Alanya was founded as Coracesium by the Greeks and became famous as the stronghold of pirate king Diodotus Tryphon before being seized by Cleopatra and Mark Antony as a timber source for their fleet. The Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad rebuilt it into a great port city in the 13th century — the castle, harbour tower and shipyard he constructed still stand almost intact.
Today Alanya is one of Turkey’s most visited summer destinations, combining beaches, water sports, boat trips along the sea caves, and the drama of its Seljuk monuments.
- Region
- Eastern Antalya / Turkish Riviera
- Castle altitude
- 250 m above sea
- Best beach
- Cleopatra Beach (Antik Plaj)
- Known for
- Castle, beaches, caves, boat tours
Alanya Castle
Alanya Kalesi is one of the best-preserved Seljuk fortifications in Turkey — 6.5 km of walls encircling the entire headland, with 83 towers and three inner fortresses. Built by Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad in 1226, the hilltop citadel commands panoramic views of the coast in both directions. Allow 2–3 hours and wear comfortable shoes for the steep cobbled paths.
Cleopatra Beach
Cleopatra Beach (Antik Plaj) on the western side of the headland is one of the finest sandy beaches on the Turkish Riviera — 2.5 km of fine golden sand with clear turquoise water. Legend holds that Cleopatra had sand shipped from Egypt so she could bathe here. The eastern side of the headland has Keykubat Beach, quieter and less crowded.
Dim Cave
Dim Mağarası, 11 km from the city centre up the Dim River valley, is one of the most impressive caves in Turkey — 360 m of illuminated stalactites and stalagmites, with an underground lake at the far end. The surrounding Dim River canyon and the Dim Lake reservoir above offer boat trips, hiking trails and riverside restaurants.
Damlataş Cave and the Red Tower
Damlataş Mağarası at the foot of the castle headland was discovered in 1948 during harbour construction — its high humidity and mineral-rich air became famous as a treatment for asthma. Just outside stands the Kızıl Kule(Red Tower, 1226), the Seljuk harbour defence tower that is the most iconic image of Alanya and gives the city its silhouette.
Boat tours and sea caves
The sea cliffs of the Alanya headland hide several spectacular sea caves accessible only by boat: Fosforlu Cave (phosphorescent), Korsanlar Mağarası(Pirates’ Cave), Aşıklar Mağarası(Lovers’ Cave) and the Cleopatra Cove. Daily boat tours from the harbour visit all of them — 2–3 hours, departing from 10:00.
Alanya in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Alanya
3Alanya is 130 km east of Antalya airport — about 1.5 to 2 hours by car or shuttle bus. Shared shuttles (havalimanı servisi) are available; private transfers take about 1.5 hours.
May–June and September–October are ideal — warm enough to swim, less crowded than July–August. July–August is peak season with high temperatures (35°C+) and full beaches. November–April is mild but many hotels close.
Alanya is famous for its 13th-century Seljuk castle, Cleopatra Beach, the Red Tower harbour fortress, and spectacular sea caves that are explored on daily boat tours. It is also known for its banana plantations — Alanya is one of the few places in Turkey where bananas grow commercially.