The 15 Best Things to Do in Alanya – Excursions & Insider Tips

Alanya is far more than a beach resort. Within an hour you can be swimming in a turquoise bay, driving through pine forests in the Taurus Mountains or standing in a 2,000-year-old theatre. To help you plan your holiday, we have put together the 15 best things to do in and around Alanya – with practical tips from our team.

On the water

1. A boat trip around the castle peninsula. The classic Alanya experience: the boat passes the Phosphorus Cave, the Lovers’ Cave and Cleopatra Beach and stops in clear bays for swimming. Families love the pirate boat with its foam party; the larger Big Kral offers more space on deck.

2. Sunset on a private boat. For couples, birthdays or proposals, a private boat for four hours is hard to beat – especially when the castle glows in the evening light.

3. Scuba diving for beginners. The water around Alanya is clear and calm in summer. On a diving trip beginners dive with an instructor after a short briefing – no licence needed.

4. A fishing trip. Rods, bait and a barbecue of the day’s catch: the fishing trip is a relaxed day out for anglers and beginners alike.

In the mountains

5. Jeep safari in the Taurus Mountains. Dirt tracks, mountain villages, a swim in the Dim River and a lot of laughter – the jeep safari shows the green hinterland behind the beaches.

6. Sapadere Canyon. A wooden walkway leads deep into a narrow gorge with waterfalls and cool pools. The Sapadere Canyon tour is perfect on hot days.

7. Quad or buggy safari. If you want to drive yourself, a quad or buggy safari through forest tracks guarantees dust, mud and adrenaline.

8. Night safari with village dinner. Watch the sunset over the city from the mountains and end the day with dinner by the campfire on the night safari.

Adventure

9. Paragliding over Cleopatra Beach. On a tandem paragliding flight you glide with an experienced pilot from the mountains down to the beach – an unforgettable view of the castle peninsula.

10. Rafting in Köprülü Canyon. About 14 km of rapids on the cold, clear Köprüçay river with a riverside lunch: rafting in Köprülü Canyon is the most popular adventure day on the Riviera.

History and culture

11. Alanya Castle and the Red Tower. The Seljuk castle above the town can easily be visited on your own: take the cable car from the Damlataş area and enjoy the view. Down at the harbour, the octagonal Red Tower from 1226 houses a small ethnographic museum.

12. Aspendos, Side and the Manavgat Waterfall. One of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, a Temple of Apollo by the sea and a waterfall – all on the Aspendos, Side and Manavgat tour.

With children

13. A day at the aquapark. Slides for every age, lunch and drinks included: the Alanya aquapark is a guaranteed hit with kids.

14. Dolphins and sea lions. The dolphin and sea lion show at Sealanya is short, fun and easy to combine with a beach afternoon.

Relax

15. A traditional Turkish bath. Sauna, steam room, scrub and foam massage – after a few days of excursions, a hamam is the perfect way to recharge.

Tips for planning

Combine different kinds of days: a lazy day at sea, an active day in the mountains and one cultural trip. Book popular tours a few days in advance in July and August – most tours are paid in cash on the day, so you lose nothing by reserving early. Browse all our tours or check which excursions pick up from your hotel area.