Shore Excursion: Alanya City Sightseeing

Your guide will meet you at the harbor, close to the octagonal Red Tower which dominates it: the exact time will be confirmed after booking to suit your cruise ship schedule.

Hop aboard your air-conditioned minivan and enjoy a scenic drive up into the hills to Seyir Terasi. Admire views over the city and capture shots of Alanya and perhaps your cruise ship too.

Next, it's back down towards the coast. You'll visit Damlatas Cave: the name means 'dripping stones', and this small but stunning grotto boasts stalactites and stalagmites accrued over many thousands of years. (You'll need 5 Turkish lira for the entrance fee.) From here, it's just a short hop to one of Alanya's best beaches, and the golden sands of Cleopatra Beach.

Now, it's time to discover some of the city's history. First, drive up to the vast castle that was built in the thirteenth century by the Seljuks: a candidate for a UNESCO World Heritage listing, it's surrounded by an impressive four miles (6.5 kilometers) of walls. Your guide will introduce you to the highlights and explain the history before you drive back to the harbor: please note the entrance fee is payable in Turkish lira.

Here there will be time to explore the Red Tower, Alanya's symbol, which was built in the thirteenth century and houses a small museum, as well as the old shipyard, before you board.