A Day Trip to Alanya Castle: Exploring History and Views

Why Alanya Castle Should Be on Your Travel Itinerary

Alanya Castle is one of Alanya’s main landmarks and is a must-visit destination for any trip to Alanya, Turkey. We recently stayed in an all-inclusive resort in Turkey and just knew we had to adventure on a day trip to the incredible castle we had heard so much about.

The Castle itself is steeped in history and was an integral part of making Alanya what it is today. We loved exploring the Castle’s significance and of course, taking in the stunning views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea below.

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Getting to Alanya Castle: Tips for a Smooth Visit

You might be wondering, how to get to Alanya Castle. We stayed at Sunflower Villa Hotel so for us, getting to the castle meant a long stroll to the seafront where we could catch the cable car up the mountain, but if you are staying a bit further out there are some other options.

Several local buses go to the cable car station or you could opt for taking a taxi or renting a car.

We did notice that you could drive all the way up to the castle however the cable car is an experience all in itself so we would highly recommend opting for that route.

When you get to the cable car station there is a ticket booth where you can either purchase a standard ticket which is around 10 euros or a fast-track ticket up the mountain to the castle. We personally went for the standard option as we visited in October and it wasn’t too busy, however, if you are visiting Alanya Castle in high season, you may want to splash out on a fast-track so you don’t spend too long waiting for your ride.

We noticed in our resort that they were offering day trips to Alanya Castle so if you fancy a real stress-free experience it might be worth asking at your accommodation or booking a tour online.

A Brief History of Alanya Castle

Alanya Castle is not just a pretty sight – it’s full of history and stories that stretch back over 2,000 years. The castle dates all the way back to Roman times, but it was really during the Seljuk period in the 13th century that it started to look like the fortress we see today.

The Romans first recognised the strategic importance of the peninsula, using it as a military outpost. But it was the Seljuks, who turned it into a major stronghold. In 1221, they took control of the region and began expanding and fortifying the castle, adding massive walls, towers, and other military structures. This was also when the Red Tower (Kızıl Kule) was built, which still stands as one of Alanya’s most iconic landmarks.

Today, when you walk through the castle’s ruins, you’re literally walking through centuries of history. From Roman foundations to Ottoman additions, it’s fascinating to see how this strategic location has shaped the region’s past.

There a multiple signs scattered around the castle where you can learn a bit more in-depth about Alanyas Castle’s history or you can book a guided tour, which to be honest, I wish we did as we found the history fascinating.

What to See Around Alanya Castle: Must-Visit Highlights

I should mention the cable car ride first as this is the first thing you are likely to experience when taking a day trip to Alanya Castle. The ride itself only takes a few minutes and we were lucky enough to have a car all to ourselves so we could really look around, take some photos and enjoy the beautiful views over the city and beaches.

Once you arrive at the top you get to start your climb up to the castle. While it’s not too steep at all, there are a lot of steps and it is a lot of walking so if you are disabled, struggle walking long distances or have children with you, it might be better to book a guided day trip or drive up to the castle.

We found the walk really enjoyable, there are various lookout points along the trail where you can snag a quick pic or look around and take in the view if it’s not too overcrowded. One of my favourite parts of the trail though was the incredible flora and fauna on the way! Heaps and succulents, trees, and birds and we even saw a tortoise bathing in the sun!

Once you get to the top there are lots of things to do including the museum, the markets and a few restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat with the beautiful panoramic views of Alanyas coastline and harbour.

Other notable highlights of the castle include the castle walls, bastions and gates and the Red Tower. The Shipyard is also worth a visit, which is likely included if you booked the tour but slightly away from the castle itself if you are on foot.

Best Time to Visit Alanya Castle

The best time to visit Alanya Castle is not in the height of summer. Turkey is incredibly busy during the summer months, particularly school holidays and I could imagine the castle gets rather crowded. We visited Alanya Castle in October, which is towards the end of the season and it was actually really quiet, we didn’t have to wait long for the cable car and there weren’t too many people we passed on the climb up.

If you are visiting in the busier months, I would opt for going on a weekday and earlier in the morning as this is likely to be a lot quieter than when the tours set off around midday.

Another thing to consider is the heat. Being high up with not too much shade, the walk-up can get very hot, even in October when we visited and the temperature was pretty mild.

Things to Do Around Alanya Castle

If you are travelling from outside Alanya, you might be wondering if you need to find other things to do near Alanya Castle so you can make the most out of your day trip! While you could easily spend a good few hours exploring the castle, here are some things nearby that might take your interest!

Damlatas Cave

Damlatas cave is only around 3km away and well worth visiting. Famous for its therapeutic air and impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Entry to the cave costs 100₺ which is around £2.30. You can find a lot of tours with entry to both Alanya Castle and Damlatas Cave included.

Alanya Archaeological Museum

A short walk away from Damlatas Cave is the Alanya Archaeological Museum. I haven’t visited here personally but it looks like an interesting visit for only €5 per ticket and activities for children.

Kleopatra Beach

One area we did visit often during our time in Alanya was Kleopatra Beach. A beautiful strip of white sand lined with shops, restaurants and activities. Sun loungers are available to rent for a small price and you could easily spend hours here. The turquoise waters are beautiful for swimming in, and when we visited in October the sea was lovely and warm.

Where to Eat Near Alanya Castle

During our visit to Alanya Castle, we stopped for lunch at Gardenia Restaurant and I could not recommend it enough! It’s a beautiful restaurant with stunning views overlooking the castle grounds and the sea below. They offer a mix of international and local Turkish cuisine. We went during the day for lunch but I would imagine the best time to visit would be around sunset.

Top tip: if you are on a budget, ask for their lunch menu as the meals are a lot more affordable!

Is Alanya Castle Worth the Visit?

Alanya Castle is absolutely worth visiting, in fact, it was one of our highlights during our trip to Turkey!

We think it is important when visiting a new area to make sure we visit a landmark that has a cultural significance to the area, and Alanya Castle definitely ticked that box for us. We felt we learnt so much more about Alanyas history by visiting and really enjoyed the natural beauty surrounding.

Are you planning a trip to Alanya Castle in the future? Let us know how you get on in the comments below!