Alanya → Antalya Airport

Alanya Travel Guide - Castle, Caves & Mediterranean Nightlife

Alanya combines dramatic history, natural wonders, and vibrant nightlife on Turkey's sunny southeastern coast. Famous for its hilltop Seljuk castle, ancient harbor, spectacular caves, and energetic beach scene, Alanya attracts over 2 million visitors annually seeking sunshine, adventure, and entertainment.

About Alanya

Perched on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean, Alanya has been a strategic port for 2,000+ years. Conquered by Romans, Byzantines, and Seljuks, the town reached its golden age under Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat in the 13th century, who built the magnificent castle still dominating the skyline today.

Key Facts

- Location: 120km east of Antalya, 135km from Antalya Airport

- Population: ~350,000 (one of Turkey's largest resort cities)

- Climate: 300+ sunny days/year, mild winters, hot summers

- Famous For: Alanya Castle, Red Tower, Damlataş Cave, beaches

- Airport: Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (30km) or Antalya Airport (135km)

- Season: Year-round destination (even winter 15-20°C)

- Character: Lively, diverse, international community

Top Attractions

Alanya Castle (Kale)

UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate, this massive Seljuk fortress crowns the peninsula headland. Built 1221-1226 AD, 6km of walls encircle 140 towers, multiple gates, Byzantine churches, and Ottoman houses.

Entry: ₺60 (castle grounds), ₺30 (museum)

Hours: 8am-7pm summer, 8am-5pm winter

Visit Time: 2-4 hours

Transportation: Cable car (teleferik) from Kleopatra Beach ₺40 return, taxi ₺30-40 one-way, or steep 30-min walk

Don't Miss:

- Panoramic views from ramparts (360° Mediterranean vistas)

- İç Kale (Inner Fortress) - Byzantine church ruins

- Süleymaniye Mosque - restored Ottoman mosque

- Cisterns - ancient water storage

- Ehmedek - highest defensive bastion

Pro Tip: Visit late afternoon for sunset golden hour photography and avoid midday heat.

Red Tower (Kızıl Kule)

Iconic octagonal defensive tower built 1226, perfectly preserved red brick structure. Symbol of Alanya, houses ethnographic museum.

Entry: ₺10

Height: 33m, 5 floors

Views: Harbor, shipyard, Mediterranean

Damlataş Cave

Discovered by accident in 1948 during stone quarrying, this stalactite/stalagmite cave is famous for its therapeutic microclimate (moisture, temperature, CO2 levels help respiratory issues).

Entry: ₺10

Location: West beach, next to cable car

Temperature: Constant 22°C, 95% humidity

Visit: 15-20 minutes

Medical: Early morning sessions for asthma patients

Dim Cave (Dim Mağarası)

Turkey's second-largest cave open to tourists, 15km from Alanya center in mountains. Massive chambers, underground lake, dramatic formations.

Entry: ₺30

Length: 360m walkway

Highlights: 4 chambers, underground lake, stalactites

Transportation: Taxi ₺40-50 return or dolmuş

Combine: Dim River restaurants for lunch

Ancient Shipyard (Tersane)

Seljuk naval dockyard from 1228, one of Mediterranean's oldest surviving shipyards. Five vaulted galleries where warships were built and repaired.

Entry: Free

Location: Below castle, harbor area

Unique: Medieval Islamic naval architecture

Cleopatra Beach (Kleopatra Plajı)

Alanya's most famous beach, named after legend that Egyptian queen Cleopatra swam here. 2km of golden sand, Blue Flag certified, gradually sloping.

Facilities: Sunbeds (€3-5), umbrellas, showers, cafes

Water Sports: Jet ski, parasailing, banana boat

Promenade: Pedestrian walkway with cafes, restaurants, shops

Swimming: Safe, lifeguards present, calm waters

Keykubat Beach

East side beach, quieter than Cleopatra, more local atmosphere. Great for sunset watching.

