10 Things to Do in Alanya: Which One Is for Whom?
10 things to do in Alanya: the castle, Damlataş, a boat trip, a canyon, safari, a hammam and more. We walk you through how to choose between them, question by question, for late October and early November.
The 10 things to do in Alanya are: Alanya Castle, Damlataş Cave, Cleopatra Beach, a boat trip, Green Canyon, Sapadere Canyon, a jeep or quad safari, tandem paragliding, a hammam and a Side–Manavgat day trip. Spreading them over a week is the most comfortable option. In late October and early November the days get shorter and the schedules of some sea tours are adjusted for the end of the season, so the order changes a little. Below we cover each item, along with the question it answers.
Where should I start on the first day?
Start with the castle, because it is the city's best viewpoint and the other two stops are close by. Alanya Castle was commissioned in the 13th century by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad. You can walk along the walls and see the Red Tower and the shipyard.
A city tour of about 4 hours that goes up by cable car and descends into Damlataş Cave brings these three stops together on one route: Alanya Castle Damlataş Cave and City Tour by Cable Car. Cleopatra Beach, to the west of the castle, is the natural continuation of the route. In autumn the weather is generally pleasant for walking and a beach break, but still check the weather forecast before you set out. Opening hours of the castle and the cave change with the season, so check before your visit.
Boat trip or Green Canyon?
If you simply want to be out on the sea, choose a boat trip; if you want to see both land and water on the same day, Green Canyon is the better fit. Most boat trips in Alanya leave from the harbour and stop at coves for a swim.
- Catamaran trip: Takes about 4.5 hours. Caves and coves, lunch and soft drinks are included: Alanya: Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Soft Drinks.
- Green Canyon trip: Takes about 7.5 hours. Includes a convertible safari, lunch and a mud bath on the boat: Alanya: Green Canyon Boat Tour with Cabrio Safari and Lunch.
In November the water and wind can turn cooler. A spare T-shirt and a towel will come in handy.
Which places outside the city are worth it?
The Sapadere Canyon, stretching into the Taurus Mountains, is among the best. The road passes through banana and avocado orchards. The tour stops at a stone bridge and a traditional gözleme break, followed by a visit to the cave and canyon. It takes the whole day, about 6 hours: Alanya: Sapadere Canyon Tour with Lunch and Cave Visit. If you want a wooded day away from the crowds, choose this tour.
Heading west towards Manavgat and Side, you can see the Manavgat Waterfall and the Roman ruins of Side on the same day. From Alanya this route takes half a day or a full day.
What to do for adrenaline?
A jeep or quad safari in the mountains and tandem paragliding on the coast are good choices. On safaris the route runs along mountain tracks and past the riverbank. Some tours include a water fight stop, so be prepared to get wet. Paragliding flies over Cleopatra Beach and depends on the wind; flights can be postponed depending on the weather.
For those who enjoy the evening crowds there is also a night jeep safari. Since evenings get dark early in November, bring a light jacket.
How do I shake off tiredness?
At the hammam. A scrub and foam massage takes about one and a half to two hours and works well the day after a beach or safari day. Alanya also has women-only hammam options. On a rainy day, if your plans fall through, the hammam also works as a backup plan.
How should I arrange the order in late October?
The short-day rule is simple: put outdoor activities before noon and the hammam and dinner in the evening. The following sequence works well:
- Day 1: castle, Damlataş, Cleopatra Beach
- Day 2: boat trip or Green Canyon
- Day 3: Sapadere
- Day 4: safari or paragliding
- Day 5: Side and Manavgat, then the hammam
If the weather turns, you can move the sea days forward and bring the castle and the hammam earlier.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to do all 10 things in Alanya?
For a comfortable pace, 4–5 days is enough. The castle, Damlataş and Cleopatra Beach fit into a single day; the boat trip, canyon and day trips each need a day of their own.
Do boat trips run in early November?
Schedules may change towards the end of the season and weather conditions are decisive. Check the current information on the tour page.
Do the tours include hotel pick-up?
Many tours offer hotel pick-up. Check the tour page in the catalogue for your own area.
What should I wear on the Green Canyon tour?
Since you may get wet, quick-drying clothing, a swimsuit and a spare T-shirt are a good idea. In autumn, bring a light top as well.
