Alanya interesting places. What is worth seeing in Alanya

All the main attractions in Alanya concentrated in one place - on the mountain where the fortress is located, and near this mountain. I suggest two routes, which include visiting all of these attractions in one go. The only difference between the routes is the difficulty.

The most important attractions of Alanya that are included in these routes, you can see with a tour in Russian, ordering it at home via the Internet on the website.

The first route is easier: you need to walk down the mountain, the second is more difficult: it is necessary walk up the mountain. You can take these routes as a basis and walk through the main attractions of the city in a slightly different way. Read about all the attractions that you can see in Alanya in a separate article.

In one day you can see in Alanya all the main attractions. This is the easiest route, but you will need to pay for the cable car ticket as well as entry tickets for paid attractions. The route is designed for the whole day. You need to leave early in the morning - right after breakfast, otherwise you may not have time.

The route begins from (1) . Before your walk, you can take a swim in the sea, and then go to (2) , which is located 100 meters from the beach. It will take no more than half an hour to explore the cave. Advice! Buy a single ticket, which will allow you to visit not only the cave, but also the Red Tower and the Tersane shipyard - these two attractions are also included in our walking route. A single ticket costs slightly less than all three tickets if you buy them separately. After the cave we need to return to the bottom station cable car (3) . Here we buy a ticket and climb almost to the very top of the mountain, where (5) .

Cable car not laid all the way to the fortress (5) – from the upper cable car station (4) You will have to climb several tens of meters on wooden platforms. On the mountain, first we go to (5) : To do this you need to buy a ticket. This ticket is also valid for visiting (8) , which we will go to a little later. Then we go to (6) . This mosque is active, and you can see it in Alanya on your own (go inside). Next go to Museum “Traditional Turkish House” (7). This museum is free and the museum staff is friendly. The museum is located next to the mosque, the road to it is marked with signs that say Kültür Evi - Culture House.

Cannons on the fortress wall on the "Warden's Path" between the Red Tower and the shipyard.

After visiting the museum, head to (8) . In the fortress, as I already said, the same ticket is valid as for visiting Ekhmedek fortress (5). Inside you will see water storage tanks (9) and dilapidated Church of St. George (10). Co observation deck (11) the citadel offers breathtaking views of the sea and Cape Gilvarda (12).

If you have good eyesight, then you can see on the cape Christian monastery (Manastir Surlar) (13). It cannot be visited because the road to it is currently impassable. To get a better look at the monastery, it would be good to have binoculars with you or look at it through a camera lens if you have one that zooms in on objects. Then from the Ich-Kale fortress we have to go down the mountain. Please note that you can go not only along highway, but also along paths, which are much shorter. A leisurely descent will take no more than an hour.

As you go down, you will pass through narrow Turkish streets with beautiful houses that are crowded onto the mountainside. This is the so-called Old Alanya (14). In general, I advise you not to rush: some residents run a cafe where you can sit, relax and drink Turkish tea. When going down, focus on (15) – you need to get out as close to her as possible.

Red Tower also paid, but to visit it there is a single ticket that you bought for the Damlatash cave. After the tower, be sure to go to (17) — the same single ticket is valid there. This is a very interesting place, especially interesting for children. The shipyard is located 250 meters from the Red Tower. The path to it partially goes along fortress wall, on which the guns are installed. You can also see medieval throwing machines here. Sometimes this place is called "The Path of the Guardians" (16). After inspection shipyards (17) go back to Red Tower (15) and from there go to Alanya embankment (19).

There you will see lighthouse (18) and many ships, some of which are dressed up as medieval ones. You can get closer to the lighthouse and even, if you’re lucky, go inside. At the discretion of the lighthouse keepers, they may charge you money for this, or they may let you through for free. On the embankment you can treat yourself to hot corn or cold ice cream. Now head to the main tourist area Damlatas street (20), where there are many cafes and souvenir shops. By the way, on the right side of the road on this street there is a cheap chain store BiM market. Walk through the entire street and finally, if you have any strength left, visit (21) . That's it - the walk is over.

