Alanya Castle is the main touristic place of the city. This is the only Castle in the world constructed by the Seljuk dynasty. It includes a great number of historic monuments like palaces, mosques and the tomb. The mediaeval castle with three ranges of walls, 83 towers and 140 bastions is located 250 meters high on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea. Today the building is an open air museum.
Red Tower is situated in the port of Alanya. Construction of the building began during the reign of the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Kay Qubadh I and was completed in 1226. The sultan brought the accomplished architect Ebu Ali Reha from Aleppo, Syria to Alanya to complete the building. The name derives from the more red color brick he used in its construction.
Syedra Ruins give the perfect opportunity to examine the ruins of roman city founded in the III century B.C. Numerous mosaics, columns, three swimming pools, that were drinking water tanks and triumphal arch are preserved.
The Dockyard was constructed by Seljuk dynasty in 1228. The Side of the dockyard overlooking the sea and having five cells with arches is 56.5 meters long and it is 44 meters in depth
Hidirlik Kulesi Tower was a beacon for ships.
Ancient Cities
In Leartis Learty you can visit ancient ruins with baths, wells, churches, amphitheatre and columns preserved.
Karaburun is a small coast town with antique city Dzastiniano ruins close to it. There were a lot of expeditions at all times. There is Alarahan near Karaburun.
Old Town and Kasra Baths are worth visiting if you are in Alanya. Tourists are walking along the city's narrow streets and inspecting Kasra Baths. For the first time in Anatolian art history figured frescos were used in dome's decorating. Damlatash Cave and Ethnographic Museum are also of a great importance.
Aital is a port city famous for its perfectly preserved castle, antique streets, baths and numerous tombs.
Mosques
Syleymanye Mosque was built just outside İçkale on the top of the castle in 1231 when the city was being reconstructed by Alaaddin Keykubat, the Sultan of Selcuks. However the mosque was not in good condition in the following years and it was rebuilt by Kanuni Sultan Süleyman in the 16th century during the Ottoman Era.. The mosque with a single minaret is known as Alaaddin, Kale or Sülaymaniye. The building is made of rubble stones and it is square in shape.
It has a brick dome based on an octagonal frame. Fifteen little earthenware jars were placed in the part functioning as the hanger of the dome in order to ensure its acoustics. That quality is felt during religious practice, the final public place is found below three brick domes on a four-foot basis. The covers of doors and windows are fine examples of wood carving of the Ottoman.
The Andizli Mosque is in Tophone district. The mosque named so because of a tree called elecampane nearby was built in 1277 by Emir Bedrüddin. It has some characteristics peculiar to the architecture of the Selcuks period. It's made of stone blocks and has a minaret which is not high. Its pulpit is one of the finest examples of Selcuks art of carving wood. You can go to the mosque through the door below; near Kızılkule minaret that ends with a balcony has an interesting look.
Caravan Saray
Alara Saray is situated 35 kms from Alanya, close to Alara River. Alara Saray is an arquitecture set built in 1232 by Alaaddin Key Cubat. It includes Caravan Museum, mosque, chapel, spring and baths.
Sharavsin Caravan Saray is situated 15 kms far from Alanya. It was constructed by Alaaddin Key Cubat's son in XII century.
Caves
The Damlatash Cave was found in 1948 while building works in the port. Amazing 15 000 year stalactites and stalagmites of all possible shapes were inside. From those times the cave was under protection and numerous studies began. Together with its natural beauty Damlatash Cave is also known for its great atmosphere that makes people who have sick of asthma better. If you have such an illness you should definitely visit Damlatash Cave when you are in Alanya.
The Dim Cave is a natural formation that offers amazing scenery of stalagmite and stalactite for the visitors. There is a small salt lake in the middle.
This place was well-known among local hunters as a shelter. It was introduced to the visitors in 1998 and it is the second biggest cave known to the visitors.
