A dreamy resort town in Turkey, Alayna is a picture-perfect seaside destination. Surrounded by magnificent Tauras mountain and the Mediterranean sea it is a paradise in waiting. Apart from the bountiful beaches, you can look forward to visiting some historical 13th-century castles too among rocky outcrops. Also, there are plenty of things to do in Alanya for all age groups. We have curated a definitive list for you to make most of this beautiful getaway.

Top 10 Things to Do in Alanya Turkey

Visit the Kleopatra beach
Take a stroll in Alanya Castle
Check out the historic Dim caves
Get curious at Alanya Archaeological Museum
Adore the view from Kızılkule
Ride the Alanya Teleferik
Heal yourself in the Damlatas caves
Take a fun day out at Alayna Aquapark
Get up close with marine life with a Scuba dive tour
Stroll along the Alanya Limani

1. Visit the Kleopatra beach

Sunset at Kleopatra beach — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

The main beach of Alanya, it offers amazing views of the castle with the backdrop of Taurus mountains. With layers of gentle coarse sand and pristine water, this beach surely is a must-do among things to do in Alanya. After you enjoy your surf in the gentle to moderate waves, there are charming beach shacks and cafes where you can unwind.

2. Take a stroll in Alanya Castle

View from top of Alanya Castle — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

One of the wonders of Turkey, history comes to life when you visit the Alayna castle. The present 13th-century structure is built upon earlier Byzantine, Hellenistic and even Roman ruins. Bearing the brunt of time there are some towers and cisterns which are still standing from the B.C era.

This important archaeological site deserves considerable time to explore and is surely going to bring out the hidden historian in you. Please make sure you don’t miss the Byzantine church of St. George and the panoramic view from it. As the castle wall spans about 6.5 km across 140 towers, be sure to pack for a day’s hike if you are planning to cover it fully. It is definitely one of the best things to do in Alanya.

3. Check out the historic Dim caves

Inside view of Dim caves in Alanya — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

One of the largest caves in Dim river system, this ancient wonder was discovered only in 1999, yet is one of the best things to do in Alanya. Since then the entire 360 metres of the cave has been properly explored and concreted. As there are a lot of narrow passages and steep stairs, it might not be suitable for all age groups.

4. Get curious at Alanya Archaeological Museum

Entrance of Alanya Archaeological Museum — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

One of the best museums in the Turkish Riviera, a visit to the Archaeological Museum is a must-do among things to do in Alanya Turkey. The museum has curated samples from ancient eras dating back to 700 century B.C. The more famous of the artefacts is the bronze statue of Hercules from 2nd century C.E. A glimpse of these will definitely make you admire the craftsmanship and articulate work of the ancient sculptors. Also, visit the ethnographic section which is a special highlight of this museum displaying the local life over the years.

5. Adore the view from Kızılkule

Kızılkule with decorative lighting — Credits: Serkan sivri from Pixabay

An imposing tower overlooking the Mediterranean sea, Kızılkule or Red tower has protected the city from the 13th century. One of the best kept medieval monuments in the country, a view from it top is unmistakably one of the best sights among things to do in Alanya. You can still see the infamous cistern still used as a rainwater harvester. It was also used to pour hot liquid in murder holes paralysing the invaders on their way. Scary! but true.

6. Ride the Alanya Teleferik

View from the Alanya Teleferik. — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

If you are done with the history and beaches of the region, head out for a joy ride in the Alanya Teleferik. This cable car will take you from the East side of the beach to the castle promontory. Highly recommended among things to do in Alanya, this ride will treat you to unhindered 360º views across the Gulf of Antalya. Do try to catch the ride during sunset to witness the same behind the backdrop of Taurus mountains.

7. Heal yourself in the Damlatas caves

Stairway to Damlatas caves — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

A miracle cave, the Damlatas have a high degree of humidity which makes it ideal to cure respiratory ailments. The 50m long cave naturally maintains humidity of >96% with high Carbon dioxide content. This setting along with a constant temperature makes it ideal to cure asthma-like illness and interestingly makes it one of the top things to do in Alanya Turkey. There are 21-day treatment courses available, in which the patient spends 3-5 hrs in the cave daily as a part of the regimen.

8. Take a fun day out at Alanya Aquapark

Family Fun at the common pool at Alayna Aquapark. — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

If you are looking at a fun family adventure to make your holiday more special for your kids, don’t think twice. Alanya Aquapark is a small but well-maintained water theme park that will spoil you with choices of water rides and wave pools. If you are travelling with kids, a half-day trip to this waterpark is a welcome addition to the itinerary and would definitely be one of the best things to do in Alanya Turkey with Kids. Also, the Antalya region is famous for lots of adventure parks in Turkey.

9. Get up close with marine life with a Scuba dive tour

A scuba diver with gear in ocean bed — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Alayna has some of the best spots for beginner and advanced scuba diving in the Mediterranian sea region and Turkey as a whole. Choose from different courses available suited to your experience level. Surely recommended among things to do in Alanya, this can be the perfect spot for first-timers. There are plenty of diving spots some very near and some far into the Mediterranean sea for expert divers.

10. Stroll along the Alanya Limani

The beautiful Alanya Harbour — Credits: Danskityrkiet from Pixabay

Last in our list but definitely not the least, wrap up your day by taking a leisurely stroll along the well-maintained promenade along the Alanya harbour. Do check out the immaculate lawns and gardens as you sip your favourite Turkish cuppa in one of the many cafes.

With this list of the best things to do in Alanya, it is certain that Alayna is one of the best-kept secrets of the Antalya region. Though Turkey is known for a lot of other things like its hot springs and lakes, Alayna is a hidden gem worth exploring. The laid back charm of the city coupled with its historical essence and cultural roots makes it an ideal offbeat destination. Also, you can combine a trip to Greece & Turkey, both being quite close to each other.

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