Travel Guide Alanya

The city of Alanya is located 166 km east of Antalya. It is the last city of the so-called Turkish Riviera. With its turquoise beaches and its imposing fortress, it could be a privileged resort if the promoters of mass tourism had not left their destructive mark. Nevertheless, Alanya is a pleasant city for a stopover or an all-night party. The city offers huge open-air discos. It is also known for its annual beach volleyball tournament. In summer, local and foreign tourists invade its long sandy beaches lined with hotels. Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen, is said to have bathed on one of them and gave it her name. You can end your visit with a ride on a fisherman's boat and admire from the sea the beautiful views of the promontory and the fortifications. Thanks to its climate, the autumn and winter seasons are very pleasant for visitors looking for more tranquility. Founded by Greek settlers in the 2nd century B.C., it served as a base for pirates who terrorized the coast. The Romans decided to fight them, and Pompey destroyed their fleet in a naval battle (67 BC). In 44, Mark Antony made a gift of the city to Cleopatra. In 1221, the Byzantine city, occupied by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubad, took its current name.