Top 10 Most Popular Caves in Turkey
Thousands of cave formations can be found in the Taurus Mountains, Central Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia, Thrace and northwestern Anatolia due to the effect of the land structure. While some of these caves can be visited today, some of them are still closed. We have compiled ten of the most popular caves in Turkey for you in this article.
1 – Astım Cave / Mersin
Located within the borders of Silifke district of Mersin, the pearl of the Mediterranean, this cave is quite famous. This cave, which is about 300 meters ahead of the Heaven – Hell collapse, is reached by a staircase made of iron. All galleries in the cave are connected with each other. The galleries are decorated with very interestingly shaped, shiny, giant stalactites and stalagmites.
2 – Ballıca Cave / Tokat
The Ballıca Cave or Indere Cave, which started to form about 3.5 million years ago, is located in Ballıca, in the Pazar district of Tokat. It is one of the largest caves in the world and has been visited since 1995. It is known to be good for patients suffering from asthma and shortness of breath. It consists of five floors and eight galleries connected to each other.
3 – Dupnisa Cave / Kirklareli
This limestone cave, within the borders of Sarpdere Village of Demirköy district of Kırklareli, consists of two floors and three entrances. One of these dry caves in the upper part is Kız Cave and the other is Kuru Cave. These caves have completed their development. Sulu Cave is located 50-60 m below these caves. 200 meters of Kuru Cave and 250 meters of Sulu Cave can be visited.
4 – Oylat Cave / Bursa
There are giant stalactites and stalagmites in the form of large blocks in the cave located within the boundary of the İnegöl district of Yeşil Bursa. Narrow galleries are accessed from the entrance of the cave, which consists of two connected floors, to the large hall. Damlataş pools and giant boilers draw attention in this section.
5 – Cüceler Cave / Antalya
It is located within the borders of Demirtaş, a district of Alanya. The entrance of the cave starts with a magnificent view of the valley that can be watched from the viewing terrace. The total walking distance in the cave, which was opened to visitors in 2012 and consists of 6 galleries, is 155 meters. There are stalactites and stalagmites at every walkable point where you can feel the power of nature.
6 – Aynalıgöl Cave / Mersin
Aynalıgöl Cave, also known as Gilindire, was found by chance by a shepherd living in the region. There is also a lake in the cave located between Sancak Burnu and Kurtini Stream in Mersin Aydıncık district. Professional divers can dive with special equipment in the lake. Another feature of this wonderful lake in the cave is that the stalactites and stalagmites continue in the lake.
7 – Karain Cave / Antalya
Karain, one of the biggest natural formation caves of our country, is located in Antalya. In excavations in the cave, which today is used as the settlement of the determined until 500,000 years ago and has been on the record as the largest cave in Turkey to have been inhabited in. Finds from the cave excavation are exhibited in the Karain Museum and Antalya Museum.
8 – Karaca Cave / Gümüşhane
Karaca Cave is a naturally formed cave at an altitude of 1550 meters from the sea within the borders of Cebeli Village of Torul district of Gümüşhane. In the cave; There are many natural wonders such as dripstone shapes, stalactites, stalagmites, columns, org-patterned walls, cave flowers, cave pearls and travertine steps.
9 – Yalan Dünya Cave / Antalya
It is located in Beyrebucak Village, Gazipaşa district of Antalya. The cave entrance is a little narrow. However, as you go down, a large corridor welcomes visitors. Stalactites, stalagmites and columns, which have a magnificent formation, start from the entrance of the cave. The most interesting structure of the cave is the 10 meter diameter column formed by water droplets over millions of years.
10 – Damlataş Cave / Antalya
It is the most famous and best known in our country, Damlataş Cave in Alanya district of Antalya. Located on the seafront cave bears the distinction of being the first cave opened to tourism in Turkey. The cave is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists throughout the year not only for tourism purposes but also for treatment purposes.