Alanya
Turkey's Mediterranean Riviera resort — Cleopatra's 2km Blue Flag beach and 13th-century Seljuk castle.
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Overview
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Travel Guide
Alanya is a coastal resort city on Turkey's Mediterranean Riviera, in the south-eastern Antalya Province, 130km east of Antalya International Airport (AYT) and 45km east of the smaller Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (GZP). The city has been continuously inhabited for over 2,300 years — founded by ancient Greeks, used as a pirate stronghold during the Roman period, and transformed into the medieval winter capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum after Sultan Alâeddin Keykubad I captured it in 1221. The 13th-century Seljuk hilltop Alanya Castle, Kızıl Kule (Red Tower) and Tersane shipyard still dominate the skyline. Modern Alanya is one of Turkey's largest holiday resorts, with a permanent population of around 350,000 (swelling to over 1 million in peak summer), and one of Europe's deepest concentrations of UK and Northern European all-inclusive hotel inventory. UK travellers come for the cheapest hotel rates of any Mediterranean coastline, the famous Cleopatra Beach, the Seljuk heritage and 300 sunny days a year.
✨ Why Visit Alanya
- Cleopatra Beach — the 2km Blue Flag golden-sand beach named for the legend that Mark Antony gifted it to Cleopatra in 32 BC, with the dramatic Alanya Castle backdrop.
- The 13th-century Seljuk hilltop castle — 6.5km of original stone walls, 140 towers and the Süleymaniye Mosque on a 250m clifftop peninsula.
- The cheapest mainland-Mediterranean hotel rates — Alanya consistently delivers UK family AI weeks from £279pp shoulder season, comfortably below the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca.
- 300 sunny days a year — Alanya averages 16°C in January and 33°C in July, with a sea temperature of 27°C in August.
- A 4-hour direct flight from the UK — easyJet, Jet2, TUI and Ryanair fly to either Gazipaşa-Alanya (GZP, 45km west) or Antalya (AYT, 130km west) seasonally, with year-round flights into AYT.
- A 13th-century Seljuk shipyard at the harbour — the Tersane is one of the only surviving medieval shipyards in Turkey, paired with the Red Tower.
🌴 What Makes Alanya Special
Unlike the Costa del Sol or the Balearics, Alanya runs on noticeably lower prices — pints from £2–3, three-course dinners from £15pp and family AI from £279pp shoulder season are routine, making this the cheapest beach holiday on the Mediterranean coastline. Unlike Antalya to the west, Alanya retains a smaller-scale, more intimate resort atmosphere — the Cleopatra Beach strip is 2km long rather than 20km, the Old Town is fully walkable, and the Seljuk castle is on the doorstep rather than 60km away. And unlike anywhere else in the Mediterranean, Alanya pairs Cleopatra Beach with a 13th-century Seljuk hilltop castle, a 33m Red Tower at the harbour and a working medieval shipyard — combining beach, history and pirate-themed boat trips into a single resort. The combination of cheap UK packages, Cleopatra Beach, the Seljuk heritage and 300 sunny days makes Alanya the most rounded value Mediterranean resort.
📍 Key Areas to Explore
- Cleopatra Beach (Kleopatra) — The 2km Blue Flag western beach, the resort's headline strip with sunbeds, watersports and the cable car to the castle.
- Alanya Castle (Alanya Kalesi) — The 13th-century hilltop Seljuk fortress on the peninsula, with the Süleymaniye Mosque and 6.5km of walls.
- Old Town (Tophane and Hisariçi) — The whitewashed Ottoman-era quarter on the castle slopes, with cobbled lanes, traditional houses and small museums.
- Alanya Harbour (Liman) — The historic port with the 13th-century Kızıl Kule (Red Tower), the Tersane Seljuk shipyard and the pirate-boat operators.
- Damlataş Cave (Damlataş Mağarası) — The famous limestone cave at the foot of the castle, with reputedly asthma-easing ionised air.
- Damlataş Beach — A small sandy beach east of Cleopatra, directly below the cave entrance.
- Mahmutlar (12km east) — A growing residential and resort area with cheaper apartment rentals and a long pebble-and-sand beach.
- Avsallar (20km west) — A quieter resort area west of Alanya with the long Incekum Beach and family AI inventory.
- Dim River and Dim Cave (12km east) — The Taurus Mountains foothill day-trip with limestone cave and trout-pool restaurants.
A 2,300-year-old Seljuk castle town that pairs Cleopatra Beach with 13th-century Seljuk heritage, pirate boat trips and the cheapest mainland-Mediterranean prices — broken down by category below.
