Where to Stay in Alanya: An Area-by-Area Accommodation Guide from the Centre to Mahmutlar and Konaklı to Avsallar
Where to stay in Alanya? We compare the Centre, Oba, Mahmutlar, Konaklı and Avsallar by beach, transport, budget and holiday style to find your best fit.
Why choosing where to stay in Alanya matters so much
Alanya is not just one city centre. It stretches for dozens of kilometres along the coast, from Okurcalar in the west to Mahmutlar and Kargıcak in the east, and is made up of neighbourhoods that each have their own character. That is why deciding where to stay in Alanya directly shapes how your holiday will feel. Someone who wants to stroll to cafés and the harbour in the evening may not be happy in the same area as a family that wants a morning swim on a quiet beach and a day by the hotel pool.
When choosing accommodation, we suggest asking yourself four questions. First, how important is it to be within walking distance of the sea? Second, do you want to be close to the nightlife and crowds, or away from them? Third, will you get around by public transport, by car or on organised tours? Fourth, does your budget suit an all-inclusive hotel, or apartments and boutique hotels? In this guide we go through Alanya's main accommodation areas one by one with these questions in mind, and share practical information on which area best suits which travel style.
Alanya Centre: For those who want to walk everywhere
The central area, which spreads out on both sides of the castle peninsula, is the easiest option for first-time visitors. On the west side you will find Cleopatra Beach and Damlataş Cave, and on the east side the long Kadınlar Denizi shoreline, also known as Keykubat Beach. The harbour, the Red Tower (Kızıl Kule), the cable car station, the bazaar and most restaurants are all within walking distance of each other.
The biggest advantage of staying in the centre is that you do not need a car. You can walk down to the harbour where the boat trips depart and stroll along the seafront after dinner. Municipal buses and dolmuş minibuses also run regularly from the centre to all the neighbourhoods to the east and west.
As for the downsides, in the summer months the area around the harbour and Bar Street can stay lively until late at night. If you are looking for peace and quiet, a good compromise is a hotel near the western end of Cleopatra Beach or the calmer stretches of Kadınlar Denizi rather than right by the harbour. Some hotels in the centre are city-style hotels without their own beach, so always check the distance to the sea before booking.
Oba, Tosmur and Cikcilli: A relaxed stay in the heart of local life
Just east of the centre, around 3 to 6 kilometres away, Oba, Tosmur and Cikcilli are popular with long-stay visitors and anyone who wants to see local life up close. Here you will mostly find apartment hotels, residences and small family-run hotels. Supermarkets, bakeries, the neighbourhood market and local eateries make everyday needs easy to cover.
Tosmur sits near the point where the Dim River flows into the sea, giving easy access to both the beach and the cool picnic spots along the riverbank. Oba enjoys a balanced location between the coastline and the greener residential areas further inland. From these areas you can reach the centre quickly by municipal bus or dolmuş.
The beach along this stretch is generally a mix of pebbles and sand; it is not as fine as Cleopatra Beach, but it is less crowded. For couples and families who want to cook for themselves, prefer an apartment with a kitchen or are planning a longer holiday of two or three weeks, these neighbourhoods make sense in terms of both price and tranquillity.
Mahmutlar and Kestel: Long seafront walks and plenty of apartments
About 10 to 12 kilometres east of the centre, Mahmutlar has grown rapidly in recent years and is home to a large community of foreign residents. Kestel, which you pass on the way, is quieter and known for its hotels along the shore. The most loved feature of Mahmutlar is its seafront promenade and cycle path that runs for kilometres. Walking here early in the morning or at sunset quickly becomes one of the most enjoyable routines of the holiday.
The area has many apartment complexes, apartment hotels and mid-sized hotels. Thanks to the weekly market, large supermarkets and cafés lining the seafront, daily life is very convenient. Buses and dolmuş run frequently to the centre, so heading to the castle and harbour in the evening and coming back is easy.
