# Manavgat Waterfall near Side > Manavgat Waterfall (Manavgat Şelalesi) is a low but wide cascade — about 4 m high — on the Manavgat River, 3 km north of Manavgat town and a 20-minute drive from Side. Entry is about 50 TL; it opens daily from 8:00, closing at 19:30 in summer and 18:00 in winter. Allow 45 minutes to an hour on site. Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/manavgat-waterfall - City: [Side](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side), Turkey - YesGo score: 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 45 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: 50 TL - Students: 10 TL with student ID - Hours: April–October 8:00–19:30, November–March 8:00–18:00 - Closed: Open daily; may close after heavy rain - Payment: Cash or card at the gate; the Müzekart museum pass is not valid - Parking: Free - 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 - Swimming: Not allowed at the falls - Location: ≈ 3 km north of Manavgat town centre, on the Manavgat River - Coordinates: 36.81328, 31.45449 - Facts checked: 30.10.2026 ## Key facts - **≈ 4 m** — high — the falls are low but spread across the whole river (source: Wikidata Q2574216; Russian Wikipedia (Küre Ansiklopedisi says about 5 m, Haber7 3–4 m)) - **3 km** — north of Manavgat town centre (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; Haber7) - **No swimming** — the current at the falls is strong — paddling at the edge only (source: Turkey Travel Planner; AAA TripCanvas; Tonkosti) - **Manavgat River** — flows on through the town and into the Mediterranean (source: English Wikipedia: Manavgat Waterfall, Manavgat River; Küre Ansiklopedisi) - **1968–1983** — the falls featured on the back of the Turkish 5-lira banknote (source: English Wikipedia (citing the Central Bank banknote museum); Aydınlık) - **Floods** — in high water the ledge disappears under the river — as in February 2026 (source: English and Russian Wikipedia; Gazete Birlik, 2026) - **Manavgat Municipality** — runs the park, which is why the Müzekart pass doesn’t work here (source: Habergazetesi, 2026 tariff) - **Tea gardens** — in the shade, with viewing decks above the water (source: English Wikipedia; Turkey Travel Planner) - **Şelale** — Turkish for “waterfall” — the word on the dolmuş sign (source: Küre Ansiklopedisi; Turkey Travel Planner) ## Manavgat 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. > **After heavy rain, the falls can vanish** The ledge is so low that in a flood the river simply covers it. That happened in February 2026, when paths and decks went under water and the park closed. In winter and early spring, ask your hotel or a taxi driver whether it is open before you set off. ## How to get to Manavgat Waterfall from Side 1. 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. 2. Catch a white dolmuş minibus signed “Manavgat”. The ride is about 20 minutes; pay the driver in cash, in lira. 3. In Manavgat town, cross to the opposite side of the main road and look for a dolmuş signed “Şelale” (waterfall). 4. Get off at the park entrance after 5–10 minutes and buy your ticket at the gate. 5. 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](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/green-canyon) or [Köprülü Canyon](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/koprulu-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 - [ ] No heavy rain lately — the park is open - [ ] Cash in lira for the dolmuş, coins for the toilets - [ ] Student ID, if I have one - [ ] Shoes with grip — the rocks by the water are slippery - [ ] Water and a hat for a summer afternoon - [ ] 45 minutes to an hour on site, plus the ride back ## Manavgat Waterfall, Green Canyon or Köprülü Canyon | | Manavgat Waterfall | Green Canyon | Köprülü Canyon | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | Low, wide falls in a park | Mountain reservoir, boat trip | River gorge, rafting | | From Side | ≈ 20 min | Further into the mountains, best on a tour | Further, usually on a tour | | Time needed | 45 min–1 h | Half a day | Half to a full day | | On your own | Easy by dolmuş | Hard without a car | Hard without a car | | Best for | A couple of hours off the beach, families | Lakes and mountains | 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. - [Side Harbour](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-harbour) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free - [Manavgat Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/manavgat-waterfall) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · 50 TL, students 10 TL - [Green Canyon](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/green-canyon) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Tour from Side from €27 - [Köprülü Canyon](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/koprulu-canyon) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free entry; rafting via tours ## 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. 1. [Manavgat Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/manavgat-waterfall) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · 50 TL, students 10 TL 2. [Side Old Town](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-old-town) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Free; theatre and museum extra 3. [Roman Theatre of Side](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-ancient-theatre) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Closed for restoration 4. [Temple of Apollo](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-temple-of-apollo) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free > **Make it a Manavgat morning** You change dolmuş in Manavgat town anyway. The big street market there runs on Mondays (some sources add Thursdays), and river boats leave from the embankment — give the town an hour before or after the falls. ## Not to be confused with Manavgat has one waterfall — there is no separate upper and lower fall. The taller Düden falls, which drop into the sea, and Kurşunlu are in Antalya, a different day out. The Oymapınar dam further upriver is where you go for Green Canyon. ## Tips - 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](https://yesgo.io/turkey/side/side-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. ## How we checked Entry fee, hours, payment and parking come from local press (Habergazetesi, 2026 tariff); Manavgat Municipality publishes no tariff page we could find, so all of these are marked as being checked. Older sources quote lower prices (35 TL and less) and other hours (from 9:00, until 21:00 in summer) — we show the latest tariff. Heights range from 2 to 5 m; we give 4 m from Wikidata and Wikipedia and mention the others. Sources disagree on Manavgat’s market day (Monday, Thursday), so we give both. We don’t quote a taxi fare, as drivers set it. ## Sources - 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 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.