Sapadere Canyon Travel Guide: Entrance Fee, Directions & Tips

If you are looking to escape Alanya's scorching heat, humidity, and crowded beaches, it is time to turn your route towards the mountains. Sapadere Canyon offers not just a visual feast but also a natural air conditioning effect that will shock your body with its ice-cold waters. This is not just a place you go to "have a look"; it is one of those escape points where you will say "I am glad we came" and hear the sound of nature most clearly.

• Location: 45 km from Alanya center, within Demirtaş district limits.
• Entrance Fee: 150 TL (Municipal facility, prices may vary by season).
• Best Time to Visit: Before 10:30 AM to avoid crowds.
• Museum Pass: Not valid (Museum Pass Turkey does not work here).
• Difficulty Level: Easy (Wooden walking platform available).

What is Sapadere Canyon Like?

The moment you step into the canyon, a sound of water welcomes you, completely isolating you from the city noise. A wooden walking platform, approximately 600 meters long, allows you to proceed into the depths of the canyon. This platform is placed so ingeniously that walking while watching the rushing water flow beneath you is an adventure in itself.

During the walk, the massive rock walls rising around you offer magnificent photo opportunities, especially when sunlight filters in during noon hours. You might see pipes supplying water to the village at some points along the way; while this might seem to spoil the naturalness a bit, your eyes won't even notice them when you focus on the scenery.

The large waterfall waiting for you at the end of the platform is the reward for this short journey. However, a heads-up; if you plan to come with a baby stroller or wheelchair, some narrow passages and stairs on the platform might challenge you. Therefore, "baby carriers" are a much more practical solution for tiny guests.

Swimming in Ice-Cold Waters

If you say "I am resistant to cold," Sapadere is a great challenge arena for you. The water temperature hovers between 5 to 10 degrees Celsius even on the hottest days of summer. The moment you enter the water, you feel a shock effect as if thousands of needles are pricking your body, but the vigor you feel when you get out is priceless.

There are 3-4 different natural pools along the canyon where you can swim. The main pool where the waterfall pours is the most popular one. However, if you do not like crowds, you can choose smaller ponds at the beginning or middle of the trail. Do not forget to bring your water shoes, the ground can be slippery.

2025 Entrance Fee and Visiting Hours

Sapadere Canyon is operated by the Alanya Municipality subsidiary. Therefore, prices are more balanced compared to private businesses, but updates are made according to tourist density.

Visiting Hours: Open to visitors every day of the week between 08:00 – 19:00.

Bringing food inside after passing the ticket booth is prohibited. Staff can be strict about this, so it would be better to leave your snacks in the car or consume them in the areas before the entrance.

Where is Sapadere Canyon and How to Get There?

You can reach the canyon with a 40-45 minute drive from Alanya center. While proceeding on the Gazipaşa-Mersin road, you need to turn in from the Demirtaş junction. From here on, a winding mountain road surrounded by greenery, narrowing in places, awaits you.

Transportation by Private Car

Going with your own vehicle gives you great freedom. Especially if you can be there before 11:00 AM, you can enjoy the canyon in silence before the tour buses and jeeps arrive. The road is asphalt but some parts are narrow, so it is useful to be careful on the bends. There is a large parking area right at the entrance of the facility.

Jeep Safari Tours

If you do not have a vehicle or want a fun journey, Jeep Safari tours departing from Alanya center are the most popular option. These tours usually pass with "water fights," so be prepared to get soaking wet before even reaching the canyon. It offers a fun and social environment, but remember that the time given to you in the canyon will be limited.

Food and Drink Options

At the canyon entrance, there is a lovely restaurant serving under the shade of plane trees, established right by the water. The flatbreads (Gözleme) cooked on wood fire and fresh trout here are quite delicious. Prices are at a "reasonable" level for a tourist area, not exorbitant.

Also, in the middle of the walking trail, there is a cafeteria reached by stairs descending towards the bottom of the canyon. Here you can sip your Turkish coffee while dipping your feet in the water. However, keep in mind that there is no full-fledged food service inside, you can only find drinks and simple snacks.

5 Tips to Know Before You Go

To make your Sapadere experience perfect, definitely take these field notes into account:

1. Go Early: Between 11:00 AM and 03:00 PM, it gets flooded with Jeep Safari groups. If you don't want to see only human heads in your photos, prefer early morning hours.
2. Clothing Choice: Wear your swimsuit or bikini under your clothes. Changing cabins are available but you wouldn't want to wait in line. Definitely bring spare dry clothes.
3. Slippery Ground: Wooden platforms can get slippery when wet. Choose sandals with good grip or sports shoes.
4. Phone Signal: Phone signal might be weak in some deep points of the canyon. You might have to wait for the exit to post a story.
5. Combo Route: While you have come this far, add the nearby Dwarves Cave (Cüceler Mağarası) to your route. The two make a great duo.

There are other canyons waiting to be discovered in different corners of Turkey for nature lovers. For example, if your path falls towards Adana, you can check out our Kapıkaya Canyon for similar excitement. Taking a short break from the sea, sand, and sun trio on your Alanya holiday and taking refuge in the coolness of Sapadere will be one of the most unforgettable moments of your vacation.