Alanya Ancient Cities Guide: A Crowd-Free History Day at Syedra, Iotape and Laertes
Alanya ancient cities guide: how to reach Syedra, Iotape, Laertes and Selinus, the best season, visit times and practical tips for a crowd-free history day.
Why Visit the Ancient Cities of Alanya?
Say Alanya and most people think of beaches, the castle and boat trips. Yet to the east and north of the city lies a string of ancient cities from the Roman and Byzantine eras that most visitors have never even heard of. An Alanya ancient cities route is perfect for anyone who would rather find columns among olive trees, bathhouse ruins overlooking the sea and theatre seats with almost no one around than queue in crowded museums.
In antiquity this area marked the border between Rough Cilicia and Pamphylia. Along this coast, known for its pirates, merchant ships and timber routes coming down from the Taurus Mountains, many port towns large and small were founded. Today the ruins of Syedra, Iotape, Laertes, Hamaxia, Selinus and Antiocheia ad Cragum are all within easy day-trip distance of central Alanya.
In this guide you will find the most accessible and impressive sites, the distances between them, the best time of year to go and small but important tips to make your trip comfortable.
Syedra Ancient City: Cave, Mosaics and Sea Views
Syedra lies about 20 kilometres southeast of central Alanya, in the hills between Kargıcak and Seki. A narrow road branching off the D400 highway takes you to the ruins in just a few minutes. The site's biggest draw is the view from the hillside over banana plantations and the turquoise Mediterranean below.
At Syedra you can see a colonnaded street, bath buildings, cisterns and houses carved into the rock. The mosaics uncovered during excavations and the natural cave near the city entrance, which you can walk through, are especially popular with photographers. The cave is believed to have been used for cult purposes in ancient times.
The ground is rocky and sloping in places, so closed, non-slip shoes are a must. Shade is limited, so in summer aim for the early morning. One to one and a half hours is enough to see all the ruins without rushing. As excavations are ongoing, some areas may be taped off; following the signs matters both for your safety and for protecting the site.
Iotape: The Coastal City on Both Sides of the Road
Iotape appears on the way from Alanya towards Gazipaşa, roughly 30 to 35 kilometres east of the centre at Aytap. Its most curious feature is that the D400 highway runs right through the middle of the ruins, so even as you drive past you will see ancient walls on your left and right.
The city was founded in the 1st century AD by King Antiochus IV of Commagene and named after his wife, Iotape. Highlights include the acropolis on a small peninsula jutting into the sea, the harbour remains, the baths and the bases of honorary statues lining the roadside.
The small cove right next to Iotape, with its pebbles and crystal-clear water, is a wonderful stop for anyone who wants to combine sightseeing with a swim, so don't forget your swimsuit and towel. Take care when parking by the roadside: the main road is a fast-moving highway, and you should never rush when crossing, especially with children.
Laertes and Hamaxia: Quiet Ruins on the Mountainside
If you want something different from the coastal cities, the mountain sites northwest of Alanya are a great alternative. Laertes sits high on the slopes of Mount Cebireis and is reached via village roads. The last stretch can be narrow and rough in places, so a high-clearance vehicle or a guided tour makes for a more comfortable trip.
At Laertes you will find traces of a theatre, temple foundations, cisterns and rock-cut tombs. Thanks to the altitude, it feels noticeably cooler than the coast even in summer, and the view stretching from the valley down to the sea more than justifies the journey.
Hamaxia, closer to central Alanya, lies around the village of Elikesik. Although its ruins are more scattered and less maintained, the area is known to have been famous for its timber trade in antiquity; even the city's name is linked to this trade. Signage is limited at both sites, so it is wise to save the locations in advance and keep your phone fully charged.
Towards Gazipaşa: Selinus and Antiocheia ad Cragum
If you would like to extend your route a little further, two more ancient cities await in the Gazipaşa district. Selinus is about 45 kilometres east of central Alanya on the Gazipaşa coast, where the Hacımusa River meets the sea. The Roman Emperor Trajan is known to have died here in AD 117, which is why the city was for a time called Traianopolis.
The main attractions at Selinus are the castle ruins on the hill, sections of an aqueduct and a building thought to have been erected in Trajan's memory. The long sandy beach right in front is ideal for a swim after exploring.
Further east, near the village of Güney, Antiocheia ad Cragum is an impressive city perched on cliffs that plunge straight into the sea. Large mosaics uncovered in excavations in recent years have put the city on the map. You can fit both of these cities into the same day as Iotape, but we recommend allowing at least an hour for each stop.
Best Season and Preparation for Alanya's Ancient Cities
The most enjoyable times for an Alanya ancient cities trip are spring and autumn. From late March to late May the hillsides are green, wildflowers bloom and temperatures are ideal for walking. In October and November the sea is still warm enough to swim, the sun is gentler and you will have the ruins almost to yourself.
In July and August the midday heat can be exhausting on rocky, shadeless ground. If you are visiting in these months, start early in the morning and spend the middle of the day in the sea at Iotape or Selinus.
Be sure to bring plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes. Most sites have no kiosk, toilets or shade, so pack your snacks beforehand. Climbing on ancient stones, stepping on mosaics or picking up fragments is forbidden and damages this heritage. Some areas may also have access restrictions due to excavation and restoration work, so it is worth checking the current situation with local sources before you go.
Sample One-Day Route: History, Views and the Sea
With your own car or a private tour, you can see several ancient cities in a single day. Here is our suggested route: leave central Alanya early in the morning, reach Syedra in about half an hour and explore the cave and mosaics while it is still cool.
Then continue east along the D400 to Iotape. After walking around the acropolis peninsula, cool off with a swim in the neighbouring cove. For lunch, try fresh fish or local home-style dishes at the seaside restaurants towards Gazipaşa.
In the afternoon visit Selinus, watch Gazipaşa beach from the path up to the castle as sunset approaches, and return to Alanya in the evening. The total round-trip driving distance is roughly 100 kilometres. If you want to see the mountain cities, set aside a separate half day for Laertes and Hamaxia, as the village roads take time and rushing them spoils the fun.
Discover the Ancient Cities with Alanya Trips
Most of the ancient cities are hard to reach by public transport, poorly signposted and sometimes tricky to find. If this is your first time exploring the area, setting off with a local team who knows the route saves time and helps you better understand the stories behind the stones you see.
At Alanya Trips we offer our guests a range of tours and private excursions around Alanya and the surrounding region. We can help with hotel pick-up, comfortable transport and planning your day around you. You can also combine a history trip with other activities such as a boat trip, jeep safari or canyon tour to add different flavours to your holiday.
To see current tour programmes, available dates and the option that suits you best, visit alanya-trips.com, where you can easily book online. Our team will be happy to help with any questions. How about discovering this quiet and captivating history beyond Alanya's beaches together?
© Ozgurmulazimoglu, CC BY 2.0, https://www.flickr.com/photos/9356370@N06/3048003678