Route No. 2 – more difficult, for adventure seekers

You can see in Alanya in one go all the main attractions that are included in route No. 1, plus a few more small ones. This route is more difficult: You will need to climb the mountain on foot along the fortress wall. But at the same time it's more interesting route , designed for those who like a little more extreme. Route designed for the whole day– leave immediately after breakfast.

The route begins from small (1) . After visiting it, walk along the main tourist road Damlatas street (2) to sea port and embankment (3). There you will see various ships (some of them converted into antique ones) and lighthouse (4), which you can get closer to and even, if you’re lucky, visit. Sometimes the lighthouse keepers charge money for entry to the lighthouse, sometimes they don’t. After a walk along the embankment, go to (5) (it is clearly visible from the embankment).

To visit the tower, buy a ticket. Take a single ticket right away, which will also be valid for the shipyard and Damlatas Cave - all these attractions can be seen in Alanya in one day, which is what we will do during our walking tour. One ticket is cheaper than three individual tickets! From (5) By "Watchmen's Path" (6) go to (7) . This is approximately 250 meters. "Watchers' Path" (6) partially runs along the fortress wall, where cannons and throwing machines are installed. To enter the shipyard, present the single ticket that you bought at the Red Tower.

After visiting the shipyard, go to Arsenal (Tophane) (8). Through this tower next to the shipyard (through the gate) you can go out onto the streets Old Alanya (9) and walk along them, climbing the mountain to the fortress. There are two options: first (simpler) – climb the mountain through narrow streets Old Alanya (9), second (more complex) – climb the mountain along the fortress wall.

If you decide to walk along the fortress wall, then you need from Arsenala (Tophane) (8) go along the streets of Old Alanya (9) to the left, gradually approaching the fortress wall. Along the way, you will see several stone necks, similar to chimneys, that stick out from the ground. This water storage tanks (10). In a place where the wall is built with a slope (it begins to rise uphill), you need to find steps that go to fortress wall (11). There are such steps in many places: if you miss one, then look for the next ones. Attention! It is almost impossible to pass under the wall! There are huge boulders there!

You must walk along the fortress wall carefully. The path along the wall is not equipped with any barriers and exists in the form in which the builders left it many centuries ago. Keep in mind that the path is along the wall not very wide and in some places rises above the ground several meters. So if you fall from here, then injuries cannot be avoided, because below there is not sand, but sharp stones and boulders.

The path along the fortress wall will lead you to observation deck (12). But the most important thing is that there will be no steps down - you will have to go down without them. Jumping down is also not easy, because broken bottles and stones are scattered below. Go down carefully, use the niches hollowed out in the wall. It’s good if there are two of you, then you can back each other up. The height of the wall at the descent point is no more than 2 meters.

After the descent go to observation deck (12) and then go to (13) . Along the way, you can drink a glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate or orange juice. The Ich-Kale fortress is paid, but the purchased ticket is also valid in another (21) , where we will go a little later. There is an old Christian church in the citadel Church of St. George (15) and several water storage tanks (14). Co observation deck (16) inside the citadel there is a wonderful view of Cape Gilvarda (17). There is a very ancient Christian monastery on the cape (Manastir Surlar) (18), but you can’t get to it now - the path is very dilapidated. The best way to view the monastery is from the sea if you book boat trip yacht.

After visiting the citadel we go to (19) . The mosque is operational, and you can see it in Alanya on your own (go inside). Next to the mosque is free museum which is called "Traditional Turkish House" (20). On the signs it is indicated in Turkish as Kültür Evi and in English as Culture House. Next go to (21) . To enter the fortress you will need the same ticket as to enter the citadel.

Free Museum “Traditional Turkish House”.

Then from the fortress go down the wooden platforms to the upper cable car station (22). Buy a ticket and go down the cable car to the lower cable car station (23). After descending, it is best to go first to (25) , in which a single ticket is valid, purchased for the Red Tower and the shipyard. And after the cave go to (24) and take a swim in the sea after a long and eventful walk. That's it - the route is over.

The resort of Alanya (or Alanya, as tourists often call this city) is known primarily as one of the most budget places Antalya coast. Even if you are limited in funds, you will find a good holiday option with an ideal price-quality ratio. It is also the warmest resort in Turkey, and the season here opens in mid-spring. If you don’t want to postpone your family vacation until the summer, or vice versa, you need to find a place for a beach holiday in the fall, take a closer look at Alanya. Our review contains all the necessary information about holidays with children in Alanya: when to go, where to stay, what to see.

