Alanya to Green Canyon: How the Day Trip Works
Spend a few days on Alanya's beaches and you will start craving a change of scenery. Green Canyon delivers exactly that. Instead of another stretch of Mediterranean coastline, you spend the day on a still, emerald-green mountain reservoir framed by pine-covered canyon walls — and during the summer season, tours run every day with hotel pickup from Alanya and the resort zones along the coast.
This guide covers what Alanya-based travellers need to know: how pickup works, which districts are covered, what the two tour options include, and why the trip feels completely different from the sea cruises leaving Alanya harbour.
Where Is Green Canyon?
Green Canyon is the emerald reservoir created by the Oymapinar Dam, tucked into the Taurus foothills near Manavgat in the Antalya region. The drive from Alanya heads west along the coast before turning inland, swapping hotel skylines for pine forest and canyon scenery. If the destination is new to you, our guides to what Green Canyon actually is and the Oymapinar Dam explain how this man-made lake became one of the region's most photographed spots.
The key thing to understand before you book: this is not a sea trip. The water is calm, sheltered and crystal clear — no waves, no swell, no seasickness. More on that comparison below.
Hotel Pickup from Alanya and Every Nearby Zone
There is no need to rent a car or puzzle out a route. Book either tour and a transfer collects you from your hotel and returns you at the end of the day — included in the price, with no hidden fees. During the summer season, pickup from Alanya runs daily, and the surrounding resort zones are covered every day as well:
- East of the centre: Oba and Mahmutlar
- West along the coast: Konaklı, Payallar, Türkler, Avsallar and Okurcalar
Staying elsewhere on the Antalya coast? Pickup also covers Side, Kumköy, Manavgat and more than a dozen other areas — the full list is in our pickup areas guide, and how to get to Green Canyon compares all the ways of reaching the lake.
Two Tours, One Simple Price
Both Green Canyon experiences cost the same: €33 per adult and €18 per child aged 3–11. The choice comes down to how much of your day you want to spend at the canyon.
- Green Canyon Catamaran Tour — 2.5 hours. A relaxed cruise across the reservoir with swim stops in calm, crystal-clear water. No meal is served, which keeps the outing light and flexible — ideal if you want plenty of your day left back in Alanya.
- Green Canyon Boat Tour — 4.5 hours. The fuller day out, with a longer cruise and lunch served on board. This is the only one of the two tours that includes food.
For a family of four — two adults and two children — either trip comes to €102 in total. Still undecided? Our catamaran vs boat tour comparison breaks the two down side by side, and you can browse all tours in one place.
What the Day Feels Like on the Water
Once the boat pulls away from the shore, the atmosphere changes completely. The reservoir is protected by high canyon walls, so the surface stays glassy and still, and the water is a shade of emerald that looks almost unreal in photos. Swim stops let you slip into water that feels refreshingly cool even at the height of summer — it is fed by mountain sources, which is exactly why it is so reviving on a hot day. Swimming is entirely optional; plenty of guests stay on deck with a camera and simply take in the scenery. Our guide to swimming in Green Canyon covers the water in detail, and what to expect on the day walks through the whole experience step by step.
Green Canyon vs a Sea Boat Trip from Alanya
Alanya's harbour cruises are a classic for a reason — open sea, coastal bays and a day on the Mediterranean. Green Canyon offers something deliberately different. Because it is a sheltered freshwater lake rather than open water, there are no waves and no rolling swell, which makes it a favourite with families, older travellers and anyone prone to seasickness. The scenery changes too: instead of the coastline viewed from the sea, you get sheer canyon walls, pine forest and mountain reflections on still water. Many visitors happily do both during one holiday; if you are weighing it up, is Green Canyon worth it gives an honest take.
Booking Tips for Alanya Guests
Reserving a spot is designed to be risk-free:
- Pay on the day of the tour — no prepayment when you book.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
- Instant confirmation, with fast answers on WhatsApp if your plans shift.
- No hidden fees — the price covers pickup, the cruise and, on the Boat Tour, lunch.
Tours operate from spring through autumn, with daily summer departures across all Alanya zones. See how to book a Green Canyon tour for a step-by-step walkthrough, or check the best time to visit if you are choosing between travel months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Green Canyon tour from Alanya?
Yes — during the summer season, Green Canyon tours run every day from Alanya with hotel pickup included, and both options, the 2.5-hour Catamaran Tour and the 4.5-hour Boat Tour with lunch, cost €33 per adult and €18 per child aged 3 to 11.
How do I get from Alanya to Green Canyon?
The easiest way to get from Alanya to Green Canyon is an organised tour with hotel pickup, because the canyon sits inland at the Oymapinar Dam reservoir near Manavgat and transport in both directions is already included in the €33 tour price. Your driver returns you to the same spot afterwards.
Can I be picked up from Oba, Mahmutlar or Konaklı?
Yes — hotel pickup covers the full stretch of coast around Alanya, including Oba, Mahmutlar, Konaklı, Payallar, Türkler, Avsallar and Okurcalar, and every zone pays the same tour price with no transfer surcharge, so guests in the outer districts are never charged extra.
Is lunch included on the Green Canyon tour from Alanya?
Lunch is included only on the 4.5-hour Green Canyon Boat Tour, where a meal is served on board during the cruise, while the shorter 2.5-hour Catamaran Tour does not include any food, so pick the longer option if you want lunch handled for you.
Will I get seasick on the Green Canyon trip?
No — Green Canyon is a sheltered freshwater reservoir behind the Oymapinar Dam, not the open sea, so the water stays calm and still throughout the cruise and seasickness is simply not part of the experience, even for travellers who struggle on sea boat trips.
When can I do this trip from Alanya?
Green Canyon tours operate from spring through autumn, and during the summer season departures with Alanya pickup run every single day, so you can pick any date that suits your holiday plans and cancel free of charge up to 24 hours beforehand if things change.