18 Best Things to do in Alanya, Turkey

Located in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey,  Alanya is connected to Antalya, a tourism province. With its magnificent historical and natural beauty, it has become a favorite tourism area in recent years. Before getting to know things to do in the Alanya area, you might be interested in Things to Know About Antalya.

With its fascinating beauty for both domestic and foreign tourists, this province on the south coast of Turkey is just a unique proxy of Antalya. As a port city, it is full of fantastic tourism options. There are so many things you can do in this place with its beautiful sea and bays. Here are the things to do in Alanya.

1. Explore Alanya Castle

One of the places to visit in the Alanya area is Alanya Castle.  This unique place which hosted Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman civilizations, continues to serve many domestic and foreign tourists with its magnificent view. This historical castle, formerly known as Alaiye, has been able to maintain its existence since before the millennium, thanks to its construction in an area that is difficult to capture. You can visit this castle every day of the week by paying the entrance fee or by purchasing a museum card.

2. Ride Alanya Teleferik

Located near the entrance of Cleopatra Beach, this magnificent cable car ("teleferik" in Turkish) was built in 2017. During the construction of this vehicle, which offers a bird's-eye view of Alanya, modern materials that do not lose their strength at maximum temperatures and loads were used.

Thus, the cable car in Alanya works all year round in all kinds of weather. You can enjoy the view of the Mediterranean coast and the surrounding mountain ranges by picking up and discharging passengers at the stations, without stopping, with a slight slowdown.

3. Go Underground at Dim Cave

Dim Cave, which is approximately 11 km from Alanya's city center, is located in an area that has been home to castles and fortresses since the Classical Age. This historic site is protected by all the complexes here and on the surrounding hills. This place, which is frequently visited by both domestic and foreign tourists, contains crystal stalactites and natural spring waters.

4. Rafting & Sightseeing in Koprulu Canyon

Rafting on Koprulu Canyon is one of the most adrenaline activities in the Alanya region. The vast majority of travelers and adrenaline enthusiasts prefer to join daily tours to enjoy this enjoyable activity. If you want to participate in this event, you will be picked up from your hotel, meet the other participants, and the adventure begins after you collect your gear and raft. If you wish, you can enjoy this fun in a 2-person canoe or a 6-person canoe.

5. Swim at Sapadere Canyon

Located right next to a small and charming village in Alanya, there is a natural wonder called Sapadere Canyon. Sapadere offers its famous cool and clear water to its visitors. This place often welcomes visitors with water flowing through the rocks and its charming villages.

In addition, silk and sericulture are made in the village of Sapadere, to which the canyon is connected. If you wish, you can stop by this cute place and examine this old craft that requires special handicrafts and enjoy the view.

6. Discover Anemurium

Anemurium, which are the ruins of an ancient city with a history dating back to BC, is positioned on a mountain slope that follows the coast. This region is frequently visited by people who are interested in Roman history. Although the stone walls of the city were built in ancient times, they are still partially intact and the mosaics on them can be seen.

These walls consist of many tombs resembling small entrance halls. In addition, it has been determined that the building contains modern ruins such as the Small Theater City and aqueducts. In addition, an acropolis has been found containing the remains of a palace with its private water source. This historic site is filled with rooms that remain a mystery, and are still being studied by archaeologists from the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia.

7. Red Tower (Kizilkule)

The Red Tower is an octagonal Seljuk period work that has become the symbol of Alanya. In this special tower, the name of the master who built the building is indicated on the wall to the right of the entrance door. In addition to its plain structure, the octagon is quite complex in its planning, contrary to its external appearance. Kizilkule has five floors: ground floor, first floor, mezzanine, open floor, and open terrace

The defense mechanisms inside are also very strong. For example, there are 56 battlement windows on the fronts of Kizilkule, 22 boiling pitch and water pouring openings, and 6 gargoyles, which are arranged in such a way that the enemy is repulsed by boiling pitch and water and makes it impossible to escape.

8. Alanya Harbour (Limani)

Located at the foot of Alanya castle, this magnificent harbor area is famous for its many bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. You can also take a boat from the port to explore Cleopatra beach and the caves, which takes about an hour. In this holiday resort, which is a magnificent natural heritage at the same time, you will fully enjoy the turquoise waters of modern life in summer.

9. Damlatas Cave

Damlatas Cave is a natural wonder found during the opening of a quarry for the stone to be used in the construction of the port. The location of cave is on the west coast of the historical Alanya Castle. It was named Damlatas because of the water drops that continue to drip from the stalactites on the ceilings of the cave. This place, which is famous for its visual beauty as well as its air that is good for asthma patients, is an important tourist destination.

