ALANYA CASTLE & DIM CAVE

We start with a journey through time by visiting Alanya Castle. Dating from the 13th century and located on the cliffs, it is fortified by ramparts and offers a panoramic view on land and sea.

Alanya is the first city to be seen entering Cilicia from the west, in the narration of the famous historian Strabo. It has become the center of pirates since the 2nd century BC due to its location on a very steep rock difficult to contain and its sheltered harbor. When Pompey won the Battle of Coraction, he was captured by the Romans. It was also during this period that the castle walls were enlarged and new buildings were added. Known as Kalonoros (beautiful mountain) in Byzantine times and one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean, Alanya was taken over by Sultan Seldjouk 1st Alaaddin Keykubat in 1221. The name of the castle and the city was changed to "Alaiye", the walls were reinforced and new walls and cisterns were built.

The shipyard, which was the second Seljuk shipyard after Sinop and awarded Keykubat the title of "Sultan of the Two Seas", the planned octagonal complex Kızılkule, Tophane and İçkale Palace, which are the symbols of Alanya, also were built at the same time. Süleymaniye Mosque, Covered Bazaar, Arasta, and Alanya traditional houses in the upper castle were added during the Ottoman period. Alanya Castle; With its six and a half kilometers of walls, 140 bastions and numerous cisterns, some of which can be used, it is an open-air museum on the Mediterranean coast that almost sums up the history of Anatolia. The clover-shaped Byzantine chapel and the veiled holes for pouring pitch into the enemy are also interesting parts of the structure.

You will then discover the local customs and learn how to transform squash into a lantern at the Culture House. You will then reach the banks for a picnic by the Dim River.

You will discover Dim Cave adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, after which we will return to the center of Alanya.

It is far away 11 km from Alanya, that is 145 km short of Antalya where is the center of tourism in Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Cave has altitude 232 m and it is on west hillside of Cebeli Reis Mountain that has 1691 m height.

It exists by four (4) spaces and its length is 320 m, its width and height is 10 – 15m.  There are lots of glamorous stalactite, dickite and travertine in cave. At the end of cave there is a small lagoon that has 200 m2 water surface and it is in 17 m deep of entrance. This puddle is because of the impermeable schist on the bottom of lagoon.

It is the second big cave to visit in Turkey. 

You end the day with a short boat ride around the impressive castle; beautiful photos in perspective.

Important information

Not suitable for people with reduced mobility or people in wheelchairs.

In case of bad weather, the boat trip will be replaced by a visit to the Red Tower.

Not suitable for people in wheelchairs.

Bring appropriate footwear.

Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change