Turkey's Underground Paradise
Deep in the karst landscape of the Central Taurus Mountains, carved by millions of years of water dissolving limestone from within, Altınbeşik Cave holds the largest underground lake in Turkey and the third largest in Europe. Located on the steep western slope of the Manavgat Valley, 450 metres above sea level, near Ürünlü village in the İbradı district, this cave was designated Turkey's first and only cave national park in 1994.
The cave takes its name from a natural rock bridge in the middle of its first chamber — a formation stained golden yellow by the minerals it contains. Its shape, resembling a cradle, gave it the name Altınbeşik: golden cradle.
A Cave You Enter by Boat
What makes Altınbeşik unlike any other cave in the region is that the only way to enter it is by boat. From the entrance, an underground lake stretches 125 metres, reaching depths of up to 15 metres. Visitors board flat-bottomed boats operated by Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and glide across the dark, still water into the interior.
At the midpoint of the lake, the golden rock bridge rises from the water — the feature that gave the cave its name. At the far end of the lake, a near-vertical travertine wall 44 metres high fills the entire chamber; depending on the season, an interior waterfall cascades down its face. The full explored length of the cave, including its branching passages, reaches 2,200 metres. Its active lower passage has been mapped as far as an underground stream 8 metres below.
A Three-Level System
Altınbeşik is composed of three distinct levels. The uppermost level is no longer active and is characterised by large fallen rock blocks on its floor. The middle level retains the character of a streambed and continues to develop. The lower level — the section open to visitors — is the active zone through which the boat tour passes.
Several bat species live inside the cave. The surrounding national park supports wild goat, wild boar, fox, wolf, partridge, and turtle dove, along with a flora of 573 plant species, 60 of which are endemic.
Important: Closed in Winter
Altınbeşik Cave closes during winter and early spring due to rising water levels inside. It generally reopens in early April and remains open through autumn. Checking whether the cave is open before planning a visit is essential — this is not optional.
Practical Information
- Location: Ürünlü Mahallesi, İbradı, Antalya. 167 km from Antalya city centre, 55 km from Manavgat, 10 km from Ormana, 4 km from Ürünlü village.
- Getting there: Regular bus service from Antalya bus terminal to İbradı. By car via the D685 highway toward İbradı — approximately 2.5 hours from Antalya, 55 km from Manavgat via the Yayla Alan route. The cave is reachable by vehicle right to the entrance; note that the 4.5-km road between Ürünlü village and the cave is mountainous and winding.
- Entrance fee: Vehicle entry to the national park is charged. The boat tour is separately priced. MüzeKart is not valid. Swimming in the lake is prohibited.
- Opening hours: April to October, every day 08:00–19:00. Closed in winter.
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours including the boat tour; half a day with the surrounding walks.
- Important: Life jackets are compulsory on the boat. Photography is permitted. The road between Ürünlü village and the cave may be challenging for those with a fear of heights.
- Combine with: Ormana Village, the Düğmeli Evler villages, and Eynif Plain are all in the same area; a minimum two-day programme is recommended.
