Cleopatra Beach (Kleopatra Plaji)

Cleopatra Beach — Kleopatra Plajı — is the showpiece strand of Alanya, stretching for nearly three kilometres of fine white sand along the eastern shore of the city’s dramatic headland. The beach takes its evocative name from the legend that Queen Cleopatra of Egypt sailed to Alanya — then known as Coracesium — to meet Mark Antony and bathed in these waters. While the historical evidence is debated, the story has embedded itself in the city’s identity and marketing for decades.

What is beyond dispute is the quality of the beach itself: the sand is genuinely fine and soft, the water a vivid shade of turquoise, and the setting — with Alanya Castle looming on its promontory to the west and the Taurus Mountains forming a dramatic backdrop — is among the most scenic of any resort beach in Turkey. The Blue Flag designation confirms the water quality meets international standards. The beach is well-organised with sun loungers, parasols, beach volleyball courts, water sports operators, and a variety of cafés and restaurants along its promenade.

Pedalos, jet skis, banana boats, and parasailing are all available for hire along the shore. The eastern end of the beach near the Dim River mouth tends to be slightly less crowded than the central section. Early morning swimmers have the sand largely to themselves before the resort hotels deposit their guests. Cleopatra Beach is walkable from the central town and served by frequent dolmuş minibuses running along the coastal road throughout the day and into the evening.