Alanya is one of the most famous and popular tourist destinations in Turkey. The mild Mediterranean climate, unique natural features and a great historical heritage attract a huge number of vacationers from all over the world.
Today, many are well aware of the beautiful sandy beaches, magnificent spreading palm trees and the majestic mountains of this city. The infrastructure is well developed here - numerous restaurants and bars, large shopping complexes and small boutiques, a huge selection of entertainment for every taste. It is also important that the prices here are much lower than in other resort cities of this hospitable country.
In the distant past, the settlement where Alanya is now located was a colony of Greece, after that it became a part of different empires more than once, until it became famous throughout the world as a magnificent resort, and one of the best. Despite the fact that our compatriots are well aware of Alanya in Turkey, not everyone knows where to go during the trip to get acquainted with its attractions. We will try to fill this gap and “walk” through the memorable places of this wonderful city.
Local tour operators, we must pay tribute to them, organize interesting excursions for foreign guests. However, many are interested in where to go to Alanya (Turkey) on their own. We will definitely help this category of tourists with the choice of a route.
City location
The resort of Alanya is located southeast of Antalya, from it at a distance of more than one hundred thirty kilometers. The resort includes the city of Alanya itself and several villages: Konakli, Inzekum, Mahmutlar and Avsallar. This is the warmest region of the country. The average annual temperature here does not fall below +20 ° C. In Antalya, for example, this figure is +18 ° C, and in Nice - +16 ° C.
A bit of history
For the first time, a settlement located on the territory of modern Alanya was mentioned during the reign of the Ahmedin empire. Then the future resort repeatedly passed from the Greeks to Cilician pirates, from Byzantium to Ancient Rome, from Armenians to Arabs, from Ottomans to Seljuks. Completes this series of conquests Kemal AtatĂĽrk, who annexed Alanya to the new state - Turkey. Then (1935) the current name of the city appeared.
Already in the sixties of the last century, tourism became the main source of income for this region. If we compare Alanya with other Turkish resorts, for example, with the elite Belek, we can say that the rest here is more focused on people with modest means. For this reason, young couples and youth companies prefer to relax here.
The best city tours
We want to warn you right away that it is impossible to visit all the excursions that local tour operators offer. Therefore, for you, we have prepared a list of just a few points, where you should definitely go to Alanya. This does not mean that other places are less interesting, but, as they say, it is impossible to grasp the immensity. Many tourists in their reviews note that it is much more informative to devote more time to one attraction than to quickly “go over” all at once, without really remembering and not seeing anything. We recommend starting your acquaintance with this glorious city with a sightseeing tour. You need to take it from tour operators. Travel agency will provide you with a comfortable bus with air conditioning. The trip will take place throughout the city. Experienced guides will introduce you to the main attractions - the fortress, the Red Tower, the Suleyman the Magnificent Mosque, the Archaeological Museum. Famous caves will show you where the most beautiful stalagmites and stalactites will certainly amaze you.
Rafting and Diving
The descent along the river will appeal to true extremals who are not afraid to challenge nature. This is an alloy in rubber boats along a mountainous seething stream. The organizers of the event send a group of brave men to Keprylu-canyon and prepare a river section several kilometers long for rafting. You will pass steep rapids and take a relaxation swim along a relatively calm riverbed.
From all over the world, lovers of ancient artifacts and dives to the depths come to Alanya. The water area of ​​Alanya is an ideal place for divers, as there are several interesting sunken objects. For example, a Turkish Air Force plane that overgrows with shells at a depth of twenty-five meters, or an ancient sarcophagus. Its age, according to scientists, is about two millennia. If you are not particularly good at diving, you will quickly be taught all the tricks of this lesson. In Alanya, there are many diving clubs for these purposes. They provide instructors and equipment.
Excursions with children
How to spend time with adults, we figured out. And where to go with children in Alanya? To begin with, we suggest you visit excursions that will be of interest to young travelers, of course, if they are not quite small. All children, without exception, love Turkish hotels with animation, pools and water slides for the youngest tourists. But it will be useful for them to find out that there are a lot of interesting things outside the hotel complexes.
The greatest interest among children - teenagers and toddlers - is caused by a real pirate yacht “Viking”. It is important to know that this is not an object where you can go to Alanya (Turkey) yourself. Getting on board this ship yourself is very difficult, as the owners of the attraction only work with official representatives of tour operators. Therefore, you have to fork out for the purchase of a special tour. But on the yacht, you and your baby will get a lot of impressions. There, managers and animators will turn your child's vacation into an unforgettable adventure.
Where to go in Alanya with a child yourself
It is hard to imagine a family holiday in Turkey without visiting a water park. They are trying to open such attractions at all resorts. The Sealanya Seapark water park is universal: in addition to the complex itself, there is a dolphinarium and the wonderful Slow River attraction that surrounds it. Having plunged to the very bottom of the central basin, you can see columns, grottoes, shells and dilapidated amphoras. Small fish swim by. Children under four years of age attend the ride for free.
