Sapadere Canyon, Alanya: Entrance Fee, Hours & Tips

When the coast around Alanya turns into an oven, Sapadere Canyon is where the air finally cools down. It is a narrow limestone gorge in the Taurus Mountains east of town, with a boardwalk fixed to the rock above a fast mountain stream, a string of small waterfalls and a cold pool at the far end. It is easy to visit, but a few details catch people out: the fee is paid in lira at the gate, the hours are not the same everywhere you read them, and the canyon was closed for more than half of 2025. Here is what you need to know before you go.

Where Sapadere Canyon is and how long it takes to get there

Sapadere Canyon sits above the village of Sapadere, roughly 40–45 km east of central Alanya. The route follows the main coastal road (D400) east to Demirtaş, then turns inland onto a winding mountain road for the last 15–20 km. By car, plan on about 45 minutes to a little over an hour from Alanya, depending on traffic and how comfortable you are with hairpin bends.

Public transport is limited: you can reach Demirtaş on buses heading east from Alanya, but the onward stretch to the canyon is the tricky part. That is why most visitors come on a day trip with hotel pickup, which also takes care of the mountain driving. There is a car park at the entrance if you drive yourself.

If you are staying further west, in Side or Manavgat for example, Alanya is a full day out in itself. Our guide to the Side–Alanya route explains what is realistic in one day.

Entrance fee and opening hours

The canyon is run by Alanya Municipality and is open every day. Here are the figures for the canyon and for Dim Cave, which most people pair with it:

A few practical notes:

• Sapadere hours vary by source. The Ministry of Education’s visitor listing gives 08:30–18:00; other local guides quote later closing times in summer. If you plan to arrive late in the afternoon, check on the day.
• Dim Cave’s last entry is 30 minutes before closing, and the Müzekart museum pass is not accepted there.
• Carry Turkish lira in cash. Fees are revised often, so treat the numbers above as a guide rather than a promise.

If you join a tour, check what is included so you do not pay twice. On our Sapadere, Dim Cave and Dim River tour, the canyon entrance is included; see the tour page for the full list of what is and is not included before you book.

Is Sapadere Canyon open? The 2024–2025 closure explained

If you have searched “Sapadere Canyon closed”, this is why. On 22 December 2024 a rockfall hit the canyon, and the municipality closed it to visitors. Rather than just repairing the walkway again, as had happened after earlier rockfalls, it fitted steel protective tunnels over sections of the path. The canyon reopened on 15 July 2025.

It has been open since then, but the gorge is still a natural rock wall. Short closures after heavy storms, mostly in the rainy months, remain possible. In winter it is worth checking locally the day before.

The walk: what 750 metres of boardwalk is like

From the ticket gate, a walkway of wood and steel runs about 750 metres into the gorge. It is close to level, with a few steps, so most people can manage it, including children and older travellers who walk comfortably. Allow 20–30 minutes each way with photo stops, and roughly 1.5 to 3 hours for the whole visit if you stop for a swim and a meal at the cafés by the entrance.

The path hugs the cliff a few metres above the water. On one side you look down into deep green pools and smooth rock bowls; above you, the walls close in until the sky is a strip. Spray from the waterfalls keeps parts of the boardwalk wet, so shoes with grip matter more than anything else you pack. Flip-flops are a bad idea.

How cold is the water, and can you swim?

The walkway ends at the largest waterfall, which drops into a natural pool. You can get in, and many people do, but it is a short, sharp plunge rather than a swim. Local guides put the water at roughly 5–12 °C, and it stays cold even in August because it comes straight off the mountains.

Two rules to know: jumping into the canyon is forbidden, and the rocks around the pool are slippery. Enter slowly where others are entering, and keep small children close. If you would rather not freeze, a few minutes with your feet in the water is refreshing enough on a hot day.

