Welcome to Manavgat, the Mavav of yesteryear!
Yes, the name of Manavgat was Mavav in ancient times. Manavgat got its name from Manav Turks. Just like its name, the city itself smells of history. The city was located in the eastern part of a region known as Pamphylia in ancient times. Pamphylia means ‘multi-lingual’, ‘multi-racial place’. These lands have really kept this meaning alive. Because it has hosted many civilisations from the Romans to the Ottomans for thousands of years. Therefore, every civilisation that passed through Manavgat lands left a trace of itself.
Let us remind you before starting the article: Don’t forget to download the Piri Guide mobile app to visit Manavgat step by step with your personal and digital tour guide!
Where is Manavgat?
Manavgat is a district of Antalya in the Mediterranean region. Manavgat is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea from the south and the Taurus Mountains from the north. There is Alanya to the southeast and Akseki to the northeast. Manavgat is 77 kilometres away from Antalya.
How to get to Manavgat?
There are two ways to get to Manavgat: by air and by road. Since there is no airport in Manavgat, Antalya Airport and Gazipasa Airport in Alanya are used. Gazipasa Airport is a little closer to Manavgat. Unfortunately, it is not possible to find a direct HAVAŞ bus to the city. Therefore, you need to go to the bus station first by HAVAŞ bus. Afterwards, you can take buses from there, rent a car or find a taxi.
When to go to Manavgat?
Manavgat is a region with a typical Mediterranean climate. In the summer months, the city faces a serious tourist density. On top of that, it gets very hot. If you want to escape from both tourists and heat, come in April-May or September-October. However, if you have Altinbeshik Cave on your list of places to visit, coming in spring and winter may disappoint you. Because the cave is closed to visitors at that time.
Manavgat Attractions
Manavgat Waterfall
The waterfall is 3 kilometres away from the town centre. As soon as you take a step, the sound of the thundering waterfall welcomes you. It is a natural beauty that fills you with refreshment and peace. Not only tourists but even locals come to Manavgat to get away from the crowds of the city. The river flowing here is born in the inner parts of the Taurus Mountains and feeds the lands of Manavgat. It is exactly 93 kilometres long! And Turkey’s regime is one of the most regular rivers.
If you have come to Manavgat Waterfall, do not leave immediately. Spend some time in the coolness of the waterfall. In fact, this place has a lively road even before entering. There are cafes and souvenir shops in that part. You may want to drink some coffee and buy something souvenir.
Side Ancient City
‘Side’ means pomegranate. That is why the name of this ancient city symbolises fertility and abundance. Side has operated as a harbour city for years. That’s why the flamboyant and functional structures. The Miletus historian of the Ancient Period described it as ‘the daughter of Taurus, the bull and mountain god of Anatolia’. Does the name Taurus sound familiar to you from somewhere? Yes yes, Taurus himself. Side was known as the daughter of Taurus in the past.
There is a theatre, a state agora and an ancient hospital in the ancient city. In fact, it is not clear whether it was a hospital or not, but it is thought to be a hospital because it resembles Seljuk healhouses. The artefacts from this city are currently exhibited in the Side Museum. You can find the museum and the story of the city in our Manavgat tour in Piri application
Temple of Apollo
Just as Manavgat Waterfall comes to mind when you say Manavgat, the Temple of Apollo comes to mind when you say Side. This structure manages to fascinate you with all its splendour at all hours of the day. But if you come close to sunset, you will surely encounter a much more magnificent view. The temple was built in the Roman period for Apollo, the god of art, light and beauty.
In ancient times, the Sidelites regarded Apollo as the founder of the city and Athena as the chief goddess. The temple was built right at the entrance of the harbour because the people wanted to provoke the enemies coming from the sea. The enemy would see the Temple of Apollo when entering the city and think that the city was protected by the gods.
Underwater Museum
Attention diving lovers, the underwater museum is for you! Now we are in such a place that the exhibition area is the sea. The Underwater Museum in Manavgat is really under the sea. You need to dive to visit the museum. Opened in 2015, this is Turkey’s first underwater museum.
There are 117 sculptures in 5 different themes. It contains many artefacts from Poseidon, the god of the sea, to Mevlana and even the War of Independence. There is also a coast guard boat out of service. The main inhabitants of that boat are groupers. Therefore, when you dive, you will frequently encounter groupers as well as many sea creatures.
Altinbeshik Cave National Park
Altınbeşik Cave is a three-storey cave system discovered in the 1960s. It is the third longest underground cave in the world and the longest in Turkey. The cave is located at the end of a very large and long underground system. It is really long because it is more than 100 kilometres long as the crow flies. You cannot visit the cave every season. As we mentioned above, it is only open to visitors in summer and autumn. Since the water level rises in the other half of the year, it is not possible to visit.
You put on your life jackets at the entrance and go on inflatable boats to visit the cave. The first 200-250 metres is the lower part. It got its name from the bridge at the bottom. This natural bridge has a yellow colour due to the minerals and resembles a cradle.
We visited Manavgat in 5 steps, but Manavgat is much more than that. So let us remind you again that you will not leave any place unexplored with your digital tour guide Piri!
If you say ‘I came to Manavgat, I can’t leave Antalya without visiting Antalya.’ You can take a look at our Antalya travel guide!
