Ancient Cities Near Alanya: Syedra, Iotape, Alara — Scooter Route
Sidyra, Iotape, Alara — three ancient cities 30-40 km from Alanya. How to get there by moped, what to see, route and tips. Scooter rental at Rentix.
Ancient Cities Near Alanya: Syedra, Iotape, Alara — Scooter Route
Alanya is not only beaches and modern infrastructure, but also a real open-air museum. Within a radius of 30-40 km from the city, ruins of three ancient ports have been preserved — Syedra, Iotape and Alara. These places are almost untouched by mass tourism, where you can walk among ancient columns, swim in bays and imagine what life was like 2000 years ago.
The best way to explore these places is to rent a scooter. The roads along the coast are picturesque, traffic is calm, and you can stop at any place you like. In this article I'll tell you how to build a route, what to see and how to get there.
Iotape (Aytap) — Ancient Port Between Alanya and Gazipasa
Iotape (modern name Aytap) is an ancient port city located approximately 30-33 km east of Alanya, on the road towards Gazipasa. The city was founded in the Hellenistic period and flourished during the Roman and Byzantine eras.
What Can Be Seen in Iotape
- Remains of fortress walls and towers
- Ruins of a Byzantine basilica with mosaic floor
- Ancient necropolis with sarcophagi
- Foundations of residential houses and public buildings
- Small bay with clean water for swimming
Today Iotape is a popular place for camping and beach recreation. Here you can combine viewing ruins with swimming in natural caves and using local beaches. The place is uncrowded, especially on weekdays — ideal for those seeking solitude.
How to Get There by Scooter
From Alanya you drive along the D400 highway towards Gazipasa. After 30 km you'll see a sign for Aytap — turn towards the coast. The road is paved but narrow, so be careful. Parking is free, entrance to the ruins is also free.
Syedra — Little-Known Ancient City on the Coast
Syedra (Syedra) is another ancient city located approximately 20 km southeast of Alanya center, in the Seki area. The city was founded in the Hellenistic period and reached its peak in the 2nd-3rd centuries AD, when it was part of the Roman Empire.
What Has Been Preserved in Syedra
- Remains of city walls and gates
- Ruins of the agora (market square)
- Foundations of temples and public baths
- Cisterns for water storage
- Colonnades along the main street
- Necropolis with stone tombs
Syedra is located on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. From here there is a panorama of the coast from Alanya Castle to Gazipasa. It's especially beautiful at sunset, when the sun sets behind the Taurus mountains.
How to Get There
From Alanya you drive along D400 towards Gazipasa, after 15-18 km turn at the sign for Syedra/Seki. Then about 2-3 km up the serpentine. The road is narrow, steep in places — be careful on a scooter, especially if riding two people. Cheap scooter rental Alanya from Rentix includes helmets and insurance, so safety is ensured.
Alara — Castle and Caravanserai on the River
Alara is a complex of a medieval castle and a 13th-century caravanserai, located approximately 40 km west of Alanya, by the Alara river. Although this is not an ancient city in the classical sense, the place has a rich history and is often included in routes of regional antiquities.
What to See in Alara
- Alara Castle — Byzantine fortress on a rock, rebuilt by the Seljuks. Steep climb, but the views are worth it
- Alara Han Caravanserai — one of the best preserved caravanserais in Turkey, built in 1231 by Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat
- Alara River — picturesque place for a picnic, with cafes and recreation areas
- Ancient bridge — Roman arched bridge over the river
The caravanserai is open to visitors, entrance is paid (about 50-70 lira). Inside, arched halls are preserved where trade caravans once stopped on the Great Silk Road. The castle is higher up, accessible on foot in 30-40 minutes along a trail.
How to Get There by Scooter
From Alanya you drive along D400 towards Antalya. After 35-40 km you'll see a sign for Alara Han/Alara Kalesi. Turn right, another 2-3 km to the complex. The road is good, traffic is moderate. You can stop at one of the roadside cafes for lunch — they cook excellent trout here.