Where is Alanya

The city of Alanya is one of the largest resorts in Turkey. It is located in the south of the country, on the coast Mediterranean Sea, in the province of Antalya. When people talk about holidays in Alanya, they mean the city with the neighboring villages of Avsallar, Incekum, Karaburun, Konakli, Mahmutlar and Okurcalar.

Vacation with children

Without hesitation, you can name three reasons why you should go to Alanya with children: long warm summers, clean calm sea, cozy hotels with large green areas.

In fact, holidays in Alanya have more advantages. This includes a favorable climate and the opportunity to choose a lively or quiet resort, and a good excursion program, and best conditions for families with children in hotels.

Thus, most hotels have children's clubs and playgrounds, animators work with young guests, and restaurants often offer a special children's menu. The all-inclusive system is practically not used in Alanya; full board is offered instead.

If you are planning to come here with infant or a baby who does not yet eat adult food, we recommend bringing with you the necessary formula or baby food.

If you decide to relax with your child in Alanya, for more comfortable travel You can order an individual transfer or taxi from the airport to the hotel.

When is the best time to go?

The beach season in Alanya lasts for six months - from May to October. During this period, hot, cloudless weather remains stable. Summer months count high season, and at this time the resort hotels are overloaded.

But the main reason why you shouldn’t go to Alanya with children in summer, is different: July-August is a period of incredible heat, which is difficult for children to endure. The best time to travel with a child is June and September. During these months there is no oppressive heat, and the water warms up enough for toddlers to bathe.

May and October are great times for excursions. Also during these months you can sunbathe on the beach, although you can’t always swim. But in April and November the weather is unstable: sometimes it will give you warmth, sometimes it will scare you with cold weather. In addition, in mid-spring and the second half of autumn there is a high probability of rain.

Weather and climate

Alanya's climate type is Mediterranean subtropical. These words alone can conjure up a picture of a roast summer day. Indeed, the weather in the southernmost Mediterranean resort of Turkey is a real gift for those who love relaxing on the seashore.

The air and water temperatures here are always several degrees higher compared to neighboring resorts, and swimming season begins in early spring and ends late autumn. There is almost no precipitation in summer, so every day of your holiday will be clear.

The most favorable weather for a beach holiday occurs in early June and in September - the first half of October. At this time, the air temperature remains at +25°C.

From the second half of June until the end of August, the resort is sweltering in the heat. average temperature summer is +28°C, but much more often thermometers show +32°C, or even higher. In the second half of autumn comes good time for excursions and active rest. The daytime temperature in October is +21°C, in November +16°C. The only downside to this time of year is that it starts to rain.

December-February in Alanya can only conditionally be called winter months, since during this period the daytime temperature rarely drops below +11-13°C. In winter, it often rains at the resort. They continue into March, but a gradual increase in air temperature heralds the arrival of spring. By April the air warms up to +17°C, and in May summer begins: daytime temperatures rise above +25°C.

In this region, the climate has its own specifics: it is hot and dry during the day, and cool at night, which is explained by the proximity of the mountains. It is also important to note the low air humidity - thanks to this, the heat is easier to bear than in Antalya or Kemer.

Sea water temperature

Alanya opens earlier than other resorts tourist season, and not only because of the long hot summer - in this region the sea temperature reaches acceptable levels for swimming in April.

Of course, in the middle of spring only those who are really yearning for summer swim: the Mediterranean Sea only manages to warm up to +18°C. But already in May the water temperature in Alanya is +21-22°C, and by the beginning of June the sea has the same temperature as the air, about +25°C.

In July-August the water warms up to +28-29°C, but with the arrival of autumn it begins to gradually cool down. In September and the first half of October, even kids can swim in the sea, as the water maintains a temperature of +25°C. In November, despite the rains, the water is still warm, and only by December the temperature will drop to +18°C.

What to do with your child

It's hard to imagine that a child could get bored while on vacation in Alanya. Children are ready to frolic on the beach for hours, splashing in the warm sea and building sand castles.