🏞️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Climb the 6.5km Seljuk walls of Alanya Castle
- Take the Alanya Teleferik cable car from Cleopatra Beach to the castle
- Day trip to Dim Cave and the Dim River for trout-pool restaurants
- Pirate boat trip to Phosphorus, Lovers and Pirates caves
- Hike the Sapadere Canyon (45 minutes inland) with waterfall pools
🏖️ Beaches
- Cleopatra Beach (Kleopatra Plajı) — 2km Blue Flag western main beach
- Damlataş Beach — small sandy beach below the cave entrance
- Keykubat Beach — 4km eastern strip running through to Mahmutlar
- Incekum Beach (20km west) — long sandy stretch with calm bay-protected water
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Order Alanya kebabı (lamb wrap with yoghurt and tomato) at Sofra Restaurant in the Old Town
- Try testi kebabı (clay-pot lamb stew, broken open at the table) at Mahperi Cad Cafe
- Sample fresh-grilled levrek (sea bass) at the harbour-side restaurants
- Order baklava and Turkish coffee at Hacı Mehmet Pekmezci (since 1929) on Damlataş Caddesi
- Sip rakı (Turkey's signature anise spirit) with mezze platters at Iskele Restaurant
🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment
- Sundowners at Tophane Cafe near the castle entrance
- Live music at James Dean Pub on the harbour-side strip
- Late drinks at Bistro Cubano (Cuban-themed cocktail bar)
- Ehl-i Keyf Cafe & Sky Lounge for rooftop city views
- Cleopatra Beach foam party nights at the seafront chiringuitos
📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots
- Alanya Castle from the Cleopatra Beach western end at golden hour
- The 33m red-brick Kızıl Kule from the harbour quayside
- Whitewashed Ottoman houses in the Tophane Old Town quarter
- The 13th-century Seljuk Tersane shipyard tunnels
- The cable-car descent over Cleopatra Beach at sunset
Best Value Deals
🏨 All-Inclusive Holidays
Alanya runs the cheapest UK family AI market on the Mediterranean coastline, with Hotel Riviera, Long Beach Resort & Spa, Granada Luxury Resort & Spa and Senza The Inn Resort & Spa leading the UK family rankings. Delphin Botanik Platinum, Granada Luxury Belek (Belek, 90 minutes west) and Saphir Hotel & Villas add the upper-tier AI options. Shoulder-season weeks with UK flights typically open from £329pp in May or October, climbing to £849pp at August half-term — among the cheapest mainland-Mediterranean family AI deals available.
👨👩👧👦 Family Holidays
This is one of Europe's strongest value family-resort regions. Cleopatra Beach is gradually shelving with lifeguards in summer, the 4km eastern Keykubat Beach handles families well, and the resort's deep AI inventory means UK families get strong food-and-drink-included value. Granada Luxury Resort & Spa, Senza The Inn Resort & Spa and Long Beach Resort & Spa lead the family hotel inventory. Pair with Water Planet Aquapark (Okurcalar, 30km west), the pirate boat trip and the Dim Cave for a varied family week.
💎 Luxury Holidays
True five-star inventory in Alanya itself is mid-priced premium rather than ultra-luxury. Granada Luxury Resort & Spa, Bera Alanya Hotel and Hotel Riviera lead the polished AI inventory. For true ultra-luxury, head 90 minutes west to Belek where Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort, Regnum Carya and Calista Luxury Resort sit among Europe's leading family AI five-stars. Within central Alanya, Lonicera Resort & Spa and Sunprime C-Lounge (adults-only) deliver the upper-tier polished options.
⏰ Last-Minute Deals
Alanya carries the strongest UK late-availability stock on the Mediterranean coastline. The strongest discounts surface in mid-May to early June and from late September into late October — discounts of 30–40% inside three weeks of departure are realistic on Granada, Long Beach and Senza properties. The Turkish lira's value relative to sterling means Alanya routinely undercuts Spanish, Greek and Cypriot late deals. Most beach hotels close from late October through April; the Old Town's small core of restaurants stays open year-round.
Why book with us:
💷 Low deposits from £49pp
🔄 Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel
🛡️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are safeguarded
✅ Free amendment window on selected packages
📞 UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day
📅 Best Time to Visit Alanya
Alanya runs as a long-summer-season resort, with most hotels open from late April to early November. Peak season is mid-June to mid-September, with daytime highs of 30–35°C, sea temperatures of 26–28°C, and the beach, harbour and castle at full capacity. May, June and September are the value-strong shoulder months at 25–30°C with cheaper hotel rates and the Seljuk castle and Damlataş Cave at their best for visiting. April and October still deliver 22–26°C — the beach works for sunbathing and the sea remains warm enough to swim. Winter (November to March) holds at 16–18°C with 5 hours of daily sunshine — most beach hotels close, but the Old Town and the castle stay open year-round for a quiet city-break alternative.