Alanya Harbor & Marina

Picturesque harbor filled with fishing boats, yachts, and tour boats. Lined with seafood restaurants, bars, cafes. Evening stroll hotspot.

Boat Tours: Pirate ship cruises (€15-25), swimming stops, BBQ lunch

Natural Wonders

Phosphorescent Cave (Fosforlu Mağara)

Accessible only by boat, seawater glows phosphorescent blue due to mineral content. Boat tours stop here for swimming.

Lovers Cave (Aşıklar Mağarası)

Small sea cave accessible by boat, legend says couples who kiss inside will stay together forever.

Dim River Valley (Dim Çayı)

Mountain river valley 15km from center, dozens of riverside restaurants with platforms over cool flowing water. Perfect escape from beach heat.

Activity: Lunch at riverside restaurant (€10-15), swimming in river

Best Time: Summer afternoon (refreshing cool water)

Things to Do

Adventure Sports

- Paragliding: Tandem flights from Yassi Mountain (€60-80)

- Scuba Diving: PADI centers, wreck dives, reef exploration (€50-100)

- Jeep Safari: Off-road mountain tours to villages (€30-40)

- Rafting: Köprüçay River white water (€35-45)

- ATV Tours: Quad bike mountain trails (€40-60)

Water Park

Alanya Water Planet: Slides, wave pool, lazy river. Entry €25 adults, €20 kids.

Shopping

- Tuesday Market (Salı Pazarı): Huge weekly bazaar - textiles, spices, produce

- Alanyum Shopping Center: Modern mall, international brands

- Harbor bazaar: Leather goods, jewelry, carpets, souvenirs

- What to Buy: Turkish delight, spices, olive oil products, leather jackets, gold

Nightlife

Alanya is Turkey's nightlife capital outside Istanbul:

Bar Street (Barlar Sokağı): Pedestrian street packed with bars, clubs, live music venues. Peak: 11pm-4am.

Top Clubs:

- Havana Club: Iconic, open-air, DJ nights

- Summer Garden: Garden club, mixed music

- Robin Hood: British pub, sports screens

- Auditorium: Rock/alternative venue

Harbor Bars: Waterfront cocktail bars, jazz, relaxed vibe

Turkish Night: Folk dancing, belly dancing, unlimited rakı (€30-40)

Where to Eat

Seafood

- Alanya Balık Evi: Fresh daily catch, harbor views (€20-35/person)

- Kalamaki Balık: Grilled octopus, mezes (€18-30)

Turkish Cuisine

- Kosem Restaurant: Ottoman recipes, pide, kebabs (€12-20)

- Dim Çayı Restaurants: Riverside trout, meze (€10-18)

International

- Bistro Bahama: International menu, vegetarian options (€15-25)

- Red Tower Brewery: Craft beer, burgers (€12-20)

Budget

- Döner/Pide: €3-6 everywhere

- Supermarkets: Migros, A101, Şok for self-catering

Beaches Explained

Cleopatra Beach (West)

Most popular, widest, best facilities, cable car access, sunbed rows, water sports central.

Keykubat Beach (East)

Quieter, more Turkish locals, budget hotels behind, nice promenade.

Mahmutlar Beach (10km east)

Expat community area, Russian/German/Scandinavian heavy, modern apartments line beach.

İncekum (25km west)

Fine sand beach, "İncekum" means "fine sand", family resorts, calmer than Alanya center.

Getting to Alanya

From Antalya Airport (AYT)

Private Transfer: €45-55, 120-140min direct, best option. Book: WhatsApp +90 530 123 4567

Havas Bus: €10/person, 2.5-3 hours with stops

Taxi: €120-150, negotiable

From Gazipaşa Airport (GZP)

Smaller airport 35km east, cheaper flights, growing connections.