During the midday hours and in the evenings, little tourists will be entertained by hotel animators. And to ensure that the days are not similar to one another, we recommend spending time with your children in water parks and entertainment centers.

This is the largest water park resort region- . It is located in the village of Okurcalar, but if you are vacationing with a child in Alanya, you can easily get there by regular bus.

The water park opens in May and runs until the end of October. Out of 16 water attractions 8 are intended for children, and the other 8 will satisfy the need of teenagers and adults for extreme sports.

27 centuries have passed since this city was built, but fragments of the city walls, temples, and amphitheater have been amazingly preserved. The archaeological museum, located in the building of the ancient baths, displays valuable finds - sculptures, jewelry, household items, coins.

If the list of what to see with children in Alanya seemed too short to you, pay attention to. Among them - , and, where you can see tropical fish and go sledding in the “Snow World”.

Things to do

Where to stay: Alanya areas

Generally speaking, all areas of Alanya are good for family vacation. But to make the trip a success, we recommend that you decide in advance exactly how you like to spend your time: some resorts in this region are suitable for active recreation, others boast respectable hotels, and still others are valuable for the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle.

You will make the right decision where to stay in Alanya with children if you also take into account the age of the child and the need to buy special food.

Alanya city

The city is of interest primarily from the point of view of the excursion program. You can do it with children sightseeing tour- explore the main attractions of the city, visit the city water park. The city itself is very beautiful. There is a lot of greenery and fruit gardens. It should also be noted that the well-developed tourism infrastructure. Hotels in the city, as a rule, have a small area, mostly three- and four-star, so with children it is better to choose hotels in the vicinity of Alanya.

Konakli

Coastal resort village, is located 118 km from the airport and 12 km from Alanya. Big enough and green village with a park, playgrounds in the center of the resort, fountains, a small amusement park. There is somewhere for the whole family to go for a walk. Here vacationers are offered wide choose shops and souvenir shops where you can buy essential goods, souvenirs, sweets, textiles. The close location of the city of Alanya makes it possible to combine beach holiday with interesting excursion program. Overall Konakli - a good option for holidays with children.

Avsallar

Resort village located 20 km from Alanya and 107 km from the airport. An excellent option for a family holiday. The village is popular among vacationers with children due to its good sandy beaches with convenient entry into the water. In the village itself there is a small park with a playground, promenade paths, several shopping streets with shops and souvenir shops. The village is neat and well-groomed: a lot of greenery, flowers, bushes and benches.

Incekum

The area is known for its wide sandy beach with a gentle slope, where relaxing and swimming in the sea is a real pleasure. The name of the village means “fine sand”, which fully characterizes this beach area. The village has several four-star and five-star hotels. An excellent option for a calm and measured holiday. Distance to Alanya - 20 km.

Okurcalar

Young, fast growing resort area. Coastline Okurcalara is heavily indented, the beaches are located in bays and bays. The village is famous for its Water Planet water park, where tourists from other resorts are brought to relax. An outdoor market is organized in Okurcalar twice a week. Distance to Alanya - 32 km. One of the closest villages to the airport.

Karaburun

The closest resort area from Antalya is Alanya. Distance to the airport - 89 km. There are ruins near the village ancient city Justiniaf. In Karaburun, the beaches are sandy and pebble, and along the coast there are four- and five-star hotels with green and well-groomed areas.

Mahmutlar village

It is located near Alanya, but far from Antalya Airport (140 km). In Mahmutlar there are mainly three-star and four-star hotels. Beaches with not very convenient entry into the sea for children (slabs, stones), but here you can enjoy a relaxing holiday.

Where to stay

How to get there

By plane

Tourists who have chosen Alanya as their holiday destination fly to international Airport Antalya, which is 130 km from the resort center.

Distance from the airport to the main resort towns and villages of Alanya:

  • Mahmutlar - 140 km
  • Alanya - 129 km
  • Konakli - 118 km
  • Avsallar - 107 km
  • Incekum - 104 km
  • Okurcalar - 98 km
  • Karaburun - 89 km

If you are traveling on a package tour, then upon arrival you will definitely be met by representatives of travel companies who organize transfers to hotels. You can also get there on your own: by bus No. 600 or by Havaş buses from the airport to Antalya bus station, and from there to Alanya.

