Alanya Vs Antalya: Which Is Better To Visit?

If you’re choosing between Antalya and Alanya for a trip this summer, the decision usually comes down to pace and practicality: Antalya is a bigger city with an old town, museums, shopping, and easy airport access, while Alanya is more of a classic resort base with long beaches, a dramatic castle peninsula, and a stay-put holiday feel.

I’ve traveled Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, and the biggest surprise for most travelers is that Alanya is in Antalya Province (not in Antalya city)—so they’re connected, but not interchangeable.

Below, I’ll break it down by beaches, things to do, day trips, transport times, and what feels easiest on the ground so you can pick the base that matches how you actually like to travel.

Keep reading below for our in-depth analysis on weighing up Antalya vs. Alanya.

If you research summer destinations in Turkey, you’ll see a long list of places to visit. But two highly recommended cities are Alanya and Antalya.

Now, to confuse matters a little, while both are separate destinations, Alanya is actually in Antalya. The province, that is. Antalya Province is huge and covers Antalya city, the resort town of Alanya, Lara, Side, Kas, Manavgat, Kemer, Demre, Belek, and Kalkan, to name a few. You will probably recognize many of those names, as they’re popular summer spots to soak up the sun.

But many people struggle to decide whether to stay in Antalya city, thanks to its proximity to the airport, or venture to a more holiday vibe spot, such as Alanya.

If you have the same struggle ahead of this summer’s holiday, let’s compare Alanya and Antalya and help you decide which is best for you.

Antalya, Türkiye

The city of Antalya is the capital of Antalya province and home to many famous attractions. The plus point of visiting the city is that you’re only around 20-30 minutes away from the airport, which is ideal if you want to cut down on transfer time after a long journey.

Antalya is a historical city with Kaleiçi (Old Town), historic walls, and a harbor area shaped by its Roman-era past.

You can check out Hadrian’s Gate, dating back to 130 CE, and Hidirlik Tower, dating back to the 2nd century.

The city is also packed with nightlife, shopping, and beaches.

Things To Do In Antalya

When choosing between Antalya and Alanya, the main thing to look at is what there is to do in each location. 

1. Düden Waterfalls

Lower Düden Düdenfall (near LaDüdens, one of the easiest points: you park nearby, walk to the cliff edge, and watch the falls drop into the sea). Lower DüDüdens free to visit, but Upper DüDüdenin DüDüdenark) Typically charges a small fee.

For a calm few hours and amazing views, this beautiful park is the ideal spot.

3. Hadrian’s Gate

Built to honor Emperor Hadrian’s visit in 130 CE, this beautiful gate is in the city center and is super easy to visit.

4. Konyaalti Plaj

This is a famous beach that stretches for about 7 km! It’s also backed by huge mountains and an impossibly blue sea, which gives it a seriously tropical vibe. Because it’s such a long stretch of beach, it often feels less cramped than smaller city beaches (especially midweek), and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants for refreshments.

5. Antalya Aquarium

Whether it’s a rainy day or you want to hide from the sun, this is a great place to head with the family and check out the countless species of marine life

6. Antalya Kaleici

Kaleiçi (Antalya’s Old Town) is surrounded by historic city walls and filled with winding lanes, cafes, and the old harbor. You’ll see sections of fortifications and historic viewpoints around Karaalioglu Park rather than a single “castle” to climb, and coastal photo spots are looking toward Konyaalti.

7. Hidirlik Tower

In Old Town, you’ll find this huge tower, built in the 2nd century. There are also fantastic views to be seen.

8. Antalya Migros Shopping Centre & Mall Of Antalya

Just outside of the city center, you’ll find two HUGE shopping centers where you can pick up some big brand-named items. There are also cinemas, bars, cafes, and restaurants inside.

9. Antalya Zoo (Kepez)

If the kids love to check out different species of animals, this is a great day out during your holiday. It’s also set in some pretty gardens, which are great for photos.

10. The Land Of Legends Kingdom

If you or your kids love theme parks, this is the place to go. Packed with rides, entertainment, and water-based fun, it’s a fantastic day or two during your holiday. There are also huge hotels in and around the park, so you can stay over if you choose.

Reasons Not To Visit Antalya

Antalya is pretty great, and you won’t have much trouble finding what you need there. However, it is a city at the same time as a beach spot, and if you prefer somewhere a little less frantic, perhaps Antalya isn’t the place for you.

