Alanya Teleferik / Alanya Cablecar

Right then folks listen up because I am about to save your legs and probably your marriage from a massive argument. If you are holidaying in this glorious roasting oven we call Turkey you have definitely seen that massive rock jutting out of the sea with the castle walls on top. You might be looking at it from your sunbed thinking it would be a crack to walk up there. Do not do it. I repeat do not try to walk up that hill in the middle of July unless you want to melt into a puddle of sweat before you even reach the first gate. The smart way to tackle this beast is by using the Alanya Teleferik. I have been coming here for donkey’s years and I can tell you that the Alanya Teleferik is the absolute best invention in this town since the donor kebab.

Let me break down why the Alanya Teleferik is a total game changer for your holiday. First of all the views are absolutely mint. When you hop into that cable car cabin and start rising up over Cleopatra Beach you get to see the whole coastline properly. It is one of those moments where you realize just how lush this place actually is. You can see the turquoise water and the rooftops and the mountains in the back. It is proper postcard stuff. But beyond the views the Alanya Teleferik is just practical. It takes you from the bottom near the beach straight up to the Ehmedek gate of the castle in about five minutes flat. If you took a taxi it would cost you a fortune and if you walked you would need a week to recover so the Alanya Teleferik is the only way forward.

Now let us talk about logistics so you do not look like a muppet when you get there. The bottom station for the Alanya Teleferik is right next to the Damlatas Cave. You literally cannot miss it because it is huge and there are usually people milling about. You can walk there easily if you are staying on the Cleopatra side. If you are on the other side of town near the harbour do not be lazy just hop on the number one or number one hundred and one bus. They run constantly and cost peanuts. Do not let a taxi driver charge you twenty quid for a five minute ride. Once you get to the station you simply queue up to buy your tickets for the Alanya Teleferik. I will be honest with you the price for tourists is different from the price for locals so do not throw a wobbly when you see the numbers. It is still worth every penny for the experience.

A massive tip for you concerning the timing of your visit to the Alanya Teleferik. Most punters make the mistake of going right in the middle of the day. This is a rookie error. The sun is blazing and the cabins can get a bit warm even with the vents open. The absolute prime time to hit the Alanya Teleferik is just before sunset. I am talking about golden hour. If you time it right you go up while it is still light and you watch the sun dip into the Mediterranean from the top. It is absolutely banging and the photos will make everyone back home proper jealous. Plus the queue for the Alanya Teleferik is usually a bit shorter if you go later in the afternoon or early evening compared to the midday rush.

Once the Alanya Teleferik drops you off at the top you are not actually inside the main castle yet. You have to walk along these wooden walkways. It is a brilliant setup because you are walking through the pine trees and you get these cheeky glimpses of the harbour on the other side. But be warned there are still some stairs involved. The Alanya Teleferik does the heavy lifting but you still need to put a bit of graft in to explore the ruins. Make sure you wear sensible shoes. I have seen girls trying to do this in high heels and it never ends well. You will twist an ankle and ruin your holiday so put on some trainers or at least decent sandals before you get on the Alanya Teleferik.

Another thing to watch out for is the prices of water and snacks at the top station of the Alanya Teleferik. It is a classic tourist trap up there. They know you are thirsty and hot so they hike the prices up. My advice is to grab a big bottle of water from a supermarket down at the bottom before you board the Alanya Teleferik. Put it in your bag and save yourself a few lira for a cold Efes when you get back down. Also keep an eye on your return ticket. Do not lose it. You need it to get back down on the Alanya Teleferik unless you fancy walking all the way down which I promise you do not want to do in the dark.

The ride down on the Alanya Teleferik is just as good as the way up especially if it is dark. Seeing the city lights twinkling below is proper magical. It gives you a whole different perspective on the town. You realize just how big Alanya actually is. When you get off at the bottom station of the Alanya Teleferik you are right in the heart of the action again. You can head straight to the beach for a night swim or walk into the park to cool off.

So there you have it mates. The Alanya Teleferik is not just a ride it is an essential part of the experience here. It saves you sweat and it saves you time and it gives you the best views in the house. Do not skimp on it. Get your wallet out and pay the fare and enjoy the ride. It is one of the few things that is actually worth the hype.

Now I want to hear from you lot. I know plenty of you have been stuffed into those cabins before. What did you think of the Alanya Teleferik. Did you go at sunset or did you make the mistake of going at noon. Did you find the price fair or did you think it was a rip off. Leave a comment down below and tell us your story. Your tips help the other Brits who are planning their trips so do not be shy. Let us make this comment section a proper guide for everyone. Cheers and enjoy your holiday.