22 Very Best Things to Do in Alanya

Looking for fun things to do in Alanya? Check out this list of the most incredible must-see sights and best things to do in Alanya, Turkey.

Alanya is a stunning city surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains. Every year thousands of tourists travel to Alanya to enjoy a beach vacation. They all want to take advantage of the long sandy beaches, low prices, and the Turkish culture. Oh, and of course the sun guarantees and heat all year round.

I absolutely love Alanya, it’s definitely one of my favorite destinations in Turkey. It really is a wonderful city! Before going any further, don’t forget to read my Travel Guide to Alanya.

When visiting Alanya, you’ll be greeted by a city full of contrasts. Old meets new and Turkish culture is characterized by tourism. In fact, Alanya is so much more than just a seaside resort. You can easily have an active and eventful holiday. It’s possible to find everything your heart desires – without being bored at all.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Alanya, I would like to recommend the very best things to do in Alanya. I promise you’ll not be disappointed!

List of the best things to do in Alanya:

1. Alanya Castle

On a rocky peninsula high above the city, the Old Castle reigns. This castle is Alanya’s famous landmark and thus an absolute must-see sight in Alanya. From here you’ll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city and the coastline.

The castle consists of ancient ruins that probably don’t seem particularly interesting at first glance. But think again, the Castle actually hides an eventful and dramatic story with pirates, sultans, and prisoners. Unfortunately, there isn’t much information about the story up there. Therefore, I strongly recommend reading the history before your trip – especially if you’re traveling with children.

The road up to the castle is fairly steep. And because of the high temperatures, it’s mostly very hot too. Therefore, I recommend taking bus No. 4, a taxi, or the new cable car to the castle.

However, don’t miss the walk from the castle down to the city again. Along the winding streets, you’ll pass old houses, stalls with homemade crafts, cozy restaurants, and beautiful viewpoints. A visit to Alanya Castle is truly one of the best things to do in Alanya.

Turkish name: Alanya Kalesi. / Entrance fee: 10 TL per person.

2. Turkish bath

To start your holiday in Alanya in the best way, you’ve got to visit a hammam. It’s the ultimate in pampering and one of the best things to do in Alanya – and Turkey in general.

Typically, you first get in a steam bath after which you are scrubbed from head to toe. Then you’ll have a wonderful relaxing body massage at the end of your visit. Doesn’t that sound great? At least I think so.

I recommend visiting a hammam at the very beginning of your holiday in Turkey. But why, you might ask? Your dead skin cells are peeled off during the process, so you’ll probably lose your tan color. It would be a shame if you’ve already worked hard to get it. Once you’ve visited a hammam, your skin will in turn become nicely soft and ready to receive the sun even better.

Hammams have been an important part of Islamic bathing culture for centuries and are still found everywhere in Turkey. So, if you don’t mind being massaged by a stranger… Well, then a visit to a hammam is one of the nicest things to do in Alanya.

Turkish name: Hammam. / Price: Starting from around 100 TL depending on treatment and location.

3. Red Tower

Located at the end of the harbor, the Red Tower is one of Alanya’s biggest tourist attractions and landmarks. The tower was originally built to serve as a water tower and a lookout post. Today, however, the 33-meter-high tower serves as an ethnological museum and a popular vantage point in Alanya.

Inside the Red Tower in Alanya, you can learn about the history behind the tower and the Ottoman Empire. You can also see historical collections of weapons and other antique items. However, the highlight is the beautiful view from the top of the tower. The walk up the 85 steep stairs can be tough, but the stunning views from the top are well worth the effort.

I must admit though that it’s difficult to spend a long time at the Red Tower. But despite that, it’s still one of the most popular attractions and things to do in Alanya.

Turkish name: Kizil Kule. / Entrance fee: 4.5 TL with the possibility of a discount when combining several tourist attractions in Alanya.

4. Markets

In Alanya, there’s a large selection of local markets. In fact, at least one market is held every single day. The markets are spread well throughout the city, each offering a large selection of goods. Here you’ll find everything from exotic fruits, vegetables, and spices to fake items such as clothes, shoes, and bags.

In the markets of Alanya, you’ll often be able to make a significantly better deal than in the bazaar. Usually, the sellers in the markets do not pay as much for a stall space… So, they’re mostly more willing to go down in price.

