REVIEW · SIDE
From City of Side: Alanya Tandem Paragliding w/ Beach Visit
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Payless Turizm · Bookable on GetYourGuide
That first view is the whole point.
This tandem paragliding experience flies you over Side-to-Alanya coastline with a gentle launch from Cleopatra’s Hill and a landing right on Cleopatra Beach. I love that it’s set up for first-timers (with a real pre-flight safety rundown and professional pilots/instructors) and that you skip taxi headaches thanks to round-trip hotel transfers all over Side. One thing to factor in: the total day can feel long, because you’re usually waiting around for your slot and then again for transport back.
The flight itself is short on paper, but big on feeling: you run a few steps with your instructor, then you’re up in the air over the water for close to 20 minutes (weather and wind decide the exact timing). After you land on the sand, you can review the pilot’s photos and videos and decide whether to buy them—nice souvenir, but not cheap.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About
- The Big Picture: What This Trip Gives You
- Getting Picked Up in Side (And Why Timing Can Matter)
- The Start Point: Cleopatra’s Hill at 700m
- Safety and Training: The Part You Should Actually Thank Them For
- Your Tandem Flight: Close to 20 Minutes in the Air
- Landing on Cleopatra Beach: Smooth, and Immediately Real
- The Rest of the Day: Why 6 Hours Can Feel Longer Than You Expect
- Price and Value: What’s Included, What Costs Extra
- Is it worth it?
- Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)
- The People Part: Instructors, Pilots, and the Calm Vibe
- What Could Go Wrong (The Practical Considerations)
- Quick Tips to Make Your Day Easier
- Should You Book Alanya Tandem Paragliding with Beach Visit?
- FAQ
- Where does the paragliding take place?
- How long is the paragliding flight?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Are photos and videos included in the price?
- What extra fees might I need to pay?
- What languages are the instructors available in?
- Can I bring a camera?
- Is the activity suitable for kids?
- What should I bring or wear?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

- 700 meters above sea level launch point at Cleopatra’s Hill, with a briefing before anything starts
- Smooth beach landing on Cleopatra Beach where you can immediately look for your photos preview
- Tandem setup with professional pilot + instructor attached from the start, which matters if you’re nervous
- No cameras allowed on the activity (your pilot captures everything, then you can purchase)
- English, Russian, Turkish, German support so you’re not stuck guessing during safety steps
- Photos and videos are extra and can be pricey, but discounts may apply if you’re buying for more than one person
The Big Picture: What This Trip Gives You

This isn’t a complicated day. It’s built around one moment: the glide above Cleopatra Beach and Alanya’s coastline, with a landing that puts you back on the sand instead of somewhere far away.
For your money, the best value isn’t just the airtime. The price includes the parts that usually make activities annoying or stressful: hotel transfer, safety training service, equipment, entrance fees, and full insurance. The extras are clearly separate—photos/videos, take-off entry fee, and food/drinks.
So if you want a clean, straightforward adventure day without negotiating transport or figuring out gear, this setup fits.
Other Side tours we've reviewed in Side
Getting Picked Up in Side (And Why Timing Can Matter)

Your day starts with a hotel pickup across Side. Plan to be ready at the main security gate of your hotel about 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. A small detail, but it’s the kind that can save your nerves.
Also note how the day can feel in real life: while the paragliding center is run with professionalism, some guests reported waiting at the end before the return transfer happened. In one case it was a long pause—close to three hours—before getting back to hotels. Another common theme was pickups or return rides running late (sometimes about 30 minutes).
That doesn’t change the quality of the flight experience, but it does affect your day. If you hate waiting, bring something to do (or at least accept that you’re on Mediterranean time for the logistics piece).
The Start Point: Cleopatra’s Hill at 700m

