Alanya's Hidden Gems
Alanya: A Unique Meeting of History and Nature
Thousands of years of Seljuk heritage, the cool waters of the Taurus Mountains, and the golden sands of the Mediterranean... Alanya is a fascinating destination with a different story in every corner. You are invited to discover this unique city with the locations we have carefully selected for you.
Alanya's Hidden Gems
Are you ready to discover the historical texture, unique nature, and fascinating views of Alanya, the pearl of the Mediterranean?
Alanya Castle
2-3 Hours
Sunset
Defining the city's skyline, this massive Seljuk heritage site is a giant open-air museum built on a peninsula 250 meters above the sea. With its 6.5-kilometer-long walls, 140 bastions, and cisterns, it represents the pinnacle of medieval defense art. The Byzantine church and Seljuk palace ruins in the Inner Castle (İçkale) whisper the layered history of the region. As you ascend by the Alanya Cable Car, you can watch the breathtaking view of the Shipyard and harbor, and witness the infinity of the Mediterranean from the castle walls at sunset.
Red Tower
1 Hour
Noon
Built in 1226 by the Seljuk Sultan Alaattin Keykubat I, the Red Tower stands as the sentinel of the Alanya harbor. This magnificent octagonal structure, 33 meters high, takes its name from the red bricks used in its construction. Each floor of the tower opens to a different world; today, one floor serves as an Ethnographic Museum. Climbing the 85 steps to its summit rewards you with the most panoramic view of the Alanya harbor and the shipyard.
Alanya Shipyard
1 Hour
Evening
Reached by walking along the coast from the Red Tower, the Shipyard is the first shipyard of the Seljuks in the Mediterranean. Started in 1227, this structure with its five arched bays has embraced ships coming from the sea for centuries. Inside the shipyard is a maritime museum explaining shipbuilding techniques. Gliding through the walls with evening lighting, this structure resembles a medieval dream where time has stood still.
Alanya Archeological Museum
1.5 Hours
Morning
Opening a door to Alanya's deep past, the museum houses unique artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Seljuk periods unearthed in the region. The bronze 'Statue of Hercules', considered the heart of the museum, fascinates visitors with its elegance reaching from the 2nd century AD to the present. The ancient funerary stelae and column capitals in the museum garden, along with the peaceful atmosphere where peacocks roam freely, offer a tranquil break intertwined with history.
Ehmedek
1 Hour
Noon
Located on the northern side of Alanya Castle, Ehmedek is an outer castle section built during the Seljuk period for the purpose of protecting the castle. It reflects Alanya's old neighborhood culture with its historical houses and walls.
Suleymaniye Mosque
30 Mins
Morning
Located within Alanya Castle and built by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I, this historical mosque was rebuilt by Suleiman the Magnificent during the Ottoman period. It bears traces of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture.
Syedra Ancient City
2 Hours
Morning
Built on a hill east of Alanya, Syedra is a fascinating ancient city with its colonnaded street, temples, and theater from the Roman and Byzantine periods. The sea view from here is unique.
Alara Han and Castle
3 Hours
Morning
Located on the banks of the Alara River, Alara Han was built as a Seljuk caravanserai in the 13th century. In the steep castle immediately above it, there are tunnels and observation towers reached by a challenging but exciting climb.
Side Ancient City
Half Day
Sunset
Located about 60 km west of Alanya, Side is one of the rare points where history is intertwined with modern life. It takes its visitors on a fascinating journey with its massive 15,000-seat theater from the Roman period, the magnificent Temple of Apollo by the sea, and the ancient harbor. The redness of the sun filtering through the columns of the Temple of Apollo at sunset will be etched in your memory as a frame you will never forget.