Sports Activities in Alanya and Top Areas for Real Estate Investment

Alanya is not just one of the most famous resorts on the Turkish Riviera—it is also recognized as the sports capital of the Mediterranean. Thanks to its warm climate, the city hosts sports events year-round, making “warm season” tournaments and festivals a local tradition. The municipality actively invests in sports tourism by organizing major international competitions. This attracts thousands of athletes, fans, and tourists, generating economic benefits for the city and driving the development of urban infrastructure.

Alanya positions itself as a year-round destination not only for beach holidays but also for sports. As a result, modern sports facilities, cycling paths, and children’s sports clubs are emerging near beaches and residential neighborhoods. For investors, this signals steady demand: real estate near such venues and event locations is highly sought after. Areas with a developed sports environment are especially appealing, as the city’s reputation extends far beyond Turkey. For those leading an active lifestyle, buying property in Alanya is a logical decision—it offers access to top-class sports and a comfortable home by the sea, which is likely to appreciate in value over time.

Padel Tennis

Padel tennis is a new and fast-growing sport in Alanya. In 2023, the city’s first padel tennis club and academy opened near Cleopatra Beach. This popular area was deliberately chosen, as it attracts both tourists and locals eager to try new activities. Combining elements of tennis and squash, padel is dynamic and accessible, making it popular with all age groups.

In 2024, Alanya hosted Turkey’s first-ever padel festival, bringing together enthusiasts from across the country. Local athletes have also begun participating in international competitions. What began as a novelty has now grown into a full-fledged sporting community with ambitions to compete on the global stage.

Beach and Classic Volleyball

Every year, Alanya’s beaches host major volleyball tournaments that draw athletes from around the world. From June 12 to 15, 2025, the beach across from the Milli Egemenlik Stadium in the Oba area will be the site of a Beach Volleyball World Tour stage. This is not Alanya’s first time hosting such a high-level event—its well-equipped beaches, excellent organization, and tourism infrastructure have made it a favored destination for international volleyball competitions.

Alanya’s volleyball tradition dates back decades. In 2007, the European Volleyball Confederation designated Alanya as a beach volleyball training center for Europe. Since then, the city has regularly hosted European Nestea Tour stages and other prestigious tournaments. Every May, it holds the Turkish Open Beach Volleyball Championship, where the country’s top teams compete.

Indoor volleyball is also well developed. City tournaments are held in municipal sports centers and school gyms. Volleyball is part of everyday life in Alanya—you’ll see locals playing for fun in the mornings and youth teams training under professional coaches in the evenings.

Basketball and School Leagues

In recent years, the municipality has actively supported school and high school basketball tournaments across the city. Many new residential complexes include basketball and multi-sport courts right in the courtyards. These spaces are always in use—children play there during the day, and teenagers gather in the evenings under floodlights. Public basketball courts have also been built in parks. Alanya now even has a municipal basketball academy: Alanya Belediyespor accepts children as young as 7–8 years old, offering year-round training.

Cycling

Alanya is a paradise for cycling enthusiasts. A 30 km-long coastal bike path runs uninterrupted from the western Dinek neighborhood to the eastern Kargıcak area. This scenic route has become a highlight of the waterfront: locals jog or cycle here in the morning, and in the evening, families enjoy bike rides, scooters, or rollerblading along the promenade.

Beyond the coastline, the city’s surroundings offer mountain biking routes. Just a few kilometers from the center, you’ll find trails for cross-country and trail riding. Popular routes include climbs to the Dimçay plateau, Sapadere Waterfall, and the historic path to Alanya Castle—favorites among experienced cyclists.

Alanya regularly hosts international cycling events. It’s a frequent start or finish point of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, the country’s top road race. February and March are reserved for the Alanya MTB Cup—an international mountain bike race in the UCI C1 category.

Running and Marathons

Alanya’s running community is just as active as its cyclists and swimmers. Runners enjoy picturesque seaside paths for daily morning jogs, mountain trails for trail running, and various large-scale competitions. One of the most notable events is the Alanya Ultra Trail, a mountain ultramarathon held annually in spring. It offers distances for all levels—from extreme 70+ km routes with over 3600 m elevation gain to a moderate 28 km mountain half-marathon and a shorter 17 km course.

In addition to trail events, there are also large urban races. The Atatürk Half Marathon (Alanya Atatürk Yarı Maratonu) takes place every April, with a course running through the city center and closed-off waterfront streets. Other races include holiday runs and cross-country competitions for various distances.

Triathlon and Swimming

Triathlon has been a staple of Alanya’s sports calendar since 1990. The city hosts annual international competitions included in the European Cup series by the International Triathlon Union (ITU). Over the years, the event has grown from a local race to a prestigious international stop that attracts top athletes, including Olympic medalists.