Getting to some places in the broader city can be easiest by taxi or car, but many central sights are walkable, and Antalya also has trams and buses. You can use the bus and tram services, but they’re not easy to navigate if you don’t speak the language or aren’t sure where you’re going.

The city is also circled by HUGE motorways, which can be noisy or just something you don’t want to deal with on your holiday.

If you want to hire a car and venture out to other destinations around Antalya, you’ll find that the journey is a little tedious. Each destination is fantastic, especially the waterfalls at Manavgat or the old city of Side, but there isn’t a lot to look at between them – it’s just fields and roads.

So, while Antalya is excellent for many reasons, it doesn’t give you those chilled-out beach vibes you might be looking for.

Where Is Antalya

There are direct flights to Antalya from many European cities inthe peak season; in winter, direct routes vary widely by country and airline, and some travelers connect via Istanbul.

The airport is between 20 and 30 minutes’ drive away from the city center, depending on traffic. You can reach the city center quickly by taxi, private transfer, or public bus.

Flight routes are typically most frequent in summer; in winter, direct options depend on the country and airline.

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Alanya Türkiye

Alanya is the quintessential choice of beach holiday destination. It’s got everything you could need for a chilled-out time by the sea, including stunning sunset views, an amazingly clear sea, soft golden sand, and great restaurants thrown in for good measure.

Alanya is located on the Mediterranean coast and has wide beaches ideal for families, and is also home to Kleopatra Beach, linked to a local legend about Cleopatra swimming there.

But it’s not all beach time, as Alanya is also home to a massive castle on a rocky cliff edge, with the Red Tower dating back to 1226. This is where you’ll catch the best of the sunsets.

Compared to Antalya, Alanya is a lot more laid-back; it’s more of a beach resort than a city.

Things To Do in Alanya, Türkiye

To keep weighing up Alanya over Antalya, let’s see what Alanya has to offer.

1. Alanya Castle & The Red Tower

Dating back to the Seljuk period, this castle overlooks the sea and the entire town. The views are jaw-dropping, and the Red Tower is located here. Inside, you’ll also find a small museum.

2. Alanya Archaeological Museum

A great spot to escape the heat and learn about the local area’s history.

3. Kleopatra Beach

This is the main beach in Alanya. It’s long, has golden sand, and extremely clear water. This is where the Egyptian Queen is said to have visited and loved.

4. Alanya Teleferik

This is a cable car that runs from the beach up to the castle, with the opportunity to take some stunning photographs as you go.

5. Damlataş Cave

Located close to central Alanya, Damlataş Cave is locally promoted for its humid air and elevated carbon dioxide levels, and it’s often associated with asthma cave therapy.

Damlataş Cave is often promoted locally for cave therapy. If you have a respiratory condition, treat this as a curiosity rather than health advice and follow your clinician’s guidance.

6. Boat Trips

Head down to the harbor and enjoy a lazy day trip. If you go for an all-inclusive trip, lunch and some drinks are included as you sail around the beautiful coastline.

Reasons Not To Visit Alanya, Türkiye

Compared to Antalya, Alanya has less to see and do, since its main feature is the beach. This is more of a beach resort than a large town or city, and if you’re someone who likes a lot of different activities and doesn’t like sitting on the beach, then you may find Alanya a little slow-paced.

Alanya is also entirely geared towards tourism and doesn’t have much authentic local life to it, unlike Antalya city. However, if you’re looking for a beach resort with some fantastic hotels, that might not matter to you.

Alanya is much quieter in winter, and some seasonal hotels and tour operators may close from late November to March/April, whereas Antalya runs year-round.

The other downside is that Alanya is roughly 2–3 hours from Antalya Airport (AYT), depending on traffic and where you’re staying.

If you have already had a long day of travel, another 2 hours on the bus may be a deal-breaker for you.

How To Get To Alanya, Türkiye

Flights are plentiful throughout the summer months from many European destinations and beyond. However, they are a little less plentiful during the winter months.

To visit Alanya, you can fly into Antalya Airport (AYT) or Gazipaşa–Alanya Airport (GZP), then take a shuttle/private transfer, bus, taxi, or hire a car.

How Far Is Antalya From Alanya?

The straight-line distance between Antalya and Alanya is about 124 km (77 miles), while the road distance is roughly 135 km (84 miles). The bus usually takes about 2.5–3 hours, and services are typically at least hourly, with more departures in peak season.

The drive is typically 2–2.5 hours, depending on traffic.

So, which is better, Alanya or Antalya? Now you know the lowdown, which one will you choose: Alanya or Antalya?