Alanya Castle

What to know before you go

EXPERIENCE THAT

Enjoy panoramic views of the city

While visiting Alanya, it is hard to miss the huge city walls that dominate the skyline. Beautifully located on a promontory overlooking the sea, this castle is the destination of many hikers who are tired of sunbathing all the time. Could the area of the castle (tr. Alanya Kalesi), known in the town simply as the ‘castle’ (castle), hide any secrets and little-known nooks? It is worth going for a walk, exploring the many interesting places and being mesmerized by the magnificent panorama that stretches from the top of the castle hill.

The documented beginnings of the hilltop ramparts in Alanya date back to Hellenistic times, when the city was known as Kalonoros. Later, the castle was expanded and rebuilt by the Romans and Byzantines, who realized its great importance as it occupies a strategic position protecting the Mediterranean port, which attracted local pirates and enemy armies. From the 7th century AD Byzantium was regularly attacked by the Arabs, and during this period the special importance of the castle was fully appreciated by being re-fortified.

With the attack of Seljuk forces in the early 13th century, all efforts for renovations in the castle were in vain. The city was conquered by the army led by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, who turned Alanya into a winter capital and started the systematic development program in 1221. The majority of the preserved fortifications date back to this period of history.

The castle had a purely military function during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. In the 19th century, the first residential buildings were built in the walled area, and in the 20th century the castle became one of the main tourist attractions of Alanya.

In order to fully appreciate the area of the castle, it is necessary to walk for hours around it. The walls are located on a peninsula surrounded by the waters of the Mediterranean on three sides. The highest point of the hill is about 250 meters (820 feet) above sea level. The entire hill is surrounded by walls and their total length is up to 6.5 kilometers (4 miles). The walls are reinforced with 140 defense towers and there are 400 drinking water cisterns hidden in this area. These cisterns allowed the defenders to survive even a long castle siege.

Most of the buildings on the hill are located on the east side, where the slope is gentler. There is a cliff on the west side, also fortified by walls, but with no room to erect other buildings. Some structures, which are an integral part of the Alanya city walls, were built at the foot of the hill, on the eastern side. These are the Red Tower, a Seljuk shipyard and an arsenal.

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Visitor tips

The castle area is in the form of an open-air museum, and most of it is open to visitors free of charge, day and night. You need to buy a ticket to visit the Citadel and Ehmedek Castle. Ticket offices are located near the entrances of both castles. Don’t forget to save the ticket after visiting one of these places as it is valid for both castles! These areas are open daily from 09:00 to 18:30 in the summer (April to October) and from 08:00 to 17:00 in the winter (November-March).

Getting there

The most economical solution for a single tourist who wants to go up the hill is the city bus number 4, which departs from Alanya city center (Hürriyet square) in the east of the city and stops across the Tourist Information Center on its way. office (next to Damlataş Cave). This bus goes all the way to the top and its last stop is the gate to the Inner Castle. The bus departs every hour between 09:00 and 19:00.

In case of a larger group, it is recommended to take a taxi from the center of Alanya that will take you to the top of the hill.

If you have a car, the uphill road starts from the area next to Damlataş Cave. The distance you have to go is just over 3 km (2 miles), but the road is winding and in some places very narrow. Beware of downhill buses, especially where the road passes through the gates on the walls.

With plenty of time on your hands, you can simply hike up the hill, but this is a task for the persistent and very fit traveler, especially during the summer months. This hike can take an hour or more if you take frequent photo breaks. If you’re not feeling well enough, you can try going down after taking the uphill bus or taxi.

As an Antalya Tourism Guide for your Antalya Dental Travels, we examined the most interesting places in Antalya and collected the most beautiful sights. While on a dental holiday in Antalya, you can safely find an answer the following question: What to see in Antalya? We welcome your comments and feedback.

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