Side Old Town
Side, Turkey
Manavgat Waterfall near Side
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Photo: Spiritia, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 50 TL
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- April–October 8:00–19:30, November–March 8:00–18:00
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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. - 45 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Students
- 10 TL with student ID
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Closed
- Open daily; may close after heavy rain
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Payment
- Cash or card at the gate; the Müzekart museum pass is not valid
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Parking
- Free
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time needed
- 45 min–1 h, 1.5–2 h with lunch
- Getting there
- Dolmuş from the Vespasian Gate to Manavgat, then the “Şelale” dolmuş, ≈ 30–40 min
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Swimming
- Not allowed at the falls
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Location
- ≈ 3 km north of Manavgat town centre, on the Manavgat River
Key facts
≈ 4 mhigh — the falls are low but spread across the whole river
2 sourcesi
Wikidata Q2574216Russian Wikipedia (Küre Ansiklopedisi says about 5 m, Haber7 3–4 m)3 kmnorth of Manavgat town centre
2 sourcesi
English and Russian WikipediaHaber7No swimmingthe current at the falls is strong — paddling at the edge only
3 sourcesi
Turkey Travel PlannerAAA TripCanvasTonkostiManavgat Riverflows on through the town and into the Mediterranean
2 sourcesi
English Wikipedia: Manavgat Waterfall, Manavgat RiverKüre Ansiklopedisi1968–1983the falls featured on the back of the Turkish 5-lira banknote
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English Wikipedia (citing the Central Bank banknote museum)AydınlıkFloodsin high water the ledge disappears under the river — as in February 2026
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English and Russian WikipediaGazete Birlik, 2026Manavgat Municipalityruns the park, which is why the Müzekart pass doesn’t work here
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Habergazetesi, 2026 tariffTea gardensin the shade, with viewing decks above the water
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English WikipediaTurkey Travel PlannerŞelaleTurkish for “waterfall” — the word on the dolmuş sign
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Küre AnsiklopedisiTurkey Travel PlannerManavgat Waterfall entry fee and opening hours
Entry is about 50 TL, or 10 TL for students with ID, and parking is free. The park is run by Manavgat Municipality rather than the Ministry of Culture, so the Müzekart museum pass isn’t accepted. Pay in cash or by card at the gate; the toilets charge a small fee too.
It is open every day from 8:00 — until 19:30 from April to October and until 18:00 from November to March. There is no official tariff page online; these figures come from local press, so we mark them as being checked.
How to get to Manavgat Waterfall 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
- From the Roman Theatre, walk out through the Vespasian Gate to the bus stop and car park — 5–10 minutes on foot, or take the little shuttle train.
- Catch a white dolmuş minibus signed “Manavgat”. The ride is about 20 minutes; pay the driver in cash, in lira.
- In Manavgat town, cross to the opposite side of the main road and look for a dolmuş signed “Şelale” (waterfall).
- Get off at the park entrance after 5–10 minutes and buy your ticket at the gate.
- Return the same way, changing in Manavgat. A taxi from Side takes about 20 minutes each way — agree the fare before you get in.
Is Manavgat Waterfall worth visiting?
Yes — as a short outing from Side. Come for the roar of the water, a cool breeze on a hot day and a glass of tea by the river, not for height. Pair it with Manavgat’s market and a river boat, and it makes a relaxed half day.
It is not worth a special trip from Antalya, and anyone who has seen big waterfalls may be underwhelmed. If you want scenery on a grander scale, give the morning to Green Canyon or Köprülü Canyon instead. In high season tour coaches arrive around midday, so mornings and late afternoons are calmer.
What the waterfall is
The Manavgat River pours white over a broad rock shelf about 4 m high into a turquoise pool, a few kilometres upstream of the town it is named after. Side is the resort in the same district, which is why tours from Side treat it as a local highlight.
Around it is a small municipal park: riverside paths, viewing decks, shaded tea gardens, cafés with fish and ice cream, souvenir stalls and photographers. It is a stroll, not a hike. Turks know it well — from 1968 to 1983 it was on the back of the 5-lira note.
What to see at the falls
- The viewing decks right above the ledge, where the falls spread across the full width of the river.
- The path downstream, for the classic photo of the pool framed by trees.