When you arrive at the flight area, the altitude is a big deal—the station sits on Cleopatra’s Hill at about 700 meters above sea level. That height is what gives you the panoramic views you came for.
Before anyone runs or launches, you’ll get a briefing that covers:
- how paragliding works in a tandem setup
- safety procedures
- the equipment you’ll use
- what to expect during take-off and landing
This is where the experience earns trust. Several people mentioned how reassuring and professional the staff were, including language support and calm instruction for nervous first-timers.
In one review, the manager George explained clearly what would happen and what to do when the paragliding started. Another person highlighted a pilot with long experience, which is exactly what you want when you’re thinking, Wait, I’m doing this now?
Safety and Training: The Part You Should Actually Thank Them For

You attach your gear to your instructor/pilot—this matters because it means you’re not trying to figure out complicated controls by yourself. Then you run a few meters with your instructor near the end of the hill, and at some point you’re no longer running.
What makes this tour worth it for many people is the way it handles nerves. One review described an instructor removing stress with the right words at the right time. Another stressed that the whole experience felt safe and professional even though the vibe was relaxed.
That combination is rare. You want competence and a calm atmosphere. Here, the structure leans strongly toward that: professional pilots and instructors + detailed safety introduction + full insurance included.
Your Tandem Flight: Close to 20 Minutes in the Air

The flight lasts almost 20 minutes, but weather and wind direction can change it. That’s normal for paragliding anywhere—so don’t plan your next activity like the flight is guaranteed to end at a precise minute.
During your airborne time, you’ll admire views over:
- Cleopatra’s Beach
- turquoise water and sandy stretches along the coast
Because it’s tandem, your pilot controls the flight while you experience it. If you’re prone to worry, this is the moment where most people feel the adrenaline and the freedom quickly—often right after you lift off.
One note to set expectations: your camera is not allowed during the activity. That means you’ll be focused on being present and letting the pilot handle capturing the moment. If you’re the type who likes documenting everything, this rule might feel annoying at first. But the payoff is that you don’t have to fumble with a device while strapped in.
Other Alanya tours we've reviewed in Side
Landing on Cleopatra Beach: Smooth, and Immediately Real

Landing happens on Cleopatra Beach. The pilot manages it so it’s smooth and pleasurable, and you end right where your eyes want to go after the flight—down at the sand and sea level.
This landing style is a big practical win. There’s no “now you walk back for 20 minutes while everyone else is packing.” You’re already at the beach, which makes the experience feel complete.
Right after landing, you can preview the pilot’s photos and videos. If you like what you see, you can purchase them at an extra cost.
Some guests found the photo package pricey, but also said it was worth it as a keepsake—especially if you’re doing it with someone you’ll want to remember sharing the moment.
There was also mention of special types of footage (like 3D videos), and at least one report said photos started around 50 euros. Another helpful detail: discounts may apply if you buy for more than one person, so if you’re going as a pair or family, ask about bundle deals.
The Rest of the Day: Why 6 Hours Can Feel Longer Than You Expect

Even though your flight is around 20 minutes, the full experience is listed as 6 hours. That usually covers:
- travel to/from your hotel
- briefing time
- waiting for weather/conditions and slot timing
- the photo preview and purchase step
This is where your mindset matters. If you treat it like a “two-hour activity,” you’ll feel frustrated. If you treat it like a “half-day outing with one big highlight,” it feels more normal.
One review mentioned lots of waiting at the end, and another described a long pause before transport back. So, if your schedule is tight, don’t pack in a late dinner reservation right after pickup times. Build buffer.
Price and Value: What’s Included, What Costs Extra

