Life in Alanya
Alanya offers both traditional Turkish culture as well as modern facilities. There are many international restaurants, fast-food chains, a dazzling nightlife, shopping centres, cinemas and sports facilities. All year round golf courses can be found in Belek, a one hour drive from Alanya.

The impressive Seljuk fortress, dating from the 13th Century, is a constant reminder of a historical past in this nowadays contemporary city. With beautiful beaches, optimal weather conditions all year round and modern hospital facilities, Alanya has become home to many foreigners.

The Citadel of Alanya

Its construction dates from the Hellenistic period but the castle gained its fascinating and monumental form during the Seljuk Empire. The citadel was constructed during the reign of the Sultan of Seljuks, Alaaddin Keykubat, who conquered the city in 1221. As an open air museum it reflects Seljuk art at its best. The citadel has a surrounding wall of 6.5 km length with 83 towers and 140 bastions. Nearly 400 cisterns were built to supply the city in the medieval times with water.

The settlement in the castle still continues today. In front of wooden and stone brick houses, silk and cotton are woven, calabash figures are painted and authentic food is served in little gardens.

The Red Tower

This octagonal shaped building has been erected in 1226 for military and naval control purposes. It is one of the unique monuments left from the Seljuk era and it is the symbol of Alanya. The first floor of the building functions as an ethnographical museum.

Dockyard

The dockyard stems from 1227 and its construction was ordered by Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat. The yard is 56.5 meters long and 44 meters deep and has five arches facing the sea. The dockyard can be reached by boat and by foot.

Museums

The archaeological museum displays many historic artefacts dating all the way back to the Phrygians. The museum also gives a good ethnographic impression of early life in Alanya.
Another good impression of life in Alanya can be perceived in the Atatürk Museum. The founder of Turkey spent a day in this beautiful house and some personal belongings, photographs and historical documents are on display.

Damlataş Cave

The Damlataş cave at the foot of the promontory was discovered in 1948 during infrastructure works. The cave has beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations that are thousands of years old. The constant temperature and the high levels of carbon dioxide are very beneficial for asthmatic patients and the early hours of the day are reserved for patients undergoing treatment.

DİmÇay River

The river springs in the Taurus Mountains and flows into the Mediterranean Sea, east of Alanya. The authentic restaurants along the river prepare delicious meals with grilled trout as a speciality. You can sit with your feet in the crystal clear water or you can recline on the Ottoman style cushions.

Hamam

This is a traditional Turkish Bath where you can enjoy a cleansing and relaxing treatment. There are several good hamams in Alanya and visiting one of them is a special part of experiencing Turkey

Sports Events

Every year Alanya hosts several major international sports events: a triathlon, a mountain bike run, street handball and beach volley tournaments. Competitors from all over Europe come to Alanya to participate in these events.