Skip to content
24/7 dispatch online
TÜRSAB licensed · D-12490
📍 Antalya148 km from AYT🏨 24 hotels

Mahmutlar Airport Transfer

Russian-speaking quarter east of Alanya.

148 km
AYT · 125 min
35 km
GZP · 30 min
About Mahmutlar

About Mahmutlar

Mahmutlar is the long beachfront strip east of Alanya — 148 km from Antalya Airport but only 35 km from Gazipaşa. Permanent expat community, sea-view apartment towers and the Russian-language Tuesday market.

Laid-back, lived-in and international. Mahmutlar feels less like a packaged resort and more like a sun-soaked seaside town where expats and Turkish families share the same promenade, market and tea gardens. Days move slowly between the beach, the pool and the cafe; evenings centre on long, affordable dinners and walks along the water. It is unpretentious, multilingual and friendly, with enough modern comforts to feel easy but enough local life to feel real.

Best season
Late April to October is prime, with hot, dry summers (July and August often above 33C) perfect for the sea, and gentle shoulder months in May, June, September and October that are ideal for walking the promenade and exploring inland. Thanks to its big resident expat community, Mahmutlar stays genuinely alive in winter too: mild days, open cafes and the Tuesday market continue year-round, making November to March a quiet, budget-friendly time for longer stays.
Hidden gem · The Dim valley, just up the hill
A short drive inland from Mahmutlar, the Dim River (Dimcay) flows out of the Taurus through a cool green canyon dotted with riverside restaurants built on platforms over the water, where you eat trout and meze with your feet near the current. Combine it with the dramatic Dim Cave above and, a little further, the waterfalls and wooden walkways of Sapadere Canyon for a refreshing mountain escape that most beach visitors miss.
What Mahmutlar is famous for

Six reasons people choose Mahmutlar

The standout features that set Mahmutlar apart from every other Antalya region.

🌍
International expat enclave
Mahmutlar is one of the most cosmopolitan corners of Alanya, home to a large year-round community of Scandinavians, Germans, Russians and other Northern Europeans. Norwegian bakeries, Russian delis and English-speaking estate agents sit side by side with Turkish tradesmen, giving the town a relaxed, multilingual rhythm that lasts well beyond the summer season.
🏖️
Long beach promenade
The defining feature is a seafront walkway that runs for several kilometres beside the Mediterranean, backed by the Taurus mountains. Locals stroll, cycle and jog it at sunset, and it links a string of beach clubs, tea gardens and gozleme stands. The beach itself is mostly pebble with patches of sand, so water shoes are a smart pack.
🛒
Famous Tuesday Market
Every Tuesday the streets around Barbaros Caddesi fill with one of the coast's biggest open-air markets. Stalls overflow with sun-ripened produce, olives, cheeses, spices, fresh fish, textiles and the well-known 'genuine fake' clothing. It is a social ritual as much as a shop, and a highlight for visitors staying nearby.
🏙️
Modern apartment towers
Unlike old Alanya, Mahmutlar grew up fast and tall. Its skyline is full of newer residence complexes with rooftop pools, gyms, saunas and gardens, many built with foreign buyers in mind. This is holiday-apartment country rather than grand five-star resorts, ideal for self-catering and longer stays.
🍽️
Genuine value dining
Mahmutlar is celebrated for eating well without spending much. The international population means you can find Swedish fika, Russian blini, German bakeries and Indian curries alongside excellent Turkish pide, kebab and meze houses, often at noticeably gentler prices than central Alanya or the big resort strips.
🌅
Easy east-Alanya base
Sitting roughly 10-12 km east of Alanya centre, Mahmutlar is close enough for castle days and harbour nights, yet calmer and more local than the tourist core. It is also the natural gateway to the Dim valley, Dim Cave and Sapadere Canyon just inland, making it a comfortable hub for exploring the eastern coast.
What to do

Things to do in Mahmutlar

A short-list our drivers and dispatchers recommend after dropping guests at their hotel.

🚶
Walk the seafront promenade
Take the kilometres-long coastal path at golden hour, when the light hits the Taurus behind you and the sea turns copper. Stop for tea or an ice cream at one of the beachside gardens; it is the single most popular thing residents and visitors do here, every evening.
🛍️
Shop the Tuesday Market
Arrive mid-morning around the Barbaros Caddesi area to graze on olives, cheese, dried fruit and just-picked produce, then browse textiles and clothing. Bring cash, small change and a sturdy bag, and do not be shy about polite haggling on non-food stalls.
🏊
Beach and pool days
Spend the day between the public beach and your complex's pool. The water is clean and clear; the shoreline is pebbly in stretches, so water shoes help. Sunbeds, beach bars and watersports operators line the busier sections in season.
🍢
Eat your way around town
Make a project of Mahmutlar's value dining: a Turkish breakfast spread one morning, a riverside trout lunch the next, then international evenings of curry, blini or Scandinavian baking. Many restaurants cluster along Barbaros Caddesi and the streets running down to the sea.
🛁
Try a Turkish hammam
Several hammams and spas in and around Mahmutlar offer the full ritual of steam, scrub and foam massage, an affordable, relaxing way to spend a slower afternoon and a classic introduction to Turkish bath culture.
🚤
Day-trip into Alanya
Hop the short distance west to Alanya for the Seljuk castle, the Red Tower, the harbour and a boat tour past Cleopatra Beach and the sea caves. It is close enough to do as an easy half- or full-day outing and back for dinner.
Worth seeing

