Alanya, a bustling coastal Mediterranean gem, is one of the most popular choices for visitors to this spectacular region. People from all over the world come for the stunning beaches, the extensive cultural attractions, and the opportunities to explore the surrounding landscape of the Taurus Mountains. The town’s natural beauty and historical importance has seen it nominated for World Heritage status, with the first traces of human life dated back to 20,000 BC. If you really want to get to know this fascinating place, a visit to Alanya, whether fleeting or longer, should always include three very different views.
Contents:
- Three Views of Alanya
- Around the Old Town
- Inside the Cave
- Up in the Mountains
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
Three Views of Alanya
With inspirations and traces of its storied past wherever you turn in this lively resort, it doesn’t take long to realise it’s not your everyday seaside getaway. Over the past twenty years or so, it’s become extremely popular as a tourist destination, but even the ensuing development hasn’t taken away from the feeling that there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye if one cares to dig a little deeper. The best way to do that is to get a balanced overview of the town and surroundings, rather than simply sitting in the sun and discovering the local cuisine — although that can be quite tempting!
Here are three different “views” of Alanya to explore.
Around the Old Town
The logical place to start is in the Old Town, a hilltop site presided over by Alanya Castle. It’s a relatively easy walk up from the harbour through the gate and right into a living history lesson. As you wander you’ll pass along narrow cobbled streets lined with houses (where locals still live), hamams, and a host of ancient Byzantine and Ottoman architecture.
Apart from the magnificent castle itself (there’s a small charge to enter), the Sultan Suleiman mosque is another highlight of the Old Town, with its impressive tower and ornately detailed interiors. You should also keep an eye out for the numerous underground cisterns, which were vital to the storage of water in times gone by. Today you can visit their cool, arched interiors and marvel at the feat of engineering.
Finally, a visit to the Archaeological Museum is a must for anyone interested in learning more about the region’s rich history and examining the well-curated exhibits of ancient artefacts.
Top tip: The best views are from the castle’s terraces — the panorama of ocean, town, and mountains is simply spectacular.
Inside the Cave
Just five minutes from the town centre is one of its most prized attractions — the Damlatas Cave. The great news is that you actually get two different views for the price of one, as the entrance to the cave is right next to the beautiful Damlatas Beach.
Discovered in 1948 during construction work on the harbour, the Damlatas Cave quickly gained renown for its magnificent interiors. Adorned with a jaw-dropping array of stalagmites and stalactites, it’s an amazing sight — and the cool, pristine air inside is a striking and sudden change from the sunny coastal scene just metres away. (Due to the purity of the air, it is widely believed being inside the cave is beneficial for asthma sufferers.)
The formations within the cave (comprising mineral deposits and precipitation) are thought to be thousands of years old, and it’s hard not to be awestruck as you wander around the specially built walkways and platforms. The cave benefits from the considered artificial lighting, which adds to the eerie, hallowed ambience.
Up in the Mountains
From its location at the foot of the mighty Taurus Mountains, Alanya is the perfect base from which to explore the magnificent landscape. There are numerous options to get you out and about in the mountains, depending on your level of fitness and how much you want to experience.
One very popular adventure is to join a full day hiking tour, where you’ll make your way through the stunningly diverse terrain on picturesque routes with a knowledgeable local guide. There are various different versions of tours from which to choose, and some can even be customised to your own itinerary.
Another way to explore the mountains is on a Jeep safari tour, which gives you a different kind of adventure fuelled by adrenaline rather than foot power! You’ll pass through magnificent canyons and valleys, local villages, and the breathtaking surrounds of Dim River and Dim Cave.
Even if you’ve only got a short time in Alanya, these three different views are accessible to almost everyone. Experience these and you’ll feel like you’ve done more than simply scratched the surface. Then again, in Turkey, there’s always another view to discover…
Where to Stay
Day One Beach Resort & Spa (Adults Only): Enjoy the peace and tranquility you deserve on your Mediterranean holiday in this adults only resort set in a prime beachfront location. Make use of the resort’s private beach, along with a plethora of indulgent treatments in the spa, and a fitness centre, infinity pool, restaurants and bar. The spacious rooms are tastefully furnished and have balconies to take in the spectacular ocean views.