There’s no doubt that the markets are one of the most authentic things to do in Alanya, Turkey. Slip into the stalls with fragrant spices and colorful vegetables while enjoying the atmosphere of Turkish trade.

5. Dim Cay

Dim Cay is a popular picnic area in the most beautiful surroundings of the Taurus Mountains. Along the Dim Cay River, restaurants line the strip. Here there’s ample opportunity to enjoy a lunch on a raft or in a wooden pavilion on the mountainside. Some of the restaurants even have their own water park and sun loungers while others have water slides directly in the river.

The water in the Dim Cay River is freezing cold and never gets more than 15 degrees. Thus, it’s an icy pleasure to jump into the water. Let me put it this way; it definitely requires a little courage! This is also why Dim Cay is the obvious place to visit in Alanya if you need a break from the sun for a while.

On Sundays, the river is often crowded with people as many Turks go on picnics on Sundays. So, if you’re dreaming of quiet surroundings, well then you should definitely avoid Sundays. Either way, Dim Cay is one of the best things to do in Alanya.

Entrance fee: Free to visit.

6. Atatürk House Museum

The founder of the modern Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, visited Alanya once in his lifetime. Despite his limited visits to the city, a museum has been made in his honor. The small museum is set up in the house that he briefly stayed in during his visit to Alanya.

Inside the Atatürk House Museum, antique Turkish furniture, photographs, historical documents, and much more are on display. In addition to learning about Atatürk’s actions, you can also learn about the people of Alanya as well as the history of the city. It’s an excellent attraction in Alanya if you’re interested in the history of Alanya and Turkey.

Turkish name: Atatürk Evi Müzesi. / Entrance fee: Free admission.

7. Alanya Gardens

Situated along Kleopatra Beach, Alanya gardens is a beautiful oasis filled with tropical plants and colorful flowers. This park may not exactly be a tourist attraction in Alanya. But still, it’s a great place to relax a bit. The benches in the park are scattered around idyllic ponds with small fountains and fish.

When visiting Alanya Gardens, you can also visit an outdoor gym, a playground, and several different sports courts. There’s also a beautiful view of the Castle and Kleopatra beach from there. Alanya Gardens is one of the best things to do in Alanya if you need relaxation in lush surroundings.

Entrance fee: Free to visit.

8. Alanya Teleferik

Alanya Teleferik is a cable car in Alanya that opened in the summer of 2017. Since then, it has become one of the most popular attractions in Alanya. It was actually intended to transport tourists from Kleopatra Beach and up to the Castle. But now the cable car itself has become a major tourist attraction in Alanya.

While sitting in the cable car, you’ll be greeted by the most beautiful views. From here there’s a breathtaking panoramic view of Alanya, the bay, and the Taurus Mountains in the distance. By the way, the best time for a ride on the cable car is definitely at sunset.

The cable car in Alanya usually runs daily between 11:00 and 21:00. The course extends over 900 meters while it has a rise of a few hundred meters. You should expect a ride on the cable car in Alanya to last about 5 minutes. Read more on Alanya Teleferik’s official site.

9. Boat Trips

One of the things you must not miss in Alanya is to go on a boat trip. A day at sea is seriously wonderful in the Turkish heat. Here you’ll be able to swim in the sea and soak up the sun on the ship’s deck. All while you’re surrounded by the most scenic surroundings. Maybe you’re even lucky enough to spot dolphins or sea turtles in the ocean.

The selection of boat trips in Alanya seems almost endless. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get an overview of the options and prices at Alanya Marina before the trip.

You can find everything from a full day trip of about 5-6 hours to a short boat trip of 1-2 hours. In addition, lunch and drinks are included in the price of some of the boats. So, be sure to research it all thoroughly before your boat trip in Alanya.

10. Alanya Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Alanya opened its doors in 1967. It is divided into two sections with archeological and ethnographic exhibits. Besides the indoor exhibits, you can also find a historic outdoor exhibit in the gardens surrounding the museum.

A visit to the Archaeological Museum is one of the most educational things to do in Alanya. Lots of archeological artifacts from the surrounding area are on display. But of course, it’s only a great sight in Alanya if you’re interested in such exhibitions.

