Alanya Day Trip from Side: Distance, Duration and Route Plan
Alanya day trip from Side: distance between the two cities, journey time, castle, boat and canyon route options and booking tips.
A day trip from Side to Alanya is possible. The two places are roughly 60–70 km apart, and depending on traffic and pick-up point the journey takes about one to one and a half hours. The most comfortable Alanya day trip from Side is to dedicate the day to one main activity: a boat trip, the Sapadere Canyon, or the evening castle tour.
How many km is it from Side to Alanya, and how long does the journey take?
The distance between Side and Alanya along the coastal road is about 60–70 km. The journey time varies with traffic around Manavgat and your starting point. On busy summer days it is wise to allow a little extra time for the road. Roads are generally more relaxed in October.
The distance between Antalya and Alanya is about 120–135 km, and the journey usually takes around two hours. Side lies between these two cities. Anyone coming from Antalya will travel about an hour more to reach Alanya from Side. For exact times, check current traffic on your map app before setting off.
How do you get from Side to Alanya for a day trip?
There are three options:
- Organised tour or transfer: The easiest choice for those who prefer not to change transport. However, be sure to check that the tour page lists Side as a pick-up area. If it does not, ask the agency when booking.
- Bus and dolmuş: Usually you travel from Side to Manavgat, then change there for Alanya. Departure times can change, so find out the last return time in advance.
- Hire car or taxi: You set your own schedule. If you will be tired after returning from Alanya at the end of the day, take this into account.
We also have a separate guide that explains transport in detail. The real question here is what you will do in Alanya that day.
What can you do in Alanya in one day? Three routes
Castle and coves from the sea
You see Alanya best from the sea. The castle, the shipyard and the coves along the shore are far clearer from a boat than from land. Alanya : Relaxing Cruise With Transfer leaves the harbour on a two-deck boat and lasts about 5 hours. Transfer is included. Alanya: Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Soft Drinks is a catamaran tour. It lasts about 4.5 hours, the route calls at caves and coves, and lunch and soft drinks are included. If you want a calmer boat with a spacious deck, consider the first; if you want to focus on swimming in the coves, consider the second.
A day in the mountains: Sapadere Canyon
If you want to get away from the crowds, Alanya: Sapadere Canyon Tour with Lunch and Cave Visit is a good choice. On this roughly 6-hour tour you climb into the Taurus Mountains through banana and avocado orchards. You stop at a historic stone bridge and a traditional gözleme break, then visit the canyon and a cave. Lunch is included. Bring walking shoes or footwear that can get wet.
Evening: castle road, boat and dinner
If you would rather move your day into the evening, there is Alanya: Night Jeep Safari, Boat Trip and Dinner. The tour starts at 18:30 and lasts about 5 hours. In Land Rover Defender vehicles you travel along the coast road from Damlataş and Cleopatra Beach to the western entrance of Alanya Castle, followed by a boat trip and dinner. If you are staying in Side, plan your return time from the outset, as you will be travelling back at night.
Which tour suits those staying in Side?
If you want a short, relaxed day, boat tours are the least tiring. If you love nature, Sapadere offers a fuller day. Choose the evening tour only if you have already worked out your return journey.
Before booking, clarify these three things:
- Pick-up point: whether you will be collected from your hotel in Side or need to go to a meeting point
- Start time and total duration, meaning how many hours the day will take including travel
- Return arrangement: how you will get back to Side after the tour
If this information is not on the tour page, you can ask the local agency when booking through TurB2C.
What should you consider for a day trip to Alanya in October?
In mid-October the sea is still suitable for swimming in most years, but evenings turn cool and the day gets dark early. A thin top is useful on the boat, and a spare set of clothes is handy for the canyon. Weather and sea conditions can affect boat schedules. Check tour times and current conditions before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How many km is it between Side and Alanya?
About 60–70 km. Depending on traffic and starting point, the journey takes roughly one to one and a half hours.
How many km is it between Antalya and Alanya, and how long does it take?
About 120–135 km. In normal traffic it takes around two hours. Side lies roughly midway along this road.
Is one day enough for a day trip from Side to Alanya?
Yes, if you choose one main activity. A boat or Sapadere tour starts in the morning and ends in the afternoon. It is better not to try to fit more than one long tour into the same day.
Can I book if the tour page does not mention Side?
You can, but first confirm the pick-up point with the agency. Some of the tours in the catalogue are planned for pick-up from hotels in Alanya. Joining from Side may not be possible, so it is necessary to clarify this before booking.
