Gazipaşa by Moped: Beaches and Attractions 95 km from Alanya
Gazipasha by scooter from Alanya: beaches, ancient ruins, a road along the sea. Route, distances, tips from Rentix — moped rental in Alanya.
Gazipaşa by Scooter: Beaches and Attractions
The day before yesterday, a client returned a Honda PCX after a trip to Gazipaşa — he covered 190 km there and back in a single day, came back happy and immediately asked if he could take the scooter again tomorrow. The Alanya–Gazipaşa route is one of the first I recommend when someone wants to escape the tourist hustle and see the real coastline.
It's currently 20°C and partly cloudy in Alanya — perfect conditions for a long ride. Not too hot, there's a breeze, the asphalt is dry. You couldn't ask for better.
The Road from Alanya to Gazipaşa: What to Expect on the D400
From our office in Alanya to the center of Gazipaşa is exactly 95 km along the D400 highway. On a 125cc scooter, that takes about 1 hour 40 minutes without stops. But you will stop — the road runs right along the coast, and the views are the kind that make your hand reach for your phone on its own.
The stretch from Alanya to Gazipaşa is one of the most beautiful on the entire Turkish coastline. The Taurus Mountains on the right, the sea on the left, tunnels carved straight through the rock. Part of the road consists of winding switchbacks with sharp bends, especially past the Gazipaşa settlement. I wouldn't recommend this route on a moped under 50cc — you need at least a 125cc scooter to confidently maintain speed on the climbs.
By the way, Turkey's Ministry of Interior has launched an app that shows the locations of speed cameras and checkpoints on a map in real time. It'll come in handy — cameras are placed regularly on the D400, the speed limit on most sections is 90 km/h, and a speeding fine will cost you a pretty penny.
Where to Fuel Up Along the Way
Fill up in Alanya before you leave — near our office there's a Petrol Ofisi on the way out toward Gazipaşa. The next proper petrol station is closer to the city of Gazipaşa itself, about 80 km away. The average 125cc scooter tank holds around 5 liters, which is enough for the full round trip with fuel to spare.
Gazipaşa Beach: Why There's No Crowd Here
Gazipaşa's central beach is pebble and coarse sand, the water is crystal clear, and compared to Alanya there are almost no people. In summer, when Cleopatra Beach back home is packed shoulder to shoulder, here you can lay down and not see another soul within 10 meters.
The facilities are modest — a few cafes, a couple of sun loungers. But that's actually a good thing: no pushy vendors, no loud music. You can park the scooter right by the shore, for free. This isn't central Alanya, where they'll charge you 50 lira for parking.
The Beach Near Gazipaşa Airport
Near Gazipaşa Airport there's a little-known beach — a long strip of pebbles with almost no tourists. You can only get there by scooter or car; it's too far to walk. We know about it, but it's barely mentioned in tourist brochures. The turn-off is from the D400 highway — follow the signs for the airport.
Iotape: An Ancient City Above the Sea
Iotape is an ancient city that stands right on a headland above the sea, about 25 km before Gazipaşa when coming from Alanya. Coordinates: 36°13′N 32°05′E. Ruins from the 2nd–3rd centuries AD — walls, columns, the remains of a basilica — all of it literally overhanging the water.
Entry is free, and you can park the scooter right on the roadside by the highway. It's about a 10-minute walk up a rocky path. Honestly, there's no infrastructure there at all — no toilets, no cafe. Bring water with you. But the view of the sea from the highest point is the kind that makes you realize this is exactly why you made the trip.
Syedra: Another Stop on the Route
On the way to Gazipaşa, about 40 km from Alanya, you can turn off toward the ancient city of Syedra. It's a mountain switchback road heading up from the highway — about 8 km, narrow but paved. Hellenistic and Roman period ruins, and a stunning panoramic view of the coastline.
Fair warning: just last week word came in that the toilets at the entrance to Syedra have been left in a terrible state — unsanitary, littered, completely unmaintained. Stop at a cafe on the highway before the turn-off; the facilities there are fine. The site itself is worth it, but the basic amenities currently leave a lot to be desired.
What to Bring and How to Prepare
190 km in a day is perfectly manageable on a 125cc scooter, but you need to prepare for the ride. A helmet is mandatory — the fine for riding without one is 500 lira, and the cameras on the D400 are fully operational. At Rentix, a helmet is included in the rental price, so that's automatically taken care of.
Bring with you: at least 1.5 liters of water, sunscreen, something to snack on — there are no cafes at Iotape or on the mountain sections. Clothing: even at 20°C, riding at 80 km/h through the switchbacks will feel cool, so a light jacket won't go amiss. Make sure your phone is fully charged — the navigation will be running all day.
Documents You Need to Bring
To rent a scooter at Rentix you'll need a passport and a category A or B driving licence (Russian licences are accepted). You'll be given a rental agreement — take it with you, as checkpoints sometimes verify vehicle documentation. An international driving permit is technically required by law, but in practice checks are infrequent — clarify this point when you sign the paperwork.
Gazipaşa — A Town Where You Can Have Lunch
In the town of Gazipaşa itself there are decent kebab places and fish restaurants right on the waterfront. Prices are noticeably lower than in Alanya — a fish dish with a side will set you back 200–300 lira, compared to 500+ at our city center. Local spots, not tourist catering.
Parking in the town center is free; leave the scooter right in front of the restaurant — people are used to it here. It's a small town of 53,000 people, everything is compact.
When to Go and How Much Time to Allow
The ideal departure time is 8:00–8:30 in the morning. By 10:30 you'll already be in Gazipaşa, you'll have the whole day on the route, and you'll be back before dark. Riding in the dark along the D400 switchbacks is not something I'd recommend — the road markings are worn away in places, and oncoming trucks come out of bends without warning.
If you want to cover all the main stops — Iotape, Syedra, and Gazipaşa — plan for a full day, a minimum of 10 hours. A full-day rental with us has a fixed price, which works out better value than renting by the hour.
Book your scooter at Rentix in advance, especially for weekends — the 125cc models go fast. Come see us and we'll show you the route on a map, mark all the turn-offs, and flag the tricky sections. That's all part of the service, at no extra charge.