Best time to visit

The canyon is open all year, but it feels different by season:

• May to September is the busiest stretch. The canyon is the coolest place within reach of the beach, which is exactly why it fills up. Local guides suggest arriving before about 10:30 or after 15:00 to avoid the midday tour peak.
• October is a good compromise. It is quieter, the air is mild, and the walk is pleasant without the summer crowd. The water in the gorge is usually lower and clearer before the autumn rains.
• November to April brings the rainy season. After rain, the waterfalls are at their most powerful, but this is also when weather-related closures are most likely. Bring a warm layer: the gorge gets little direct sun.

Pairing Sapadere with Dim Cave and Dim River

Sapadere on its own is a half day. Most people turn it into a full day with two other sights east of Alanya.

Dim Cave

Dim Cave sits on a mountainside about 11–14 km from central Alanya. About 360 metres of the cave are open to visitors: four lit chambers of stalactites and stalagmites, ending at a small lake. Inside it stays around 18 °C all year, which feels wonderful in summer and slightly chilly in a T-shirt in autumn. The terrace by the entrance looks out over the valley and towards Alanya and the sea. A visit takes about 30–45 minutes.

Dim River (Dim Çayı)

Dim River is the classic lunch stop. Restaurants build wooden platforms and pavilions right over the water, so you eat with the river running under your feet. It is a calm end to the day after the canyon walk and the cave.

All three in one day

Our 3-in-1 Sapadere, Dim Cave and Dim River tour links all three in about 7–8 hours. It includes hotel pickup from Alanya and the surrounding area, a guide (English, German or Russian), lunch by the river and a short fruit-tasting stop among banana and citrus gardens. If you are staying outside that pickup area, message us on WhatsApp before you book.

Coming from Side and only interested in the river? The Side: Alanya Castle, Dim River and Boat Day Tour combines Dim River with the castle and a boat trip instead of the canyon.

Going on your own vs on a tour

On your own works if you have a rental car and are happy on narrow mountain roads. You choose your timing, which is the easiest way to beat the crowds, and you pay the entrance fees at each gate. The downside is the driving and arranging lunch yourself.

On a tour, the pickup, the drive, canyon entry and lunch are bundled together, and you do not have to work out the route between three sights. The trade-off is a fixed schedule and sharing the canyon at the busiest time of day.

If you want more of an adventure on the mountain roads, an Alanya jeep safari covers similar countryside in open-top 4x4s, and the Alanya rafting tour is the wetter option.

What to bring

• Shoes with good grip that can get wet (water shoes are ideal)
• Swimwear and a towel if you plan to brave the pool (towels are not included on our tour)
• A change of clothes for the drive back
• A light layer for the cave and the shaded gorge, especially from October onward
• Cash in Turkish lira for entrance fees, drinks and snacks
• A waterproof phone pouch: spray reaches further than you expect

Fires and fishing are not allowed in the canyon, and visitors are asked not to bring in their own food and drink.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Sapadere Canyon entrance fee in 2026?

Local reports put the adult ticket at 225 TL, with a 100 TL student ticket and free entry for children up to 8. Fees change often, so bring cash and check at the gate.

What are Sapadere Canyon’s opening hours?

It is open every day. The Ministry of Education’s listing gives 08:30–18:00; some guides quote later closing in summer.

Is Sapadere Canyon open now?

Yes. It closed after a rockfall on 22 December 2024 and reopened on 15 July 2025 with new protective steel tunnels over the path. Short closures after storms are still possible in winter.

How long is the Sapadere Canyon walk?

About 750 metres each way along a nearly flat boardwalk. Allow 20–30 minutes each way, or 1.5 to 3 hours for the full visit.

Can you swim in Sapadere Canyon?

Yes, in the pool under the final waterfall, but the water is very cold (roughly 5–12 °C). Jumping in is not allowed.

How far is Sapadere Canyon from Alanya?

About 40–45 km east of central Alanya, or roughly 45 minutes to just over an hour by car.

Can I visit Sapadere Canyon and Dim Cave on the same day?

Yes. They are both east of Alanya and easy to combine, usually with lunch at Dim River. Remember that Dim Cave closes earlier in autumn and winter (18:00 in October, 17:00 from November), with last entry 30 minutes before.