Manavgat Waterfall is so important to every Turkish citizen that it was featured on the five lira banknote that was in circulation until 1983. This is one of the main natural attractions of the country. Therefore, all guides recommend tourists to see the waterfall in the original. It is named after the river, where it forms a beautiful cascade. The stream height is insignificant. But it’s still worth going to the waterfall in order to temporarily change the sea holiday to the river one, enjoy new experiences, sit in a fish restaurant or cafe under shady trees and leave, taking colorful photos with you. In this article we will tell you how to get to the Manavgat waterfall. Self-guided tour will be devoted not only to this one attraction. Near the waterfall is the ancient city of Manavgat. And along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Anatolian nature.
Manavgat (waterfall): how to get there
This amazing attraction is located just five kilometers fromshores of the Mediterranean. So the excursion, which distracted you from the beach holiday, will not be long and will take a maximum of half a day. The waterfall is located in the province of Antalya. But about eighty kilometers separate it from the main city of the coast. A more accurate address of the attraction: Turkey, Side. The Manavgat waterfall is located literally three kilometers from the city of the same name. So first you need to get to it. Minibuses, called dolmush in Turkey, follow to the city of Manavgat. It can be reached from Antalya and, of course, from Side. And already in Manavgat itself, you need to change to a dolmush with a sign on the windshield “Selale” (Shelale, which means “waterfall”). These minibuses depart at intervals of a quarter of an hour. With your own or rented car, you can get to the city along the D400 highway. To the north of the waterfall (twelve kilometers) is the Oymapinar dam.
Self-guided tour
For city minibuses from Managavt with the inscription "Selale" this is not the final stop. You need to warn the driver and get out in the parking lot. Where there is a parking lot for sightseeing buses and dolmush from Side, the Manavgat waterfall has an official entrance. You need to purchase a ticket. It costs (for an adult) three and a half lira. Near the ticket office you will find guide horses, camels, ponies and donkeys. But it is better to go to the waterfall on foot. Walk straight between the rows of souvenir shops, teahouses and cafes. And now, turning behind the white building, you will find yourself on the observation deck right in front of the waterfall. Reviews of tourists are divided in opinion when it is betterjust visit this natural attraction. After the rains in the Taurus mountains, the waterfall turns into a rapid. He just hides in the rising river. But in the dry season, the waterfall flows down from a height of five meters. On the other hand, during the rainy period, the natural attraction makes a more powerful impression. Water fills part of the observation deck, and you can estimate the temperature of the mountain stream - somewhere around ten degrees.
What is Manavgat Waterfall (Antalya)
As we already mentioned, the height of this stream is small - only five meters. But the width is quite significant. For forty meters it spills between the two banks. Falling water breaks into many splashes. In fact, there are several viewing platforms. They are also located in a cascade, one above the other. And all of them can take great pictures. There is no water on the upper observation deck, but on the lower ones you need to protect the camera and the camera from splashes. Reviews advise you to go out on them in shoes that are fixed on your feet or barefoot, since flip flops and flip flops can carry away the Manavgat waterfall with their fast and powerful current. It is difficult to take photos and selfies - both because of the splashes and because of the large crowds of people. After all, about a million people visit the waterfall every year, and most of them come in the summer. In addition to foreign tourists, many Turks come to this natural attraction. Hikers can follow the paths along the river.
Whererefreshment
The Manavgat River is rich in trout. And therefore, many fish restaurants huddle near the waterfall. The portions are huge and the prices are generous. Many restaurants are built so that visitors can watch the Manavgat waterfall in all its glory while eating. The reviews even mention one cafe that stands in the river itself, like a big raft that is about to be carried away by the current. Since this place is loved by the Turks, there are many classic teahouses here with traditional low tables and cushions instead of chairs. Reviews recommend ordering trout and tasting the thinnest cakes. You will always want to come here again - just to have a romantic candlelight dinner overlooking the falls. And, of course, you can not leave this place without a souvenir. And there are more than enough shops selling this product.
Manavgat city
To see the waterfall, even taking into account the queues to create beautiful photos, it will take you an hour and a half at most. Do not rush to return to Side. Better take the opportunity and visit the city of Manavgat. It is very ancient - the first buildings date back to the sixth century BC. Like many cities of antiquity, it was abandoned for many centuries. And the first mention of the new city (called Melas) dates back to 1329. Founded by the Seljuks, it became part of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century. The city is located closer to the sea than the Manavgat waterfall. At the main bridge on the river there is a pier where you can board a tourist boat. The program on board varies. Someboats go to the waterfall. But most ships go downstream.
Selection of excursions
Waterfall on the Manavgat River is not the only attraction of these places. And you can be convinced of this by joining the excursion on the ship. The trip can last about two hours, or it can take up to six - it all depends on the program. Some ships simply go to the "zero" kilometer, where the Manavgat River flows into the Mediterranean Sea. Different density and temperature of water lead to the fact that the confluence seems to be flaky. Reviews advise alternately swimming first in a cold river, and then in a warm sea. On the way back, lunch and performances by folklore groups are offered. Some ships sail into the Altınbesik cave, where you can see stalactites, stalagmites and small dams. Reviews recommend going to Lake Titreyengol. It has many trout farms. In addition to predatory fish, quite friendly and sociable turtles are found here.
For outdoor enthusiasts
You can go down the river not only on tourist boats. Active tourists go to the zero kilometer by boats and canoes. Between the river and the sea, a sand spit was washed up - a great place for walking or cycling. Where the Manavgat waterfall flows, there is an opportunity to ride horses or camels. You can go upstream to the artificial dams of Baraj and Oymapinar. About the beauty of the last reservoir, tourists leave the mostpositive reviews. The beauty of the dam, surrounded by steep cliffs with coniferous forests, is simply mesmerizing. Some sections of the Manavgat River are suitable for rafting. Excellent rafting in Koprulu canyon.
Build your day wisely
Reviews recommend coming to the Manavgat waterfall early in the morning. Most tourist buses arrive around noon. Then it gets very crowded, it's hard to take good photos. After admiring the waterfall and having a bite to eat in one of the restaurants, go to the mountains or return to the city of Manavgat. In its vicinity are the ruins of ancient Side. After visiting the temple of Apollo, the basilica and the amphitheater, you can also visit the ancient Seleucia. And you can end the day with a trip on a boat to the mouth of the Manavgat River.