By bus

If you are traveling on your own, you can get from Antalya to Alanya by bus. Intercity buses depart from Antalya Otogar bus station. Travel time is 2-2.5 hours. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station ticket office.

Since the bus station is open until 20:00, you need to know about other options for getting to Alanya. If your flight arrives late in the evening or at night, you will have to take a taxi (this is the most expensive form of transport in Turkey) or arrange a transfer in advance. An individual transfer can be ordered either at travel company where the tour is purchased, either from the hotel when booking, or from Turkish companies who specialize in organizing transfers.

By car

You can rent a car upon arrival at Antalya Airport. A list of rental companies with a representative office at the airport is posted on the official website. The D400 highway runs next to Antalya Airport and runs along all the resort towns.

The main attraction of Alanya is the fortresses on the mountain, which you should spend half a day visiting (story about the fortresses -). Also in Alanya there is Archaeological Museum and Damlatas Cave. Nearby is the Sapadere Canyon and several other caves.

The cave is located at the junction of the mountain with Cleopatra’s beach - on the right hand of the mountain.

Entrance – 4.5 liras. You can buy a combined ticket for Kizilkule (Red Tower) + Shipyard + Damlatash for 9 liras. These attractions are located on opposite sides of the isthmus: if you stand facing the mountain, the Red Tower and the Shipyard will be on the left, and the cave on the right.

Pointer to Damlatas Cave

The cave is small and consists of a narrow passage that turns into a wide cavity. A staircase descends into the lower part of the cavity. From there you can goose-step into another nook. Actually, that's all. But it’s definitely worth going, it’s beautiful there. And warm, oddly enough.

Towards a whole procession

They say that the microclimate of the cave is beneficial for asthmatics. I can’t vouch for asthmatics, but I once cured a runny nose in a cave. It happened near Krakow, in Wieliczka. I went down to the salt mines with a half-cold, with a stuffy nose, and two hours later I came out - my nose was breathing, and I felt normal. Miracles!

About local Russians

In the last article I wrote about Cleopatra Beach, which stretches to the right of the mountain. The beach is excellent, sandy and wide. Behind it stretches a pretty embankment.

The “left-hand” beach turned out to be quite good too. It is sandy, there are fewer people than on Cleopatra Beach. True, the entrance to the water is at stone slabs. However, in some places the slabs have been cut down and the approach is sandy.

Beach on the left side of the mountain

I learned about the sandy sunset from a woman who was located not far from me on the sand. When I, having swam, slowly walked along the slabs to the shore, she said that I had to go a little to the left, there were no stones there.

I asked: “Why don’t you swim?”

“Yes, you know,” the woman answered, “when you live here permanently, your body is rebuilt.” The water already seems cool to me.

We chatted with her for about an hour.

Lena (that was the name of my new friend) said that three years ago she sold an apartment in Kyiv (just in time) and bought an apartment in Alanya. We left with our daughter, the daughter bought an apartment in Mahmutlar.

Before this, many proposals were reviewed in Antalya and other Turkish coastal cities. They refused Antalya right away - it’s a big, noisy city, and they ended up attending a political demonstration there. I didn’t want to leave the political squabbles in Kyiv and end up in the Turkish ones.

Kemer seemed clean resort place, dying out in winter. But Alanya turned out to be a living, full-blooded city, where life did not subside in winter. At the same time - not too vain, with great beaches and developed infrastructure.

- But in the summer it must be very hot here? – I asked.

— Yes, the first summer, I thought I couldn’t bear it, I sat at home under the air conditioner. The heat usually lasts from mid-July to September. But now I’ve already adapted.

But the rest of the time the weather is wonderful, the Mediterranean climate is very good.

In Kyiv I was sick all the time, endless colds, asthma, winter time— depression, slush all the time, it gets dark early, there’s not enough sun. And here - no depression, no asthma, no colds. We walk along the sea, go to the mountains.

— Didn’t you get a job?

