Coastal Towns Near Alanya 2026: Side, Anamur, Taşucu and the Eastern Shore

Alanya sits in the middle of Turkey’s eastern Mediterranean coastline — Antalya and the Aegean coast lie 130km to the west; the Rough Cilicia coast and Northern Cyprus ferry ports lie to the east. The towns within a 2-hour drive cover a substantial range of characters: Roman ruins, crusader castles, isolated mountain-backed bays, and the regional capital.

West of Alanya (toward Antalya)

Avsallar and İncekum (25km west)

The resort zone immediately west of Alanya — dominated by all-inclusive hotels and the İncekum fine-sand beach. Lower density than central Alanya; popular with German and Scandinavian package visitors.

Transport: Dolmuş from Alanya ₺20–30 (30–40 minutes). No car needed.

Character: Resort infrastructure; beach access; quieter than central Alanya.

Manavgat and Manavgat Falls (60km west)

Manavgat town sits on the Manavgat River — a fast-flowing river with a waterfall (şelale) that is one of the most visited natural sites on the Antalya coast. The falls are accessible from the town by a short walk; river boat trips run upstream.

Manavgat Falls: ₺30 entry. Wide, powerful, tumbling over limestone shelves — not a dramatic vertical drop but impressive volume. The riverside restaurants serve fresh river fish.

Transport: Dolmuş from Alanya to Manavgat ₺30–50 (50–60 minutes).

Side (75km west)

Side is one of Turkey’s most visited ancient sites — a Hellenistic and Roman city that remains partially inhabited, with the ruins integrated into a modern small resort town. The Temple of Apollo (two standing columns on a sea-facing headland) is one of the most photographed views in Turkey.

What to see:

• Temple of Apollo: On the headland above the sea — two restored columns of a 2nd-century CE Roman temple. Entry to the site area: ₺100.
• Side Museum: Housed in a Roman bathhouse — excellent collection of 2nd–3rd century CE statuary from the excavations. Entry: ₺150.
• Roman theatre: One of the largest on the Anatolian coast (capacity 15,000) — substantially intact.
• Agora and colonnaded street: Walking the ancient city grid through the residential area of the modern village.

Transport: Dolmuş from Alanya ₺40–60 (1 hour 15 minutes). Day trip feasible.

Antalya (130km west)

Antalya is the major city of the Turkish Mediterranean — Kaleiçi old town, Antalya Museum (one of Turkey’s best), Düden Falls, Hadrian’s Gate, and the access point for Perge, Aspendos, and Termessos. A full day is minimum; two days preferred.

Transport: Bus from Alanya ₺80–120 (2 hours). Regular service.

Why go: The scale and depth of the historical sites around Antalya significantly exceeds what Alanya alone can offer. Antalya Museum’s gallery of Roman marble statuary from Perge is extraordinary. Aspendos theatre is the best-preserved Roman theatre in Turkey.

See Antalya travel guide for full details.

East of Alanya (toward Mersin)

Gazipaşa (45km east)

The nearest town east of Alanya — site of Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (GZP) and a small coastal town with less development than Alanya. The coast east of Gazipaşa becomes the Rough Cilicia section — steep cliffs, limited road access, isolated bays.

Transport: Dolmuş from Alanya ₺25–40 (45 minutes).

Anamur and Mamure Castle (200km east)

Anamur is 200km east of Alanya — at Turkey’s southernmost coastal point (the tip closest to Cyprus, 70km south). The coast around Anamur is less developed than the Antalya zone and has some of the clearest water on the Turkish Mediterranean.

Mamure Castle: An extraordinary crusader and Ottoman coastal castle — a complete fortification still intact at the water’s edge, dating from the 12th century with significant Ottoman-period additions. One of the best-preserved coastal castles in Turkey. Entry: ₺100.

Anamur Beach: The bays around Anamur have some of the finest and least-crowded beaches east of Alanya — long stretches of sand with clear water and minimal development.

Transport: Bus from Alanya ₺80–120 (2.5–3 hours). Long day trip or overnight recommended.

Taşucu and Northern Cyprus ferry (280km east)

Taşucu (near Silifke) is the main ferry port for Northern Cyprus (TRNC) — a 6-hour overnight ferry to Gazimağusa (Famagusta) or a 2.5-hour fast ferry to Kyrenia.

Ferry: ₺600–1,200 one-way depending on season and vessel. Vehicles can be transported.

Northern Cyprus: A completely separate travel destination — the Turkish-administered northern part of Cyprus, unrecognised by most countries but accessible on a Turkish or TRNC visa. Bellapais Abbey, Kyrenia harbour, St. Hilarion Castle, and Famagusta’s walled city are the highlights.

Transport to Taşucu: Bus from Alanya ₺100–150 (3.5–4 hours).

Island access: Northern Cyprus

From Taşucu, the Northern Cyprus ferry is the most practical island day trip (or short stay) from the Alanya area. The Kyrenia/Girne harbour, with its crusader castle and Venetian walls, is accessible as a long day if you take the fast ferry.

Fast ferry (catamaran): 2.5 hours Taşucu–Kyrenia. ₺600–900 return.

Town and destination comparison

Destination	Distance	Transport	Character	Best for
İncekum/Avsallar	25km	Dolmuş ₺25	Resort beach	Quieter beach
Manavgat Falls	60km	Dolmuş ₺35	Natural site + river	Half-day trip
Side	75km	Dolmuş ₺50	Ancient ruins + resort	Roman history
Antalya	130km	Bus ₺100	Major city, museums	Full historical day
Anamur / Mamure	200km	Bus ₺100	Crusader castle, beach	Coastal history
Taşucu / Cyprus ferry	280km	Bus ₺130	Ferry port	Northern Cyprus trip

Practical notes

East vs west: The coast west of Alanya (toward Antalya) is more developed and easier to visit by public transport. The coast east of Alanya becomes progressively wilder and harder to reach without a car.

Car hire: For covering the stretch between Side and Anamur in a day or two, car hire from Alanya (₺600–1,200/day) is more efficient than the bus timetable.

Gazipaşa Airport: If flying into GZP rather than AYT, the airport is 45km east of Alanya — a short transfer. Most European charter flights in season use GZP.

For local day-out options, see things to do in Alanya. For Antalya details, see the Antalya travel guide.