Besides its long sea season and blue flag bays, Alanya stands out with its historical and cultural sites as well. For this reason, the list of what to see in Alanya could be quite long. Well, if you are wondering what are the best places to visit in Alanya, let's take a quick look at the best 12. As long as you follow our Alanya travel guide, you can be sure that you will not miss any experience in Alanya.
Beaches to See in Alanya
There are options in Alanya for those who want an active holiday on crowded beaches & beach parties and for those who want to relax in untouched bays. Moreover, there are many blue flag beaches in Alanya and the sea season lasts from April to November.
Cleopatra Beach
This beautiful beach, also the most famous beach in Alanya, takes its name from the Egyptian queen Cleopatra's love of this bay. Cleopatra beach, which is truly worthy of queens, is at the top of the list what to see in Alanya due to its approximately 2.5 km long gold sands and clear sea. At this blue flag beach, you can explore the underwater life and participate in many sports activities such as canoeing and surfing. Moreover, since it has a shallow and smooth sea, it is a very suitable choice for families with children, too.
İncekum Beach
Another famous beach of Alanya is İncekum beach. It also shines out with its shallow and calm sea and is one of the blue flag beaches of Alanya. It is a very safe option, especially for novice swimmers and families with children. You can safely swim in Incekum beach, which is as calm and clear as a pool, watch small fish flocks or experience sailing and canoeing.
Soğukkapı (Tersane) Beach
If you want to spend your Alanya holiday on a quieter and more peaceful beach, our best recommendation is Soğukkapı (Tersane) Beach. A unique option for anyone who wants to track sea turtles in pristine waters and relax on a quieter beach; not to mention the experience of swimming along the historical walls. However, you should take your needs as umbrellas, sunbeds etc. with you because there are no rental facilities there. If you are going to stay at Hotel Villa Turka, don’t worry! You can borrow everything you need from our hotel.
Caves to See in Alanya
Yes, that’s true! There are dozens of caves to visit in Alanya; moreover, the most famous and largest caves of the Mediterranean region are here, too. In addition, many of these caves, which are natural wonders with their stalactites, stalagmites and natural ponds, have been the subject of legends. We will briefly refer to the 3 most famous ones; however, if you have a passion for diving or if you are excited to explore a pirate cave by boat, we recommend you to take a look at our Alanya caves guide for more recommendations.
Damlataş Cave
Damlataş cave, Turkey's first cave opened to tourism, was discovered in 1948. It is a true natural wonder with its passages of more than 50 meters, millions of years old stalactites, stalagmites and dripstone pools. We highly recommend you to witness this magical atmosphere that will transport you to different worlds from the first moment you enter. Afterwards, do not forget to rest at the famous Damlataş Beach, located just in front of the cave.
Fosforlu (Phosphorus) Cave
You may not have heard of Alanya Phosphorus Cave, but you must have seen its photos without knowing the name. It is one of the most popular stops for romantic boat tours, divers and photographers. This natural wonder, which has a history of millions of years, shines as if it is phosphorescent (Not only itself, but also its’ waters!) due to the light leaking from the underwater corridors. If you want to swim or dive in the colorful waters, especially in the evening, you can reach Phosphorus Cave with tours departing from Alanya marina. Believe us, you should add Fosforlu Cave tour to your what-to-do in Alanya list and take a romantic evening there.
Kadıini Cave
Kadıini Cave, which stands out with its historical features as well as being a natural wonder, is also the first settlement of the Alanya region as it dates back to Stone Age. Therefore, nowadays it is home to archaeology enthusiasts from all over the world. If you also want to follow the history of Alanya step by step, Kadıini Cave will be the right starting point.
Historical Sites to See in Alanya
Known for its rich historical heritage, Alanya has many ruins dating back from the Stone Age to Rome and the Seljuk Empires. Moreover, each of them fascinates those who see it not only with its historical heritage, but also with the breathtaking views of unique hills which they were built on. Below you can find 3 historical places that we think should add to the list of places to see in Alanya. However, if you are a history enthusiast, you can find the full list here.
Ancient City of Iotape
Iotape Ancient City, which was built in the 40-50s, is a Cilician period settlement. Despite its thousands of years of history, its walls, interior parts, church and ancient port have managed to survive until today. It is also possible to see the influences of the Roman period in the ancient city of Iotape, which will beam you back thousands of years. We recommend that you also take a walk in the pine forests surrounding the ancient city and enjoy the sunset in the pristine bay. If you still didn’t add it to your what to do in Alanya list, you should.
Alanya Castle
When it comes to places to visit in Alanya, Alanya Castle is undoubtedly the one that comes to mind first. With a total of 83 towers and approximately 1200 cisterns, Alanya Castle is a magnificent structure dating back to the Hellenistic period. We recommend that you spend one day of your Alanya tour to visit Alanya Castle and the local artisans selling traditional clothes and handmade rugs. Bonus: Alanya Castle is also one of the best sunset-watching spots in Alanya.
Alara Han / Caravanserai
Alara Han is one of the best options for those who want to trace the Seljuk Empire’s history in Alanya. This caravanserai, which was built in the 13th century, is a very important historical structure due to its location on the trade routes of the period. Moreover, all internal structures such as baths, fountains and masjids have survived to the present day. Another detail that fascinates those who visit Alara Han is the rock-carved wall decorations.
Nature Attractions to See in Alanya
With its blue flag beaches and Turkey's most famous caves, the nature of Alanya is already rich enough. However, the natural attractions to see in Alanya do not end there; The canyons and streams of the region also host thousands of visitors every year. If you want to enjoy the cool waters and shades of green accompanied by bird sounds, you should definitely add these suggestions to your list of places to visit in Alanya.
Sapadere Canyon
Sapadere Canyon, a paradise for nature lovers, is famous for its high waterfalls, endemic plants and ice-cold water. It is a very suitable area both for a day trip as well as for doing nature sports. You can experience many activities such as trekking, camping, rock climbing etc. there.
Dim Stream National Park
Dim Stream National Park, which hosts many endemic plants and pine forests, is like a tree museum with full of untouched natural beauty. In addition, there are large and small lakes and waterfalls. If you are tired of the heat and the crowd and want to retreat to a cool corner accompanied by the sounds of birds, you can turn your route to Dim Stream National Park. Moreover, this peaceful place is only 7 km away from Alanya Centre.
Oba Çayı
We should mention that Dim Stream could be so crowded in summer season. However, in Oba Çayı, which is a branch of Dim Stream, you can find the peace of nature you are looking for more easily and you can enjoy the cold waters of the waterfalls. In addition, Oba Çayı is host to many famous places for those who want to taste the local Alanya breakfast recipes.