Side Old Town
Side, Turkey
Köprülü Canyon, Turkey, Side
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Photo: Gokhan aktas 07, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free entry; rafting via tours
- Opening hours
- Year-round, daylight hours
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 4 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Park entry
- Free on foot; a nominal access fee per vehicle, different for cars, motorbikes and coaches
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Oluk Bridge
- Free, any time in daylight
- Rafting
- Through tour operators only; price depends on transfer, lunch and add-ons
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Rafting season
- Spring to autumn, weather permitting; mid-March to mid-November per an Anadolu report
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - From Side
- About 75 km, 1–1.5 hours by car
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Selge
- 11–12 km of hairpins above the Oluk Bridge
- Time needed
- A full day with the drive; add Selge and you'll be back at dusk
Key facts
≈ 14 kmlength of the gorge along the Köprüçay River, between Bolasan and Beşkonak
3 sourcesi
Turkish Ministry of Culture and TourismKüre AnsiklopediEnglish Wikipedia2nd century ADthe Roman Oluk Bridge, dated by its masonry to Selge's heyday
3 sourcesi
English Wikipedia (Eurymedon Bridge)Turkish ArchaeonewsSputnik8Freeto enter the national park and walk to the Oluk Bridge; only tours and rafting are paid
2 sourcesi
Küre AnsiklopediTurkey Travel Planner (nominal vehicle fee)1973year the gorge was declared a national park
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English WikipediaKüre AnsiklopediSputnik8≈ 36,600 haarea of the national park
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English Wikipedia (366 km²)Küre Ansiklopedi (36,614 ha)Up to 100 mheight of the canyon walls
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Turkish Ministry of Culture and TourismEnglish WikipediaKüre Ansiklopedi≈ 400 haof natural Mediterranean cypress forest, the park's botanical highlight
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Turkish Ministry of Culture and TourismKüre Ansiklopedi7 mspan of the Oluk Bridge's single arch; the bridge is 14 m long, laid without mortar
2 sourcesi
English WikipediaTurkish ArchaeonewsEurymedonthe ancient name of the Köprüçay River
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English WikipediaTurkish Archaeonews11–12 kmfrom the Oluk Bridge up to the ruins of ancient Selge
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Turkish Archaeonews (11 km)Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism (12 km)Köprülü Canyon rafting: what to expect
Rafting on the Köprüçay is gentle and family-friendly — grade 1 to 3 rapids, nothing wild. Operators describe a run of about 14 km and 2–2.5 hours on the water, with stops to jump in and swim. Beginners usually launch at or below the Oluk Bridge or at the rafting bases around Beşkonak; experienced paddlers can ask for the livelier upper stretch.
Almost everyone comes on a tour: a coach picks you up at your hotel in Side or Manavgat in the morning, lunch is at a riverside restaurant, and you are back by late afternoon. Typically the price covers transfer, gear, a guide and lunch — but prices vary widely, so compare what is included, not just the headline figure. Photos and drinks are almost always extra.
How to get to Köprülü Canyon from Side
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
- Easiest: a tour with hotel pick-up — usually collected between 8 and 9 am and dropped back in the late afternoon.
- By car: head out of Side onto the D400 coast road towards Antalya, then turn north following the brown "Köprülü Kanyon" signs to Taşağıl.
- From Taşağıl the road follows the river to Beşkonak, where the rafting bases and restaurants are — about 75 km and 1–1.5 hours from Side in total.
- Carry on about 5 km up the gorge from Beşkonak to the Oluk Bridge. It is narrow, so cars cross one at a time.
- By public transport: take a dolmuş from the stop by the Vespasian Gate in Side to Manavgat bus station (otogar), then a taxi. There is no direct bus from Side to the canyon.
- Guidebooks mention changing to a minibus towards Beşkonak, but no route number or timetable is published anywhere — ask at Manavgat otogar and check when the last one comes back.
Is Köprülü Canyon worth it?
Yes, if you can give it a whole day. It is the most striking piece of nature within reach of Side: a turquoise river between walls up to 100 m high, a Roman bridge still carrying traffic, and a mountain road up to the ruins of Selge. Rafting here is fun rather than frightening, which makes it one of the better family days out on this coast.
It is less worth it if you only have a few hours — the drive takes longer than a quick look. Then the Green Canyon or the Manavgat Waterfall are closer. In July and August the river gets crowded with rafts, so spring and early autumn are calmer.
What is Köprülü Canyon?
Köprülü Canyon is a gorge the Köprüçay — the ancient Eurymedon — has carved through the limestone of the Taurus Mountains. The walls rise up to 100 m and the water below is cold and vividly turquoise. Since 1973 it has been a national park of roughly 36,600 ha in Manavgat district, Antalya province.
The name means "canyon with bridges": two old bridges cross it, the Oluk and the Bügrüm. The Romans built the Oluk Bridge in the 2nd century AD on the road climbing from the Pamphylian coast to the mountain city of Selge. It has a single 7-metre arch, its stones are laid without mortar, and cars still drive over it.
The park also protects about 400 ha of natural Mediterranean cypress forest, alongside pine and cedar.
What to see in the national park
- Oluk Bridge — the Roman arch over the narrowest part of the gorge, with the river far below.
- Bügrüm Bridge — the second old bridge on the same ancient road.
- The river at Beşkonak — rafting bases, cafés and easy spots to get into the water.