— No, I don’t have the right to work officially, and for unofficial work, if you get caught, you face deportation. Why should I? There is enough money. I spent part of the money from the sold apartment in Kyiv on buying an apartment, and put the other (and other savings) on deposit. Every month I withdraw interest and live on it. There is also a pension, which, however, now, after the fall of the hryvnia, does not play a big role.

Utilities are cheap, we only pay for cold water and electricity. The water is heated by the sun (all over Alanya there are many tanks above each house for heating water by the sun). Therefore, there is no hot water in the morning; it heats up only by lunchtime.

On the roofs of houses in Alanya there are tanks for heating water and solar panels

There is no heating, in winter we warm ourselves with air conditioning. In June, apartment taxes are paid - not onerous. Plus internet and TV.

I spend little on food. Vegetables and fruits are cheap. Cucumbers per kg - about 1 lira (20 rubles), tomatoes - 1.5 lira. Meat is expensive - about 600 rubles, there is no pork, only chicken and beef.

Clothes are also inexpensive, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops. Warm clothes are unnecessary. In general, one thousand liras is enough for a month (20 thousand rubles).

— Well, after all, Türkiye is a Muslim country.

— Alanya is full of Russians, and the Turks behave decently: non-drinkers, hard workers. In addition, they understand that their well-being depends on tourists and, in general, on visitors. They built Mahmutlar, the whole city for visitors.

— Don’t you miss life in the capital?

- No, the Internet, books, Russian channels on TV are enough. Living near the sea is much more pleasant for me than in the capital.

In general, I listened and was even somehow carried away. Apartments here start from 25 thousand dollars, life is inexpensive. In your declining years, why not have a seaside home? Indeed, I suffered from autumn-winter depression and colds.

On the other hand, I really love big cities, I’m fading without them, I love Moscow, it fills me with energy, and it’s great happiness that I live nearby and at any moment I can connect to its powerful field and always find something interesting for myself there.

At the same time, I am happy for the people who have found a place where they feel good, where they enjoy life. And maybe on some long, stormy winter evening I will remember this meeting and imagine how good man Now he’s walking with his dog along the flowery embankment, breathing the sea, looking at the sun setting towards the sea - and I’m kindly envious.

Level.travel

Taking out travel insurance - on

Railway and bus tickets in Europe and

If you would like to receive notifications when new stories appear on the site, you can subscribe.

With a population of about 200 thousand people. Located on the Mediterranean coast, 120 km from. The city was founded by the Greeks two hundred years BC; initially there was a base for pirates and smugglers - almost like in.

For quite a long time, the Greek “coastal brotherhood” kept all merchant shipping in the Mediterranean Sea at bay. Around 67 BC. The Roman Senate decided to destroy the pirate freemen, and sent a huge fleet to Corakession.

The cleansing of the area continued for more than two months, after which Mark Antony made a chic gesture and donated the city (and at the same time the whole of Cilicia) to Cleopatra. As a bonus, Mark Antony ordered to arrange for Cleopatra gorgeous beach, which still survives today. The Egyptian queen turned out to be a practical lady; on her instructions, local cedar forests were cut down for ship construction.

For the next ten centuries the region was dominated by the Byzantines, who were displaced by the Arabs in the seventh century. Six hundred years later, the Seljuks appeared, drove out the Arabs and gave the city a new name - Alaya. It was under them that one of the city’s landmarks was built. Finally, in 1571, the Ottomans appeared - the last and current owners.

The name Alanya appeared in the 30s of the last century. Alanya is curious because, despite the importance of tourism for the region, the city is one of the agricultural centers.

Sights of Alanya

The rock divides Alanya into two parts, at the top is Old city. The length of the wall is 8 kilometers. In the space between the port and the thoroughfare you can find a market quarter. The main component of the old city is.

In the center is Ahmediye, a tiny village clustered around the shopping arcades of Suleymaniye. Here you can also see the Aksebe mausoleum and the internal fortress.

One of the most interesting natural attractions is, whose approximate age is 15 thousand years. Nearby are the sea grottoes of Fosforlu Magara (the rocks glow in the dark) and Kizlar Magarasi - this grotto was once used by pirates as a prison.

It is also worth mentioning marine park Xialanya, which is the largest in .