Kizlar Magarasi and Phosphoric Caves are marine antique caves that have rich history. According to the legend pirates hided abducted women in Kizlar Magarasi cave. Phosphoric Cave got its name because of unusual lightning effect.
Museums
There are four museums in Alanya. These are The Museum of Archaeology, that of Ethnography, Museum of city castle and Museum of Artatuks House. All of the museums are under control of the head Office of Museums in Alanya and you have to pay for a visit. They are all open for the visitors every day except lunch breaks.
The most important work in Alanya is the statue of Heraclius exhibited in the museum of Archaeology. Red Tower works as The Ethnography Museum. Ickale built as the palace of the Sultan Alaaddin during the reconstruction of the city in the 13th century, is now a museum and open for visitors.
Beaches
The coast of Alanya consists of wide beaches and they have blue flag. Blue Flag is an international practice that determines and inspects the cleanness of the sea water and beach standards. Blue Flag is given to the beaches that conform to these qualities and it is valid for one year.
In Alanya the colour of the sea turns to turquoise from blue. In still weather it is possible to see the fish deep in the sea. It is common of fish wandering around your feet.
Beautiful sandy Cleopatra and Damlatash beaches are lying to the west and Keykubat and Portakai beaches to the east. Out of the city there come beaches like Alara, Turkler, Konakli, Tosmur, Mahmutlar and many others.
Cleopatra Beach is famous for its unusual sand. According to the legend the Egyptian Princess brought this sand from her country. She believed it had healing and rejuvenate qualities.
There are a few rules on the beach. You can enter the beach only in the swimming suit. Other clothes, shoes or towels are forbidden. You cannot enter the sea or leave the beach if you have sand on the skin. You must take shower before this. Beach workers look after the rules to be followed.
Sport Events. There are a lot of international competitions in Alanya on triathlon, mountain bike, beach volleyball, hand ball and many others.
There are annual mountain cycle races organized by the city Administration and the Cycle Racing Federation of Turkey.
One more famous competition known as Alanyan triathlon is held every October. It includes 3 elements: swimming, cycle racing and running. The triathlon is broadcasted by Eurosport TV. Volleyball, basketball, water ball, loan tennis, mountain bikes all these sport facilities are waiting for you!
Walks and Excursions
Yacht Tour is a relaxing and easy going tour along the picturesque western coast of Antalya. You will have the opportunity to visit caves where real pirates used to live before. The excursion starts from the ancient tower walls and goes on to Cleopatra Beach. Amazing and sunny beach with unusual send.
Lunch and swimming break will be available during in the Indzerkum Bay. If you are lucky enough you will see dolphins accompanying our yacht!
Beautiful bays and amazing nature views will make you forget about day-to-day problems and you will spend a splendid day!
Dimchai Mountain River. There are a great number of restaurants along the river where you can have dinner and enjoy amazing view.
Sapadere Canyon. It is possible to visit breathtaking Sapadere canyon without climbing equipments. You just need to pass Demirtaş through curved and cliffed mountain roads. Serde River in this area dries by July and it is only enough for to water upper village fields. The water flows during the whole year in Sapadere and they head it to the villages in dry season. You can reach the water with ladders in the canyon and enjoy the refreshing water. We are talking about real refreshment here because the water reaches highest 12°C in the warmest term of the year (0°C sensed). At the end of the 600m long walking lane you will find the most attractive point: the waterfall and it is still possible to swim here. You will be amazed by the various little waterfalls, rare plants, little animals and birds during your visit.
Jeep Safari is an adventurous trip over picturesque landscape.
Rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers.
Quadrosycle Safari. Travelling in this way you will get acquainted with amazing nature and the life of locals. You will plunge into the coolness of Mountain River or just make a photo of picturesque views.
Yacht Tour on Manavgat River. The trip will take place along the picturesque valley of Manavgat famous for its waterfalls.
During our journey you will enjoy amazing views and beauty. The waterfalls are not high but white water is rushing powerfully over the rocks.
