Turkey’s karst landscapes and coastal limestone cliffs hide a surprising variety of underground worlds — from cool ice-filled chambers to wide, walkthrough show caves. Many reflect long geological histories and local stories as much as they do natural beauty.
There are 15 Caves in Turkey, ranging from Altınbeşik (Gömbe) Ice Cave to İnsuyu Cave. For each entry you’ll find below Province,Type & access,Size (m) so you can quickly compare location, how to visit, and cave dimensions.
How accessible are these caves for visitors?
Access varies: some are developed with paved paths, lighting and guided tours suitable for families, while others require hiking, crawling or a guide and basic caving gear. Check individual entries below and local visitor information for seasonal closures, entrance fees and difficulty ratings before you go.
What should I bring and expect when visiting these sites?
Bring sturdy shoes, a light jacket (many caves are cool), a headlamp or torch, and water; follow posted safety rules and any guide instructions. Expect uneven ground, low ceilings in places, and limited facilities at undeveloped sites — the details for each cave are listed below.
Caves in Turkey
| Name | Province | Type & access | Size (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pınargözü Cave | Artvin Province | Wild, permit often required | 17,000 |
| Altınbeşik Cave | Antalya Province | Wild & guided visits seasonally | 6,600 |
| Dupnisa Cave | Kırklareli Province | Show & wild, open/guided | 3,200 |
| Karain Cave | Antalya Province | Archaeological & wild, guided | 2,200 |
| İnsuyu Cave | Burdur Province | Show cave, open | 1,200 |
| Karaca Cave | Gümüşhane Province | Show cave, open | 1,200 |
| Oylat Cave | Bursa Province | Show cave, open | 3,000 |
| Dim Cave | Antalya Province | Show cave, open | 360 |
| Damlataş Cave | Antalya Province | Show cave, open | 45 |
| Kaklık Cave | Denizli Province | Show cave, open | 40 |
| Beldibi Cave | Antalya Province | Archaeological, guided | 80 |
| Yarımburgaz Cave | Istanbul Province | Archaeological & wild, guided | 800 |
| Öküzini Cave | Antalya Province | Sea cave & archaeological, boat access/guided | 300 |
| Altınbeşik (Gömbe) Ice Cave | Antalya Province | Wild, seasonal guided trips | 2,000 |
| Ballıca Cave | Tokat Province | Show cave, open | 1,200 |
Images and Descriptions
Pınargözü Cave
Turkey’s longest explored cave system, set in lush Kaçkar foothills; famous for strong inside stream passages, long horizontal development and serious speleological exploration requiring experienced teams and permits for deep passages.
Altınbeşik Cave
A large, flooded karst system in Antalya’s Taurus range with extensive dry galleries and an underground lake; popular with cavers and occasional guided groups for its long passages and rich speleothems.
Dupnisa Cave
Limestone cave on the Strandzha ridge with a walkable show section and wild galleries beyond; noted for winter bat colonies, concrete walkways and dramatic chambers near the Bulgarian border.
Karain Cave
Important Paleolithic site near Antalya with multi-layered archaeological deposits, large caverns and a museum-friendly show area; attracts both history-minded visitors and speleologists.
İnsuyu Cave
One of Turkey’s earliest show caves near Burdur, cool and accessible with stalactites and straws; an easy visitor route and historically important early tourist cave in southwest Turkey.
Karaca Cave
Spectacular dripstone show cave in northeastern Turkey famous for colorful stalactites and stalagmites; well-developed visitor paths and dramatic lighting make it a popular regional attraction.
Oylat Cave
A thermal karst system in Bursa with historic spa association, long galleries and cool interior; partly developed for visitors and linked to outdoor spa/forest recreation areas.
Dim Cave
A cool, horizontal cave near Alanya carved by an underground stream; short guided route, striking stalactites and a cave restaurant nearby make it a convenient tourist stop.
Damlataş Cave
Famous small stalactite cave at Alanya harbor known for its humid, mineral-rich air believed to help asthma sufferers; easy access and compact, photogenic interiors.
Kaklık Cave
Small travertine cave near Denizli often called “mini Pamukkale”; features white calcite formations, pools and a short visitor trail, popular with day-trippers from nearby Pamukkale.
Beldibi Cave
Rock-shelter and small cave with Mesolithic deposits near Kemer; notable for prehistoric rock art, coastal location and archaeological importance rather than great length.
Yarımburgaz Cave
Two adjacent natural caves west of Istanbul with Upper Paleolithic and Roman-era finds; accessible sections and important for early human occupation studies near the Marmara region.
Öküzini Cave
Coastal cave near Kaş with archaeological deposits and attractive sea-facing chambers; reachable by short boat trip and interesting for swimmers and history-minded visitors.
Altınbeşik (Gömbe) Ice Cave
High-altitude karst cave system near Gömbe known for cold microclimate and ice formations in summer; visited by speleologists and adventurous hikers during guided trips.
Ballıca Cave
Renowned show cave with dense column and drapery formations; developed visitor routes and spectacular decorated halls make it one of Turkey’s most photographed cave interiors.
