Alanya Travel Guide

Situated on the Gulf of Antalya along Turkey's Mediterranean coast, Alanya has been a favoured seaside holiday destination for over 800 years. Today, visitors flock here for much the same reasons that drew the Seljuk Turks centuries ago: the warm, gentle sea, the miles of beaches, and the town's fascinating history.

The southern part of Alanya is the most tourist-oriented, though thanks to height restrictions, the sprawl typical of resort towns is limited. Despite this, visitors will find the usual mix of resort hotels and tourist-focused services. The harbour, bustling especially at night, is the heart of the town. When visitors have had their fill of sunbathing, they shouldn't miss notable attractions such as the Damlatas Caves, Alanya Castle and the Red Tower.

Alanya is also backed by the pine-forested Taurus Mountains. A half-hour drive outside the town opens up spectacular views and charming rural villages where life has remained much the same for generations.

Shopping

Alanya offers a variety of shops, and part of the fun for visitors is practicing their bargaining skills. Apart from food items, haggling is expected, with discounts of 30 to 50 percent often available. Patience is key, but travellers should avoid shops with overly aggressive salespeople. Alanya is particularly known for its excellent jewellery stores, as well as leather goods, clothing and local markets. Popular souvenirs include hookahs (water pipes), tobacco and Turkish tea sets.

Restaurants

The range of dining options in Alanya is extensive, catering to a variety of tastes from traditional Turkish cuisine to international fare. Some favourites include Memos, known for its Ottoman stews, and Big Ben's, which serves hearty English breakfasts and Sunday roasts. For an authentic Turkish experience, travellers should try a kebab or a mezze platter, paired with a cold Efes beer. If they're tempted by street vendors, they should remember that they can haggle the price of their meal, but haggling is generally frowned upon in restaurants and grocery stores. Visitors shouldn't miss out on local specialties such as baklava and thick, rich Turkish coffee.

Nightlife

Much of Alanya's nightlife is centred around the harbor, but travellers will also find more local bars and clubs tucked away in side streets. Popular spots include Robin Hood and Bistro Bellman. Several venues offer traditional entertainment, including belly dancing, fire shows and live music, giving visitors a taste of Turkey's cultural heritage.

Holiday activities

Alanya offers more than just sun and sea. Key attractions include the medieval Alanya Castle, the Red Tower and the Damlatas Caves. Just outside of town, the Dim Valley and Dim Cave are popular spots for nature lovers. For those seeking adventure, Alanya provides plenty of activities: water parks, mountain biking, bungee jumping and river rafting on the Alara River. The area is also a fantastic place for diving, with crystal-clear waters and numerous underwater caves. Visitors can also take boat trips along the coast to explore even more scenic caves.

Any negatives?

Alanya is a popular holiday resort and can get very noisy and crowded. The busy main highway runs through the resort, and causes pollution, noise, and congestion. An ancient lava field just below the water line can be hard to negotiate while swimming.