Private Transfer: €30-35, 40min

Taxi: €50-70

Within Alanya

Dolmuş (minibus): ₺6-8, frequent, routes cover all areas

Taxi: Metered, ₺20-40 for city trips

Rental Car: €25-40/day

Cable Car: ₺40 return (beach to castle)

When to Visit

Summer (Jun-Sep)

Pros: Hottest, 30-35°C, warmest sea (26-28°C), all nightlife open, beach season peak

Cons: Most expensive, crowded, very hot midday

Spring/Fall (Apr-May, Oct-Nov)

Pros: Perfect weather (22-28°C), fewer tourists, 30-40% cheaper, pleasant sea

Cons: Some venues closed off-season

Winter (Dec-Mar)

Pros: Mild (15-20°C), very cheap, empty beaches, large expat community stays year-round

Cons: Sea cool (16-18°C), limited nightlife and restaurants, some hotels closed

Best Time: May, June, September, or October - ideal balance weather/price/crowds

Where to Stay

Luxury (€100-300)

- Eftalia Ocean Resort: 5-star all-inclusive, large aqua park

- Delphin Deluxe Resort: Adults-focused luxury, gourmet dining

Mid-Range (€50-100)

- Kleopatra Royal Palm Hotel: Central location, pool, good breakfast

- Grand Zaman Beach Hotel: Beachfront, all-inclusive option

Budget (€20-50)

- Pharaoh Hotel: Clean, basic, walking distance beach

- Otel Majestic: Turkish hospitality, no frills

Apartments

Long-term rentals popular with expats: €300-600/month studios/1-beds

Alanya for Different Travelers

Families

Good! Safe beaches, castle exploration, caves, water park, resort kids' clubs.

Young Travelers/Party

Excellent! Best nightlife in Turkey outside Istanbul, Bar Street scene, beach parties.

Couples

Romantic! Castle sunsets, cave tours, boat trips, harbor dinners.

Budget Backpackers

Great! Cheap accommodation, food, transport. Many long-term travelers base here.

Expats/Digital Nomads

Very popular! Large international community (especially Russian, German, Scandinavian), affordable, year-round mild climate, coworking spaces emerging.

Practical Information

Budget (Per Day)

Luxury: €80-150 (5-star resort all-inclusive)

Mid-Range: €40-80 (hotel + meals out)

Budget: €20-40 (hostel/apartment + cheap eats)

Money

- Turkish Lira official

- ATMs everywhere

- Cards widely accepted

- €/$ accepted in tourist areas

- Exchange offices common (better rates than hotels)

Language

- Turkish official

- English widely spoken

- Russian very common (large Russian community)

- German common

- Arabic increasing

Safety

- Very safe for tourists

- Low crime

- Tourist police present

- Normal precautions (watch belongings on crowded beaches)

Healthcare

- Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Training Hospital: Modern, emergency care

- Private hospitals: International standards

- Pharmacies: Plentiful, well-stocked

- Travel insurance: Recommended

Internet & Digital

- WiFi: Free in most cafes, hotels, restaurants

- SIM Cards: Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom (eSIM available)

- Coworking: Emerging spaces for digital nomads

Day Trips from Alanya

Side Ancient City (60km)

Apollo Temple, Roman theater, beaches. Full day trip or half-day.

Manavgat Waterfall & Green Canyon

Nature excursions, boat tours, popular day trips (€30-45).

Aspendos Theatre

Best-preserved Roman theater, 80km west (€40-50 tour).

Sapadere Canyon

Mountain canyon, waterfalls, natural pools, 45km northeast (€25-35 tour).

Book Your Alanya Adventure

Alanya delivers history, nature, beaches, and nightlife in one vibrant package. From exploring medieval castles to diving Mediterranean caves to dancing till dawn, Alanya offers diverse experiences for every traveler.

Airport Transfer Booking:

WhatsApp: +90 530 123 4567

From Antalya: €45-55, 120-140 min

From Gazipaşa: €30-35, 40 min

24/7 service, flight tracking, fixed prices

Your private transfer takes you directly from Alanya to Antalya Airport. Our professional drivers know the best routes to ensure a comfortable and efficient journey. The route passes through scenic Turkish landscapes, and you can request stops along the way for photos or refreshments.