Antalya is the most visited resort in Turkey, where millions of tourists from all over the world come every year. This cheerful blooming city is ready to offer its guests not only the azure coast and the warm sea, but also many cultural and natural attractions. Among them, a special place is occupied by the Duden waterfall, the lower part of which has long become the hallmark of the famous resort. What this natural object is and how to get to it, we will tell you in detail in our article.
General information
Duden waterfall in Turkey is one of the most popular sights of Antalya, donated to man by nature itself. The uniqueness of Duden lies in the fact that it is a group of several waterfalls that can be viewed from both the lower and the upper angles, as well as from the outside and from the inside. This amazingly beautiful natural site is formed by the Duden River, which is the most important artery in the southern part of Antalya.
This river originates 30 km from the resort in the Taurus mountain springs, passes practically throughout the city center, both on the surface and underground. If you look at Duden at its source, you can hardly imagine that this unhurried current creates noisy and seething water cascades. Accelerating in its streams over rocks, the river completes its journey, bringing down the waters into the Mediterranean Sea, thereby forming the famous Lower Duden waterfall. And its course, running 10 km northeast of the center of Antalya, forms a whole group of rapids and waterfalls that fall into a large lake bowl and form the Upper Duden.
Few people realize that this attraction was breathed into life not only by mother nature, but also partly by man himself. The fact is that in the middle of the 16th century, on the territory of modern Antalya and in its environs, many irrigation canals were dug, from where river waters began to flow in small streams along the rocky mountains. This is how the sparkling waterfalls gradually formed, which tourists contemplate today.
Lower Duden
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world falling into the sea is the Lower Duden waterfall in Turkey, which is 40 meters high. You can admire it both from the observation deck on the cliff, and from the sea. Some travel agencies offer tourists to drive up to the waterfall as close as possible by boat in order to enjoy the rumbling streams and refresh themselves in the fountain of their splashes.
There is a green park nearby, where you can have a pleasant rest, nestling in the shade of palm trees on a bench or stopping by a local cafe. The observation deck on the mountain offers views of the city, in the distance you can see the famous sandy Lara beach and numerous hotels of the resort. In the evening, the Duden waterfall in Antalya is illuminated with beautiful lights, and a completely different atmosphere, close to romance, is created here. The entrance to the park is free.
How to get there?
If you are looking for information on how to get to the Duden waterfall in Turkey on your own, then below you can learn in detail about all the methods. The facility is located 10 km east of the Old City of Antalya, and you can get here by taxi, bicycle (there are bicycle paths) or by public transport. The first two options are quite understandable, so let’s dwell on the third in more detail.
The most convenient way to get to the waterfall from the Old Town is by city buses KL 08 or KL 21, they follow from the central region of Kaleici. The stop is at Hadrian’s Gate to the right of the road. Düden waterfall is also located on the right side of the roadway, and at the entrance to it you will see the Düden Şelalesi sign.
- Transport arrives every 15 minutes, the journey takes 40-50 minutes.
- The fare is $ 0.5.
- You can also get to the Duden waterfall by buses 09 and 38.
Upper Duden
The Upper Duden waterfall in Turkey is in no way inferior to its counterpart in its beauty and picturesqueness, and in some ways even surpasses it. The facility is located 10 km north of the center of Antalya in the Varsak region and is surrounded by a natural park with lush greenery, rare deciduous and coniferous trees. Here, water streams falling from an emerald cliff hide a large cave from prying eyes, inside which anyone can walk and look at the waterfall from the inside.
Outside, there are several convenient viewing platforms, from where it is possible to take unforgettable photos of the Duden waterfalls. There are gazebos and benches in the park, and there are several cafes serving traditional Turkish food and drinks. It is pleasant to walk here in the shade of majestic trees to the sound of babbling streams, breathe in the healthy coniferous aromas and meet local inhabitants in the face of snow-white duck flocks. And if you bring your own food, you’ll discover the perfect picnic spot.
Entrance to the park is TRY 5 (3 for children) and only Turkish Lira is accepted at the checkout, so be sure to bring your local currency with you.
How to get there?
If you are interested in the question of how to get to the upper Duden waterfalls in Turkey, we recommend using public transport. In the city center, the VF66 bus runs every 15 minutes on the Varsak-Düden direction. You can get on the transport near the Migros 5 M hypermarket or at the MarkAntalya shopping center.
- The fare is $ 0.5.
- Travel time takes no more than 45 minutes. The bus stops right at the entrance to Düden Park.
Useful Tips
To make your excursion to Antalya’s Duden waterfall as comfortable as possible, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with a few practical tips from travelers who have already visited Turkey.
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- Both Upper and Lower Duden are best visited on weekdays, as at the end of the week a large number of locals gather at the waterfalls.
- Organize the tours yourself, without resorting to the services of travel agencies. You can easily get from Antalya to both waterfalls by public transport for a symbolic price. With guides, your excursion will be several times more expensive, and it will stretch for the whole day: after all, you will definitely be taken to some tourist store.
- Be sure to keep Turkish Lira on hand as entrance to some parks and museums can only be paid in local currency.
- When visiting the Lower Waterfall, we advise you to include in your excursion the Sandland Museum of Sand Sculptures, which is located just 4 km east of the object and can be reached by the already known KL 08 bus.
On a note! Another famous waterfall in Turkey – Manavgat – is described here.
Conclusion
Not visiting Duden Waterfall while vacationing in Antalya would mean missing out on an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the unique creation of nature. Therefore, when going on vacation to Turkey, be sure to include it in your action plan.
