Alanya is a very convenient resort: here you can have a beach holiday, compactly located attractions, and entertaining excursions. From personal experience, I will tell you what you can see in Alanya on your own, and where it is better to go with an excursion.
Attention: I have indicated all opening hours for daylight saving time - from April to October. The winter timetable is different, so check the official website. Ticket offices usually close in half an hour. But remember that this is Turkey: on the spot it may turn out that the opening hours do not even coincide with the official website, we have had this more than once. :) Also on the site are prices. To search, enter the place name in Turkish.
Damlatash cave
Small but pretty damn! Despite the fact that I saw many caves and I was no longer surprised, Damlatash was able to. Immediately upon entering, it bristles with thousands of sharp stalactite knives, and then surprises with its two-story structure and stalagnates. The atmosphere is magical, and "In the Cave of the Mountain King" from "Peer Gynt" automatically starts playing in my head. I warn you - it's a little difficult to breathe because the humidity is high.
Wikipedia states that local stalactites emit some radiation, and staying inside is beneficial for asthma sufferers. But, as for me, the most unusual thing about this cave is its location. Right in the center of Alanya! Where else can you see this? So it's as easy as shelling pears to see it yourself, just come to the mountain or take bus # 4. There you will see an inscription Damlataş Mağarası... Coordinates: 36.54183, 31.98875. It is open from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm and entrance costs 12 liras.
Cleopatra beach
Cleopatra's beach, namely the area near the Damlatash cave, does not attract a full-fledged attraction of Alanya. However, it is worth coming here at sunset to take beautiful photos of the mountain. Even around 10-11 am, the sea becomes a striking azure color. And what a nice pebble! It resembles polished semi-precious stones such as onyx or jasper. It is a pleasure to bury your hands and feet in it.
Funicular (Teleferik)
The funicular can be both a way of moving, and a separate attraction, because from the cabin there are wonderful views of Alanya and Cleopatra's beach. Get your cameras ready! The funicular will take you directly to the Alanya fortress, to the inner fortress of Ehmedek.
A round-trip ticket costs 37 liras for adults and 25 lira for children. One way - 30 and 20 liras, respectively. The funicular operates from 9:00 to 18:00, closed on weekends (possibly due to a lockdown). The coordinates of the lower cash register: 36.543936, 31.987361.
It is more profitable to take tickets immediately there and back, but we decided to go only one way, because we wanted to see other sights of Alanya, which are located behind the mountain: Kyzyl Kule, shipyards, harbor. We returned to the hotel on foot along the side of the road, but you can also take bus # 4. If you buy round-trip tickets, you will have to go back to the ticket office up the hill or look for a shuttle to the Damlatash cave. We saw him next to the caravanserai.
Alanya fortress
The fortress is located on a peninsula that divides Alanya into two parts. The area of the citadel is huge - 10 hectares, and the length of the walls is as much as 6 km! There are three towers inside: Ehmedek, Ich Kale and Kyzyl Kule, as well as a mosque, caravanserai, cisterns, church ruins and much more. If you are inexperienced in ruins, it will be interesting. You can see this landmark of Alanya on your own, but to make the fortress come alive, take an author's excursion on the Tripster - the guide will tell you about the pirate and ancient past of the citadel and the resort.
It is pleasant to walk in the fortress, look at Alanya, the mountains and the sea. We left the main road and found an observation deck behind the Suleymaniye Mosque with a charming view of the other side of Alanya: 36.534951, 31.99324. Later we were caught by a guide who, for a small bakshish, led us to other lookouts. On the way to Kyzyl Kul, do not miss the tower with a free observation deck: 36.536333, 31.9947.
Almost the entire territory is free, except for Kyzyl Kule, the shipyards and the very top - the Ich Kale tower. The entrance to Ich Kale costs 40 liras, I will tell about others below. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 19:00.
Red tower
The Red Tower (Kyzyl Kule, Kızıl Kule) is the business card of Alanya. She flaunts in many photos, and it is not surprising, because the tower is incredibly photogenic! Blue transparent water, red stone, jagged walls - the hand itself reaches for the camera. There is nothing special inside, only a meager exposition with models of ships, but a 360 ° view from above. At least for the sake of such views it is worth stopping by
A regular ticket to the tower costs 12 liras, but it is more profitable to take a complex ticket: a tower + shipyard for 17 lira or a tower, a shipyard and Damlatas cave for 23 lira. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 16:00.
Shipyard
If you walk along the walls to the end, you will come across a medieval shipyard (Tersane). It was built by order of the Sultan Ala-ad-din Kei-Kubad. Inside there is a small exhibition about how ships were repaired and built, and a beautiful arched perspective.
Opening hours: from 10:00 to 16:00. The ticket costs 12 liras, but it is better to take a complex ticket (see above).
Old city
All fans of narrow cobbled streets, flowers, tiled roofs and old houses should see the Old Town of Alanya on their own. It is small - not at all like Kaleici in Antalya, but it will also be a pleasure.
Lighthouse and embankment
The lighthouse and the embankment are just places where you can take a walk in Alanya and enjoy beautiful views of the fortress and yachts. But the closer to the fortress, the higher the concentration of sellers and barkers. They are persistent and assertive, so you are unlikely to leave without a boat trip. :)
