Turkey is a country that offers breathtaking scenery wherever you go, from Mediterranean beaches to remote mountain villages, with beautiful countryside offering a luxurious vista that stretches away to meet the sky.
Amongst these natural wonders is an array of waterfalls (the Turkish for waterfall is şelale)that can almost be overlooked – and they are just too beautiful to be missed.
Manavgat Waterfall
Sourced from the eastern part of the mighty Taurus Mountains, waters flow through mountains, forests, and canyons, finally ending up at the waterfall in Manavgat town centre. The result is a beautifully wide waterfall that may not be high but definitely has a lot of power and beauty.
Near the waterfall, there are tea gardens, a fish restaurant, recreational areas and souvenir shops. It is also possible to take a boat trip up the Manavgat River to explore this lovely area further and take a cool dip in the river.
Düden Waterfalls
The Düden Waterfalls consists of two waterfalls located on the road to Lara in the Antalya province.
The Düdenbaşı Waterfall (upper) has a cave behind the flowing water that can be accessed via a narrow staircase. Streams from Düdenbaşı end up flowing into the lower waterfall, a spectacular cascade that spills over the cliffs directly into the Mediterranean from a rather dramatic drop. The best view is from a boat on the water.
Uçansu Waterfall
One of the more undiscovered natural wonders of the Mediterranean region, the Uçansu Waterfall is situated among lush pine trees in the southern Antalya province and is quite an impressive sight for those who discover it. It is dubbed the “hidden paradise in the forest.”
Kurşunlu Waterfall
The Kurşunlu Waterfall in Antalya’s Aksu district is especially notable for the beautiful pine trees all around the area (perfect for hiking) as well as the canyon, which shapes the waterfall. After an around 10m (33ft) drop, the waterfall flows into a freshwater pool with many inhabitants such as tortoises, crabs, and fish. The area also has picnic areas where locals and visitors relax in nature as well as a restored mill.
Yerköprü Waterfall
The Yerköprü Waterfall in the Mut district of southern Turkey’s Mersin offers a visual treat for tourists from all over the world. The water falls from a height of 30 meters, into a 300-meter-long and 15-meter-deep turquoise lake.
Muradiye Waterfall
In the eastern province of Van, known for the magnificent Lake Van, the Muradiye Waterfall is an impressive sight, especially in the winter when the water freezes. In the summer, visitors can cool down in the shade of the nearby forest as well as tour the other natural beauties of the Van region.
Kapuzbaşı Waterfall
Located in the central Anatolian province of Kayseri the Kapuzbaşı Waterfall is in one of the most beautiful trekking routes in Turkey at an altitude of 3,756 meters. The waterfall comprises seven waterfalls fed by snow masses and glaciers at the summit of Mt. Aladag flowing directly from the solid rock face, pouring down from a height of around 75 meters (246 feet).
Tarsus Waterfall
Located in the southern province of Mersin, the Tarsus Waterfall was formed as a result of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian diverting the course of the river in order to protect the city of Tarsus from the inrushes of water. Surrounding the waterfall there are cemeteries dating back to ancient times.
In spring, the waterfall offers beautiful natural scenery, and in summer, you can cool off in its icy water.
Tortum Waterfall
Having been formed after a landslide near the village of Balıklı in the 18th century, Tortum Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Turkey and a UNESCO World Heritage Site nominee.
The 21-meter-wide and 48-meter-high waterfall is in Erzurum’s Uzundere district flows into a breathtaking lake, has an observation platform and is surrounded by picnic areas.
Mençuna Waterfalls
Located 17km from the Arhavi district in the northern province of Artvin, the Mençuna Waterfalls consist of cascades falling a total of 90 meters.
The waterfall is reached by a one-hour trail after leaving the vehicle road. Visitors can swim in the pond at the base of the waterfall, or enjoy the view from the observation terraces, and have a refreshment.
This natural wonder is definitely a must-see.
Girlevik Waterfall
The Girlevik Waterfall is located in the foothills of the Munzur Mountains in Turkey’s eastern province of Erzincan.
The waterfall, located 35 kilometres from the city’s centre on the borders of Kalecik village, is fed by nine natural springs from the mountains and offers a cooling experience in the often hot summers.
Şeyhandede Waterfall
The Şeyhandede Waterfall in the Çermik district of the southeastern province Diyarbakır are a well-kept secret with not even many of the locals knowing about its existence. This makes it something of a hidden paradise. The waters cascade from a height of 30 metres, into a small lake. It is possible to swim in the icy waters here but it’s not for the faint-hearted! Because so few people know about this location it remains completely unspoilt.
Sources: Daily Sabah/Culture Trip/GoTürkiye/Wikipedia