🏨 Where to Stay
- Families: Long Beach Resort & Spa, Granada Luxury Resort & Spa, Senza The Inn Resort & Spa
- Couples: Sunprime C-Lounge (adults-only), Lonicera Resort & Spa
- Luxury travellers: Granada Luxury Resort & Spa, Hotel Riviera, Bera Alanya Hotel
- Budget travellers: Side Town Hotel, self-catering apartments around Cleopatra Beach
- Beach lovers & long-stay: Hotels around the western Cleopatra strip, apartment rentals in Mahmutlar (12km east)
🚗 Getting Around
The 130km transfer from Antalya International Airport (AYT) takes 2 hours by taxi (around €100) or 90 minutes by package-tour transfer. The 45km transfer from Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (GZP) takes 45 minutes (€40 by taxi) — a faster option if available, with seasonal direct UK flights from London Stansted. Havaş runs scheduled airport buses from AYT to Alanya for ₺250 (£6) in 2hr 30min. Within Alanya, the seafront promenade is fully walkable end to end (4km from Cleopatra Beach to Keykubat), and the Alanya Teleferik cable car runs from Cleopatra Beach to the castle in 4 minutes for ₺160 (£4) round trip. Dolmuş (shared minibuses) connect Alanya centre to Mahmutlar and Avsallar for ₺25 (£0.60) single. Hire cars from Sixt and Avis at AYT start at €30 a day; Turkey drives on the right.
💡 Travel Tips
- Turkey runs Eastern European Time — three hours ahead of the UK from late October to late March, two hours ahead from late March to late October.
- The currency is the Turkish lira (₺); the euro and pound are widely accepted in resort areas but at poor exchange rates.
- VAT (KDV) at 20% is included in displayed prices in Turkey.
- Plug type is European C/F at 230V — bring a UK adapter.
- Tap water is technically safe but heavily mineralised; locals drink bottled almost exclusively.
- The Turkish lira fluctuates significantly — exchange small amounts at a time to spread the risk.
- Tipping is appreciated but not expected — round up the bill or add 10% in restaurants.
- Cleopatra Beach sand is famously fine and golden but the entry is rocky in some sections — water shoes are recommended.
- The UK requires no e-visa for Turkish trips up to 90 days within any 180-day period; the previous e-visa requirement was abolished in 2024.
- The Alanya Teleferik cable car queue gets busy from 11am — go before 10am or after 4pm for the cleanest views.
- The Old Town tea gardens (çay bahçesi) at the castle entrance are atmospheric for sundowner views — try Türk kahvesi (Turkish coffee) and şerbet (cold fruit drinks).
- Pirate boat trips are heavily aimed at families — book through the harbour ticket offices to compare prices, not via hotel reps.
- Mahmutlar (12km east) has a growing British and Russian expat community keeping bars and apartments open year-round.
Map Of Alanya
Top Experiences
Relax at Cleopatra Beach
Golden sandy beach with clear waters, sunbeds, and castle views; perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Explore Alanya Castle
Hilltop fortress with historic walls, mosques, and panoramic coastal views; accessible by cable car.
Visit Damlataş Cave
Limestone cave with unique formations and reputed healing air; short, easy walk through illuminated chambers.
Pirate boat trip
Fun coastal cruise visiting sea caves with swimming stops, lunch, and entertainment; popular day excursion from Alanya harbour.
Climb Kızıl Kule
Historic Red Tower with museum and harbour views; symbol of Alanya’s Seljuk heritage.
Day at Dim Cave
Explore large cave formations and nearby river for swimming, dining, and scenic mountain surroundings.
Top Hotels In Alanya
Alaiye Resort & Spa
01 Nov - 08 Nov 2026
2711 reviews
Annabella Diamond Hotel & Spa
01 Nov - 08 Nov 2026
1828 reviews
Asia Beach Resort & Spa
25 Oct - 01 Nov 2026
1714 reviews
Beach Club Doganay
10 May - 17 May 2026
2230 reviews
Botanik Hotel & Resort
24 Oct - 31 Oct 2026
727 reviews
Days Inn Wyndham By Alanya
25 Oct - 01 Nov 2026
1915 reviews
Alaiye Kleopatra
10 May - 17 May 2026
673 reviews
Ananea Kleopatra Beach (ex. Cooks Club Alanya)
10 May - 17 May 2026
1902 reviews
Armas Green Fugla Beach
09 May - 16 May 2026
759 reviews
Arsi Enfi City Beach (ex. International Hotel)
10 May - 17 May 2026
363 reviews
Avena Resort & Spa Hotel
09 May - 16 May 2026
1398 reviews
Azura Deluxe Resort & Spa Avsallar
21 Oct - 28 Oct 2026
2364 reviews
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