Kleopatra Beach

Kleopatra Beach stretches for 2 kilometers along Alanya's western coastline — a wide ribbon of fine golden sand said to have been a gift from Mark Antony to Cleopatra, who allegedly found the sand here the finest in the Mediterranean for swimming. Legend or not, the beach delivers: remarkably fine sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and the dramatic backdrop of Alanya's 13th-century Seljuk fortress perched on a rocky peninsula 250 meters above the sea. The water clarity at Kleopatra Beach is outstanding — you can see the sandy bottom even at depths of 5-6 meters.

The beach has earned Blue Flag status for years running. Behind the beach, the Damlataş Cave features spectacular stalactites and a microclimate believed to benefit asthma sufferers. Alanya's vibrant old town, reached via a cable car or winding road to the castle summit, offers panoramic views, traditional Turkish restaurants, and the famous Red Tower (Kızıl Kule), a medieval Seljuk harbor defense tower.

All-inclusive resorts line the coast but the beach itself remains public and excellent.