In short
- Altınbeşik Cave requires a guided inflatable boat tour.
- Dim Cave features dry walking paths and heavy stalactites.
- Altınbeşik Cave maintains a constant 16°C (60°F) interior.
In this article
Both caves are popular day trips in the Antalya region, but they offer completely different experiences. Altınbeşik Cave is an active, wet cave system with Turkey's largest underground lake. Dim Cave provides a traditional dry cavern experience. Read on to see which fits your schedule and physical preferences.
What is the main difference between Altinbesik Cave vs Dim Cave?
Altınbeşik Cave is explored via boat on an underground lake, while Dim Cave is explored on foot via dry pathways.
Altınbeşik Cave is an active karst system. You can only enter it on an official guided inflatable boat holding about 10 people. Dim Cave, located near Alanya, features dry walking paths surrounded by dense stalactites and stalagmites.
What is the boat ride at Altınbeşik Cave like?
The boat tour lasts 15 to 30 minutes and covers the first 125 meters of the underground lake.
You will glide across turquoise waters past a massive entrance portal. This opening measures 40 meters wide and 40 meters high. Inside, you can see a natural rock bridge called the Golden Cradle and a 44-meter-high travertine wall.
- Life jackets are provided and mandatory.
- Swimming is strictly prohibited.
- Boats hold around 10 passengers at a time.
Which cave is easier to explore physically?
Altınbeşik Cave requires less walking inside the cavern, as exploration is done entirely by boat.
Because Altınbeşik is an active cave system, you step directly onto an inflatable boat near the entrance. You do not hike through deep tunnels. Dim Cave involves walking up and down stairs along dry paths to view the rock formations.
However, reaching the entrance of Altınbeşik Cave requires navigating a steep, rugged 4-5 km road past Ürünlü village.
Are both caves open year-round?
Altınbeşik Cave is strictly closed during the winter and early spring due to high water levels.
Summer and autumn (June to November) are the only times you can visit Altınbeşik Cave. When the water level rises in winter, the lower active level becomes unsafe for boats. Plan your trip accordingly to avoid arriving at a closed national park.
Is it cold inside Altinbesik Cave vs Dim Cave?
Altınbeşik Cave maintains a constant temperature of 16°C (60°F) all year round.
You will need a light jacket or sweater when visiting Altınbeşik Cave, even during the peak summer months. The boat sits directly on the cold underground lake. Dim Cave is also cool, but it lacks the massive active water system.
What else is near Altınbeşik Cave?
Altınbeşik Cave is surrounded by a national park and traditional historic villages.
If you choose Altınbeşik, you can visit Ürünlü village and Ormana. Ormana is famous for its unique mortar-less wood and stone Buttoned Houses. Many guided tours bundle the cave and these historical settlements into a single 7 to 9-hour day trip.
Questions travellers ask
How deep is the lake inside Altınbeşik Cave?
The underground lake at Altınbeşik Cave reaches depths of up to 15 meters.
How big is Altınbeşik Cave's underground lake?
It is approximately 2,200 meters long. This makes it the largest in Turkey and the third largest in Europe.
Can I drive to Altınbeşik Cave myself?
Yes, you can drive 1.5 hours inland from Manavgat. Be aware that the final 4-5 km past Ürünlü village is steep and rugged.
