10 Things to Do in Alanya: Which One Is for Whom?
10 things to do in Alanya: castle, Damlataş, boat trip, canyon, safari, hammam and more. We walk you through which to choose at the end of October and early November, question by question.
The 10 things to do in Alanya are: Alanya Castle, Damlataş Cave, Cleopatra Beach, boat trip, Green Canyon, Sapadere Canyon, jeep or quad safari, tandem paragliding, hammam, and a day trip to Side–Manavgat. Spreading all of them over a week is the most comfortable option. At the end of October and early November, days get shorter and the schedules of some boat 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 you start on the first day?
Start with the castle, because it is the best viewpoint in the city and the other two stops are nearby. Alanya Castle was built in the 13th century by 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 takes the cable car up and goes down to Damlataş Cave brings these three stops together on one route: Alanya Castle Damlataş Cave and City Tour by Cable Car. Cleopatra Beach, west of the castle, is the natural continuation of the route. In autumn the weather is usually suitable for walking and a beach break, but still check the weather forecast before you set out. Opening hours of the castle and the cave vary by season, so check before your visit.
Boat trip or Green Canyon?
If you only want to be on the sea, choose a boat trip; if you want to see both land and water in the same day, Green Canyon is more suitable. Most boat tours in Alanya leave from the harbor and include swimming stops in coves.
- Catamaran tour: Lasts about 4.5 hours. Caves and coves, lunch and soft drinks are part of the program: Alanya: Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Soft Drinks.
- Green Canyon tour: Lasts about 7.5 hours. Includes a cabrio 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 be cooler. A spare T-shirt and 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 cave and canyon visit. 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.
If you head west, toward Manavgat and Side, you can see 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 options. On safaris the route passes along mountain roads and the riverside. Some tours include a water fight stop, so be prepared to get wet. Paragliding flies over Cleopatra Beach and depends on the wind; flights may be postponed depending on the weather.
For those who enjoy the evening crowds, there is also a night jeep safari. In November evenings get dark early, so bring a light jacket.
How do you shake off tiredness?
At the hammam. A scrub and foam massage takes about one and a half to two hours and is a good choice the day after a beach or safari day. In Alanya there are also hammam options for women only. If your plans are disrupted by a rainy day, the hammam also works as a backup plan.
How should you arrange the schedule at the end of October?
The short-day rule is simple: put outdoor activities before noon and the hammam and dinner in the evening. This 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 hammam
If the weather turns bad, you can move the sea days forward and bring the castle and hammam earlier.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for all 10 things in Alanya?
For a comfortable pace, 4–5 days is enough. The castle, Damlataş and Cleopatra Beach fit into one day; boat trips, canyons and day trips each need a separate day.
Do boat tours run in early November?
Schedules may change toward the end of the season, and weather conditions are decisive. Check the current information on the tour page.
Is hotel pickup included in the tours?
Many tours offer hotel pickup. Check the tour page in the catalog for your own area.
What should I wear for the Green Canyon tour?
Quick-drying clothes, a swimsuit and a spare T-shirt are a good idea since you may get wet. Bring a light top in autumn as well.