- Cypress forest on the gorge slopes, best seen from the road above the bridge.
- Ruins of Selge — a theatre and agora high in the mountains, 11–12 km of hairpins above the bridge.
- Trout restaurants along the river, serving fish farmed in the Köprüçay.
Köprülü Canyon and Tazı Canyon combo tours
Many tours from Side sell a combo: a morning jeep safari up to Tazı Canyon, then an afternoon on the Köprüçay. Tazı is a separate narrow canyon in the hills above Manavgat that you look down into from a viewing platform — no water involved. It makes for a long day of 9–10 hours with a lot of dusty tracks. If the river and the Roman bridge are what you want, book a Köprülü-only trip or drive yourself.
What to wear and bring
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You are ready for the visit
Köprülü Canyon vs Green Canyon vs Manavgat Waterfall
| Köprülü Canyonyou are here | River gorge with a Roman bridge | Rafting, the bridge | Full day | 1–1.5 h | Active travellers, families with older kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Canyon | Mountain reservoir | Boat trip | Half a day | About 1 h | Anyone who'd rather stay dry |
| Manavgat Waterfall | Wide, low waterfall | Short stroll | An hour | 15–20 min | Everyone |
Köprülü is the most memorable nature day from Side, and the longest. Short on time? Pick the Green Canyon or the waterfall.
Water near Side compared
Every water spot around Side rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Side Harbour | 44 | 45 min | Free | 50.6 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manavgat Waterfall | 30 | 45 min | 50 TL, students 10 TL | 48.6 km |
| Köprülü Canyonyou are here | 16 | 4 h | Free | — |
| Green Canyon | 16 | 4 h | Tour from Side from €27 | 44.5 km |
A day in the mountains above Side
The canyon and Oluk Bridge in the morning, Selge's ruins at midday, the Manavgat Waterfall on the way back and dinner at Side harbour. YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Köprülü Canyonyou are here4 h · Free entry; rafting via tours
- 109 min walk from the previous stopSelge1 h · Free, no ticket office
- 947 min walk from the previous stopManavgat Waterfall45 min · 50 TL, students 10 TL
- 139 min walk from the previous stopSide Harbour45 min · Free
4 places · about 26 h 25 min with walks · 1195 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Wear your swimwear from the hotel — changing rooms at the rafting bases have queues in high season.
- Not into cold water? Look down at the river from the Oluk Bridge — same gorge, staying dry.
- Driving? Go on to Selge: the last 11–12 km of hairpins take about 50 minutes, and the mountain ruins are worth it.
- Have lunch at a riverside trout restaurant in Beşkonak — the fish is farmed in the Köprüçay.
- No time for a full day? Swap the canyon for the Green Canyon or the Manavgat Waterfall.
Questions
Is there an entrance fee for Köprülü Canyon National Park?
Walking in is free and so is the Oluk Bridge. Guidebooks mention a nominal access fee that depends on whether you arrive by car, motorbike or coach; we found no official current amount. On a tour it is usually included.
How do I get to Köprülü Canyon from Side?
The easiest way is a tour with hotel pick-up. By car, take the D400 towards Antalya, then head north via Taşağıl to Beşkonak — about 1–1.5 hours. There is no direct bus: dolmuş to Manavgat, then a taxi or a minibus towards Beşkonak.
How far is Köprülü Canyon from Antalya?
Guidebooks give 80–90 km by road, depending on where in the city you start and which part of the park you head for — around 1.5–2 hours by car. Tours from Antalya also pick up from hotels.
How long is the rafting in Köprülü Canyon?
Operators describe about 14 km and 2–2.5 hours on the water. With the drive and lunch, the tour takes most of the day.
Is Köprülü Canyon rafting safe for kids?
The river is mild, and operators take families with children. Each company sets its own minimum age — tour listings range from 2 to 7 years — so check when you book.
Can you visit Köprülü Canyon without a tour?
Yes, by car — the roads are paved all the way to the Oluk Bridge. Without a car it is awkward: dolmuş to Manavgat and a long taxi ride.
What is the best time to visit Köprülü Canyon?
Spring and early autumn: warm enough for the river, with fewer rafts. July and August are hot and crowded; after heavy rain, trips can be cancelled.
Can I combine Köprülü Canyon with Tazı Canyon?
Yes, it is a popular combo — a jeep safari to Tazı plus rafting on the Köprüçay. Expect 9–10 hours with the driving.
When is rafting season at Köprülü Canyon?
From spring to autumn, as the weather allows — an Anadolu Agency report puts it at mid-March to mid-November. Operators set their own dates, and July and August are the busiest months.
Is Köprülü Canyon worth it?
Yes, if you have a full day — it is the best nature trip from Side. For a couple of hours, the drive isn't worth it.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Köprülü Canyon and Eurymedon Bridge (Selge); Wikidata Q2090725
- Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism — Köprülü Canyon National Park page
- Küre Ansiklopedi — Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı
- Turkish Archaeonews — Eurymedon Bridge (Selge)
- Turkey Travel Planner — Köprülü Kanyon National Park guide
- Sputnik8 — Köprülü Canyon National Park guide
- Hürriyet Daily News — Anadolu Agency report on the Köprülü rafting season
- Yolcu360 — Manavgat travel guide; Calista and Nomado — canyon guides (distance from Antalya)
- Rafting tour listings from several operators (minimum age)
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