The first thing any newcomer hears in the Turkish resort town of Alanya is: “You have to go to Cleopatra Beach — it’s the best.” And it’s true: the sand is soft, there are almost none of the rocky slabs typical for the coastline, and the view of the fortress and the bay fills thousands of stories every day. But at the height of the season, Cleopatra is packed with tourists from the nearby hotels, and the cruise ships docking close by don’t make the water any cleaner.
To see another side of the Mediterranean — clear, quiet, shaded by pines and framed by hidden coves — you have to ask the people who actually live here. Local resident Gosha Slugin put together a list of beaches for travel mag LocalsInsider that Alanya (Turkey) locals choose for themselves: secluded lagoons, wild stretches of coastline, and shady waterfront spots just 30 minutes from the city.
İncekum Orman Kampı
İncekum Nature Park is only a 30-minute drive from Alanya. When a beach umbrella stops helping against the July and August heat, this is where locals head for the shade of the pines. Everything here is set up for picnics and camping: wooden tables, wash stations, restrooms, and designated grilling areas.
During the day, you relax in the cool air of the pine forest with a sea breeze, stepping into the sun only to jump into the clear water.
There is an entrance fee, but that’s exactly what keeps the atmosphere intimate — fewer tourists and almost no noisy crowds. The only exception is Kurban Bayram: during the holiday, the forest turns into a tent town, and finding a parking spot becomes nearly impossible.
Blue Lagoon
When tourist numbers peak, Alanya locals tend to move closer to Gazipaşa. Several quiet seaside spots are hidden here, and one of the most striking is the so-called Blue Lagoon. The name comes from a hillside cottage complex, while the beach itself is tucked between banana plantations. The path isn’t obvious, but it’s there: a long staircase leads down to a narrow strip of coastline that fits no more than 20–25 people.
If you arrive in Gazipaşa before 10 a.m. on a non-weekend day, you might get to swim in turquoise water completely alone. There are a few nuances: the sea here is a couple of degrees colder, and by midday, the beach fills up. But the advantages speak for themselves — all it takes is one look at the scenery and the crystal-clear water.
Kızılin Beach
Another Gazipaşa beach worth your attention is tucked at the base of an impressive reddish-terracotta cliff. Throughout the day it changes color and texture with the sun, and by sunset it feels as if you’ve found yourself on a different shore entirely. It’s not only a swimming spot — you can take beautiful photos here from virtually any angle.
Nearby, in a small coastal niche, there’s a simple but pleasant restaurant where people come specifically to watch the sun drop behind the horizon. Kızılin Beach is considered part of the main coastal strip — just at its far end, where most visitors arrive by car.
One of Gazipaşa’s quirks is that banana plantations still grow almost at the water’s edge — something you no longer see in Alanya. The beach is wide, and even during peak hours there’s plenty of space, so the feeling of seclusion remains.
Koru Plajı
Among the beaches of Gazipaşa, there’s one that looks more like Bali than the Mediterranean. The unique coastline creates natural “pools” in the stone slabs — pockets of seawater warmed by the sun. Locals can spend an entire day here, not swimming in the usual sense but relaxing in these clear, naturally heated basins.
It’s a completely different kind of beach day: quiet, with barely any waves, and the feeling of an open-air spa. Instead of towels, it’s better to bring folding chairs — they make it easier to settle in on the stone slabs between “soaks.”
Kral Koyu
The most remote spot on this list: the drive from Alanya takes about an hour and a half, but the experience is worth every minute. Technically it’s not a beach but a dramatic cove, where cliffs form a natural arch that opens to the open sea.
People come here with paddleboards and kayaks to glide along the rocks and explore the calm bays. But even without any sports, it’s easy to spend a whole day here: the quiet, the clear water, and the sense of being somewhere outside of time make this one of the most beautiful coves on the entire coastline.
If, after the beach, you’re in the mood to explore what else Alanya has to offer, take a look at my guide “7 Unique Ways to Spend Your Time in Alanya.” You’ll find ideas for every mood — from a slow breakfast with a city view to live music and nights out in local clubs.
If you are close to Istanbul, explore the best resort on the Princes’ Islands or stay at Soho House, Istanbul’s coziest boutique hotel.
