The fortress of Alanya (in Turkish Alanya Kalesi) is, without exaggeration, the main attraction of the wonderful and beloved by tourists Alanya. Of course, almost every visitor of this city visited the ancient Alanian fortress of the XIII century. It seems to me that not everyone had a strong historical interest in the ruins. Just the fortress is located in the heart of the resort and you do not need to do anything special – your heart will ask you to go to its walls during one of the walks around the city.
I do not really like all these fortifications, but in the fortress of Alanya I was twice, and I liked it. I just wandered between the ancient walls with modern houses in the fortification and went up to the open-air Museum. There is something to see – a medieval dock, a 33-meter octagonal tower, an observation deck with unique views of the city in both directions... I will tell you more about everything.
Where is the fortress and how to get there?
The Alanya castle on the Peninsula of Chilarda-Burnyu jutting into the Mediterranean sea for half a kilometer.
On the map it is clearly visible, but, of course, that's impossible to assess the views that open in both directions, when you stand on the observation deck of the fortress. I have only one panorama up here again.
I say that the fortress of Alanya is the center of the city, although geographically it is located at some distance from it, North of the main artery – Ataturk Boulevard. But it so happened that the main flow of tourists goes here – to the cave Damlatash, Cleopatra beach, the Central promenade of Alanya. And the Alanya castle is in the middle of this beauty.
On the map you can see that they are all located at some distance from each other. But this is a small distance that can be quickly and easily overcome, simultaneously watching the life of the local among the ancient walls. The red tower and the shipyard can be conveniently accessed directly from the waterfront. Moreover, I recommend getting close to them in the evening – the tower and the dock are beautifully illuminated.
And the inspection of the castle and fortress walls is better to start from the top. You can go here:
• By personal car. There are no difficulties at all. If you take the starting point of the central bus station of Alanya, then twenty minutes later you will be on the hill. First you need to go to the street Sheikh Shamil (Seyh Samil), then turn to the Boulevard Ataturk, and then go to the street leading to the fortress (Kaleyolu). Along the road signs will be encountered, so do not get confused. The road winds up the hill, at every turn you will see the beautiful views, like a postcard. The coating is excellent for any car. Just note that in some places the road is narrow, and it is necessary to go slowly – there can be houses and a lot of pedestrians.
• By bus. I will still persuade you to walk through the territory of the fortress and go to the residential courtyards, nooks and crannies to see the real Turkey. But I agree that with limited time or in the heat of the Alanya castle is better to climb by bus. Public transport in the country is very good. A comfortable bus will take you to the top in 15 minutes. You can take the bus number 4 near the Damlatash cave. At all, the route #4 is the only bus to the fortress. It starts at the Central Friday market (Cuma Pazari Merkez), and goes to the Damlatash cave and then rises up to the castle.
It is necessary to leave at the final stop. You will stop almost at the entrance to the castle. Bus number 4 will have a sign that says "KALE".
• On foot. If I were to visit the fortress with my friends again, for example, and the weather was not very hot, then I would definitely choose to go on foot. At the same time, you can immediately visit all the "pearls" of the Alanian coast. Start your walk with a useful visit to the delightful Damlatash cave. And then climb to the top along the street Kale. You need to walk 3.2 km, it will take about an hour. On the way there will be signs, and nothing complicated – the street is translated from Turkish as "castle" and rests on the main entrance of the Museum. On the way there will be shops and cafes/restaurants.
After visiting the fortifications at the top, we continue to walk around the Peninsula. Now we have to go down the same path. I advise you to deviate from the main street and dive into the courtyards. You can ask the locals for the way back. It is simply amazing that near such a tourist place and ancient walls quite ordinary Turks with their families live. When you get to the intersection of Kale with the streets of Meltem and Helvaci - turn on the last and continue the descent to the tower of Kyzyl Kul. On this site you can see the wonderful view of the mountains and the port…
From the tower you can go to the dock. And it is necessary to finish walk on the city embankment, and it is better to make it closer to the evening. So, you can appreciate the beautiful illumination of the fortress. Walk about 3 km.
I really liked the fortress in Alanya, and I have never been particularly interested in history.
And once again – please take a walk around the fortress to get a unique experience of this place and look from new angles at the beautiful Alanya.