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    Alanya

    Turkey

    Alanya

    CityBeachCulture

    Alanya is a seaside resort on the eastern Turkish Riviera, approximately 133 km east of Antalya. You come for the Seljuk Castle on the promontory above the sea, the Red Tower at the harbor, and Cleopatra Beach.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Turkey
    7. The Turkish Riviera
    9. Alanya
    Alanya is a seaside resort on the eastern Turkish Riviera, approximately 133 km east of Antalya. You come for the Seljuk Castle on the promontory above the sea, the Red Tower at the harbor, and Cleopatra Beach. The district has approximately 360,000 inhabitants, with the old town and castle situated on a rocky peninsula.

    Sights in Alanya

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Cleopatra's Beach
    Attraction

    1Cleopatra's Beach

    The approximately 2 km long sandy beach is located west of the peninsula and holds the Blue Flag. Right next to it lies Damlataş Beach. The story that Cleopatra bathed here is a legend without historical evidence.
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    Damlataş Cave
    Attraction

    2Damlataş Cave

    The stalactite cave was discovered in 1948 when limestone was blasted for the construction of the port. Its name means dripping stone. The moist cave climate is attributed a healing effect; there are special visiting hours for asthmatics.
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    Red Tower (Kızıl Kule)
    Historic Landmark

    3Red Tower (Kızıl Kule)

    The octagonal red brick tower was completed in 1226 and is 33 m high. It protected the harbor and the Seljuk shipyard. Since 1979, it has housed the Ethnographic Museum. The tower is considered a landmark of Alanya.
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    Castle of Alanya
    Castle

    4Castle of Alanya

    The castle dominates approximately 250 m above the sea on a rocky outcrop. The majority was built in the 13th century under the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I. The walls are 6.5 km long and have 140 towers; 400 cisterns supplied the complex with water. The castle is on Turkey's UNESCO Tentative List.
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    Dockyard (Tersane)

    5Dockyard (Tersane)

    The Seljuk shipyard was built by Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I. in 1228 next to the Red Tower, directly on the water. Five vaulted, interconnected halls open to the sea; the complex is approximately 57 meters wide on the water side. It is considered the first Seljuk shipyard on the Mediterranean. Today, it houses a small museum with an old cargo crane and a traditional boat.
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    Restaurants in Alanya

    1

    Mezze Grill Restaurant & Ocakbaşı

    Grill restaurant with charcoal grill and Turkish cuisine. The specialty is kebabs from the open fire.
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    2

    EmineAba Historic Local Flavors

    Restaurant right by the Red Tower, serving regional cuisine from Alanya. Guests especially love the homemade dishes.
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    Food and Drink

    Alanya's cuisine is down-to-earth, featuring soups, vegetables, and sweets made from pumpkin and molasses. Bananas, lemons, and oranges grow around the city.

    The Güllük soup

    Soup with small meatballs, pulled chicken, rice, and chickpeas.

    Tarator Fried Mix

    Fried vegetables with a sauce made from walnuts.

    Kabak Tatlısı

    Pumpkin in syrup, a dessert popular throughout the entire Riviera.

    Orphan helva

    Dark semolina halva, molasses-sweetened.

    Culture & History

    CoracesiumIn antiquity, the city was known as Korakesion, or Coracesium in Latin. The name derives from the Luwian “Korakassa,” roughly meaning “protruding city.” The castle stands on the remnants of Roman and Byzantine fortifications.The Seljuk CityIn 1221, Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I. conquered the city. Under the Seljuks, Alanya experienced its golden age and served as their winter residence. The castle, shipyard, and Red Tower date from this period.World Heritage CandidateAlanya Castle and the Seljuk shipyard are on Turkey's Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage.

    Access & Local Travel

    Getting ThereGazipaşa-Alanya Airport is east of the city; alternatively, fly into Antalya, around 133 km west. Continue from there by transfer or rental car.Getting AroundOn Foot: Damlataş Cave and Cleopatra Beach are close to each other on the west side of the peninsula.To the Castle: The castle is about 250 m above sea level; allow time and water for the climb.TipDamlataş Cave has specific visiting hours for people with asthma, as the cave climate is believed to have healing properties. Check the times on site.

    Accommodations in Alanya

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    Campgrounds in Alanya

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      • 1Cleopatra's Beach3 days
      • 2Damlataş Cave4 days
      • 3Red Tower (Kızıl Kule)5 days
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    Nearby

    Side

    Side

    Side is a beach resort on a small peninsula, about 78 km east of Antalya. You come for the ancient ruins in the middle of town: the theatre, agora and Temple of Apollo stand among hotels, shops and restaurants. Side belongs to the district of Manavgat; the old town lies on the peninsula.
    The Turkish Riviera

    The Turkish Riviera

    The Turkish Riviera is the coastal stretch of Antalya province between Olympos and Alanya, with Antalya at its center. Come for the long beaches, ancient Pamphylian cities (Perge, Aspendos, Side), and Seljuk architecture in Antalya and Alanya. Kemer, Belek, Side, and Alanya are the well-known resorts.
    Antalya

    Antalya

    Antalya is the major city of the Turkish Riviera, with approximately 1.3 million inhabitants in its urban area. You come for the walled Old Town of Kaleiçi above the old harbour, the beaches of Konyaaltı and Lara, and the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos in the surrounding area. Konyaaltı is west, Lara east of the centre.
    Olympos & Çıralı

    Olympos & Çıralı

    Olympos and Çıralı lie in a bay on the coast southwest of Antalya. You come for the ancient city of Olympos in the river valley, the eternal flames of the Chimaira, and the long beach where sea turtles nest. Çıralı is a village with guesthouses behind the beach; the ruins lie in a river valley close to the beach.
    Konya

    Konya

    In the Middle Ages Konya was the capital of the Seljuks of Rum, and it is the city of the Sufi mystic Mevlana Rumi, whose tomb in the Mevlana Museum draws pilgrims and travellers. The city of around 1.4 million inhabitants in its three central districts lies at just over 1,000 metres in the south of Central Anatolia, a little over two hours from Ankara by high-speed train. The sights are concentrated between the Mevlana Museum and Alaeddin Hill, and the Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük makes a worthwhile day trip.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
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