Situated on the Gulf of Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, Alanya has been a popular holiday resort for over 800 years. Today visitors are drawn here for much the same reasons as the Seljuk Turks all those centuries ago: the warm and gentle sea and the beaches that stretch for miles.
The geography of Alanya is a major attraction, blessed as it is with two sweeping bays separated by an impressive promontory, on which stands Alanya Castle – an Ottoman fortress. The old town’s city walls are testimony to Alanya’s fascinating ancient history, and a 13th century octagonal Red Tower overlooks the main harbour. Furthermore, the town boasts countless cafes, boutiques and narrow streets to explore, as well as modern hotels, great beach amenities and late night bars.
The closest airport to Alanya is Antalya International Airport, which is about 115km away and connects to a large number of major cities across Europe.
The journey between the airport and Alanya takes about one and a half hours by road. There are no shuttle buses direct from the airport to Alanya, so instead you need to take a taxi into Antalya city centre and then catch a bus from the central bus station.
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to take you directly from the airport to Alanya. One such company is Happy Transfer, a transfer company based in Antalya that also offers hire cars.
Alanya is one of the warmest spots in Turkey, with temperatures during the summer months ranging between 26 and 38C and in winter between 16 and 24C.
The average sea temperature is 25C between the months of June and September, and 16C between October and March.
Analya’s Cleopatra beach is a good swimming location, as is the nearby river of Dim Valley, which offers a tranquil, natural environment for visitors to enjoy.
Other than sunbathing and swimming, there are several interesting sights to explore in Alanya, including the medieval Alanya Castle and remains of a Seljuk village, the Red Tower, and nearby Damlatas Caves. Near to the caves is an Archaeology and Ethnography Museum that attracts vast amounts of visitors every year.
For more physical activities, there is also a water park, golfing, mountain biking, bungee jumping, river rafting on the Alara River, and excellent diving on offer, all within easy reach of Alanya.
Alanya has a good range of shops, many of which are open to haggling on all products besides food, so bring your best negotiating skills. In particular, the town boasts some excellent jewellery stores, as well as leather goods, clothing stores, and a local market.
The resort also offers a large choice of restaurants, catering for a variety of tastes. Some favourites include Memos, serving traditional Turkish dishes, and Big Ben's for more English-style breakfasts and Sunday roasts.
Alanya’s harbour is a hub of activity, and much of the town’s nightlife is centred here. There are also several bars and clubs tucked away in the side streets. Many of the resort’s clubs close relatively early, but a free shuttle will transport you to Auditorium, an enormous venue that stays busy until the early hours. Other favourites include James Dean, Robin Hood and Bistro Bellman, while several venues also provide more traditional entertainment such as belly dancing and fire shows.