The length of Alanya beaches is 12 km in both directions. In addition, included resort area cities are

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

Alanya is one of the most popular Turkish resorts among our compatriots. For us, Alanya is, for the most part, nothing more than luxurious beaches, hot sun and first-class hotels. The beaches here are really steep, with fine yellow sand and azure waters. Almost all of Alanya lies on a 250 m high rocky cape protruding into the sea. However, few people know that Alanya was founded in the second century BC. It was then a famous port, which in 67, still BC, joined the Roman Empire. The city often changed its name, sometimes it was Korakesion, sometimes Kolonoros, sometimes Alaiye.
In general, the story is long and interesting.

But the most interesting thing about Alanya, in my opinion, is its interesting past. The city contains numerous historical monuments, which are a must-see during your visit to Alanya.

Archaeological Museum (Alanya arkeoloji muzesi)

The museum was built in the late 60s of the last century and consists of 14 exhibition halls. The museum's collections are divided into eras. What's missing here! Bronze Age artifacts, Byzantine and Roman clay objects, tomb steles, marble artifacts, writings, mosaics from the 7th-5th centuries BC. A valuable exhibit is a stone with an inscription in the Phoenician language, 625 BC. It just boggles the mind!
Tourists usually linger for a long time near the bronze statue of Hercules, which dates back to the 2nd century BC. The half-meter-tall statue was found in a mountain village near Alanya more than half a century ago. It is believed that this figure is a trophy from a ship robbed by pirates. But the statue, of course, impresses with its grace. Even the face of Hercules is unrealistically realistic, forgive the tautology. There is also a hall in this museum with a container for ashes from the Byzantine and Roman periods. Limestone vessels in the shape of a sarcophagus with interesting lids and different designs on the walls - plants, horsemen, faces of men and women, inscriptions. These vessels, as you already understood, were for burials, because in the mountainous region it was sometimes difficult to dig up the ground; it was easier to burn the body and place it in such a sarcophagus. Well, different religious ones are also inherent in this. What else is in this museum: coins, Ottoman-era weapons, handwritten Koran, ancient clothes, carpets, jewelry, local embroidery, wood carvings, grape presses and much more. The museum is very educational and interesting. The museum is located near the coast, on Saray Mahallesi, almost in the city center.

Tersane Shipyard

This building is located next to the Red Tower, by the sea. The structure is impressively massive - 56 by 44 meters, with five arches-shaped passages and deep galleries 40 meters deep. An absolutely monumental structure from the Seljuk times was erected here in the first half of the 13th century. Moreover, this structure was built quite quickly, in about a year. When the shipyard was completed, the ruler Aladdin Keykubat, under whom all this happened, finally carried out his old dream, to become the “sultan of two seas,” and at the same time this building prevented a potential attack by enemies from the eastern side. On the left you can see a small mosque and outbuildings. Today this shipyard is a marina for small ships, and is also a very popular tourist attraction, especially in the evenings. It is best to admire this ancient structure from the sea, from a boat or yacht, which is what many tourists do.

Kyzylkule Tower

The city owes the construction of this tower to the same Aladdin Keykubat. The tower was built for defensive purposes, in the city harbor. Kizilkule translated from Turkish means “Red Tower” because it was built of red brick. This tower is now a symbol of Alanya and is even depicted on the city’s flag. The walls of the octagonal building are about 8 km long. The tower is 29 meters in diameter and about 33 meters in height. Overall, a powerful and impressive design. It was built in 1226, and it took about 12 years to build it. Up to 2 thousand people can simultaneously fit inside the building. On top of the tower there are loopholes from which warriors poured hot oil or tar on their opponents. The design is amazing in that, despite the fact that it has five floors, the light passing through the top of the tower penetrates right up to the first floor. You can get into the territory of the Red Tower from the western side, through the entrance next to the fortress walls. Climb up the stairs - 85 steps, get ready! But from above there is a magnificent view of the city and the sea. The Turkish flag flutters above. Oh yes, there is an Ethnographic Museum on the ground floor.

