Alanya

A castle on a rocky headland, long sandy beaches and a working harbor make Alanya a straightforward choice for a sun-and-sea holiday on Türkiye's Mediterranean coast.

Find a room in Alanya Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Alanya

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Alanya is a resort town on Türkiye's Mediterranean coast, in Antalya Province, and most visitors come for the sea and the castle. The old town, Kaleiçi, sits on a rocky headland that runs out into the water. The Seljuk-era castle on top of it is the first landmark most people see from a boat. Below the headland, the harbor is still a working waterfront, with boats, cafes and a walk along the shore. The Red Tower by the harbor dates from the Seljuk period.

Most people come for the beaches. Cleopatra Beach lies at the foot of the old town, close to Damlataş Cave, and sandy shores run east along the bay. Summer is hot and busy, so late spring and early autumn suit a sea-and-sights trip best. Two to four days covers the castle, the harbor and a beach day. A longer stay fits a slower beach holiday or a few day trips along the coast.

Alanya in five

Climb to Alanya Castle earlyThe ministry lists the castle open daily, 8:00 to 18:30, with the ticket office closing at 18:00, and the climb is exposed. In July and August go at opening, then swim.
Skip the Mediterranean pass unless you add sitesThe ministry's Mediterranean MuseumPass covers Alanya Castle and sites in Antalya, Mersin, Adana and Denizli. It only pays off if you add several of Perge, Aspendos, Termessos or Myra; otherwise buy single tickets.Mediterranean pass
Choose your side of town before you bookThe harbor and castle side is walkable with restaurants and boats. Cleopatra Beach is the main sand stretch. The long strip east has apartments and supermarkets, but you will rely on buses and taxis.
Land at Antalya, or check GazipaşaAntalya (AYT) has the widest flight choice and is roughly two hours away by road. Gazipaşa-Alanya (GZP) is much closer but has a smaller schedule, so compare the transfer before you pick the flight.

Things to do in Alanya

See all attractions in Alanya

Stone fortress and arched shipyard on a coastal cliff

Historic site · AlanyaArmoury

Castle · AlanyaEhmedek Kalesi

Museum · AlanyaAlanya Archaeological Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to AlanyaPut the places you like in Alanya on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Gazipaşa-Alanya (GZP) is close; Antalya (AYT) has more flights
Getting there: About 2 hours by road from Antalya airport
Getting around: Dolmuş minibuses on the coast road; the harbor is walkable
Best base: Harbor and castle side, or Cleopatra Beach
Time needed: 3 to 5 days on a beach trip

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Mild, wet
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Mild, wet
MarchClear10 rainy daysHigh17°Low14°Mild
AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Warm
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Warm, sea cool
JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Hot, beach
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low27°Very hot
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Very hot
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Hot, warm sea
OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Warm, sea warm
NovemberClear10 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Mild
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low14°Mild, wet

Average daily high and low in Alanya, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Alanya

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 20°
Humidity: 74%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 23%

Alanya

11:48 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+3

Today25°18°23%Monday: Rain. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 23%.
Tue22°18°35%Tuesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 35%.
Wed22°17°63%Wednesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 63%.
Thu23°15°4%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 4%.
Fri22°17°3%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sat20°14°2%Saturday: Clear. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sun20°13°5%Sunday: Clear. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 5%.

Updated 09:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.94 TRY

Amount

Converted to

TRY · Turkish Lira

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Sideabout 1 hour by car or minibusRoman theater and a seaside temple, west along the coast.Read the guide
Perge and Aspendosabout 2 hours by car via AntalyaTwo large Roman sites, both listed by the ministry as open daily from 8:00 to 19:00.
Antalyaabout 2 hours by roadThe old Kaleiçi quarter, a museum and city beaches.Read the guide

Before you go to Alanya

Hotels by the harbor or the beachPick the side of Alanya firstCheck availability

Boat trips and castle toursSea days and sights in one bookingCompare day trips

eSIM for AlanyaMaps and dolmuş routes on arrivalRead the guide

Insurance for TürkiyeHeat and wildfire-season coverRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Alanya, checked

Alanya Castle is listed open daily, 8:00 to 18:30, with the ticket office closing at 18:00; the ministry sometimes closes it early for events.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
MuseumPass The Mediterranean: €90 for 7 days, covers Alanya Castle and sites in Antalya, Mersin, Adana and Denizli. Not valid at night museums.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Alanya

Antalya travel guide

Old town, beaches and Perge and Aspendos nearby

Read the guide Side

Theater and Apollo temple, an hour west along the coast

Read the guide Türkiye e-Visa

Check whether your passport needs one

Read the guide Getting around Türkiye

Flights, buses and rail between regions

Read the guide Travel insurance

Medical cover for heat and wildfire season

Read the guide All of Türkiye

Cities, coasts and entry basics for a Türkiye trip

Read the guide

Alanya FAQ

Is Alanya worth visiting?

Yes for a beach week with a castle, a harbor and easy day trips. Skip it if you want quiet coves or a walkable old town: the resort sprawl is long, and most beaches sit along a busy coast road.

How many days do you need in Alanya?

Three to five days. One day covers the castle and the harbor, and the rest is beach time and a day trip to Side or the Roman sites near Antalya.

Where should I stay in Alanya?

Stay on the harbor and castle side for walking and dinners, near Cleopatra Beach for sand, or in the eastern strip for apartments and lower prices. Each base trades convenience against beach access.

How do you get from Antalya airport to Alanya?

By pre-booked transfer, taxi, rental car or intercity bus, all of which take roughly two hours. Gazipaşa-Alanya airport is a shorter transfer if your flight uses it.

When is the best time to visit Alanya?

May, June, September and October are warm for swimming without the peak heat. July and August are hot and busy, and the sea is coolest in April.