Dolphinarium
If you don’t know where to go to Alanya on your own, so that it would be interesting for the child, visit the dolphinarium. Every day there are shows with sea lions, seals and dolphins, with which the child can play during the break. Tickets should be taken care of in advance, as there is no shortage of spectators here.
Where to go, what to see in Alanya on your own
Due to the compactness of this Turkish resort, you can explore its sights on your own, without overpaying for excursions with professional guides. Most of the interesting and memorable places are located within the city or on the coast, a taxi will take you to the rest for a nominal fee. We list some of the most visited attractions.
Archaeological Museum
It is located next to the city ​​park. The collection of this museum is so large that all exhibits do not fit in the building. Some of them are exposed in the open. City Archaeological Museum was established in 1967. Since then, his collection is annually updated with interesting exhibits. This is due to the fact that ongoing excavations are underway in Turkey. In this regard, scientists believe that many artifacts will soon replenish the museum’s collections.
Today, antiquities are represented in fourteen halls: among them are exhibits that date back to the Bronze Age, historical monuments from Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, Byzantium and other states. Museum workers are extremely proud of the letters, the oldest fragments of the monuments. The tombstone, which dates back to the 1st century BC and the rarest handwritten Quran, is also stored here.
Red tower
If you ask the locals: “Where can you go to Alanya on your own?”, Then with a probability of 95% you will be sent to the Red Fortress, which is a symbol of Alanya. This building is so highly revered in these places that the image of the tower can be seen on the coat of arms of Alanya and on one of the banknotes of the national currency. The tower was built on the city's waterfront in 1226 to protect residents from pirate raids. I must admit that she successfully coped with this task. This building is almost monolithic, five-story building high. The top observation deck offers stunning views of the entire city and the bay. On the ground floor of the fortress today hosts an ethnographic museum.
Lighthouse
Very close to the Red Fortress is another city attraction - a functioning lighthouse. It was made in France in 1880, and then transported to the Ottoman Empire. This building is of interest not only to the guests of the city, local residents often come here. This place was also chosen by the newlyweds, who take wonderful photos against its background.
Suleymaniye Mosque
For Muslims, the question does not arise where to go in Alanya (Turkey). The magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque is practically adjacent to the Red Tower. It was built in 1231, but today it is active, services are regularly held there. The mosque features a unique acoustics and luxurious interior decoration.
Caves
Without a doubt, lovers and connoisseurs of caves will quickly decide where to go in Alanya. There are several of them, and each is special.
1. Damlatas. It is located right in the center of the city. The name translates as "Stone Tear." The cave inside is filled with incredible beauty by stalagmites and stalactites. Humidity here always remains about 60%. The air is ionized and saturated with carbon dioxide, which has a beneficial effect on the health status of patients with asthma. Locals claim that even rheumatic pains subside here.
2. Dim. This natural monument is not located in the city itself, but 12 km from it, but all cave lovers who came to rest in Alanya must visit it, because it is the second largest cave in Turkey. In addition, it is also the oldest, and according to reviews of tourists, the most picturesque.
3. The cave of lovers. You can get to it only by water, for which in Alanya you need to rent a boat or catamaran. It is believed that this cave needs to go right through and jump from a cliff into the blue sea waters in order to find eternal love. Now the government has banned jumping into the abyss, but this cave is still the most popular among young people.
4. Phosphoric. It is located in the west of Alanya, but is located so that you can also get into it only by water. It got its name because of the light glow of the vaults in the dark. According to one version, this is due to the fact that there is a small amount of phosphorus in the rocks. According to another version, the glow is explained more simply: reflections from water fall on its walls.
Reservoir
If you have already wandered around the city enough and the heat has become exhausting, take the bus number 10 and head to the reservoir located on the Dim Chai River. You will make a mistake if, having been in Alanya, you will not see these wonderful places.
The river originates in the mountains of the Western Taurus Mountains, then it flows past Alanya and then flows into the Mediterranean Sea. Dim Dam was built in 2004. Just below the dam level, Turkish builders have created a real tourist paradise. Numerous restaurants located above the water, bridges between small waterfalls, small cozy backwaters, where you can relax and hide from the sweltering heat.
Water Park Water Planet
This fabulous water feature is located within the hotel thirty kilometers from Alanya. You can get here by regular bus. Water Planet is a real paradise for the whole family: a huge number of amazing water rides, slides, play areas for kids, cafes and restaurants that provide a children's menu.
Tourists reviews
We hope that you received the answer to the question: "Where to go in Alanya?" Reviews of tourists who have already visited this resort indicate that in addition to a great beach holiday in this sunny and hospitable city, there are many interesting sights. Many of them will be interesting to children. Therefore, experienced tourists recommend going on a trip with the whole family. According to tourists, in Alanya there are interesting places that you can visit on your own, without overpaying for excursions. These include the Red Tower, a mosque, an archaeological museum, Damlatash cave. But to visit some attractions without a guide can not do. This is especially true for interesting places located not in the city center.