Beaches in Alanya 2026: Cleopatra, Keykubat and the Peninsula Coves

Alanya has two substantial main beaches — one on each side of the castle peninsula — plus quieter options east and west along the coast. The beaches are the primary draw for the majority of Alanya’s visitors, and they are genuinely good: fine sand, warm clear Mediterranean water, and the unusual backdrop of a Seljuk castle rising from the clifftops above.

The main beaches are backed by hotel and resort infrastructure and have full sun-bed and umbrella services. Finding quieter stretches requires moving east or west from the central resort strip, or taking a boat to the peninsula coves.

Cleopatra Beach

Cleopatra Beach is the most famous beach in Alanya — a 2km stretch of fine sand on the western side of the castle peninsula, named for the legend that Cleopatra visited and swam here with Mark Antony. The historical basis is uncertain, but the sand quality is real: fine, light-coloured, and clean.

Location: Western Alanya, starting approximately 1km west of the castle peninsula base.

Character: Backed by hotels, restaurants, and sunbed operations. The most developed and most crowded beach in Alanya. The eastern end (nearer the castle) is generally less crowded than the central hotel-backed section.

Sunbeds: ₺100–200 for two per day. Umbrella included. Water sports available along the beach.

Water: Clear, warm Mediterranean. No significant current. Shallow entry — good for families.

Best for: First-time visitors wanting the classic Alanya beach experience; families with hotel access; water sports.

Water sports available: Jet ski (₺400–700/30 min), parasailing (₺500–800), banana boat (₺150/person), pedalo hire (₺150–200/hr).

Keykubat Beach

Keykubat Beach extends east from the castle peninsula — 4km of sandy beach along the eastern bay. Less well-known internationally than Cleopatra but comparable in quality: similar fine sand, cleaner water (slightly calmer bay), and somewhat less developed.

Location: East of the castle and Red Tower, extending several kilometres along the eastern bay.

Character: Still backed by hotels but less concentrated than Cleopatra. The further east you walk, the quieter it becomes. The eastern sections have fewer sunbed operations and more space.

Sunbeds: ₺80–150 for two on the main section; some sections free further east.

Water: Slightly calmer than Cleopatra due to the bay geography. Comparable clarity.

Best for: Those who want good sand with marginally less crowd; eastern hotel guests.

Peninsula coves

The Alanya peninsula has several small coves accessible only by boat — rocky inlets at the base of the cliff walls. These are not beaches in the conventional sense but swimming spots with exceptional clarity.

Access: Via the boat trip circuit (₺350–500; boats stop for swimming) or private boat hire.

What to expect: Rock-entry swimming in extraordinary clear water directly below the castle walls. The boat trip stops allow 20–30 minutes of swimming per cove.

Best for: Clear-water swimming, snorkelling, escape from crowds.

İncekum Beach

İncekum is 25km west of Alanya — a broad, fine-sand beach that stretches for several kilometres with lower development than the main resort. The name means “fine sand” in Turkish, which accurately describes the beach character.

Location: Between Alanya and Avsallar village (25km west on the D400).

Character: Much less developed than Alanya town beaches. Backed by pine trees on some sections. The main village beach has sunbeds; sections to either side are free.

Transport: Dolmuş from Alanya centre (₺20–30, 30–40 minutes). Frequent in season.

Sunbeds: ₺60–100 for two (cheaper than Alanya town).

Best for: Those wanting good sand and less crowd without travelling far; families.

Mahmutlar Beach

Mahmutlar is 15km east of Alanya — a rapidly developing town with a long sandy beach. The beach itself is comparable to Alanya town, and the area has attracted a significant long-term Russian and Eastern European expat community.

Character: Less touristy than central Alanya; the beach is less maintained. The town has a working character alongside the resort development.

Transport: Dolmuş from Alanya centre (₺15–20, 20 minutes).

Best for: Those staying in Mahmutlar or wanting a less polished alternative to the main resort.

Dim River beach

The Dim River (Dim Çayı) flows into the sea 12km east of Alanya — the river mouth creates a small freshwater-meets-sea swimming zone that is popular with local families. Not a traditional sandy beach but a distinctive swimming spot.

Character: River-side restaurants serving fresh fish and trout line the river above the mouth. Families swim in the cold freshwater river. The combination of river swimming, cold mountain water, and restaurant lunch is a popular local day out.

Transport: Taxi from Alanya ₺60–100 (round trip with waiting); or as part of a combined Dim Cave visit.

Beach comparison

Beach	Distance	Sand	Development	Crowd level	Cost (sunbed)
Cleopatra	Central west	Fine	High	Very high	₺100–200
Keykubat	Central east	Fine	Moderate–High	High	₺80–150
Peninsula coves	By boat	Rock	None	Low (boats only)	₺350–500 (boat)
İncekum	25km west	Very fine	Low	Moderate	₺60–100
Mahmutlar	15km east	Medium	Moderate	Moderate	₺60–100
Dim River mouth	12km east	Sand/river	Low	Low–Moderate	Free

Practical information

Season: Alanya’s beach season runs April–November. The sea temperature reaches 28–30°C in August. Water is swimmable (23–25°C) from late April. Outside November–March, the sea is too cold for most visitors.

Beach facilities: The main beaches have changing rooms, showers, and toilet facilities (₺5–15 to use). Water sports operators are present at Cleopatra and Keykubat throughout the season.

Jellyfish: Mediterranean jellyfish appear occasionally in July–August. The small moon jellyfish in Turkish coastal waters are mildly irritating rather than dangerous. Ask beach staff about conditions.

Topless sunbathing: Common at Cleopatra Beach among European visitors. Not universal and not required. Keep swimwear on in restaurants and when walking through town.

For activities combining beaches and the castle, see things to do in Alanya. For accommodation near the beaches, see where to stay in Alanya.