Must-see sights near Mahmutlar

All reachable on a half-day or full-day private Mercedes tour.

🏞️
Dim River (Dimcay) valley
A cool, leafy canyon just inland where restaurants on stilts serve fresh trout over the rushing river, dammed in places into swimming pools. A beloved local escape from the summer heat, only a short drive from town.
🕳️
Dim Cave
High above the river, this large illuminated cave reveals around 360 metres of walkways past dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, with a constant cool interior and sweeping views over the valley from its mouth.
💧
Sapadere Canyon
Further into the Taurus, a wooden walkway threads a narrow gorge past waterfalls and turquoise plunge pools, one of the area's most photogenic and refreshing inland excursions.
🏰
Alanya Castle & harbour
A short trip west, the hilltop Seljuk fortress, the octagonal Red Tower (Kizil Kule) and the lively old harbour are the region's headline historic sights, easily reached from Mahmutlar.
Trip tricks

Travel tips for Mahmutlar transfers

What we tell every guest before they fly in. Save these on your phone before landing.

👟
Pack water shoes
Much of Mahmutlar's shoreline is pebble rather than soft sand, and the same goes for the Dim River pools. A cheap pair of water shoes makes the beach and the river far more comfortable.
💵
Carry cash for the market
The Tuesday market, smaller cafes and many local shops prefer cash. Keep small Turkish lira notes on hand; larger restaurants and supermarkets usually take cards, but stalls rarely do.
🚗
Consider a car for inland trips
The town centre is walkable, but the Dim valley, Sapadere and quieter beaches are easier with wheels. If you would rather not drive, dolmus minibuses run along the coast and taxis are plentiful.
✈️
Fly into Gazipasa (GZP)
Gazipasa-Alanya Airport is by far the closest gateway, about a 35-minute transfer away. Antalya Airport (AYT) has more flights but sits roughly two to two and a half hours west, so factor that into your arrival plans.
FAQ

Mahmutlar transfer · frequently asked

Quick answers about transfers, distance and what to expect on arrival.

How far is Mahmutlar from Gazipasa Airport (GZP)?

Mahmutlar is about 32 km from Gazipasa-Alanya Airport, a private transfer of roughly 35 minutes along the coastal road. GZP is the closest and most convenient airport for the town, so if your flight allows, it is the easiest way in and out.

How long is the transfer from Antalya Airport (AYT) to Mahmutlar?

Antalya Airport is roughly 135-150 km west of Mahmutlar, which means a drive of about 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic. Many visitors still fly into AYT because it has more routes; a private transfer is the most comfortable option for a journey of that length, especially with luggage or children.

Is it better to fly into Gazipasa or Antalya for Mahmutlar?

For convenience, Gazipasa (GZP) wins easily, as it is only around 35 minutes away. Antalya (AYT) typically offers more flights and cheaper fares but adds a 2 to 2.5 hour transfer. Compare your flight price and time against the longer drive, and book a private transfer either way so a driver is waiting regardless of which airport you choose.

How do I get from Mahmutlar to Alanya centre?

Alanya's centre is only about 10-12 km west. Dolmus minibuses run frequently along the main coastal road for a few lira, taxis are inexpensive for the short hop, and a private transfer or rental car is handy if you are carrying shopping or want to continue to the castle and harbour.

Is Mahmutlar a good base for a holiday in Alanya?

Yes, particularly if you want value, a local feel and a long stay. It offers modern apartments, excellent affordable dining, a long beach promenade and a big international community, while staying calmer than central Alanya. It is also well placed for inland trips to the Dim valley and Sapadere. The main trade-offs are a partly pebble beach and fewer large all-inclusive resorts than the western strips.

Get a Hand-Priced Quote

1Trip details
Pickup Date
Pickup Time
2Your details
Estimated
Antalya Airport → Mahmutlar
EUR72
No card required · Cash or card on arrival · Free cancellation up to 24 h
TÜRSAB licence D-12490 · €100,000 passenger insurance · Pay the driver on arrival
From40Private transfer to Mahmutlar
Reserve on WhatsApp