Alanya is located on the Turkish Mediterranean coast between the stunning Taurus Mountains and the blue crystal clear Mediterranean. With long sandy well kept beaches, amazing nightlife, a huge variety of restaurants, a fascinating historical and cultural heritage to be explored and its multicultural lifestyle, Alanya is now one of Turkey's biggest and most popular holiday resorts with something to suit all ages.

Alanya is on 135 kilometers east of Antalya. The city of Alanya is a large town on the seacoast. To the east and west of Alanya lie inviting turquoise seas fringed by extensive golden beaches. The magnificent Taurus Mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop to this enchanting resort. Crowning the headland is a sprinkling of Citadel towers and just below is a delightful harbour guarded by the Red Tower, an unusual building. Adjacent to the tower are the dockyards where five vessels could be worked on at a time. Next to the dockyards is a tower called Tophane Kule, where cannons were cast during Ottoman times. Nearby close to the seashore is a cave called Damlatas. The large popular resort center of Alanya lies at one end of a rocky promrntory which just out into the Mediterrenaen between two long sandy beachs.

Alanya is a beautiful holiday center of modern hotels and motels, numerous fish restaurants and cafes and bars. There are twisting narrow alleyways tempting shoppers with their colourful boutiques and stalls of cheese-cloth dresses, carpets, copper and jewellery.

As well as its cultural and historical sights, Alanya has an unbeatable beach life too. Beautiful sandy Cleopatra Beach lies to the west of the resort while the fine sands of Alanya beach stretch to the east. A good range of water-sports are available too. The nightlife is easy-going and relaxed with a wide choice of night-spots located at the edge of town. Take your pick from lively bars to late-night discos for real night-owls.

The coast of Alanya is famous for its natural wide beaches, several of which have been awarded a Blue Flag. The beaches here spread over 60 km sand offer a wide range of watersports including scuba diving if you fancy discovering the underwater world of Alanya.

Cleopatra beach is said to be Alanya's best and legend has it that Cleopatra bathed at the foot of the cliff everyday.The sand is fine and there are not many rocks or stones, but the water does deepen more quickly than that at the eastern beach. The 3.5 km beach is also known as Damlatas Beach because of the cave on the western side of the peninsula discovered in 1948.

Eastern Beach starts at the Alanya peninsula and continues for about 40km east towards the provincial town of Gazipasa.The water doesn't deepen so quickly here, making it more child friendly than Cleopatra beach.

Incekum Beach is often talked about as one of the best beaches on the south coast.It has fine sand and the crystal clear water deepens very slowly making it especially recommended for families with small children.

Ulas Beach is one of the best in the area,situated not far from Ulas Park. Tables, chairs, barbeque grills and public toilets are provided here and the area is perfect for a picnic while relaxing, swimming or just enjoying life. This beach is often frequented by the locals.

Evenings can be spent shopping till you drop, sampling the local cuisine at one of the many restaurants or dancing the night away at one of the disco bars or nightclubs, most of them situated in the harbour area, where many stay open until 3-4am in the morning.

Alanya is also a centre of art and culture activities and at any time, an event may be going on which you can enjoy free of charge. There may be a film festival taking place at the Alanya Culture Centre, a harp recital at the Red Tower, an exhibition of paintings at the Alanya Fortress or an orchestral performance by the harbour.

Dimcay is 15km inland and is an area of stunning scenery with picnic tables set under the old plane trees where guests sit with their feet in the water. In some restaurants, authentic tables with cushions are actually set on rafts on the river. The trout here is excellent and cooked fresh from the river.

The fascinating Damlatas Caves is the best place to see the area misshapen rock formations as well as stalactite and stalagmites formed 15 thousand years ago. The caves are famous as the air has been found to be beneficial for asmathics and for those with other chest complaints.

Take a boat trip from the harbour to visit the three sea grottos; Fosforlu Magara with its phosphorescent rocks,the Kizlar Magarasi where pirates imprisoned their female captives and the Asiklar Magarasi (Lovers Cave).

Have an exciting day out visiting the nearby waterpark, Water Planet, where all the family can have crazy fun trying one of the 27 water slides and rafting on the 350 m riverwith artificial waves. If you are a bit of a dare devil you can try the bungee jumping or try your hand at the 6 hole mini golf.