One thing to keep in mind is the distance between the beach and the main road. Some accommodation is right across from the beach, while other places are a few streets back up the hill. Travel times for excursions heading west can also be a little longer because of traffic. If you plan to join tours, ask in advance whether hotel pick-up is available.
Konaklı and Avsallar: All-inclusive hotels and fine sandy bays
Heading west from the centre, you reach Konaklı after about 12 kilometres, and the Avsallar and İncekum area after around 20 to 25 kilometres. This stretch is known for large all-inclusive resorts and hotels with their own beaches. İncekum in particular, named after its fine, light-coloured sand and with water that deepens gradually, is a favourite with families with children.
Konaklı, with its proximity to the centre and its own small town centre, offers a balance between the two worlds. You can enjoy a classic hotel holiday here and still hop on a short bus ride to central Alanya whenever you like. Avsallar mainly appeals to guests who like to spend most of their time at the hotel and want the pool, entertainment and beach all in one place.
Another plus of this area is that it is closer to Antalya Airport than the centre, cutting transfer times by several tens of minutes. The downside is that there is little in the way of a town atmosphere to explore on foot in the evening. If nightlife and the historic centre matter to you, you can stay here and plan to spend an evening or two in the centre.
Türkler and Okurcalar: Close to nature, away from the crowds
At Alanya's far western end, around 25 to 30 kilometres from the centre, Türkler and Okurcalar are the choice of travellers seeking peace and quiet and those who plan to spend most of their holiday at the hotel. The coast here is lined with pine-fringed coves, rocky headlands and large resorts. The sea is usually crystal clear, and the green foothills of the Taurus Mountains behind make for an impressive backdrop.
The biggest advantage of staying here is that you can find a relatively calm atmosphere even at the height of summer. You are also closer to Manavgat and Side, which makes excursions in that direction more convenient. The distance to Antalya Airport is noticeably shorter than from central Alanya as well.
On the other hand, getting to the castle, harbour and bazaar in central Alanya may mean a journey of more than half an hour each time. Public transport is less frequent than in the centre. If you stay here, planning your excursions as organised tours with hotel pick-up, or renting a car for a few days, will make your holiday much more comfortable.
Practical tips for choosing the right area
Now that you know the areas, here are a few practical tips to make the choice easier. If it is your first visit, you are on a short break and want to explore Alanya, the centre or the nearby neighbourhoods of Oba and Tosmur are the most sensible choice. For those staying longer than a week who want an apartment with a kitchen and a balanced budget, Mahmutlar and Cikcilli stand out. Families with young children and anyone looking for all-inclusive comfort should look at Konaklı, İncekum and Avsallar.
Before booking, check the hotel's distance to the sea and the main road on a map. Beach hotels are sometimes on the other side of the main road, so it is worth checking whether there is an underpass or pedestrian crossing. Steep streets are also an important detail, especially if you are travelling with a pushchair.
The season matters too. In July and August the centre gets very busy, while in May, June, September and October every area is calmer and prices are usually lower. Finally, finding out in advance which areas the tours you want to join pick up from will save you both time and transport costs.
Wherever you stay, explore Alanya with Alanya Trips
There is no single right answer to the question of where to stay in Alanya; the best area depends on what you want from your holiday. But whichever neighbourhood you choose, Alanya's real beauty awaits beyond the beach, on boat trips, in Taurus mountain villages, in canyons and among ancient cities.
On most of the tours we run at Alanya Trips, we offer hotel pick-up from many areas, from the centre to Mahmutlar and from Konaklı to Avsallar. That means you can start your day without worrying about renting a car, finding a parking space or keeping track of bus timetables. From boat trips to jeep safaris, and from Sapadere Canyon to excursions to Side and Manavgat, you can combine different options to suit your holiday plans.
Just tell us your hotel and travel dates, and we will be happy to help you with the right pick-up point and tour days for your area. To browse our current tour programmes and book your place in advance, visit alanya-trips.com, and feel free to contact our team with any questions. We wish you a relaxing, enjoyable and unforgettable holiday in Alanya.
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