A relaxed yacht tour is waiting for you! You will visit the place where river flows into the sea, have wonderful dinner on board and even swim in the river during stop. We promise unforgettable impressions and good mood!
Aqua Park Water Planet is situated 30 km from Alanya in the place of Okudzalar. There are 23 different water mountains of all sizes and for all ages and tastes. There you will find long "Lazy River" and super-high "Kamikadze" or mysterious "Black Hole". So we guarantee the sea of splashes and joy!
Alanya Aqua Park is the best place for all family members. You can spend the whole day swimming in different pools, enjoying Water Mountains and having lunch in different bars and restaurants or just sunbathing!
Diving. This activity in Turkey is now one of the most popular among tourists and it is not surprising with such wonderful climate with shining sun and mild weather. Diving is not only the way to get unforgettable emotions and spend a good time it is also the possibility to get acquainted with interesting people and convert diving into annual meetings with good friends.
Millions of colorful fishes, shining sun, wonderful sand and picturesque bays are meeting tourists.
Dolphinarium is situated 18 kms away from Alanya. You and your children will get unforgettable emotions from dolphins and seal show! You also can swim with dolphins after the show, take pictures and have a snack in a café.
Ski resort Saklikent is situated 45 kms away from Antalya and 60 kms from the airport. The resort is available from November till May. Saklıkent offers you the chance to ski and swim in the sea on the same day.
There is a small town of Sakliket situated on the boundary of Mugla town to the west of Alanya. To reach it from the south you can use Palamut road and from the north Fethie-Kemer road goes to Saklikent.
The National Park was taken in 1996 under protection and Saklikent Canyon 1000 meters height is considered to be the place of the wildest natural beauty.
Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural site in Denizli Province in south-western Turkey, just 30 mintutes from the city of Denizli and in 5 hours from Antalya. The city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. Before people could walk along this terraces but now it is forbidden and tourists are walking along the path and admire the sight. Pamukkale has been a tourist attraction since long time ago. It is recognized as a World Heritage Sites together with Hierapolis. Hierapolis-Pamukkale was made a World Heritage Site in 1988.
Hierapolis is located in south western Turkey near Denizli, close to "cotton castle". First buildings date back to the 2 century BC. The city itself was built by Eumen II in 190 BC. The name Hierapolis means "sacred city". The hot springs there have been used as a spa and were popular among Roman aristocracy. The Christian apostle Philip spent the last years of his life here. In 80 AD he was martyred by crucifixion and was buried in Hierapolis. Later Byzantine Empire held the city and only than it passed to Turkey. But in 1534 after a powerful earthquake the Hierapolis was totally destructed.
Cappadocia region in central Turkey is situated 1000 meters above sea level on the Anatolian Plato. The Cappadocia region is largely underlain by sedimentary rocks formed in lakes and streams, and ignimbrite deposits erupted from ancient volcanoes approximately 7 million years ago. Subsequently, under the influence of rains, the sun, snow and winds, there was a washing away and aeration of soft volcanic breeds which has led to appearance of the surprising natural phenomena - freakish mountains, strange hilly valleys and rocks of such unusual forms that sometimes it is difficult to believe in their natural origin. Cones, pyramids, stone columns and many other things and you think you are in a magic country from children's cartoon films and dreams. "Mushrooms with hats" are especially popular and became Cappadocia's symbol. Cappadocia often named "the forgotten world" or "the Country of lunar landscapes", but, despite these strange and deserted landscapes, Cappadocia has been never deprived by attention of people. There are many places to "must see" in Cappadocia like; Fairy Chimneys, Göreme Valley National Park and rock churches, underground cities of Kaymakli, Derinkuyu or Ozkonak, Zelve Valley and Pasabag, Avanos with its pottery and carpets, Uçhisar rock fortress, Ortahisar rock fortress, Ürgüp and so on. We can describe this wonderful place endless but seeing is believing!
