Would you like to see the cave where the first inhabitants of Anatolia lived?
Karain Cave is the oldest human settlement in Anatolia and the largest cave in Turkey that has never been used. Located just an hour away from Antalya, Karain Cave awaits your discovery.
Where is Karain Cave?
Karain Cave is located in Yağca village, 35 kilometers northwest of Antalya. It is only 5-6 kilometers from the old Antalya-Burdur highway.
How to Get to Karain Cave?
There is no public transport to the cave. The best option is to rent a car in Antalya or take a taxi. You need to climb 400 steps to reach the cave entrance. There is no shade in summer, and the climb can be exhausting. Therefore, it is not recommended for disabled visitors.
History of Karain Cave
Experts estimate that Karain Cave is 500,000 years old and was inhabited from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age. Ancient inscriptions and other findings on the walls indicate that it was used as a religious center during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
What Can You Do at Karain Cave?
Inside the cave, you will find three large chambers separated by narrow passages, calcite walls, stalactites, and stalagmites. Karain Cave can provide clues about how the first humans came to Anatolia from Africa.
Traces of Neanderthals
The Stone Age is divided into three phases: Lower Paleolithic, Middle Paleolithic, and Upper Paleolithic. Neanderthal teeth and skulls were found in Karain Cave. You can see human and animal bones, drawings, and tools from every phase of the Stone Age in the cave.
Karain Museum
Some findings from Karain Cave can be seen at the Karain Museum, located at the foot of the mountain. Other findings can be found in the prehistoric hall of the Antalya Archaeological Museum. There is a small café and shop next to the museum.
