A Hidden Oasis Inside the City
Upper Düden Waterfall sits in the Kepez district of Antalya, just 10 to 12 kilometres from the city centre — close enough to reach in half an hour, far enough to feel like a different world. This is a park waterfall in the best sense: lush greenery, picnic areas, walking paths, and a cave hidden behind the falling water. The drop reaches around 20 metres, but the real appeal is not the height — it is the wholeness of the setting, the sound of the water through the trees, and the sense of having stepped out of the city entirely.
Two Waterfalls, One River, Common Confusion
Many visitors arrive in Antalya expecting to find a single place called "Düden Waterfall." In fact, the Düden River splits into two branches that form two entirely separate waterfalls, approximately 7 kilometres apart in two different districts. Upper Düden is where the underground river re-emerges at the surface and cascades down through a park — green, quiet, and contemplative. Lower Düden is where that same water reaches the coast and plunges 40 metres from the limestone cliffs directly into the Mediterranean — dramatic, open, and cinematic. They are the same river expressing two entirely different characters.
Ancient Name: Kataraktes
The Düden waterfalls were known in antiquity as Kataraktes and appear on ancient Antalya coins depicted alongside the figure of a river god — evidence that the falls have been a symbol of the city for millennia. Some historical accounts record that Alexander the Great watered his horses here during his passage through the region, which is why the waterfall is occasionally referred to as İskender Şelalesi — Alexander's Waterfall.
The Cave Behind the Water
Upper Düden's most distinctive feature is the natural cave accessible behind the waterfall itself. Stepping through the curtain of water into the cave changes everything — the sound, the light, the temperature. It is a brief but genuinely memorable experience, particularly for younger visitors.
The park surrounding the waterfall offers generous picnic areas, walking trails, and tea gardens. Camel rides and photography opportunities are also available at the site.
Practical Information
- Location: Düdenbaşı Mahallesi, Kepez district. 10 to 12 km from Antalya city centre.
- Getting there: By bus lines CV17, MK80, or VF66 from the city centre; the Düden Şelalesi-1 stop is a 2-minute walk from the entrance. By car via Sütçüler Caddesi; paid parking available at the entrance.
- Entrance fee: Paid entry.
- Opening hours: April–October 08:00–19:00, November–March 08:00–17:00.
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours.
- Combine with: Lower Düden Waterfall can be visited on the same day — allow around 30 minutes of travel between the two, as they are in different districts.
