Alanya
A Seljuk hilltop fortress, banana-tree valleys and unhurried beach days for British couples
Alanya is the resort that British holidaymakers tend to return to year after year.
Two hours east of Antalya airport, set under a UNESCO-listed Seljuk citadel, the town pairs four beaches stretching for almost twenty kilometres with a sub-tropical microclimate that allows bananas, citrus and avocados to grow inland. The pace is gentler than Antalya proper, English is spoken everywhere on the seafront, and the seven-night package prices remain the most affordable on the Turkish Riviera. We use Alanya as a relaxed base for couples and multi-generation families, with optional half-day trips to the Sapadere canyon, Damlatas cave and the Dim river restaurants.
The five experiences that make a Alanya trip unforgettable
Climb Alanya Castle and the Red Tower
The 13th-century Seljuk fortress crowns a 250-metre headland with a 6-kilometre wall ring. Inside the citadel sit the Suleymaniye mosque, the medieval shipyard (Tersane) and the iconic octagonal Red Tower (Kizil Kule) that guards the harbour. The walk takes around two hours; an open-top minibus or cable car saves the climb in summer heat.
Cleopatra Beach and the seafront promenade
Cleopatra Beach is a Blue Flag stretch of fine, light sand named after the Egyptian queen who is said to have bathed here. The sea shelves gently for fifty metres, perfect for younger children, and the promenade behind it carries cafes, ice-cream parlours and reputable sun-bed concessions all the way to Damlatas.
Sapadere Canyon and Dim river day-trip
A 40-kilometre drive into the Taurus mountains reaches the cool, walkable Sapadere canyon with its cascading waterfalls. The return loop passes the Dim Cave (4°C year-round, perfect respite from August heat) and the riverside trout restaurants on wooden platforms over the Dim Cay.
Pirate-boat cruise around the headland
Half-day boat trips circle the Alanya peninsula visiting Cleopatra Cave, Lovers Cave, the Pirates Cave and the Phosphorus Cave where sunlight refracts on submerged crystals. Most include lunch, swim stops and free-flowing soft drinks; we book the smaller, family-friendly operators rather than the loud party boats.
Damlatas Cave and Archaeological Museum
Discovered in 1948 during quarrying, Damlatas is a single 200-square-metre chamber with stalactites, 90 percent humidity and air believed locally to ease asthma. The neighbouring Alanya Archaeological Museum holds Bronze-Age, Phrygian and Roman finds plus a celebrated bronze Hercules statue dredged from the harbour.
The right month makes the trip
Ideal: Late April to mid June, then mid September to late October
Alanya enjoys the longest swim season in Turkey. Sea temperatures stay above 22°C from May through to early November and the Taurus mountains shelter the bay from the strong meltem wind. July and August are reliably hot at 33-37°C and busy with European charter traffic; spring and autumn deliver 26-29°C with quieter beaches and the best value.
Alanya: questions British travellers ask us
Is Alanya cheaper than Antalya for a UK package holiday?
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Yes, generally by 15 to 25 percent on a like-for-like four-star half-board basis. Alanya hotels operate at higher occupancy across a longer season and the local cost of food, transfers and excursions runs lower than the Lara and Belek belts of central Antalya. The flight is identical (you land at AYT or the smaller Gazipasa GZP) so the saving comes entirely from the resort side of the package.
Where is Alanya and how do I reach it from the UK?
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Alanya sits 130 kilometres east of Antalya on the Mediterranean coast. From the UK you fly direct into either Antalya (AYT, around 4h10 from London) or Gazipasa (GZP, the small regional airport just 40 minutes from central Alanya). The AYT transfer takes around two hours along a fast coastal motorway; the GZP transfer is roughly 40 minutes. We always pre-book a private meet-and-greet driver inside the package.
Is Alanya safe for British holidaymakers in 2026?
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Yes. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to advise normal travel to the Mediterranean coast and Alanya is one of the most tourist-experienced resorts in Turkey. The town has English-speaking pharmacies, a well-equipped private hospital (Anadolu) and a dedicated tourist police office near the harbour. The seafront is well lit and family-friendly into the late evening; we brief every client on quiet bazaar routes and reputable taxi ranks.
Which beach in Alanya is best for families?
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Cleopatra Beach on the western side of the headland is the most popular choice for British families. The sand is fine and pale, the water shelves gradually for the first fifty metres and lifeguards are present in summer. Keykubat Beach east of the harbour is longer and quieter, while families staying in Mahmutlar use the well-organised Damlatas section. We match the hotel to the beach character that suits your group.
What is the difference between Alanya, Mahmutlar and Konakli?
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Alanya is the historic centre with the castle, harbour and Cleopatra Beach. Mahmutlar, eight kilometres east, is a quieter long beach with newer apartment-style hotels and a strong British and Scandinavian repeat clientele. Konakli, twelve kilometres west, is the classic family-resort strip with all-inclusive properties and shallower bathing. We pick the right base depending on your travelling group and budget.
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