Many people consider that vacation in Turkey exclusively restricted with the beaches, but this is not true at all. Turkey is an open-air museum. There is a huge number of sights, hiking trails, ancient cities and mysterious caves. These places are full of history, legends and simply fantastic views. And today we are going to tell you about the most fascinating caves in Alanya. If you love adventure and want to know the secrets hidden in the depths of the earth, you will definitely like this article!
Let’s get acquainted with 7 caves, three of which are accessed from the sea: Pirates’ Cave, Lovers’ Cave and Phosphorus Cave. We will also look at the Dim Cave in Kestel district, Damlatas Cave in the center of Alanya right on Cleopatra Beach, the Dwarf Cave in Demirtas district and the World of Lies Cave in Gazipasa.
The Damlatas Cave
Damlatas cave was discovered by accident in 1948, when workers were blasting stone for the construction of a harbor. You won’t believe it, but this small cave became a real discovery because its microclimate has therapeutic properties!
Damlatas is not just a beautiful place. It has a constant temperature of about 22°C and humidity of almost 98%! The composition of the air here is unique: it contains up to 12 times more carbon dioxide than ordinary air. This unusual climate helps people. Doctors in Alanya often recommend that people with asthma and other lung diseases visit the site regularly. Certain hours are set aside for this purpose – from 8:00 to 10:00 am and there is no entrance fee if you have a doctor’s referral.
The price for an entrance ticket is 100 liras.
But that’s not all! Damlatash Cave is a real gallery of natural art. Stalactites and stalagmites, the age of which reaches 10-15 thousand years, create magical forms here. It seems as if the stone outgrowths flow and change their appearance, creating bizarre images and figures. Here you want to slow down your step and look at every detail.
You can get here by yourself, by city bus number 1,4,50 – stop “Damlatash, cultural center”, or by taxi.
Sea Caves
Are there those among our readers who like to swim? Then the following 3 caves will appeal to you, as the entrance to them is exclusively from the sea! These are the Pirates’ Cave, the Lovers’ Cave and the Phosphorus Cave.
The Pirates’ Cave
The Pirates’ Cave is not just a cave, but a place where passions once boiled and treasures were hidden. According to the chronicles, pirates used this cave as a storehouse for loot and a hiding place for kidnapped girls. Imagine how much gold and jewelry could lie under these vaults! Legend has it that the cave was once connected by an underground passage to the fortress of Alanya. This way has long since collapsed, but the mysteries of the cave still excite the imagination of tourists.
The Phosphorus Cave
The Phosphorus Cave is a true magic of nature! Thanks to the geological structure and phosphorus covering the walls, the cave glows both day and night. Inside, the water is clear, with shades of turquoise. Small boats can go right inside, and this puts you right in the center of this natural wonder. The cave looks especially impressive under moonlight, when its walls seem to come alive and the light shimmers and dances on the water.
Finally, the Lovers’ Cave is a place for romantics and those who love stories with mystery. It is believed that in the Middle Ages, couples in love met here, avoiding the judgment of society. This place is surrounded by legends. According to one of them, during a shipwreck, the bodies of a man and a woman were found here, entwined in an embrace. They were buried together near the cave, and since then this place has been called the Cave of Lovers. Here you can hide from the world and enjoy solitude.
You can get here only by sea. However, for tourists the entrance to the cave is now closed – the passage is not safe. But in the past, excursions were taken here and it was customary to jump from the edge of the cave into the sea from a height of about 7 meters and at the moment of flight you had to shout the name of your beloved one and, according to legend, you will be together forever! How magical, mysterious and enchanting are these oriental fairy tales!
The Dim Cave
Next on our list is the Dim Cave. It is the second largest cave in Alanya, located 232 meters above sea level. It is approximately one million years old! To get here, follow the scenic road through Kestel, Dimchay Valley, past the huge Alaadin Keikubat State University.
You will make lasting memory of this stunning view from the observation deck near the entrance to the cave – definitely one of the best photo zones!
Inside Dim Cave there are two routes: a short one is 50 meters long and a long one is 360 meters. Here you will see stunning scenery of stalagmites and stalactites, which are like frozen drops of time hanging from the ceiling. And at the end of the route – an amazing underground lake of 200 square meters! The temperature inside is always comfortable – about +18-19°C, and the humidity is 90%.
The Dwarf cave
The Dwarf Cave, also called Rainbow Cave by locals, is located in the Demirtaş area. It is slightly larger than Damlatas Cave, but smaller than the famous Dim Cave. Incredible forms of stalactites and stalagmites, shimmering with all colors of the rainbow due to artificial illumination, are waiting for tourists here.
According to legend, a dwarf who was abused in a neighboring village moved to this cave and found refuge in it. Later, during the Ottoman Empire, shepherds used the cave to hide their animals from taxes! The air in the cave is rich in carbon dioxide, which makes it good for asthmatics and helps relieve stress.
There is no public transportation to the Dwarf Cave, but it is often part of the Sapadere Canyon jeep safari itinerary. So you will have a real adventure through the winding roads and beautiful places of Alanya. Or you can get here on your own by renting a car.
The world of lies cave
And now let’s go to Yalan Dünya Mağarasi, the World of Lies cave in Gazipasa. It will definitely appeal to those who want a bit of extreme, although the paths inside are built – there are steps and railings, but they are not easy. Sometimes you will have to bend a little, and sometimes steeply climb up! But don’t be afraid, even small children are allowed to enter the cave and it will be an unforgettable adventure for them!
Yalan Dunyasa Cave is known as a living cave. The fact that the formation of stalactites and stalagmites is still going on is a distinctive feature of this place, and their size indicates that the cave has a history of about 5 million years.
Why does the cave have such a name? According to legend, there lived a guy and a girl who were madly in love with each other, but their parents were against their relationship. So they were forced to meet secretly in this cave, away from human eyes.
Our journey through the mysterious caves of Alanya comes to the end. Each of these places holds its own unique stories and secrets. We hope they will inspire you on your own adventures. See you again in this amazing city!
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