"Magnificent Alanya" Top 5 Page for this destination Alanya by H-TownJourneyman

Alanya Travel Guide: 424 reviews and 902 photos

View of the sunset from Alanya Fortress - AMAZING!

Alanya , the beautiful seaside town located in southern Anatolia, is magnificently situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains. The lovely setting has been attracting people to this area for centuries, and has become in recent years a popular tourist destination for Europeans. What's not to like? Comfortable climate, excellent beaches, great restaurants & nightlife, and a rich history; sounds like a winning combination to me! :)

Alanya Past

Alanya Fortress and the Mediterranean

The area where Alanya now resides has been inhabited for thousands of years, but was first established as a city named Coracesium after the region was conquered by Alexander The Great in the 4th century B.C. Over the years, the city has passed through the hands of many empires and controlling powers - Persians, Romans, Byzantines, even Mediterranean pirates.
In 1220 the city was captured by Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat, who named the city Alaiye (later Alanya) in honor of, who else but himself! :) Alanya served as the winter capital for the Seljuks, who built many of the fortifications and historical structures which are still very well preserved to this day.
After the decline of the Seljuks, the Ottomans eventually took control of the city in 1471, and remained in control until the demise of the empire and the establishment of the Turkish republic in 1923. Mid-way through the 20th century, tourism began to increase, first with Turks from other regions, and later with visitors from other nations.

Alanya Present

Alanya Harbor

Modern Alanya is a welcoming Anatolian town with a population of 260,000. Over 1 million tourists visit the city every year, yet it is not a "touristy-town" in the sense of being overrun by mega-resorts and hotel chains. It still has a small town essence with extremely friendly and hospitable people, while catering to visitors, both young and old, who seek a wide variety of vacation options. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach in the sun, a tour of historical sites, or venues to party into the night, Alanya offers it. I had one of my best vacation experiences during my stay here. It is truly a magnificent place!

Last visit to Alanya: Oct 2005
Intro Updated Nov 7, 2006
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Reviews (12)

Atatürk Statue Things to Do (8)

Now Alanya just wouldn't be a Turkish town without having a statue of the father of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal... more travel advice

Keykubat Beach Things to Do (8)

Keykubat beach, named for the Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat who seized control of Alanya in 1221, is located just east... more travel advice

Alanya Harbor Things to Do (8)

The harbor of Alanya, the backbone of the seaside town, is the reason why people have been drawn to this area for... more travel advice

Alanya Harbor Dockyards Things to Do (8)

The Alanya Dockyards, located next to the Red Tower in the harbor, was constructed by the Seljuks in 1228, under the... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Great Hotel, Right On The Beach!
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Comments (4)

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hunterV Dec 18, 2008 at 7:56 AM

Good for you! It's a nice destination indeed!
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black_mimi99 Feb 8, 2007 at 3:42 AM

wowwwwww.... u have a great pic Josh... nake me jealous...:) Nice city...Mi's
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matcrazy1 Jan 6, 2007 at 2:35 AM

Very good and accurate tips. Thanks for refreshing my great memories from Alanya.
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b1bob Nov 9, 2006 at 9:17 PM

It's an honour to rate this one first. Thank you for sharing.