Damlatas Beach, Alanya
The verdict
- Best for: Travellers who want a quick, easy swim in the heart of town, with the cave, the old quarter and the cafes all on the doorstep.
- Best spot: An early morning dip before the cave visitors and sunbed rows fill the small strip, then breakfast on the promenade.
- Know this: It is central to a fault, fine sand but small and busy, so treat it as a swim between sights rather than a long lazy day.
Published 13 February 2026. Last reviewed 20 March 2026
Damlatas is the compact central beach that sits beside the cave of the same name, at the very foot of the castle headland. It shares the soft pale sand of neighbouring Cleopatra, and many visitors treat the two as a single shore, but Damlatas is the smaller, busier piece, the strip where the town presses right up to the water. Behind it the Damlatas cave draws a steady crowd, its warm and humid air locally said to ease the chest, and that flow of visitors keeps the beach lively from morning on.
The appeal is pure convenience. You can step off a walk through the old quarter, swim in calm clear water, dry off and be back among the cafes in minutes. The honest catch is size. This is a short beach, and in July and August the sunbed rows and the cave traffic leave little open sand, so it can feel crowded in a way the longer beaches do not. The naturalist in me comes early, when the strip is quiet, the light soft and the water glassy, and leaves the midday crush to others.
It suits travellers staying in the centre who want a swim wrapped around sightseeing, and anyone who values being able to walk everywhere. Who should skip it is the visitor after space and a slow, natural beach day, because Damlatas is the opposite of remote. For room and quiet, walk west along Cleopatra, head out to the pine backed shallows of Incekum, or cross the headland to the long, easygoing sweep of Keykubat.
Clubs on this beach
Damlatas is an open central beach of cafes and seasonal sunbed hire rather than a gated club. For a full club day with daybeds, see our Alanya beach clubs directory.
Central cafes and sunbed hire
The promenade behind Damlatas is a tight run of cafes, snack bars and sunbed hire, with the cave and the town immediately behind. Operators, opening hours and any charges vary by season and are to be confirmed. It is convenience and a quick lounger rather than a structured beach club.
No gated club on the sand
Damlatas keeps the feel of an open town beach, so there is no single flagship club fencing off the shore. The draw is the central location, the soft sand and the cave behind. For cabanas and table service on the water, look to the wider Alanya scene.
Damlatas Beach sits in the heart of central Alanya, at the foot of the castle headland beside the Damlatas cave and a few minutes on foot from the old town and the harbour. The city is about two hours by road from Antalya airport and roughly forty five minutes from Gazipasa Alanya airport, with regular dolmus minibuses and taxis serving the centre.
Because it is so central, the easiest approach is on foot, as parking nearby is tight in season. Bring water, sun cream and cash for the cafes and sunbed hire, arrive early for a free spot on the small strip, and leave time for the cave and the old quarter just behind the sand.
Reserve a day at Damlatas
Tell us the date and party and we will match you to a club or sunbed terrace on or near Damlatas Beach and pass on your request. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
Is Damlatas Beach the same as Cleopatra Beach?
They sit side by side at the foot of the headland and share the same fine pale sand and calm clear water. Damlatas is the compact central end beside the Damlatas cave, while Cleopatra is the longer sweep that runs west. Many people treat them as one beach, but Damlatas is the smaller, busier, more central piece.
What is the Damlatas cave?
Damlatas is a stalactite cave at the foot of the headland just behind the beach. Its warm, humid air is locally said to soothe respiratory complaints, and it draws a steady stream of visitors, which is part of why the beach beside it stays busy. Opening hours and any entry charge vary by season and are to be confirmed.
Is Damlatas Beach good for families?
It can be, given the soft sand, the gentle entry water and the cafes, showers and shade close at hand. The catch is space, since it is small and fills fast in summer. Mornings are calmer and easier with children, and for more room the western end of Cleopatra or the forest beach at Incekum are gentler choices. Conditions are typical and never guaranteed.
Is Damlatas Beach free?
Yes, the sand is a free public beach, with sunbeds and parasols hired in season at rates that vary by operator and are to be confirmed. Because the beach is small and central, the hire areas can take up much of the space at peak times, so arriving early helps if you want a free spot on the open sand.
When is the best time to visit Damlatas Beach?
Late spring and early autumn, roughly May, June, September and October, give warm sea and far lighter crowds than the July and August peak. On a small central beach the difference is stark, so the shoulder months or an early start make for the easiest day. The sea stays warm into October.
