Manavgat Waterfall, Köprülü Canyon and Green Canyon From Side
Short answer: The Manavgat Waterfall is a low, wide cascade beside Manavgat town, about 73 km and roughly an hour's drive from Antalya Airport (AYT) and about 12 km from Side. Köprülü Canyon National Park, the rafting canyon, is further inland: about 78 km from the airport and 59 km from Side to Beşkonak, the rafting base. Green Canyon is a boat trip on the Oymapınar reservoir, sold as a tour with hotel pickup. A private transfer to Side starts at €45 per vehicle, shown before you pay, and a taxi from the airport to Manavgat runs about €61–62 (₺3,400–3,450) on the meter. For a day trip to the canyon from the airport or your hotel, ask us for a quote.
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These three places are grouped together because they sit in the same part of the Antalya coast, east of the airport and inland from Side, and because visitors often confuse them. One is a waterfall you can visit in an hour, one is a river canyon known for rafting, and one is a boat trip on a dam lake. This guide separates them, gives the 2026 entry fees and opening hours from municipal and press sources, and shows how far each is from the airport, Side and Belek.
Three Different Places, Side by Side
| Manavgat Waterfall | Köprülü Canyon | Green Canyon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A wide, low waterfall on the Manavgat River, at the edge of town | A national park with a river canyon and rafting | Boat trips on the Oymapınar dam lake |
| Who runs it | Manavgat Municipality | National parks authority (DKMP); rafting by private operators | Private boat and tour operators |
| Cost (2026) | ₺50 adult, ₺10 student with ID, at the time of writing | ₺95 per person in the 2026 national-park tariff; rafting priced by each operator | Priced by each operator |
| Time needed | About 1 to 2 hours | Half a day to a full day | Usually 4 to 8 hours as a tour |
| Best for | A short stop from Side | Rafting, a day in the mountains | A boat day with swim stops |
Fees and hours come from municipal and national-parks sources and press reports, and can change between seasons. Distances in this guide are approximate road distances without traffic, from our own route calculations; allow 15 to 30 per cent more in summer.
Manavgat Waterfall
The falls are in the Çayyazı area on the edge of Manavgat town. They are not a tall drop. It is a low, wide cascade rather than a tall drop, and heavy rain can flood it. The site is run by Manavgat Municipality rather than the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, so a Müzekart does not apply.
- Entry: ₺50 for an adult and ₺10 for a student with ID in 2026, according to local press at the time of writing. Parking was reported as free and the toilets as paid.
- Hours: 08:00 to 19:30 from 1 April to 31 October, and 08:00 to 18:00 in winter, according to the same source. Check the sign at the gate on the day.
- Flood closure: on 13 February 2026 heavy rain submerged the falls and entry was stopped for a while, with reopening depending on the river level. That was a one-off event, but it shows the site can close after a storm, so look at the weather if you visit in winter.
Getting there from Side or Manavgat
From Side the falls are about 12 km and 20 minutes by car. From Belek it is about 50 km and around 50 minutes, and from the airport about 73 km and around 67 minutes. By public transport, the usual route is an intercity bus from Antalya bus station to Manavgat and then a local dolmuş of about 10 minutes to the falls. Our Antalya Airport to Side guide describes the airport leg by tram or bus 600 and bus MAN47, which takes about 2 hours to Manavgat, so the whole trip from the airport takes well over three hours with changes.
Köprülü Canyon National Park
Köprülü Canyon is a national park (Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı) and it is the main rafting area on this part of the coast. Most visitors come on a rafting or jeep day with a pickup from the hotel, and the rafting base area is Beşkonak.
- Park fee: the 2026 national-parks tariff lists ₺95 per person for the park, approved on 19 February 2026. Ask your rafting operator whether the park fee is included in the package price before you pay, because arrangements differ between operators.
- Rafting season: sources differ. A common range is roughly April to October, peaking in July and August, while operators run trips from about March to November in good weather. The river is cold, with reports of around 5 °C in early season, so a wetsuit matters in spring.
- Distance to Beşkonak: about 78 km and 74 minutes from the airport, about 59 km and an hour from Side, and about 55 km and 56 minutes from Belek.
Most people reach the rafting area with a tour or a car. If you want to be driven there from the airport or your hotel and back, ask us for a quote on WhatsApp. We give the price per vehicle before you book, and there is no fixed price for this trip on our standard list.
Green Canyon Boat Trips
Green Canyon (Yeşil Kanyon) is the name used for boat trips on the Oymapınar reservoir, north of Manavgat. The boats are run by private operators, so we give no prices here; ask the operator what the trip includes.
- Duration: tours are usually advertised at 4 to 8 hours with hotel pickup. Swim stops depend on the weather.
- Season: operators have listed trips in January to March 2026, so there is no strict closing date, with the weather as the main limit. Swimming is realistic from about May to October.
- Distance to the boat pier: about 87 km and 88 minutes from the airport, about 28 km and 41 minutes from Side, and about 65 km and 70 minutes from Belek.
Many tours add a visit to the Manavgat market on the way. A tour with hotel pickup is the simplest way to do this one.
From the Airport: Transfer, Taxi or Bus
| Option | Time | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Private transfer to Side | About 60 to 75 minutes | From €45 per vehicle (Mercedes Vito, up to 6 passengers) |
| Taxi to Manavgat | About 67 minutes to the falls, without traffic | About €61–62 (₺3,400–3,450) on the meter (estimate) |
| Bus via Antalya bus station | 3 hours or more with changes | Fares set by the operators; see our Antalya Airport bus guide |
| Canyon day trip by car | Depends on the stops | Ask us for a quote |
Private-transfer prices are per vehicle, not per person, and the exact price for your date and pickup time is shown before you pay. Taxi figures are meter estimates for the whole car, not a published fare list.