10. Alanya Archaeological Museum

This museum, which history enthusiasts will enjoy, contains many special pieces. Alanya Archeology Museum was opened in 1967 and has been serving visitors without slowing down since then. This museum continues to work diligently since it was decided to show the finds collected around the city to tourists. In addition, to make this facility even more attractive, some exhibitions from the Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum are displayed within the museum. The main purpose of the museum is to introduce its visitors to the rich past of Anatolia, which is Asia Minor. Artifacts on display consist of artifacts from various ancient civilizations, including the states of Urartu, Phrygia, and Lydia.

11. Seyir Terasi

This unique viewing terrace organized by Alanya Municipality is a unique place that will lay the city at your feet. You can spend a pleasant evening in this place, which has a beautiful park where you can enjoy a panoramic view, a picnic, and a resting area. Do not forget to take photos of this magnificent view, which is liked by the visitors.

12. Scuba Diving Tour

Alanya diving tour is the most exciting journey in the cool waters of the Mediterranean. This magical world offers you underwater sea life and freedom. We should remind you that for those who will dive for the first time in their life, the first dive is done at a depth of 3-5 meters before lunch. The second dive will be at a depth of 10-15 meters after lunch. Both drives will be in a small groups for you to experience an enjoyable adventure accompanied by a specially experienced instructor.

13. Dimcayi

This is a famous river, located in the Alanya district of Antalya province. Dimcayi is a popular picnic place having a restaurant with sofas over water. You can swim in this river or have a meal by the river and enjoy it. There are lots of cafes and restaurants along the river. You can choose one and have fun!

14. Alanya Tersanesi

Alanya  Tersanesi is a permanent shipyard with iron workshops, administrative and warehouse areas for shipbuilding and winter accommodation of ships as well as repairs, sailing, and ship equipment. This shipyard, which protects the Mediterranean coasts, worked actively until the 1960s and is used as a museum today. In the museum, there are important navy materials from various times. For example, one antique period crane in the 1st eye, one uncoated towing boat which is a fast-sailing sailboat used for logistics and supply in the Ottoman navy in every period, one mizena, and one spar in the eye, so you can see various ship tools such as one main mast.

15. Eating Alanya's Famous Meals

Every region of Turkey is famous for its special cuisine. If you come to Turkey, never miss these delicacies. Below are some examples of Alanya's kitchen.

• Stuffed zucchini flowers: Zucchini flowers stuffed with stuffing is a famous olive oil flavor. We would like to remind you that it is one of the flavors that must be tried in Alanya with its different appearance and the good taste that the stuffing adds to the meal, unlike the stuffed types.
• Chickpea Hibesh: This flavor, which is famous in the cities in the Mediterranean region, is made with tahini, garlic, lemon, cumin, red pepper powder, and salt.
• Ulubu Fresh: Ulubu, which is an extremely practical dish, is a satisfying dish that should be tried with the flavor it leaves on the palate.
• Ilibada Wrap: This special wrap made with ilibada leaves grown in the Mediterranean region is one of the indispensable foods on Alanya tables.
• Stuffed Laba: This challenging dish, which is a special occasion meal, is prepared for crowded guests. Stuffed laba, made with lamb or sheep's ribs, is a must-try for meat lovers.
• Alanya Bundle: It is consumed with curd cheese and tea, which takes its name with its appearance resembling a bundle.
• Prickly Pumpkin Tarator: Prickly zucchini, which is common in the Mediterranean Region, is very rich in B-complex vitamins. You will love this light recipe consisting of salt, zucchini, and yogurt.

16. Turkish bath

The Turkish Bath, as it became popular in Europe, is a building with hot and cold water heated in a special arrangement and used for washing purposes.

The benefits of the Hammams are listed below:

• The bath triggers the hormone of happiness.
• You get rid of dead skin.
• Bath strengthens the immune system.
• The heat of the bath is good for the joints and muscles.
• Hammam accelerates fat burning and helps to lose weight.

There are Turkish baths in many parts of Alanya.

17. Atatürk House Museum

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is a Turkish soldier and statesman. He is the commander-in-chief of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder of the Republic of Turkey.

It is the house where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed for a while during his visit to Alanya on February 18, 1935. The house was donated to the Ministry of Culture by its owner, Tevfik Azakoğlu, and turned into a museum in 1987. Atatürk's personal belongings, photographs, a telegram sent by Atatürk to the people of Alanya, and other historical documents are exhibited on the ground floor of the three-story building.

18. Sapadere Canyon

Sapadere Canyon, located approximately 40 kilometers from Alanya and one of the most visited natural wonders of the region, is an ideal place for both doing sports and going on a nature trip. With its 750 meters long and 400 meters high steep walls, you can also find recreation areas, country gardens, equipped camping areas, and walking paths in the canyon, where you can take wonderful photos at any time of the year.

You can visit Sapadere Canyon between 08:30 and 18:00 every day of the week.