Explore Turkey’s Most Famous Caves: A Travel Guide for Nature Lovers
Turkey attracts attention not only for its historical richness and unique beaches, but also for its fascinating caves. These natural wonders, which have undergone thousands of years of formation processes, are waiting to be discovered with their geological structures and historical values. From Karain Cave to Ballıca Cave, from Gilindire to Dupnisa, caves all over Turkey offer unique routes for nature lovers, photography enthusiasts and history lovers. If you are looking for the most beautiful caves to visit in Turkey, this detailed guide is for you!
1. Karain Cave - Antalya
Karain Cave is one of the most important archaeological sites in Anatolia that sheds light on human history. It hosted the longest human settlement of the Palaeolithic period in Turkey. During the excavations in the cave, remains of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens were found; in this respect, it made a great impression both in Turkey and in the world archaeology literature. In addition, the stone tools and animal bones found here provide important clues about the lifestyle of early hunter-gatherer societies.
Everything You Need to Know
Location: It is located on a mountain slope in the Yağca Village of the Döşemealtı district of Antalya. A short hiking trail leads to the cave.
Transportation: From Antalya city centre, go in the direction of Döşemealtı on the D650 highway, then follow the Yağca Village sign and reach the cave by private car.
Entrance Fee: As of 2025, the full ticket is 30 TL; the Museum Card is valid.
Duration of Visit: 45 minutes - 1 hour, stairs inside the cave and cool weather conditions should be taken into consideration.
Places to See in the Area:
Antalya Museum: Stone tools, human fossils, and animal remains from Karain excavations are exhibited here.
Termessos Ancient City: An impressive archaeological site hidden in the forest with its magnificent ruins from the Hellenistic period.
Düzlerçamı National Park: An ideal destination for hiking with its wild goats and rich vegetation.
2. Damlatas Cave - Alanya
Damlataş Cave, one of the first caves opened for tourism in Turkey, is one of the most sought-after places for asthma patients. The cave is also visited for medical purposes due to its features such as 22-23 °C temperature, humidity exceeding 90% and constant pressure throughout the year. The cave was formed by the erosion of limestone over thousands of years and contains spectacular natural formations consisting of stalactites, stalagmites and columns.
Everything You Need to Know
Location: In the centre of Alanya, right next to Damlatas Beach, a few minutes from Cleopatra Beach.
Transportation: It can be reached on foot from the city centre; since it is located in the tourist area, transportation is extremely easy.
Entrance Fee: Full 25 TL, student 12.5 TL; Museum Card is not valid.
Duration of Visit: 30 minutes on average; the area inside the cave is not large, but it is worth seeing with its impressive atmosphere.
Places to See in the Area:
Alanya Castle: Dating from the Seljuk period, it attracts attention with its sea view walls and inner castle area.
Alanya Shipyard: Built in the 13th century, one of the oldest shipyards in Anatolia.
Archaeology Museum: Artefacts from ancient settlements in and around Alanya are exhibited.
3. Insuyu Cave - Burdur
Insuyu Cave has the title of being Turkey's first cave opened to tourism. The cave system, which is approximately 597 meters long, was formed by the dissolution of limestone and contains 9 ponds. The most famous of these, the “Great Lake”, contributes to the mystical atmosphere of the cave even though it tends to dry up over time. The humid air inside welcomes those who enter the cave with a cooling effect on hot summer days.
Everything You Need to Know
Location: It is located on the Burdur-Antalya highway, 13 km from the city centre.
Transportation: It is easily accessible by minibuses or private car from the city centre.
Entrance Fee: Full 40 TL, student 20 TL.
Visiting Time: 30-45 minutes; the walking path inside the cave is organised.
Places to See in the Surroundings:
Salda Lake: It is known as “Turkey's Maldives” with its turquoise water and white sandy beach.
Burdur Archaeology Museum: It has a rich collection of artefacts from the Pisidia region.
Sagalassos Ancient City: It attracts attention with its magnificent Roman buildings and impressive theatre.
