Alanya (District)

Alanya, a historical and tourist center, is a coast district of Antalya Province. It is situated approximately 154 km from the center of Antalya Province, on a peninsula along the Mediterranean coast and the surrounding plain. To the north lie the Taurus Mountains and to the south the Mediterranean Sea. The district center developed at the foot of a hill rising about 250 meters above sea level (Alanya Peninsula). The oldest known name of Alanya in antiquity was Korakesion, and during the Byzantine period it was referred to as Kalonoros (beautiful mountain). In 1221, after its conquest by Seljuk Sultan I. Alâeddin Keykubad, the city was renamed Alâiye in honor of the new ruler. During the Republican era, the district’s name was officially changed to Alanya by a decision published in the Official Gazette in 1933, and this name gained official status following Atatürk’s visit in 1935. Today, with a population of approximately 360,000, Alanya is one of Türkiye’s most populous districts and a major important tourism center.

Damlataş Beach (Alanya Municipality)

History

Archaeological findings indicate that human settlement in Alanya and its surroundings dates back to the Upper Paleolithic period. In antiquity, the region emerged as a harbor city between Pamphylia and Cilicia, known as Korakesion. In the 2nd century BCE, Korakesion became a refuge for pirates and retained its importance after coming under Roman rule. At the beginning of the Middle Ages, the city remained under Byzantine administration and was known as Kalonoros, becoming a significant point in Mediterranean trade. In 1221, Seljuk Sultan I. Alâeddin Keykubad besieged and captured Kalonoros Castle, incorporating the city into Seljuk territory. He renamed the city Alâiye after his title, and undertook urban development by constructing a winter palace, a shipyard, and fortification walls. During the Seljuk period, Alâiye became one of the region’s busiest ports; Sultan Keykubad and subsequent sultans frequently spent the winter season here, effectively using the city as a de facto winter capital. The Alâiye Castle, its palace complex, the Kızılkule, and the shipyard such as structures were all built during this period.

In the late 13th century, as the Seljuk state weakened, the city came briefly under the control of the Kingdom of Cyprus, but the Karamanids eventually gained dominance in the region. In 1293, Karamanoğlu Mecdüddin Mahmud captured the city and had it proclaimed in the name of the Sultan. The traveler Ibn Battuta, who visited Alâiye in 1333, noted that its inhabitants were Turkmen and that administration was under the Karamanoğlu Yusuf Bey. In 1366, an attack by King Pierre of Cyprus with a fleet of twenty-two ships was repelled by the resistance of the city’s population and the timely aid of the Karamanoğlu bey.

During the Ottoman expansion in Anatolia, Alâiye surrendered to Ottoman forces commanded by Gedik Ahmed Pasha in 1471 and became part of the Ottoman administration. Initially a district subordinate to the Eyalet of Karaman, Alâiye was attached after the conquest of Cyprus in the 16th century to the newly formed Cyprus Beylerbeyliği, but was later reintegrated into the Anatolian province system. In the early 19th century, Alâiye was one of the kazas under the Eyalet of Adana; in 1868 it was attached to the Antalya (Teke) sanjak and assumed the status of a district of Antalya. In the early years of the Republic, the district appeared as a small coastal village; its name was officially changed to Alanya in 1933. In 1935, Atatürk visited Alanya and endorsed the new name.

Geography and Climate

The district of Alanya lies at the eastern edge of Antalya Province, on a narrow coastal plain along the Mediterranean coast, bordered to the immediate north by the Taurus Mountains. The total area of the district is approximately 1,600 km². It borders Gazipaşa to the east, Manavgat to the west, and Gündoğmuş district and the Konya provincial boundary via the extensions of the Taurus Mountains to the north. The Alanya Plain was formed by alluvial deposits carried by rivers such as the Oba Çayı and Dim Çayı. The Alanya Peninsula, extending into the Mediterranean and encircled by approximately 6.5 km of ancient walls with its historic castle, is the symbol of the district. The city center is located at the foot of this peninsula and on the plain to its west. Alanya is connected to Antalya by road, approximately 154 km away. Additionally, air connectivity is possible via Gazipaşa Alanya Airport, located 45 km from the district center.

The Mediterranean climate prevails in the district; winters are mild and rainy, while summers are dry, hot, and long. The annual average temperature is around 20°C, and annual rainfall is approximately 1,000 mm. Frost is rare even along the coast during winter. The Summer months extend over a long season of about eight moon, during which sea water temperatures average above 25°C.

Population and Demographics

As of 2024, the population of Alanya district is 361,873. Males constitute 50.7% of the population and females 49.3%. Population growth accelerated notably from the second half of the 20th century. The district’s population, which was approximately 3,000 in 1880, declined to 4,727 in 1927, then rose again to over 10,000 by 1960 and reached 28,773 by 1985. In the following decades, Alanya experienced rapid migration growth and today, with a population exceeding 360,000, is the most populous district of Antalya. According to ADNKS data, residents from all 81 provinces of Türkiye live in Alanya. Approximately 43% of the district’s population is registered in Antalya’s population records, while the remainder are registered in other provinces. Alanya is also a district with a significant foreign resident population. According to 2024 ADNKS data, 36,465 foreign nationals reside in the district. The largest groups of foreign residents are citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and Kazakhstan. The high proportion of foreign residents has led to the emergence of a multilingual and multicultural social structure.

Economy

The economy of Alanya is primarily based on tourism, agriculture, and construction. Thanks to its mild climate and fertile plains, agricultural production is diverse; traditionally, citrus, cotton and especially banana cultivation hold significant place. In Alanya, the leading producer of bananas in Türkiye, the tropical fruit fruit is also cultivated. In recent years, greenhouse farming has become widespread, with banana greenhouses and covering vegetable production employing advanced modern techniques. The Industry sector is limited and mostly oriented toward agricultural product processing and construction material production. The service sector dominates the district’s economy. Tourism, in particular, has grown rapidly since the 1980s and now provides the majority of employment. Hundreds of hotel, restaurants and tourism facilities are operational in the district, and the population doubles during the summer season. The construction and real estate sectors are also active due to their connection with tourism.

Tourism, Culture and Cuisine

Alanya is one of Türkiye’s leading tourism destinations, renowned for its natural beauty and historical heritage. The district’s symbol, the Alanya Castle, along with structures such as the Kızılkule and the Seljuk Shipyard, are among its main attractions. In terms of natural beauty, Alanya is famous for its long beaches and caves. Kleopatra Beach, Damlataş Cave, Dim Cave and Sapadere Canyon are among the district’s leading gravity centers.

Cultural events such as the annual Alanya International Tourism and Art Festival and Jazz Days add vibrancy to the district. Alanya cuisine features local dishes such as nohutlu hibeş, ülübü yemeği, ilibada sarması and laba dolması, as well as sweet treats like banana desserts and citrus marmalades. The multicultural building of the district is reflected in its cuisine through international diversity.