Day Trips from Alanya — 3 Ready-Made Routes
The three most popular day trips from Alanya: the city centre (castle, Red Tower, Cleopatra Beach), Sapadere Canyon, and heading west to Side and Manavgat. The city route is walkable; the other two need a car or a tour.
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If you are staying in Alanya, these three routes run from the city landmarks to the Taurus canyons and on to ancient Side. Each one gets you back to your hotel by evening.
Route 1 — Alanya classics (on foot)
All within the city centre, no car needed. Note that Damlataş Cave only opens at 10:00 — the 08:00–10:00 slot is reserved for asthma therapy sessions.
| Time | Stop | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Alanya Castle — up by cable car from beside Cleopatra Beach | 2–3 hrs | €8–10 |
| 12:00 | Red Tower — down to the harbour on the walking path from the castle | 45 min | €2–3 |
| 13:00 | Lunch at the harbour | 1.5 hrs | — |
| 15:00 | Cleopatra Beach — walking distance from the centre | 2–3 hrs | Free |
| 17:30 | Damlataş Cave — next to the east entrance of the beach, a cool break | 30 min | €3–4 |
Route 2 — Sapadere Canyon
Leave early: walking the boardwalk before the coach groups arrive is both cooler and much quieter.
| Time | Stop | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | From Alanya east on the D400, then the mountain road at the Demirtaş turn-off | 50 min | — |
| 09:00 | Sapadere Canyon — the 750-metre boardwalk | 1.5–2 hrs | €5–7 |
| 11:00 | Swim stop in the pool below the waterfall | 45 min | — |
| 12:30 | Village breakfast or trout for lunch | 1.5 hrs | — |
| 15:00 | Drive back to Alanya | 50 min | — |
Route 3 — West to Side and Manavgat
About an hour along the D400 to Side. Plan the ancient city for the morning and the waterfall for the afternoon.
| Time | Stop | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | From Alanya to Side on the D400 | 1 hr | — |
| 09:30 | Side Ancient Theatre and the colonnaded street | 1.5 hrs | €10–15 |
| 11:30 | Temple of Apollo and the harbour area | 45 min | Free |
| 13:00 | Lunch in Side | 1.5 hrs | — |
| 15:00 | Manavgat Waterfall — 20 minutes by dolmuş from Side | 1–1.5 hrs | €1–2 |
| 17:30 | Drive back to Alanya | 1 hr | — |
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Alanya to Side?
About an hour by road on the D400. Tour coaches also run regularly from the hotels; ancient Side is car-free, so you use the car park at the entrance.
Is there public transport to Sapadere Canyon?
No. You need a jeep safari or minibus from the Alanya hotels, or your own car; the mountain road takes 50 minutes from the Demirtaş turn-off.
What does the Alanya city route cost?
Castle €12, Red Tower €2–3, Damlataş Cave €3–4 — around €17–19 in total. Cleopatra Beach is free, and the cable car is charged separately.