Alanya: where to stay and what to do

Alanya is one of the best-known beach resorts on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, east of Antalya. Google suggestions from Algeria such as "voyage alanya all inclusive" and "hotel alanya turquie" show how many travellers look it up. A Seljuk fortress on a headland, beaches on both sides and a long string of resort hotels along the coast: here is how to choose your area, what to see and how to plan the trip.

At a glance

• Location: on the Mediterranean, about 125 km east of Antalya airport, in Antalya province.
• Airports: Antalya, the one most people use, or Gazipaşa-Alanya, closer but with far fewer flights.
• Who it suits: beach lovers, resort hotels, an old town and a fortress; families and couples alike.
• Where to stay: the centre to do everything on foot, the east (Oba, Kestel, Mahmutlar) for a more residential stay, the west (Konaklı, Avsallar, Türkler) for large resort complexes.

Getting to Alanya

Most travellers fly into Antalya airport, about 125 km from Alanya along the coast road. Allow roughly 1 hour 30 minutes by private transfer and around 2 hours by bus from Antalya; shared shuttles that drop guests hotel by hotel take longer. On the way, the road passes close to Belek, Side and Manavgat.

Gazipaşa-Alanya airport lies east of town, some 30 to 40 km away depending on your area. It is closer, but it handles far fewer flights, so check which routes are running when you plan. If you also want a few nights in Istanbul, our guide to combining Istanbul and Antalya covers the journey between the two regions.

Where to stay in Alanya

The centre and Cleopatra Beach. The easiest choice for a first stay without a car. The centre spreads out below the fortress headland, around the harbour, restaurants and shops. West of the headland, Cleopatra Beach is the town's best-known beach: a long stretch of sand with a view of the fortress, within easy reach of the centre. Legend has it that Mark Antony gave it to Cleopatra. The centre is lively on summer evenings, so families with young children may want to ask for a quiet-side room.

The east: Oba, Kestel, Mahmutlar. Heading east, the coast becomes more residential. Oba and Tosmur almost touch the centre, Kestel is about 9 km away and Mahmutlar about 13 km. Mahmutlar is an area of apartment blocks and residences with many foreign residents, so you will find more apartments and town hotels than big resorts. It works well for a long stay or a family that wants a kitchen.

The west: Konaklı, Avsallar, Türkler. Between Alanya and Side, the western coast is lined with large resort-style hotels with pools, entertainment and a beach nearby. Avsallar is about 24 km west of Alanya, near İncekum beach. These areas are closer to Antalya airport, but you will need a taxi, a bus or the hotel shuttle to reach the centre. If an all-inclusive stay is your priority, compare them with Lara, Belek and Side in our guide Antalya with the family: which area to choose.

Things to do in Alanya

• The fortress (Alanya Kalesi): built in the 13th century by the Seljuks on older remains, it overlooks the town and the sea. Inside the walls you can still see cisterns, mosques and the remains of baths.
• The cable car: in a few minutes it links the Damlataş cave area, near Cleopatra Beach, with the top of the fortress. Handy with children or in the heat.
• The Red Tower (Kızıl Kule): completed in 1226 to defend the harbour, this red brick tower now houses an ethnographic museum.
• The Seljuk shipyard (Tersane): five vaulted 13th-century docks at the water's edge, below the fortress.
• Damlataş Cave: discovered by chance in 1948 during building work at the foot of the fortress, it is known for its stalactites and stalagmites.
• A boat trip: boats leave the harbour to sail around the headland and its sea caves. It is also the best way to see the Red Tower and the walls from the water.

When to go

Alanya is first of all a beach destination, and summer is high season. Searches for Alanya in October or November show that many travellers also think about the quieter shoulder season. Outside summer, check before booking that your hotel is open on your dates and which services are running: pools, restaurants, entertainment, beach shuttles. In winter, Alanya suits a calm stay and old-town sightseeing more than swimming.

Entry requirements

Entry rules for Turkey change regularly and depend on your nationality. Read our article on Turkey visas for Algerians and check the latest conditions with the consulate or the official website before you travel. We do not handle visa applications.

Booking your Alanya hotel

On Nreservi, the hotel search covers the Antalya region, Alanya included: start from our Antalya hotels page and enter your dates. Prefer a ready-made trip? See our organised tours to Turkey. From Algeria, you pay in dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly agency. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once payment is made. Our article on booking a hotel without a bank card explains how it works.

See hotels in the Antalya region · Organised tours to Turkey

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.