
The Tersane shipyard in Alanya is located south of the Red Tower. You can easily reach it on foot along a 300-meter trail.
The shipyard of Alanya was built in the first half of the 13th century for protection and trade purposes. If you are fond of history and medieval buildings, then do not miss the opportunity to visit the only shipyard of the Seljuk period left in Turkey.
Phosphorus Cave got its name from its appearance. The water glows with phosphorus and arouses great curiosity among visitors. This glow is noticeable to the naked eye even in the daytime.
The area near the Phosphorus Cave is often used for bathing by the many sightseeing boats leaving the harbor of Alanya.
Dim River originates in the Taurus Mountains and flows into the Mediterranean Sea in the eastern part of Alanya. In addition to the abundance of vegetation on its banks, the river is quite cool even during the hot summer months. There are dozens of restaurants here, many of which have shaded terraces on wooden docks and floating pontoons. In this area, you can do river fishing, and upstream from the Dim Dam, try your hand at rafting.
The Suleymaniye Mosque is a historical and cultural symbol of Alanya, located next to the main city attraction – the Alanya fortress. It was built in the 13th century under Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat and reconstructed in the 16th century by Suleiman the Magnificent.
To visit the mosque, you need to put on special clothes, take off your shoes, women should cover their heads with a scarf.
According to local legend, a secret tunnel once connected a pirate cave to Alanya Castle, allowing pirates to smuggle treasure away. Many excursion boats stop near the cave so that passengers can swim in the cave.
The Archaeological Museum is located in the very center of the city, on Ismet Hilmi Baldzhi Street behind the Alanya fortress and the Damlatas cave.
Archaeological Museum of Alanya is the best witness to the rich historical heritage, it displays bronze, marble, terracotta and glass artifacts, mosaics and coin collections dating back to the Archaic and Classical periods, as well as works of art from the Ottoman Empire and the Seljuk period.
