Alanya

Sports and the Outdoors

Alanya's main beach, known as Cleopatra's Beach, remains relatively uncrowded except in the height of summer. It's also easy to reach other nearby beaches, coves, and caves by boat. Legend has it that buccaneers kept their most fetching maidens at Korsanlar Magarasi (Pirates' Cave) and Asiklar Magarasi (Lovers' Cave), two favorite destinations. Tour boats usually charge from $10 to $20 per person; hiring a private boat, which you can do at the dock near the Red Tower, should cost less than $30 an hour—don't be afraid to bargain.

Alanya International Triathlon. Organized sporting events are new for sweltering, nightlife-oriented Alanya, but the past few years have seen the advent of Alanya International Triathlon, in the cooler weather of late fall. There is also beach volleyball, basketball, handball, and other sporting events, especially in summer. www.alanya.bel.tr/Triathlon/index.htm.