CURRENT: The caves are unfortunately certainly not open until 2021 due to work.

The Altinbesik Cave (Altınbeşik Mağarası) is located on the west side of the steep Manavgat hill.

It is a horizontal and partly active cave system and its name comes from the Altinbesik hill, at the top of the cave. This region of the Taurus Mountains has a very complex geological and geomorphological structure with geological overlaps, large twists and turns and deep valleys. Altinbesik Cave was carved out of ancient limestone in the upper Creosote.

The Altinbesik Cave has one of the most unusual underground lakes in the world. This was developed on three levels: the lower and middle levels are active in the rainy seasons, the upper level is always dry. The bottom level is still active with an underground river, rimstone pools and waterfalls. That is why it is sometimes called Altinbesik waterfalls (Altınbeşik Düdeni). The Altinbesik Cave acts as an underground stream that releases water that has accumulated underground. In the fall, there are many stationary ponds, and in the spring, many streams flow from the cave’s sub and middle levels. At the top level, there are stalactites and stalagmites. The Altinbesik Cave is visited by boat, until a travertine barrier, a 44 m high curb stone, is reached. The first cave lake is 125 m long and up to 9 m deep, and it is followed by a section with many formations. The entrance portal is 40 m wide and 40 m high. The highest point of the Altinbesik Cave is 101 meters high.

The underground lake collects the spring waters of the Manavgat River before turning into a river and it is a true natural wonder that can also be traversed by boat. Altinbesik Cave Lake is part of the submerged waters of Gembos Lake. The water discharged from the Manavgat River has carved a natural bridge into the cave. Unusual formations in the walls of the Altinbesik Cave document and demonstrate the power of this current. The rich flora and fauna around the cave form a National Park (Milli Parki).

Altınbeşik Mağarası can be easily combined with a visit to the knotted houses in Düğmeli Evler.

Visit

Altınbeşik Mağarası is approximately 2 hours driving from Villa Carlijn