- The shallow edge where you can dip your feet — swimming at the falls is banned.
- A tea garden by the water: the best reason to linger.
- The souvenir row by the entrance — browse, but Manavgat market has far more choice.
Before you go: checklist
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Manavgat Waterfall, Green Canyon or Köprülü Canyon
| Manavgat Waterfallyou are here | Low, wide falls in a park | ≈ 20 min | 45 min–1 h | Easy by dolmuş | A couple of hours off the beach, families |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Canyon | Mountain reservoir, boat trip | Further into the mountains, best on a tour | Half a day | Hard without a car | Lakes and mountains |
| Köprülü Canyon | River gorge, rafting | Further, usually on a tour | Half to a full day | Hard without a car | Active travellers |
The waterfall is a quick hop from Side. With half a day to spare for nature, choose one of the canyons.
Water around Side compared
Every waterside place in and around Side rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Side Harbour | 44 | 45 min | Free | 8.0 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manavgat Waterfallyou are here | 30 | 45 min | 50 TL, students 10 TL | — |
| Green Canyon | 16 | 4 h | Tour from Side from €27 | 13.2 km |
| Köprülü Canyon | 16 | 4 h | Free | 48.6 km |
Falls in the morning, Side by sunset
The waterfall before the coaches arrive, the old town and theatre in the afternoon, then sunset at the Temple of Apollo. Add them to your route in one tap — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Manavgat Waterfallyou are here45 min · 50 TL, students 10 TL
- 136 min walk from the previous stopSide Old Town2 h · Free; theatre and museum extra
- 4 min walk from the previous stopRoman Theatre of Side45 min · Closed for restoration
- 10 min walk from the previous stopTemple of Apollo30 min · Free
4 places · about 6 h 30 min with walks · 150 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Arrive at the 8:00 opening or late in the day — tour groups fill the decks around noon in season.
- Spring brings the strongest flow, but after a downpour the falls can disappear completely.
- Learn the word “Şelale” before you go — dolmuş signs are in Turkish only.
- For a quieter view, take a table in a tea garden rather than standing on the main deck.
- Back in Side, end the day at sunset by the Temple of Apollo.
- With small children, hold hands near the edge — railings don’t run everywhere and the rocks are wet.
Questions
How much is the entrance fee to Manavgat Waterfall?
About 50 TL, or 10 TL for students with ID. Parking is free and the Müzekart pass isn’t valid. There is no official tariff online, so check at the gate.
What are Manavgat Waterfall opening hours?
Daily from 8:00 — until 19:30 from April to October and until 18:00 from November to March. It can close after heavy rain.
How do I get to Manavgat Waterfall from Side?
Take a dolmuş from the Vespasian Gate to Manavgat (about 20 minutes), then a “Şelale” dolmuş from the opposite side of the road (5–10 minutes). A taxi takes about 20 minutes.
Is Manavgat Waterfall worth visiting?
Yes, as a short trip from Side combined with Manavgat town. It is low, so it is not worth a special journey from Antalya.
Can you swim at Manavgat Waterfall?
No — the current is strong and swimming is banned. You can only dip your feet at the edge.
How long do you need at Manavgat Waterfall?
45 minutes to an hour, or 1.5–2 hours with tea or lunch, plus 30–40 minutes by dolmuş each way from Side.
When is the best time to visit Manavgat Waterfall?
Spring and autumn, early or late in the day. Spring has the most water; summer is cooler than the beach but busier.
How high is Manavgat Waterfall?
About 4 m. Sources range from 2 to 5 m — what makes it impressive is its width, not its height.
Is Manavgat Waterfall the same as Düden Waterfall?
No. The Düden falls are in Antalya; Manavgat is near Side, about an hour east.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English and Russian Wikipedia: Manavgat Waterfall, Manavgat River; Wikidata Q2574216
- Küre Ansiklopedisi: Manavgat Şelalesi
- Haber7: Türkiye’nin en güzel şelaleleri
- Habergazetesi: Manavgat Şelalesi giriş ücreti — 2026 tariff and hours
- Gazete Birlik, February 2026 — flooding and closure
- Aydınlık — the 1968–1983 5-lira banknote
- Turkey Travel Planner: Manavgat Waterfall Antalya; AAA TripCanvas
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