Alanya, Turkey
With its long, golden sands, picturesque hillside villas and jagged coastal cliffs, Alanya ranks among Turkey’s most attractive Mediterranean resorts, and its lively nightlife, historic sights and close proximity to the Taurus Mountains means there’s never a shortage of things to do. Whether you fancy hiking to a hilltop castle, diving to a sunken city or zipping along the coast on a quad bike, here are our top five things to do in Alanya.
1. Hit the Beach
Alanya is flanked by sandy, Blue Flag beaches — Damlatas and Kleopatra beaches to the west of the castle, and Keykubat and Portakal beaches to the east. All are well-served with tourist amenities, including sunbeds and parasols, seafront restaurants, massage huts and ample watersports opportunities, including jet skis, banana boats and water skis. Kleopatra Beach also has minigolf, tennis courts, volleyball nets and an aqua park, while Damlatas Beach is home to an impressive limestone cave, filled with stalagmites and stalactites.
2. Cruise Along the Mediterranean
Numerous boat cruise options are available from Alanya, and the harbor is lined with traditional gulets, catamarans, replica pirate ships and colorful fishing boats. Opt for a tour of the coastal caves, like Pirates Cave and Lover’s Cave, stopping off to swim or snorkel along the way; cruise out to the sunken city of Kekova; enjoy the views on a BBQ dinner cruise; or dance the night away on a party cruise, with the city lights flickering in the distance.
3. Get Your Adrenaline Pumping
Alanya’s soaring cliffs and long coastal promenades are ideal for walking or biking tours, but there are many ways for adventurous types to get the adrenaline surging. Popular outdoor activities in Alanya include Segway tours, paragliding, scuba diving and snorkeling, or you could head into the Taurus Mountains on a quad bike safari or horseback trek, hike through the dramatic Sapadere Canyon or tackle the rapids of Koprulu Canyon on a whitewater rafting trip.
4. Scrub up at a Hamam
Head to the local hamam for an authentic Turkish bath experience, where you’ll be treated to a thorough body scrub, soap massage and aromatherapy oil massage. After being pampered, you’ll leave feeling rested and rejuvenated, with silky soft skin that lasts for days.
5. Explore Alanya Castle
Alanya’s hilltop castle is actually a sprawling citadel, spread across a peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean, and it’s an idyllic spot from which to watch the sunset, with numerous cafés and restaurants lining the cliffside. Take a taxi to the top of the hill, where you can explore the impressive 13th-century remains of the inner fortress, then walk back down — it takes about 40-60 minutes — stopping to check out the views from the many lookout points.
– Contributed by Zoe Smith
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