Alanya Castle: 800 Years of Seljuk History on the Mediterranean

Alanya Castle (Alanya Kalesi) is one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Turkey. Built by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I in 1226, it crowns a 250-metre peninsula that juts into the Mediterranean, visible from everywhere in the city.

The castle complex covers roughly 6.5 km of walls with 83 towers. The lower walls begin near the harbour and the Red Tower; the upper citadel sits at the summit and contains Byzantine-era cisterns, a Seljuk palace, and a small Byzantine church that was later converted to a mosque.

The Red Tower (Kızıl Kule) at the harbour is the most photographed structure. It's a separate, octagonal tower built to defend the arsenal (tershane) where Seljuk warships were built and maintained. The arsenal itself, five arched bays carved directly into the cliff face, is a 15-minute walk from the Red Tower along the shoreline.

Getting there: the castle is best accessed by car or taxi to the upper citadel (parking available), then walking down through the old city on your way back. The climb from the harbour takes 45-60 minutes on foot and involves steep cobbled lanes, rewarding but demanding.

Practical details: open daily 08:00-19:00 in summer, 08:00-17:00 in winter. Entry covers both the tower and the upper citadel. Allow 2-3 hours for a thorough visit. Bring water, there are limited facilities at the top.

The view from the summit is the best single view in the region: the sweep of Cleopatra Beach, the mountains behind Alanya, and on a clear day, the distant silhouette of Cyprus 100 km to the south.