Aria Riva Apart Hotel: Set in a fabulous central location with everything on the doorstep, this high-end contemporary accommodation offers a luxury stay in the heart of Alanya. With beachfront access and a host of onsite amenities including a pool, restaurant, spa, steam room and fitness centre, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The large self-contained rooms provide options for cooking, relaxing and enjoying the views from the balcony. Stay in absolute comfort with nothing left to desire.
La Gaia, Adults Only: With a stunning panorama of mountains, palm trees and the beautiful ocean, this quality accommodation is situated just 100m from the beach and even less to Damlatas Cave. The generous rooms are decorated in a warm, contemporary style, with luxury amenities and dreamy bed linen. Onsite facilities include a fantastic restaurant, or you can wander two minutes up the road to a host of local eateries. A stunning home from home to enjoy in Alanya.
How to Get There
Getting to your holiday in Alanya from the UK is as hassle-free as the destination itself, with a flight time of around 4.5 hours. The most convenient place to fly into is Antalya Airport (AYT), which has the most flights offered by a range of operators, including British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Tui, and others.
Once you land, the best way to get you the rest of the way to begin your holiday is to pre-book an airport transfer with Shuttle Direct from Antalya Airport to Alanya to arrive in the fastest possible time. You can book a comfortable shared shuttle ride, a local taxi, a minibus (great for groups) or a high-end luxury private transfer.
Overview
UK to AYT Flight Time: 4 hours, 26 mins approx.
AYT to Alanya: 134 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 1 hour, 47 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Not everyone’s travel arrangements are straightforward and we all have different priorities. Here at Shuttle Direct, not only are we known for our great communication and easy booking system, we also understand the importance of getting exactly what you want when planning a holiday. That’s why we offer various options to get you from Antalya Airport to Alanya.
Shuttle Bus: If you don’t mind travelling with other passengers in order to save money, one of our convenient, budget-friendly shared shuttle buses may be right for your Alanya transfers. After you leave the terminal, you’ll meet your friendly driver and vehicle at a designated place then travel to a central drop-off point in town convenient to your accommodation. This is a popular and very affordable option.
Taxi: For those who prefer to travel alone but don’t want to pay through the nose, pre-booking a local taxi with Shuttle Direct is the answer. As soon as you land, your driver will be waiting to whisk you right to the door of your accommodation while everyone else is still standing in the taxi queue. A convenient and cost-effective combination to get you from Antalya to Alanya.
Private Transfer: If it’s luxury all the way for you, and you don’t mind paying for it, then one of our private transfers is the answer. A professional driver will meet you inside the terminal then escort you to a comfortable vehicle and take you to the doorstep of your accommodation in the fastest possible way. Alanya transfers in a private luxury vehicle will get you there in the ultimate style.
Minibus Transfer: Travelling with a large family or group of friends? Logistics are not a problem if you pre-book a Shuttle Direct minibus transfer from Antalya Airport to Alanya. The large capacity vehicle means that multiple people and their luggage can all travel together, and because the service is door-to-door, your arrangements couldn’t be easier.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Choosing the best Antalya Airport to Alanya transfer can be confusing, but at Shuttle Direct we aim to make it as easy as possible with multiple options. In order to find the one that suits you, we suggest you weigh up the two components of cost and convenience and decide which one you’d prefer to prioritise.
Cost: If you’re keen on sticking to a budget and you don’t mind sharing your Alanya transfer with other travellers, one of our reliable modern shuttle buses will suit you. While the service isn’t door-to-door, you’ll meet at a designated spot at the airport and travel to a convenient central drop-off point. Even though this is the most cost-effective option, you won’t have to compromise on comfort, safety, or friendly service.
Convenience: But if door-to-door is a must and you don’t mind paying for a little luxury, choose a pre-booked local taxi or one of our private transfers from Antalya to Alanya. While they are more expensive than a shared service, you’ll enjoy the convenience of having the ride all to yourself. Start and end your holiday in the best way!
About Shuttle Direct
As the market leader in affordable, quality airport transfers, Shuttle Direct lives up to a well-earned reputation for a professional, reliable and safe service, no matter where you need to go. We offer a wide range of airport transfers from budget-friendly shared shuttle buses right up to top-of-the-range private luxury transfers. Our friendly drivers are committed to your comfort and peace of mind, so pre-book one of our services today then sit back and enjoy the ride.
