The Manavgat River rises in the Taurus foothills of Isparta and flows 93 kilometres south to the Mediterranean. Fed by the Dumanlı Spring that also supplies Oymapınar Reservoir, it runs strong and clear year-round — maintaining its volume even through the driest summer months. In places the river reaches depths of 130 metres; it is a considerably more substantial water system than it appears from the surface.
The Manavgat River is best understood not as an isolated feature but as the thread connecting several of Antalya's most visited places. Manavgat Waterfall sits on this river. The Apollo Temple of Side Ancient City rises from a peninsula at its mouth. The delta where it meets the sea is one of the most unusual swimming points on the coast. These are all parts of the same water story — and the river is the quiet backbone of a route that runs from Side all the way to Oymapınar.
Boat Tours
The most popular way to experience the Manavgat River is by boat. Tours depart from jetties in Manavgat town centre in the morning and travel past the Apollo Temple at Side, upstream to Manavgat Waterfall, and then stop for swimming at the delta boğaz — the narrow channel where the river meets the Mediterranean. At this point the ice-cold fresh river water and the warm salt sea meet within metres of each other; swimming across the boundary between them is a distinctly unusual sensation. Loggerhead sea turtles and freshwater turtles are regularly spotted at this location. The tour itself lasts approximately 3 hours; packages including hotel transfer run as full-day trips.
Life Along the River
The section of the Manavgat River running through the town centre is lined with restaurants and cafés along the bank. Fresh trout is the traditional offering in this area. The Manavgat Market, held every Monday and Thursday near the river, fills with spices, fresh produce, and local crafts — one of the liveliest street markets in the region.
Practical Information
- Location: Manavgat district. 75 km from Antalya city centre, 4 km from Side.
- Getting there: Regular bus service from Antalya to Manavgat. Boat jetties are within walking distance of the town centre.
- Entrance fee: Free access to the riverbank. Boat tours are separately priced.
- Boat tour duration: Approximately 3 hours; full day with transfer. Transfer-inclusive packages available from Antalya, Belek, Side, and Alanya.
- Best time to visit: April to October. The river flows year-round but boat tours operate irregularly in winter.
- Combine with: Manavgat Waterfall, Side Ancient City, and Oymapınar Reservoir lie along the same natural route.