The cost is listed at $94 per person for this Side-based tandem paragliding experience.
Here’s what you get for that:
- Hotel transfer (both ways)
- Training service
- All equipment
- All entrance fees
- Full insurance
What’s not included:
- Photos and videos
- Food and drinks
- Take-off entry fee: 20 EUR
That last one can be easy to miss if you’re only comparing headline prices. Still, the tour is pretty clear that the take-off fee and the media are extras.
Is it worth it?
For many people, yes—because you’re not paying separately for the stuff that usually creates friction: insurance, equipment, a trained setup, and the transfer from Side. But be honest with yourself about your souvenir habits.
If you’ll buy photos/video (and you often should, because you can’t bring your own camera), then budget for that add-on. If you’re strict about spending, consider going in with a plan: preview the footage first, then decide.
Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This tour is set up for tandem flying where instructors run the show and you focus on the experience.
It is not suitable for:
- children under 6
- pregnant women
- people with mobility impairments
And it asks you to wear comfortable clothes. That’s it—no fancy clothing requirements mentioned, but you should still dress for the weather and a bit of walking/running at the hill.
Best fit:
- first-timers who want reassurance and structure
- couples or friends who want a shared memory of the same flight and beach landing
- people staying in Side who don’t want taxi logistics
The People Part: Instructors, Pilots, and the Calm Vibe
The best paragliding days are rarely about the views alone. They’re about how safe you feel inside the process.
In reviews, several names came up:
- George, the manager, praised for explaining what to do
- Memeth, a pilot who helped a first-timer feel confident and provided great photos/video
- Jan, noted as very professional
- Ozkan, mentioned as an excellent driver
- Eric, helping with reservations and support
You can’t control who you get, but the repeated theme is clear: the staff communicate, stay upbeat, and handle nervous energy well. That’s a big reason people come back saying they’d do it again.
What Could Go Wrong (The Practical Considerations)
No tour is perfect, and this one has a couple realistic friction points:
- Transport waiting and lateness: Some guests reported late pickups and waiting after the activity before transfer back.
- Photo/video pricing: People flagged it as expensive. You may feel better after seeing the preview—just don’t assume it will be a small add-on.
- Weather affects flight time: The flight is almost 20 minutes, but it can vary with wind and conditions.
None of these point to a bad flight. They mostly point to how the overall day can stretch out, especially when transport is handled by a different company.
Quick Tips to Make Your Day Easier
- Wear comfortable clothes and plan for some time outdoors.
- Leave space in your schedule afterward for possible waiting.
- If you care about photos, accept that you can’t bring a camera—so budget for the pilot’s package or at least be ready to say yes when you see what they captured.
- If you’re doing this as a pair, ask about bundle pricing before you buy only one package.
Should You Book Alanya Tandem Paragliding with Beach Visit?
Book it if you want a high-impact experience without dealing with complicated planning: hotel transfers, equipment, training, and insurance are already handled. The beach landing at Cleopatra Beach is also the kind of finish that makes the whole day feel complete.
Skip it (or think twice) if you:
- hate waiting around for transport
- can’t stand the idea of paying extra for photos/videos
- need accessibility accommodations not covered by the stated restrictions
- are uncomfortable with wind/weather affecting your exact flight time
If you’re okay with a half-day outing and you’re excited by the idea of gliding above the coast and landing on sand, this is a very solid value in the Side area.
FAQ
Where does the paragliding take place?
The flight station is located on Cleopatra’s Hill at about 700 meters above sea level, and landing is on Cleopatra Beach.
How long is the paragliding flight?
The paragliding flight lasts almost 20 minutes, and the exact duration can change depending on weather and wind direction.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Hotel transfer is included both ways, and pickup is from hotels all over Side.
Are photos and videos included in the price?
No. Photos and videos taken during the flight are not included and can be purchased for an extra cost.
What extra fees might I need to pay?
Food and drinks are not included, and there is a take-off entry fee of 20 EUR that is not included.
What languages are the instructors available in?
Instructors are available in English, Russian, Turkish, and German.
Can I bring a camera?
No. Cameras are not allowed during the activity.
Is the activity suitable for kids?
No. It’s not suitable for children under 6.
What should I bring or wear?
Bring comfortable clothes. Also follow the operator’s rules about what’s allowed during the activity.























