Ancient Cities Around Alanya

Alanya is better known for beaches than for ruins, but the surrounding coast was once part of ancient Cilicia, a rugged region of fortified towns and pirate harbours. The tour linked here visits Syedra, Iotape and Antiochia ad Cragum, three ancient sites on the coast and in the hills east and west of Alanya, with a cave stop and a leisurely lunch. It is a calm cultural day that suits travellers interested in history and in seeing parts of the coast that few holidaymakers visit.

Syedra sits on a hilltop above the village of Seki, with views over the sea and the mountains. It was a small city of the Roman and Byzantine periods, and the remains include stretches of wall, cisterns, rock-cut tombs and the foundations of public buildings. The site is quiet, shaded by pines and rarely crowded, and the views alone make the short climb worthwhile. A guide helps you picture how the city looked and why it was built so high above the sea.

Iotape was a harbour town founded in the first century and named after the wife of a king of the region. It is more scattered and sits closer to the sea, with scattered remains of walls, a bath complex and other buildings along the shore. The setting is the attraction: ruins draped over a headland above clear water, with fishing boats below and the occasional goat wandering the stones. Many visitors find it atmospheric precisely because it is not heavily restored.

Antiochia ad Cragum is the most substantial of the three. The city lay on the coast near Gazipasa and flourished under the Romans, and archaeologists have uncovered a colonnaded street, baths and other buildings, with ongoing excavations bringing new finds. Walking along the old marble street between standing columns gives a vivid sense of Roman provincial life. The site is open and exposed, so bring a hat and water.

The tour usually adds a cave stop and lunch in a local restaurant, with a drive along the coast road between the sites. Distances are significant, so expect a full day in a minibus, with hotel pickup and drop-off. Wear sturdy shoes for uneven ground and carry sun protection, since there is little shade at the more open sites. Visit in spring or autumn if you can, when walking is comfortable and the hills are green, and combine the trip with a swim stop on the way back.

For context, ancient Cilicia was famous in antiquity for its rugged coast, which sheltered pirates until Rome cleared the seas, and its towns later flourished through trade in timber, wine and olive oil. The ruins you visit reflect that story of small harbour cities scattered along a steep shore, and the hills behind them were the source of their timber.

If you enjoy history, bring a small guidebook or download a few notes before you travel, because explanations on site are limited. Combine the day with a quiet evening, since the long drive and the sun are tiring.

Entrance arrangements differ between sites, and some are open-air with no formal gate, so your guide's local knowledge is useful. Tell the operator at booking if anyone in your party has trouble walking on uneven ground, since the paths at Syedra in particular include a short climb over loose stone.