Alanya Castle (Alanya Kalesi)

One of the largest and best preserved in Turkey. It consists of 140 towers and walls with beautiful ornaments. The walls are made of rough cobblestones. The length of the wall is about 6 km. You can see bodies of water inside. The arched gate with preserved ancient runes is well preserved. Once upon a time there were Winter Palace, a military building, residential buildings, a mosque, trading shops and even places for execution. In general, life inside this fortress was in full swing. The Red Tower, by the way, is part of this building.

Sulemaniye Mosque

The Byzantine fortress on the mountain was built in 1231 on the territory of the Alanya fortress. True, it was destroyed and rebuilt in the 16th century. A square mosque made of stone with one minaret is often called either the Aladdin Mosque or the Fortress Mosque. Under the dome of the mosque you can see 15 small ones - this was done to improve acoustics. The wooden gates of the mosque are excellent examples of art from the Ottoman Empire. The complex also includes a palace, schools and military buildings.

Tomb of Askebe Turbesi

The Sultan's tomb is also located inside the Alanya Fortress, a hundred meters from the Suleymaniye Mosque. The square-shaped tomb is made of stone, the dome and walls inside are covered with bricks. Inside you can see two halls - in one the Sultan rests, in the other there are three more tombs. Perhaps the grave once looked much more luxurious, perhaps it was covered with faience. Today, only some inscriptions and parts of decorations can be seen on it. Nearby there is a cylindrical minaret made of brick, or rather, part of it, up to the balcony.

Is the answer helpful?

Alanya is one of largest cities on the Antalya coast and no less popular resort. While here on vacation you should visit the city itself and see it iconic places, to join, so to speak, history, to give “food for thought.” History can be seen in the city center, as well as near the main embankment.

Among the most iconic sights is the red tower (Kizil Kule). It is clearly visible from both land and sea. This is the symbol of Alanya. I saw a similar symbol in Greek Thessaloniki, but the tower there is white. True, it became white only after the city passed from the Turks to the Greeks. During the period of existence on the territory of Thessaloniki Ottoman Empire the tower was also red and housed a prison. Here in Turkey, the tower symbolizes the dominance of the Turks on the seas. It was built after the Seljuks captured Alanya and was an excellent defense of the city's bay.

Alanya is associated with the name of Queen Cleopatra. In the city there is a beach of the same name, the sand to which was brought from Egypt. The beach is open to the public. Here really Sandy shore. You can also get to the beach by traveling along the city’s shores on a tourist boat. Usually it is stopped close to the shore and you can swim in clear emerald-colored water. True, there is a belief that Cleopatra never went to the beach.

Another antiquity is Cleopatra's castle or Alanya fortress. The fortress walls are quite long. They "descend" from the mountain towards the Mediterranean Sea. It is better to climb the mountain to see all the beauties of the city from a height of 250 meters above sea level and see the fortifications in more detail. Fragments of building structures, as well as the Byzantine fortress named after St. George, have been preserved here. The fortress was built by the Seljuk Turks in the 13th century. Now it is an open-air architectural monument.

There are also two in Alanya famous caves- pirates and lovers. True, to see them you need to transfer to a boat or boat. There is no way to see them from the shore. There are, in my opinion, somewhat fabulous stories associated with the caves. So, in the cave the pirates hid stolen goods, as well as kidnapped girls.

As for the lovers' cave, there is a belief that if a man passes through it from one entrance to another, he thereby proves his love and this love for life. Legend, myth or truth - who knows, but people believe.

Take the time to visit another attraction of the city - the Damlatas Cave. It was discovered in the last century, but has existed for a very long time, as evidenced by the size of the stalactites and stalagmites. Located 100 meters from the coast.

Again, there is a myth at work here. Allegedly, the pirates hid the kidnapped girls here and thought that after they were here they would become even more beautiful. Maybe because the air in the cave is healing. The natural entrance to the cave has been preserved. The temperature here is about 22 degrees and very high humidity. Damlatash air perfectly cures bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory diseases. They even have their own doctor who can recommend the optimal course of treatment. Everything is at the service of vacationers.

Alanya is a museum city. There is no need to visit exhibition halls or museums here. Everything related to ancient history in sight. Therefore, you can travel around the city on your own, admiring the beauty of nature, vibrant landscapes and monuments ancient architecture. Alanya is an opportunity to combine a beach holiday and hiking.

 

It might be useful to read: