Rainy Day Things to Do 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 hammam, Damlataş Cave and the castle tour.
The first things to do on a rainy day in Alanya are the hammam, Damlataş Cave and the museums. Showers usually last a few hours, so instead of cancelling the whole day, it is enough to shift the plan to indoor places. Below I explain how to set up this plan for someone visiting Alanya for the first time with limited holiday days.
Will rain really spoil my holiday?
Most of the time, it won't. Summers in Alanya are dry. Rainfall generally increases from late autumn towards spring and is heaviest in the winter months. Late October and November are transition periods: short showers can appear 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 situation stated 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 quiet down, and you can wander without waiting in line.
Where to go during a shower?
In a short holiday, what will annoy you most is a wasted half day. To prevent this, consider three different types of plans: warm and relaxing, semi-indoor sightseeing, and a completely calm break.
Warm and relaxing: hammam
When it is cool outside, a hammam is the most sensible choice. The sauna, warm marble and the scrub-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 hammam and spa programme with transfer from your hotel. For women 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.
Semi-indoor sightseeing: 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 an approximately 4-hour city tour where you ride the cable car up to Alanya Castle, see the Red Tower and the shipyard, then stop at Damlataş Cave. The castle walls and shipyard are outdoors, so it is better to go when the rain has stopped or is at drizzle level. Wear non-slip shoes for wet stone ground.
On days with heavy rain and wind, the programme may change. Ask the agency for its current status before booking.
Calm break: museum and café
Alanya's museums (for example, the Alanya Museum) are suitable for an hour of free time on a rainy day. Opening hours and closed days may change, so check before you go. After the museum, you can wait for the rain to ease with tea or Turkish coffee at a café around the harbour. Tables by the glass facing the sea offer a nice view even on a rainy day.
How to plan and book for a rainy day?
If your holiday is short, don't leave everything to the last moment. A few practical tips:
- Check the weather and decide one day in advance; an indoor 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 reverse: check the weather forecast first.
- Read the cancellation and date change conditions in the booking. The programme may shift due to weather.
- Choosing tours with hotel transfer saves you from walking in the rain and looking for a taxi.
Which activities should be postponed in the rain?
Outdoor activities such as boat tours, paragliding, quad and jeep safari can be postponed in rain and strong wind. Leave a gap in the later days of your holiday for these. The agency running the activity decides according to weather conditions; ask in advance about the possibility of changing the date.
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 shipyard are outdoors, so walking around during a shower is not enjoyable. You can go when the rain has stopped or is 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 with hotel transfer fills the afternoon. The cave and the 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 agency for its answer in writing.