How to Build a Route Through Ancient Cities
If you rent a scooter for the whole day, you can combine all three points into one route. Here's the optimal option:
Option 1: Eastern Route (Syedra → Iotape)
- In the morning you leave from Alanya towards Gazipasa
- First stop — Syedra (20 km, 30 minutes)
- Second stop — Iotape (another 10-13 km, 15 minutes)
- Lunch and swimming in Iotape bay
- Return to Alanya along the coast
Total mileage: about 60-70 km. Travel time: 1.5-2 hours pure time, plus stops.
Option 2: Western Route (Alara)
- In the morning you leave from Alanya towards Antalya
- Stop at Alara (40 km, 45 minutes)
- View the caravanserai and, optionally, climb to the castle
- Lunch at a restaurant by the river
- Return through Mahmutlar or along the coast
Total mileage: about 80-90 km. Can be combined with a visit to Dim Cave on the way.
Option 3: Full Circle (for Experienced Riders)
If you feel confident on a scooter, you can visit all three points in one day: Alara in the morning, then return to Alanya, have lunch and go east to Syedra and Iotape. Total mileage: 140-160 km. Best scooters to rent in Alanya are models with 125-150 cc engines, they handle serpentines and long distances perfectly.
Practical Tips for the Trip
What to Take With You
- Water (1.5-2 liters per person) — in the heat this is critical
- Hat and sunscreen
- Comfortable shoes for walking on stones
- Swimsuit and towel (if planning to swim in Iotape)
- Cash — not everywhere has terminals
- Powerbank for phone (for navigation and photos)
Road Safety
- Always wear a helmet — it's not only a rule, but your safety
- On serpentines reduce speed, especially on turns
- Don't ride two people on a low-power scooter (50 cc) on mountain roads
- Monitor fuel level — gas stations are not everywhere
- Use Google Maps or offline maps
Alanya scooter rental with helmets from Rentix means always clean scooters in excellent technical condition, two helmets included and basic insurance. You can Rent a scooter for a day Alanya or take for several days with a discount.
When Is the Best Time to Go
Optimal time is spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). In summer in the middle of the day it can be very hot, especially when climbing to Alara Castle or Syedra. If going in summer, leave early in the morning (7-8 o'clock) or after lunch (after 4:00 PM).
Interesting fact: in April, Turkey celebrates National Sovereignty and Children's Day — April 23, when the Grand National Assembly was opened in 1920. At this time festive events take place in Alanya, and you can combine a trip to ancient cities with a cultural program.
Why You Should Rent a Scooter for This Route
Buses to Iotape, Syedra or Alara run rarely or don't run at all. Taxi will be expensive (from 1000-1500 lira per day with driver). Rental car is an option, but expensive for one or two people, plus parking in narrow places is problematic.
A scooter is freedom of movement, the ability to stop anywhere, photograph the landscape, swim in a bay or drink tea in a roadside cafe. Alanya scooter rentals prices at Rentix start from 300-400 lira per day (depending on model and season), which is significantly cheaper than taxi and more convenient than public transport.
Besides, Affordable scooter hire Alanya is also an eco-friendly way of transportation. You don't create traffic jams, save fuel and enjoy fresh air. Explore Alanya by scooter is a real way to feel the spirit of this region, not just fly past on a tour bus.
Conclusion: Alanya's Ancient Coast by Scooter
Syedra, Iotape and Alara are three pearls of ancient history located within one day's trip from Alanya. There are no crowds of tourists, no intrusive guides and souvenir shops — just you, ancient stones and the sea.
To fully enjoy these places, rent a scooter. This will give you route flexibility, freedom of movement and unforgettable impressions. Alanya transportation scooter is not just a means of transport, it's a key to the real Alanya that you won't see from a tour bus window.
At Rentix you can choose a scooter of any power, get two helmets, a map with routes and recommendations from local experts. Motorbike rental Alanya has never been so simple and affordable. Alanya scooter deals are valid year-round — the longer the rental, the better the price.
Come to Alanya, rent a scooter and set off on a journey in the footsteps of ancient civilizations. This will be one of the brightest days of your vacation — we guarantee it!