Turkish name: Alanya Arkeoloji Müzesi. / Entrance fee: 5 TL per person.

11. Damlatas Cave

Damlatas Cave is a beautiful stalactite cave located at the foot of the peninsula with the Castle on top. The cave is believed to have been shaped around 10,000-15,000 BC. In fact, it still drips today.

The temperature inside the cave is constantly at 22.3 degrees while the humidity is 92-98%. Temperature and humidity are thought to have a healing effect on people with asthma. Although Damlatas Cave isn’t particularly large, it’s still a nice thing to do in Alanya.

Either way, Damlatas Cave is a great alternative if you don’t bother going all the way to Dim Cave, Turkey’s second-largest cave. You should be aware that there are many stairs inside the cave. Therefore, it isn’t recommended for people with walking difficulties.

Turkish name: Damlatas Magarasi. / Entrance fee: 4.5 TL.

12. Dim Cave

Dim Cave is the second-largest stalactite cave in Turkey. Thus, it’s one of the best must-see sights in Alanya and the surrounding area. The cave is 360 meters long and is believed to be about 1 million years old. And I thought my great-grandmother was old!? Aha, think again Nikita.

Inside the cave, there’s a long footpath that leads past beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites. At the end of the walkway, you’ll find an enchanting small lake. The temperature in the cave is constantly 18-19 degrees while the humidity is about 90%. This means that Dim Cave also has a healing effect on people with asthma.

Dim Cave is located about 12 kilometers from Alanya. You can possibly hop on a taxi or rent a car to get there. You should be aware that there are many stairs in Dim Cave. Therefore, it isn’t a tourist attraction in Alanya for people with walking difficulties. So, uh yeah, I better leave my old great-grandmother at home… Sorryyy grandma!

Turkish name: Dim Magarasi. / Official site: http://www.dimcave.com.tr/index.php?lang=en

13. Water Sports

Are you into speed and wild experiences on the water? Then you’ve come to the right place. Alanya has a wide range of water sports activities. How about trying jet skiing, banana boats, water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, scuba diving, or something completely different?

The possibilities for water sports activities in Alanya are endless. And it’s great to spend some time on the water in the heat. I’ve tried parasailing in Alanya – and it was a great experience I highly recommend! You can find several stalls on the beaches of Alanya, offering all kinds of water sports activities.

14. Alanya Bazaar

Of course, you haven’t been to Alanya before visiting the bazaar at the marina. The bazaar consists of about 100 shops selling everything from clothes, shoes, and bags to spices, blankets, and other junk. Copy goods are mainly sold here. So, therefore, you should pay extra attention to the quality of the products.

Most of the sellers are commission paid and diligently trying to get a proper portion of money for their products. Find your inner grocery retailer, because you can usually negotiate the price down to half the starting price. If the seller rejects your offer, you can just move on to the next store. It most likely has quite similar goods.

Some of the vendors in Alanya’s bazaar are very intrusive. Honestly, it takes some patience to go through the bazaar. Usually, it helps to be rude and simply ignore the intrusive sellers. Another idea is to go into the stores with a lot of customers in advance. Then the seller will hopefully be too busy to bother you.

Although some of the vendors are insanely annoying (sorry, but they really are), it’s still one of the best things to do in Alanya. The atmosphere is just amazing – and who doesn’t enjoy a cheap shopping trip? I do!

15. Alanya Marina

Due to the central location of Alanya Marina, it’s almost impossible to avoid passing by during your holiday in Alanya. This is where you’ll find some of the most important historic buildings and sights in Alanya. For example, this is where you’ll find The Red Tower and the Shipyard.

The marina is also filled with colorful and adventurous pirate ships. They’re just waiting to take the tourists on a boat trip along the coast. Across the street, there’s a long strip of great restaurants and bars. Most of the restaurants serve seafood, but there are also other dishes on the menus.

It’s really nice to stroll down Alanya’s Marina while enjoying the view and the atmosphere. Don’t forget to make your way past the lighthouse with free admission.

16. Turkish Food

When visiting Alanya, don’t miss a dinner at a local restaurant serving authentic Turkish food. Turkish cuisine is actually considered to be the third-best in the world. So, that certainly says a lot about the food! At the same time, it also provides a much better insight into Turkish culture.

