Okurcalar and Türkler: resort coast between Side and Alanya

Okurcalar is the westernmost resort village of the Alanya area, roughly halfway between Side and Alanya and about 1 hour 40 minutes from Antalya Airport. It is mostly large all-inclusive resorts lined up along the D400 coast road, with sand and pebble beaches, rocky sections and hotel piers. Türkler, a smaller village closer to Alanya, is similar but quieter. Both suit a pool-and-beach week; neither is the place for a lively town centre.

Where to stay in Okurcalar and Türkler

Hotels sold as Alanya are often here. Almost everything sits on the D400 coast road, so check whether your hotel is on the sea side or whether you must cross the road to reach the beach.

Times are daytime drives from Antalya Airport (AYT), about 95 km to Okurcalar (Antalya Airport to Okurcalar); Türkler is about the same as Avsallar. From Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (GZP) Okurcalar is about 80 minutes (Gazipaşa Airport to Okurcalar).

Beaches

What the beach is really like

Okurcalar's shore is a mix: short sandy beaches in front of the resorts, pebble stretches and rocky sections where hotels have built wooden piers or concrete platforms with ladders into the sea. The water is clear and good for snorkelling, but it often gets deep quickly.

If you travel with small children, check photos and recent reviews of your hotel's beach entry before booking. Water shoes are useful almost everywhere here.

Softer sand nearby

For a long, gently sloping sandy beach, head a few kilometres east to İncekum, where the sand is backed by a protected pine forest. See the Avsallar and İncekum guide.

Türkler beach

Türkler has a sand and pebble beach in front of the village, with hotels and apartments behind. It is calmer than Alanya's beaches and closer to the city than Okurcalar.

Things to do nearby

Alarahan and Alara castle

A short drive inland along the Alara river stands Alarahan, a 13th-century Seljuk caravanserai, with the ruins of Alara castle on a rock above the valley. The climb to the castle is steep and uneven; wear proper shoes and avoid the midday heat. How the caravanserai is used has changed over the years, so check locally whether it is open.

Alanya

Alanya centre is about 40 minutes east: the castle, the harbour, boat trips and Cleopatra Beach. It is the obvious evening out from Okurcalar. See the Alanya guide.

Side and Manavgat

Westwards, Manavgat with its river and waterfall is about 30 minutes away and Side's ancient town about 40 minutes. See Side and Manavgat.

Organised excursions

Most tours (Green Canyon, Sapadere canyon, Dim river, boat trips, Aspendos) pick up from Okurcalar hotels, but because it sits between two areas, pick-up times can be early. Compare prices before booking at the hotel desk; see day trips and boat trips.

Food and evenings

Be realistic: Okurcalar is built around all-inclusive resorts, and most guests eat and spend the evening in their hotel. The centre has a handful of restaurants, cafés and bars along the main road, but it is quiet after dark and there is no promenade to stroll.

Türkler is similar, with a few local restaurants and cafés. For a livelier evening, take a dolmuş or taxi into Alanya, and agree on how you will get back before you go. If you are unsure about all-inclusive, read is all-inclusive worth it?.

Getting there and around

Antalya Airport is about 95 km and 1 hour 40 minutes away along the D400 (Antalya Airport to Okurcalar, all routes under airport transfers). Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport is closer on the map, but the drive takes about 80 minutes because you cross Alanya, and it has far fewer flights (Gazipaşa Airport transfers). For most travellers Antalya is the better choice; see which airport?.

Dolmuş minibuses run along the coast road east to Avsallar, Türkler, Konaklı and Alanya, and west towards Manavgat, where you can change for Side. Taxis wait in the centre and at the larger resorts. A car is only needed for the inland valleys; see getting around.

When to go

The beach season runs from May to October. July and August are hot and the resorts are full; June, September and early October bring warm sea water with fewer people. In winter many of the large resorts close, and the village is very quiet. See weather by month and the holiday budget calculator.