Hadrian's Gate
Antalya, Turkey
Düden Waterfalls, Antalya
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Photo: Elshad, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Lower free, Upper ≈ 60–70 TL
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Lower Falls (Düden Park): open 24 hours; Upper Falls: daily 8:00–19:00 April–October, until 18:00 November–March
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Lower Falls
- Free, park open 24 hours
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Upper Falls
- ≈ 60–70 TL per adult
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Upper Falls hours
- Daily 8:00–19:00 (April–October), until 18:00 in winter
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Closed
- Never — both open every day
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - To the Lower Falls
- Taxi from Kaleiçi 15–20 min, or a city bus along Lara Caddesi
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - To the Upper Falls
- Buses CV17 and VF66 to the Düden Şelalesi stop; taxi ≈ 20–25 min
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Bus fares
- Antalyakart or a contactless bank card
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Lower Falls location
- Düden Park, Lara Caddesi, Muratpaşa
- Upper Falls location
- Varsak area, Kepez, north of the city
Key facts
40 mthe Lower Falls drop off a cliff straight into the Mediterranean
Sourcei
English, Russian and Turkish Wikipedia: Düden Waterfalls2 waterfallson the same river: the Upper Falls in Kepez, the Lower Falls in Lara
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English and Russian Wikipediaantalya.tcFreeand open 24 hours — Düden Park at the Lower Falls
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English Wikipediaantalya.tc15–20 mheight of the Upper Falls — sources differ
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Wikivoyage and antalya.tc give 20 mIndependent Travellers 15 mA cavebehind the Upper Falls, reached by narrow steps
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antalya.tcIndependent Travellers≈ 13 kmas the crow flies between the two falls
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Russian Wikipediacalculated from English Wikipedia coordinatesKarstthe river vanishes into the Bıyıklı sinkhole and resurfaces at the Upper Falls
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English and Russian Wikipedia“Düden”is Turkish for a karst sinkhole that swallows water
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Turkish Language Association (TDK) dictionaryIndependent TravellersCatarrhactesthe river’s ancient name — Greek for “waterfall”
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Strabo, Geographyantalya.tcAlexander’s Fallsthe Upper Falls’ other name, from the legend that Alexander the Great watered his horses here
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Turkish Wikipediaantalya.tcKepez plantwater reaches the Upper Falls by canal from a hydroelectric station
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English and Turkish WikipediaUpper vs Lower Düden Waterfall: which one should you visit?
The Lower Falls are the postcard shot: a wide river pouring off a 40 m limestone cliff straight into the Mediterranean. You watch from the clifftop park, for free, at any hour. Give it 40–60 minutes.
The Upper Falls are a walk rather than a view — a fenced, paid park in a green gorge with footbridges, riverside paths and a cave where you stand behind the curtain of water. On a hot day it is noticeably cooler than the city.
Our take: if you only fit one in, go Lower. If you are travelling with kids, hate the heat, or have half a day, do both — Upper in the morning, Lower in the afternoon.
Lower Düden Waterfall: where the river meets the sea
Few waterfalls anywhere fall directly into the sea, and this is the reason most people come. Düden Park has no gate and no ticket office: walk in from the boulevard, follow the fenced path along the river and you reach viewing terraces right at the cliff edge.
From there you look down on the water hammering into the sea, with Lara’s apartment blocks lining the coast. It gets windy at the edge and the spray carries — hold on to your phone.
The view from below is bigger still. Pleasure boats from Kaleiçi’s old harbour sail along the coast and nose in close to the falls, so you see the whole drop from top to waterline.
Upper Düden Waterfall: gardens and the cave behind the falls
The Upper Falls are lower — roughly 15–20 m — but they come with a whole park: gardens, cafés, picnic spots and footbridges over the river. The grounds are fenced and open only during the day, with an entrance fee.
The highlight is the cave behind the falls. Narrow steps lead down into the rock; a short path takes you behind the water, and openings in the stone frame the cascade from the inside. It is damp and loud in there and the steps are slick, so wear shoes with grip.
A long stairway continues into the gorge, where railed paths follow the river and climb to viewpoints above the cascade. An hour is enough without rushing. The site is also called Alexander’s Falls, after a legend that Alexander the Great watered his horses here on his way through Pamphylia.
Düden Waterfall entrance fee and opening hours
The Lower Falls are free — Düden Park is a public city park, open around the clock.
The Upper Falls charge about 60–70 TL per adult. Guides quote different figures and Turkish prices change often, so check at the gate. They open daily at 8:00 and close at 19:00 from April to October, earlier in winter. Parking at the Upper Falls is paid.
The cave is included in the Upper Falls ticket. Boat trips to the Lower Falls are a separate deal struck with the skipper at Kaleiçi harbour — agree the price and the route before you step aboard.
How to get to the Lower Düden Waterfall
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From the Clock Tower and Kalekapısı Square at the edge of Kaleiçi, walk to the main boulevard where buses head east towards Lara.
- Take a city bus along Lara Caddesi — line KL08 is the one most guides mention — and get off at Düden Park, roughly 25–35 minutes. Check the current line in the Antalyakart app, which shows live bus positions.