For most people the practical plan is to go straight from the airport to the hotel in Side or Manavgat and visit the waterfall or canyon on another day. Your driver waits just outside the arrivals exit. After you land, the driver sends the exact meeting point and a short video on WhatsApp. Drivers speak English, child seats are available on request, and there is no extra charge for traffic or flight delays. See the Antalya Airport to Side transfer page. If your hotel is in Manavgat or one of the Side resort areas, enter the address in the booking form and the price is shown before you pay.
A stop at the waterfall on the way is not something we promise on a standard booking. If you would like one, ask us on WhatsApp before booking and we will tell you whether it fits your pickup time.
How to Plan the Day
Manavgat Waterfall on a half day from Side
This is the easy one. Go in the morning, spend an hour or two at the falls, and have lunch in Manavgat. The taxi from Side takes about 20 minutes. Avoid the days after heavy rain.
Köprülü Canyon as a full day
Book rafting with an operator that offers hotel pickup, or hire a car with a driver. Take warm clothes outside summer and shoes that can get wet. Ask about the park fee and about the minimum age for rafting when you book.
Green Canyon as a boat day
Book through a tour operator with pickup. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection and water. Confirm the departure point and the lunch arrangements when booking.
Which to choose
With one free day, choose by interest. The waterfall suits a short outing. Köprülü suits people who want an active day. Green Canyon suits those who prefer a boat and a swim. Visiting two on the same day is possible but long, because the distances between them are 50 km or more.
Where to Stay for These Trips
Side and its resort areas are the closest base for the waterfall and for the Green Canyon pier. Belek is a little further from all three. If you are still choosing an area, our where to stay in Antalya guide compares the coastal areas, and our Belek guide covers the western side. For ancient sites on the same coast, see Perge and Aspendos, which lie on the road between the airport and Side.
What to Bring and When to Go
- Spring and autumn: the best months for walking and for river flow. The waterfall is at its fullest after winter rain, but may be closed after storms.
- Summer: hot, and the coastal road is busier. Go early, and carry water and sun protection at all three places.
- Winter: hours at the waterfall are shorter. Rafting is cold, so check which operators are running. Boat trips on the lake can still run.
- Cash: keep some lira for gate fees, toilets and small purchases.
Hours and fees can change without notice, so check with the operator or the site before you go.
Sources — checked on 22 October 2026: DKMP protected-area fee tariff 2026 · Haber Gazetesi: Manavgat Waterfall entry fee · Gazete Birlik: Manavgat Waterfall closure after the rain · Okur Medya: Antalya waterfalls 2026 · Daily Sabah: rafting at Köprülü Canyon · T24: rafting season · TUI: Green Canyon boat cruise · easyJet Holidays: Green Canyon boat cruise
Euro amounts at €1 = ₺55.6.
Related guides: Antalya Airport to Side and Manavgat · Perge and Aspendos From Antalya Airport · Where to Stay in Antalya · Antalya Airport to Belek · Antalya Airport taxi prices · Düden Waterfalls From Antalya Airport
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Manavgat Waterfall and how far is it from Antalya Airport?
It is on the edge of Manavgat town, in the Çayyazı area. By road it is about 73 km and roughly 67 minutes from Antalya Airport without traffic, about 12 km (20 minutes) from Side and about 50 km (around 50 minutes) from Belek.
How much does the Manavgat Waterfall cost?
At the time of writing the 2026 entry fee is ₺50 for an adult and ₺10 for a student with ID, according to local press. The site is run by the municipality, so a Müzekart does not apply. Check the sign at the gate.
Is the Manavgat Waterfall open in winter?
Yes. It opens 08:00 to 19:30 from 1 April to 31 October and 08:00 to 18:00 in winter, at the time of writing. After heavy rain it can close: on 13 February 2026 the falls were submerged and entry was stopped for a while.
How much does Köprülü Canyon cost?
The 2026 national-parks tariff lists ₺95 per person for Köprülü Canyon National Park. Rafting is priced by each operator, so ask whether the park fee is included before you book.
When is the rafting season at Köprülü Canyon?
Sources differ. A common range is roughly April to October, with the peak in July and August, and operators run trips from about March to November in good weather. The river is cold in spring, so ask about wetsuits.
What is the difference between Köprülü Canyon and Green Canyon?
Köprülü Canyon is a river gorge in a national park, known for rafting. Green Canyon is a boat trip on the Oymapınar dam lake, usually sold as a 4 to 8 hour tour with hotel pickup and swim stops.
How much is a taxi or transfer from Antalya Airport to Manavgat or Side?
A taxi to Manavgat is about €61–62 (₺3,400–3,450) on the meter, as an estimate for the whole car. A private transfer to Side starts at €45 per vehicle, with the exact price shown before you pay.
Can you take me to Köprülü Canyon or Green Canyon from the airport?
Yes, but there is no fixed price for these trips on our standard list. Ask us for a quote on WhatsApp and we will give you the price per vehicle before you book. Stops on a normal transfer are not included unless we agree them in advance.
Can I reach these places by public transport?
The waterfall, yes: a bus from Antalya bus station to Manavgat and then a local dolmuş of about 10 minutes. From the airport the whole trip takes 3 hours or more. The rafting area and the Green Canyon boats are normally reached with a tour or a car.
Heading to Side or Manavgat?
Your driver waits just outside the arrivals exit. After you land, they send the exact meeting point and a short video on WhatsApp. From €45 per vehicle to Side, shown before you pay. Ask us for a quote to the canyon.
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