Alanya travel guide: where to stay and what to do
Alanya is a real city of its own, built around a castle rock that rises 250 m straight out of the sea. It has a long sandy beach in the centre, lively nightlife, mild winters and a choice of two airports. It is also the furthest of the big resorts from Antalya.
Where to stay in Alanya
Alanya stretches along 40 km of coast. Stay in the centre if you want to walk to Cleopatra Beach, the harbour and restaurants without a car. Choose Oba or Mahmutlar for apartments and longer stays, or the resort villages to the west for all-inclusive holidays with a shorter airport transfer.
| Area | Character | Beach | Best for | From AYT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alanya centre & Cleopatra Beach | City hotels, apartments, the harbour, bars and shops all within walking distance | Cleopatra Beach: long, fine sand, right below the castle | First-time visitors, nightlife, no-car holidays | 2 h 10 min |
| Oba & Tosmur | Residential districts just east of the centre, quieter, many apartments, Dim river nearby | Keykubat Beach, sand and fine shingle | Self-catering, longer stays, families on a budget | – |
| Mahmutlar & Kestel | Long-stay apartment towns east of Alanya with large expat communities and a big weekly market on Tuesdays | Long pebble-and-sand beach | Winter stays, apartment holidays, best value | 2 h 20 min |
| Konaklı | Resort village 12 km west of the centre with a mix of mid-size hotels | Sand and shingle, some rocky coves | Couples and families who want quiet but easy access to town | 1 h 55 min |
| Avsallar, İncekum & Okurcalar | All-inclusive resorts strung along the coast west of Alanya; İncekum has a pine forest beach | İncekum: golden sand in pine forest | All-inclusive families, a shorter transfer from Antalya | 1 h 45 min |
Times are daytime driving times from Antalya Airport (AYT). From Gazipaşa-Alanya airport (GZP) the centre is about 45 minutes away.
Things to do in Alanya
Alanya Castle and the cable car
The Seljuk castle walls run for over 6 km around the rock, with an inner citadel at the top and views along the whole coast. Take the cable car up from near Damlataş Cave, then walk down through the old Ottoman houses of the Tophane quarter. Allow half a day, and go early or late in summer.
Red Tower and the shipyard
The octagonal Red Tower (Kızıl Kule) was built in 1226 to guard the harbour and now houses a small ethnographic museum. A path along the sea wall leads to the Seljuk shipyard (Tersane), a row of vaulted boat sheds carved into the rock, unique in Türkiye.
Cleopatra Beach and Damlataş Cave
Cleopatra Beach runs west from the castle rock for about 2 km: fine sand, clear water and a gradual slope. At its eastern end is Damlataş, a small dripstone cave with very humid air that local tradition holds to be good for asthma.
Boat trips around the peninsula
Half-day boat trips leave from the harbour and circle the castle rock, stopping at sea caves such as the Phosphorus Cave and the Pirates’ Cave, with swim stops along the way. Choose a smaller boat if you want to avoid the party cruises.
Dim River and Dim Cave
Ten minutes east of the centre, restaurants sit on wooden platforms right over the cold Dim river, a favourite with locals on hot days. Upstream, Dim Cave is one of the largest show caves in the region.
For longer outings such as Aspendos, Pamukkale or rafting, see our day trips guide.
Getting there and around
Antalya Airport is about 125 km away; see the Antalya Airport to Alanya transfer guide. Gazipaşa-Alanya airport is much closer but has fewer, mostly seasonal flights. In town, city buses and dolmuş minibuses connect the centre with Oba, Kestel and Mahmutlar frequently and cheaply; taxis are plentiful.
When to go
Beach season runs from May to early November. Alanya is warmer than Antalya in winter and popular for long stays from November to March. Month-by-month figures are in our weather and sea temperature guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is best for Alanya?
Antalya (AYT) has by far the most flights, but it is about two hours away. Gazipaşa-Alanya (GZP) is only about 45 minutes from the centre; if your airline flies there, it saves a lot of time. See our Antalya Airport to Alanya transfer guide.
Is Alanya good for families?
Yes, especially Cleopatra Beach (sand, gradual depth) and the resorts at İncekum and Avsallar. The centre is busy and has nightlife near the harbour, so families who prefer quiet evenings often choose Konaklı or Oba.
Can you visit Alanya in winter?
Alanya is one of the warmest places in Türkiye in winter, with daytime highs around 17°C, and many apartments in Mahmutlar and Oba are rented by long-stay winter visitors. Most large beach resorts close from November to March, but city hotels stay open.
How do you get up to Alanya Castle?
The cable car runs from near Damlataş Cave and Cleopatra Beach to the castle walls in a few minutes. You can also take a city bus or taxi up the winding road, or walk up from the harbour, which takes about an hour and is hot in summer.
Is there nightlife in Alanya?
Yes, it is one of the liveliest resorts on the coast. Bars and clubs are concentrated in the harbour area of the centre; boat parties leave from the harbour in summer.