- Easier: a taxi takes 15–20 minutes. Ask for “Aşağı Düden Şelalesi”.
- From the stop, walk into the park and follow the fenced riverside path to the clifftop terraces.
- Want the view from the sea instead? Skip the bus and take a pleasure boat from the old harbour in Kaleiçi.
How to get to the Upper Düden Waterfall
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- Buses CV17 and VF66 run north from the centre to Kepez — get off at the Düden Şelalesi stop, a couple of minutes’ walk from the gate.
- Allow 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. Tap an Antalyakart or a contactless bank card on the reader as you board.
- By taxi it is about 20–25 minutes — ask for “Yukarı Düden Şelalesi”.
- The drive between the two falls takes about 30 minutes, so the natural order is north to south: Upper in the cool morning, Lower and the sea after lunch.
Is the Düden Waterfall worth it?
The Lower Falls, yes — it is free, close to the Lara hotels and genuinely unusual: a big river ending in a cliff over the sea. Half an hour is enough if you are passing; it is not a full-day trip.
The Upper Falls are worth it if you want shade, a stroll and the cave, especially with children. If you have already seen bigger waterfalls and only have a day in Antalya, spend that hour in Kaleiçi instead.
Lower, Upper or by boat
| Lower Fallsyou are here | The falls from above, cliff and sea | Free | 24 hours | 40–60 min | Little | 15–20 min by taxi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Falls | A cascade in a gorge, cave behind the water | ≈ 60–70 TL | From 8:00 until evening | ≈ 1 h | Plenty | 20–25 min by taxi |
| By boat | The Lower Falls from below, top to bottom | Agreed with the skipper | Daytime, calm seas | Part of a coastal cruise | None | From the harbour |
One waterfall only? The Lower Falls — free, closer and the classic view. The Upper Falls earn the trip in summer heat and with kids. With half a day, do both, north to south.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Waterfall, old town and sunset
Morning at the Lower Falls in Lara, then Hadrian’s Gate and a wander through Kaleiçi, and sunset at Hıdırlık Tower above the harbour. Add them to your route in one tap — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Düden Waterfallsyou are here1 h · Lower free, Upper ≈ 60–70 TL
- 133 min walk from the previous stopHadrian's Gate20 min · Free
- 11 min walk from the previous stopKaleiçi2 h · Free, open 24/7
- 3 min walk from the previous stopHıdırlık Tower30 min · Free, outside only
4 places · about 6 h 17 min with walks · 147 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Staying in Lara? The Lower Falls are a short ride away — go early, then hit the beach.
- In summer start with the Upper Falls: the gorge is shady and cool, and the Lower Falls look great in late-afternoon light.
- Leave the stroller outside the cave at the Upper Falls — the steps are narrow and wet.
- For the classic photo, stand on a side terrace at the Lower Falls so you get both the falls and the Lara coastline.
- On harbour boats, agree the price before boarding and confirm the trip actually goes to the waterfall.
- Düden Park is calmest on weekday evenings; local families come for picnics mainly at weekends.
Questions
Where are the Düden Waterfalls?
The Lower Falls are in Düden Park in Lara, about 8–10 km east of the old town. The Upper Falls are in the Varsak area of Kepez, 10–12 km north of the centre.
Which is better, Upper or Lower Düden Waterfall?
Lower for the big view — a 40 m drop into the sea, free. Upper for shade, a walk and the cave behind the water. With half a day, see both.
How much is the Upper Düden Waterfall entrance fee?
About 60–70 TL per adult; sources differ, so check at the gate. The cave is included.
Is the Lower Düden Waterfall free?
Yes. Düden Park is a public park with no ticket office, open 24 hours.
What are the Upper Düden Waterfall opening hours?
Daily from 8:00, until 19:00 from April to October and until 18:00 in winter. The Lower Falls never close.
How do I get to Düden Waterfall by bus?
For the Lower Falls, a city bus along Lara Caddesi such as KL08. For the Upper Falls, CV17 or VF66 to the Düden Şelalesi stop. Pay with an Antalyakart or a contactless card.
Can you take a boat to Düden Waterfall?
Yes — pleasure boats from Kaleiçi’s old harbour sail to the Lower Falls and get close to the spray. Agree the price with the skipper first.
Can you see both waterfalls in one day?
Easily. They are about 13 km apart, around 30 minutes by car, and together fit into half a day.
Can you walk behind the Düden Waterfall?
At the Upper Falls, yes: narrow steps lead into a cave behind the water. Wear shoes with grip.
Is Düden Waterfall good for kids?
Yes — both parks have fenced paths. Hold small hands at the Lower Falls cliff edge; strollers will not fit into the Upper Falls cave.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English, Russian and Turkish Wikipedia: Düden Waterfalls; Wikidata Q2666468
- Wikivoyage: Antalya — waterfalls, buses, Antalyakart
- Antalya.tc — guides to the Upper and Lower Düden Waterfalls
- Independent Travellers — Upper and Lower Düden Waterfalls
- Turkish Language Association (TDK) dictionary: düden
- Strabo, Geography, Book XIV — the Catarrhactes river in Pamphylia
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