For spectators, the event is visually spectacular: the swim segment takes place near Cleopatra Beach, the bike route runs past the Red Tower and the harbor, and the run follows the waterfront, cheered on by tourists.

Swimming as a standalone sport is also gaining popularity. A key highlight is the open-water swim races. Since 1992, Alanya has hosted an international open-water swim marathon during triathlon week, offering 1500 m, 3000 m, and 5000 m distances. Today, the event is part of the Oceanman series, the world’s largest open-water swimming circuit.

Alanya also features a 50-meter Olympic pool that operates year-round for swim club and masters’ (veteran) competitions. In 2023, the city hosted a stage of the Turkish Junior Swimming Cup, and in autumn, the Turkish Swimming Federation held a training camp for marathon swimmers in Alanya.

Football

Football remains the most popular sport in Turkey, and Alanya is no exception. The city’s professional team, Alanyaspor, has played in the Turkish Süper Lig—the country’s top division—since 2016. Home matches take place at Gain Park Stadium (formerly Oba Stadium) in front of thousands of fans. This has elevated Alanya’s profile, drawing fans from major cities like Istanbul and Ankara, with matches broadcast on national television.

Youth and amateur football are also actively supported. Private football schools and academies train children on city fields and residential mini-pitches. Every year, the municipality organizes the Alanya Cup for amateur teams, including neighborhood squads, local businesses, and foreign residents’ teams.

Surfing, SUP, and Water Sports

Surfing and windsurfing are growing in popularity in Alanya. While the Mediterranean isn’t known for big waves, there are days with strong swells that attract local surfers near the castle’s base. Wakeboarding and water skiing are even more common, with boat rental services available on the eastern side of the central beach.

Stand Up Paddle (SUP) is one of the most accessible water activities. Mornings are ideal for SUP rides along the calm shoreline—just grab a paddle and a stable board and glide across the clear water.

More adventurous options include kitesurfing and diving. On windy days, you’ll see kitesurfers at Keykubat Beach with their bright parachutes. Alanya’s underwater world attracts divers—several diving centers along the coast offer trips to underwater caves and shipwrecks.

Traditional water sports like banana boat rides and water skiing remain popular on the city’s main beaches. Cleopatra, Keykubat, and Oba beaches all offer rental points with boats and instructors.

Best Areas in Alanya for Active Living and Real Estate Investment

Sports culture is deeply embedded in Alanya’s urban lifestyle. Still, a few areas stand out for their concentration of sports infrastructure and strong investment potential.

Oba

Oba is a developed region just east of the historic city center. It offers everything for an active lifestyle—coastal promenades, gyms, tennis courts, basketball courts within residential complexes, and a public sports hall with a pool.

Real estate in Oba is among the most liquid in Alanya. This central location appeals to investors due to its high rental potential and year-round livability. For active families, it’s an ideal fit: children can bike to nearby schools, parents can jog or cycle along the seafront, and evenings can be spent at the complex’s sports facilities.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra is the city’s most famous beach and the surrounding residential area. Nowhere else in Alanya delivers such a true resort atmosphere—morning swims, midday beach volleyball, and sunset runs on the Damlataş promenade. You’ll find basketball and football courts, tennis courts near Damlataş Cave, an open-air climbing wall, and the beach itself with full access to all water sports.

Properties near Cleopatra Beach are in high demand, but inventory is limited and prices are above the city average. Investing here is nearly risk-free: liquidity is strong, and rentals are in demand year-round—from beach tourists in summer to digital nomads and athletes in winter. The area is also ideal for those who want to be at the heart of events like international triathlons, jazz festivals, or cycling tours.

Mahmutlar

Mahmutlar is one of Alanya’s largest regions, located about 10 km east of the center. It’s especially popular among foreigners and features many high-rise residential complexes with resort-style amenities. Active living is well supported here: a long pedestrian and bike path runs along the coast, beaches are busy with yoga enthusiasts in the mornings, and residences have pools, gyms, table tennis, and mini football pitches. Mahmutlar also has several fitness centers and yoga studios, and during the summer, the city offers free beach aerobics sessions.

The areas’s main advantage is affordable property prices paired with high-quality housing. Development has boomed over the last 10–15 years, so most buildings are new. Renting here is easy due to strong demand from long-stay visitors, especially from Europe and the CIS. The area has new schools, parks, cafés, and shops. After your morning run along the seafront, you can work remotely with a sea view and head to the gym or sauna in the evening with your neighbors.

In Alanya, sports are more than leisure—they’re part of the city’s identity and daily rhythm. If you're looking to combine an active Mediterranean lifestyle with a smart property investment, the local real estate market has plenty of options. Contact Luxury Estate Turkey—we’ll help you find the best place to buy your ideal home by the sea.