One of the best ways to experience Turkish cuisine is by ordering Meze. Roughly speaking, Meze is Turkey’s answer to tapas with all sorts of small dishes served for sharing. You can order lamb, kebabs, beef, fish, rice, vine leaves, vegetables, flatbread, and much more.

The best restaurants in Alanya with authentic Turkish food are located a bit away from the tourist areas. Be sure to find the popular restaurants by looking for where the Turks themselves eat. At these restaurants, the food is usually better and cheaper than in the tourist areas of Alanya. So, I can safely say that it’s a win-win situation.

17. Kleopatra Beach

Kleopatra beach is considered the best beach in Alanya. Due to its location west of the rocky peninsula, it’s often called the west beach. At Kleopatra Beach, the sand is finer than at the other beaches in the city. In addition, there aren’t so many rocks and stones in the water either.

The downside of Cleopatra beach, however, is that the water gets deep very quickly. Therefore, it isn’t exactly a child-friendly beach in Alanya. Along Kleopatra beach, you’ll be able to find lots of small cozy cafes and green areas. If you would like to visit the beach, there are also plenty of places to rent sun loungers and parasols.

18. Barbershops

If you need a haircut or shave, you should consider waiting for your trip to Alanya. The price for a haircut or shave is extremely cheap in Turkey. And for the most part, it even comes with extra service! The small barbershops still use the old-fashioned razor, making it a fun thing to do in Alanya.

During a shave, it isn’t uncommon to get a facial massage as well as a massage of the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. And well, almost everything else too. It’s also perfectly normal to have nose and ear hair removed with cotton swabs, wax, and fire. To put it another way, you really get something for your money at a barbershop in Alanya.

19. Atatürk Monument

Most Turkish cities have a statue in honor of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. In Alanya, the statue of Atatürk is located on the main street in the center of the city. It serves as a popular meeting place and is one of the most iconic sights in Alanya. Before entering the center of Alanya, don’t forget to take a picture in front of the Atatürk Monument.

20. Old Shipyard

The old shipyard in Alanya was completed in 1227 and was originally used to build warships. After a long break, ships are being rebuilt there again. However, it’s to a much lesser extent than in the past. The five large arches at the Shipyard each contain a small harbor that has been used to put ships into the sea.

A visit to the Shipyard offers a look at some archeological objects – and of course the old building itself. Although there isn’t much to see in there, it’s still one of the most popular things to do in Alanya. If you would like to visit the Shipyard, follow the path from the Red Tower that runs along the city wall.

Turkish name: Alanya Tersanesi. / Entrance fee: 5 TL.

21. Seyir Terasi

Seyir Terasi is a beautiful park located in the mountains behind the city at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level. From here there’s a breathtaking panoramic view of Alanya in the daytime as well as in the evening. Besides enjoying the view, you can also relax in the green surroundings of the park.

Another option is to sweat your butt off in an outdoor gym or let the kids have fun on a playground. Seyir Terasi is best reached by car, but you can also take city bus no. 8. If you rent a car, remember to check if the brakes are working properly. The trip up the Taurus Mountains is very steep – as in seriously steep!

22. Day trips from Alanya

You can find many exciting day trips in a short distance from Alanya. Some of the most popular things to do near Alanya are to visit the scenic Sapadere Canyon and Manavgat Falls. The cities of Antalya, Side, Mahmutlar and the ruined city of Perge are also very popular. If you want to experience the “real Turkey”, I highly recommend visiting a small Turkish village in the mountains.

If you’re willing to drive further afield, you can also go on an excursion to the natural wonders of Pamukkale and Cappadocia. However, you should be aware that they’re so far away that an overnight stay may be necessary. The large selection of day trips is best experienced on a guided tour or by renting a car.

So that’s all on this list of the very best things to do in Alanya, Turkey. What are your favorite things to do in Alanya? What are you looking forward to on your trip to Alanya? Feel free to leave a comment.

Planning a trip to Alanya? You might also like these articles:

10 Amazing Day Trips from Alanya
Travel Guide to Alanya
8 Best Places for Shopping in Alanya
9 Best Places to Stay in Turkey

Looking for fun things to do in Alanya? Check out this list of the most incredible must-see sights and best things to do in Alanya, Turkey.