CAVES

It would not be wrong to call Alanya a “city of caves.” In Alanya, you can discover the mysterious world of both land and sea caves. While walking through land caves that date back millions of years, you can admire the magical world of stalactites and stalagmites formed over tens of thousands of years, and even witness new formations taking shape.

The impressive atmosphere created by the lighting inside the caves makes visitors feel as if they are walking through the set of a fantasy film. Kadıini Cave, which is not yet open to visitors, is known as one of the first living areas of humans in Alanya, dating back 20,000 years. The sea caves beneath the peninsula are also home to legends from ancient times.

Damlataş Cave
Located on the western coast of the historic peninsula, the entrance section of the cave has a 50-meter passage. After this passage, which reaches a height of 15 meters, visitors arrive at a cylindrical chamber and descend to the floor of the cave. The stalactites and stalagmites inside the semi-crystallized limestone cave were formed over approximately 15,000 years.

Damlataş Cave is famous not only for its fascinating beauty but also for its air, which is known to be beneficial for asthma patients. The air inside the cave remains the same in summer and winter; the temperature is 22°C, humidity is 95%, and the pressure is fixed at 760 mm.

Dim Cave
Dim Cave is located 12 kilometers east of Alanya, on the slope of the 1,649-meter-high Cebel-i Reis Mountain. The cave is 232 meters above sea level. It is the second largest cave in Turkey open to visitors and is estimated to be about 1 million years old.

The cave extends into the mountain in two separate branches, one measuring 50 meters and the other 360 meters. At the end of the cave, which is filled with stalactites and stalagmites, there is a small lake. With its stairways and impressive interior atmosphere, the cave resembles the scenery of a fantasy film.

Pirates Cave
Pirates Cave is a sea cave located beneath the historic peninsula and can be reached by boat. Its entrance is approximately 10 meters wide and 6 meters high. Small boats can enter the cave.

There are legends about a secret passage leading from the cave to the castle. The view of the rocks on the seabed adds a mysterious atmosphere to the cave.

Lovers Cave
Located on the slope of the peninsula, Lovers Cave is 75 meters long and has two entrances. After the boat approaches the rocks, visitors reach the cave by climbing up the rocks. Due to its low ceiling, it is necessary to walk bent over inside the cave.

The entrance on the Damlataş side is about 8 meters above sea level, and it is possible to jump into the sea from this point.

Phosphorescent Cave
Phosphorescent Cave is a sea cave located on the Damlataş side of the peninsula. Small boats can enter the cave. Due to the geological structure of the cave, its floor glows like phosphorus at night with the reflection of moonlight.

This glow can also be noticed during the day. Tour boats often stop in front of the cave for short swimming breaks.