Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Alanya: For First-Time Visitors
What to do if it rains in Alanya? A practical plan for a rainy day for first-time visitors, with a Turkish bath, Damlataş Cave and a castle tour.
The top things to do on a rainy day in Alanya are the Turkish bath, Damlataş Cave and the museums. Showers usually last a few hours, so rather than cancelling the whole day, it is enough to move your plans indoors. Below, I explain how to set up this plan for someone visiting Alanya for the first time with a limited number of holiday days.
Will rain really spoil my holiday?
Most of the time, no. Summers in Alanya are dry. Rainfall generally increases from late autumn to spring and is heaviest in the winter months. Late October and November are a transitional period: short showers can come between sunny days. If you are reading this, you are most likely in exactly that period.
For detailed temperature and sea water information by month, check the current weather forecast a few days before your visit. A general picture for a month does not guarantee a particular day.
The biggest advantage of a rainy day is the absence of summer crowds. The castle road and the bazaar quieten down, and you can wander around without queuing.
Where to go during a shower?
The thing that will frustrate you most on a short holiday is a wasted half-day. To avoid this, consider three different types of plan: warm and relaxing, partly indoors sightseeing, and a completely calm break.
Warm and relaxing: the hammam
When it is cool outside, the hammam is the most sensible choice. The sauna, warm marble and the kese-and-foam ritual take about two hours, which comfortably fills the afternoon. Alanya: Turkish bath Hamam & Spa Experience w/ Transfer is a 2-hour Alanya hamam and spa programme with transfer from your hotel. For female travellers who want to experience the programme in a calm atmosphere, Alanya : Women-Only Turkish Bath / Spa Experience with Hotel Transfer is an option exclusively for women, lasting about 2.5 hours, and includes hotel transfer.
If you are going to a hammam for the first time, bringing a swimsuit or bikini is enough. Check details such as towels on the booking page.
Partly indoors: Damlataş Cave and the castle
The cave is not affected by rain; wandering inside keeps you dry. Alanya Castle, Damlataş Cave and City Tour by Cable Car is a roughly 4-hour city tour where you take the cable car up to Alanya Castle to see the Red Tower and the shipyard, then stop at Damlataş Cave. The castle walls and the shipyard are outdoors, so it is better to go once the rain has stopped or when it is only drizzling. Wear non-slip shoes on wet stone floors.
On days with heavy rain and wind, the programme may change. Ask the operator for its current status before booking.
Calm break: museum and café
Museums in Alanya (for example, Alanya Museum) are suitable for an hour of free time on a rainy day. Check opening hours and closing days before you go, as these may change. After the museum, you can wait for the rain to ease with a tea or Turkish coffee at a café around the harbour. Window tables facing the sea offer a lovely view even on a rainy day.
How should I plan and book for a rainy day?
If your holiday is short, do not leave everything until the last moment. A few practical suggestions:
- Check the weather and decide one day in advance; a closed programme such as the hammam can easily be moved to a rainy day.
- If it is raining in the morning, schedule the castle tour for the afternoon and the hammam for the morning. Or the other way round: check the weather forecast first.
- Read the cancellation and date-change conditions when booking. The programme may shift because of the weather.
- Choosing tours with hotel transfer saves you from walking in the rain and hunting for a taxi.
Which outdoor activities should be postponed in the rain?
Outdoor activities such as boat trips, paragliding, quad biking and jeep safaris can be postponed in rain and strong wind. Leave a gap in the later days of your holiday for these. The operator running the activity makes the decision based on weather conditions; ask about the option to change the date in advance.
Weather also matters for evening programmes. For outdoor shows on a rainy evening, find out the current status from where you made the booking.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the castle if it rains in Alanya?
The castle walls and the shipyard are outdoors, so touring them during a downpour is not enjoyable. You can go once the rain has stopped or when it is only drizzling lightly; wear non-slip shoes.
What is the best indoor activity on a rainy day?
The hammam is the most comfortable option; its two-hour programme, together with hotel transfer, fills the afternoon. The cave and museum also keep you dry.
In which months does it rain most in Alanya?
Rainfall usually lasts from late autumn to spring and is heaviest in the winter months. Rain is rare in the summer months. As your travel date approaches, check the current forecast.
What happens if my tour is cancelled because of rain?
This depends on the tour and the weather. Before booking, read the cancellation and date-change conditions; if you are unsure, ask the operator for its response in writing.