4. Dupnisa Cave - Kırklareli
Dupnisa Cave is the only cave open for tourism in the Thrace Region. The system, which is about 3 km long, consists of two main sections, the Dry Cave and the Watery Cave. The watery section contains groundwater that flows actively throughout the year, while the dry section is a fossil structure. The cave is home to around 60,000 bats of 16 species and is therefore kept closed during the winter months. The visiting season is usually from May to October.
Everything You Need to Know
Location: It is located near Sarpdere Village, Demirköy district of Kırklareli.
Transportation: It can be reached by private vehicle by following the 6 km forest road after the Demirköy centre.
Entrance Fee: Full 25 TL, student 12.5 TL.
Visiting Time: Average 1 - 1.5 hours.
Places to See Around:
İğneada Floodplain Forests: It is one of the largest floodplain forests in Europe, ideal for botany and bird watching.
Kıyıköy: Fishing town on the Black Sea coast, famous for its historic monasteries and natural bays.
Fatih Foundry: One of the rare industrial buildings from the Ottoman period.
5. Ballıca Cave - Tokat
Ballıca Cave is one of the symbols of Tokat and is fascinating with its geological structure and historical texture. The cave has 8 floors and only 5 floors can be visited. There are different sections such as “Great Hall”, “Mushroom Hall”, “Fossil Hall”, “Muddy Hall” in the cave. With a history of 3.4 million years, Ballıca is like a visual feast of the underground world.
Everything You Need to Know
Location: It is within the borders of Ballıca Village in Pazar district of Tokat, about 45 minutes away from the city centre.
Transportation: It is possible to reach by private car or district buses from the centre of Tokat.
Entrance Fee: Full 50 TL, student 25 TL; Museum Card is not valid.
Duration of Visit: 1 - 1.5 hours.
Places to See in the Surroundings:
Tokat Castle: A defence structure built on the rocks, full of natural and artificial cavities.
Sulusokak Bazaar: Historical bazaar area dating back to the Ottoman period.
Yazmacılar Bazaar: A touristic spot where handmade manuscripts and traditional weavings are sold.
6. Gilindire Cave (Aynalıgöl) - Mersin
Gilindire Cave is 46 meters above sea level and has a cave entrance overlooking the sea. The 555-meter-long walkway is accompanied by natural formations full of stalactites, stalagmites and columns. The Mirror Lake at the end of the cave is a clear underground lake that gives the cave its name and reflects like a mirror. The entire cave was listed among the areas recommended for protection by the UNESCO National Committee of Turkey in 2021.
Everything You Need to Know
Location: It is about 10 km away from the Aydıncık district of Mersin.
Transportation: Transportation can be provided by private vehicle via the D400 highway towards Aydıncık.
Entrance Fee: Full 50 TL, student 25 TL.
Visiting Time: 1.5 hours in total; there is a walkway with about 560 steps during the descent from the entrance into the cave.
Places to See in the Surroundings:
Aydıncık Beaches: Known for their quiet and natural beaches.
Kelenderis Ancient City: It is a harbour city belonging to the Hellenistic period, famous for its mosaics.
Anamurium Ancient City: Another ancient site to visit, with its Roman tomb structures and theatre.
7. Cehennemağzı Caves - Zonguldak
Cehennemağzı Caves, one of the most important stops of the Black Sea mythology, is considered to be the scene of the story of the “Removal of the Underground Monster Kerberos”, one of the 12 tasks of Heracles in Ancient Greek mythology. The complex consists of three caves, one of which was used as a cistern and one of which was used as an underground temple during the Roman period.
Everything You Need to Know
Location: It is located in the centre of Karadeniz Ereğli district of Zonguldak.
Transportation: It is easily accessible on foot from the centre of Ereğli.
Entrance Fee: Full 20 TL, student 10 TL.
Visiting Time: Approximately 30 minutes. Since it is cool and dark inside the caves, they should be visited carefully.
Places to See in the Surroundings:
Ereğli Castle: It attracts attention with its historical walls and view.
Gazi Alemdar Museum: A museum-ship that tells the story of the Alemdar Ship, which played an important role in the War of Independence.
Atatürk Monument: One of the symbols of Karadeniz Ereğli.
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