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100 Best Things to Do in Manavgat

  • Writer: GOAT
    GOAT
  • 1 day ago
  • 17 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Manavgat is much more than its famous waterfall and the ancient streets of Side. Across the district, you can explore ancient cities, canyons and forests, spend the day on the Mediterranean coast, discover local food and agricultural products, experience everyday life in the city, or head into the Taurus Mountains for a completely different side of the region.


This list brings together 100 different things to do within the boundaries of Manavgat district itself. It focuses entirely on experiences you can have in Manavgat, Side and other areas within the district — rather than day trips to destinations elsewhere in Antalya Province.


That means places such as Antalya city, Alanya, Aspendos and Altınbeşik are intentionally not included here. They deserve their own day-trip guide.


From iconic sights to small local experiences, here are 100 ways to experience Manavgat.


Explore the list by category:



  • Manavgat Waterfall

Manavgat City & River

1. Take a boat tour on the Manavgat River

See the city from a different perspective as you cruise along the wide, calm waters of the Manavgat River. River tours range from short local trips to longer journeys towards the Mediterranean coast.

2. Have Turkish tea by the Artificial Waterfall (Yapay Şelale)

Stop by the Artificial Waterfall in the city centre and enjoy a glass of traditional Turkish tea beside one of modern Manavgat’s familiar landmarks. It is a simple way to slow down and watch local life around you.

3. Experience local life in Manavgat city centre

Spend some time away from the resort areas and explore the everyday side of Manavgat. Walk through the central streets, browse local shops, stop at cafés and see how the city changes throughout the day.

4. Walk across the historic Manavgat Bridge (Sarı Köprü)

Cross the old Manavgat Bridge on foot and enjoy views over the river from one of the city’s long-standing landmarks. Locals commonly know it as Sarı Köprü, meaning the Yellow Bridge.

5. Discover the town’s past at Manavgat City Museum

Learn how Manavgat developed from a regional settlement into the busy tourism centre it is today. The museum introduces different aspects of the district’s social life, traditions and local history.

6. Admire the architecture of Manavgat Külliye Mosque

Visit the impressive Külliye Mosque and take a closer look at its large-scale Ottoman-inspired architecture. Remember that it is an active place of worship, so dress and behave respectfully during your visit.

7. Take an evening walk along the Manavgat River

When the daytime heat begins to fade, join locals along the riverside walking areas. The cooler air, passing boats and city lights make the riverfront particularly pleasant in the evening.

8. Visit Boğaz (Mendirek), where the Manavgat River meets the Mediterranean

Head towards the coast to see one of Manavgat’s most interesting natural meeting points: the place where the river reaches the Mediterranean. The combination of river, sea and sandy shoreline creates a landscape very different from the city centre.


Side Ancient City & Old Town

9. Explore Side Ancient City from end to end

Walk through one of the most important archaeological areas on the Mediterranean coast and discover how ancient ruins exist alongside modern Side. Columns, streets, temples, public buildings and archaeological remains appear throughout the peninsula.

10. Visit Side Museum

Step inside the historic Roman bath complex that houses Side Museum. Its archaeological collection gives valuable context to the sculptures, inscriptions and remains you see while walking around the ancient city.

11. Visit the Side Arif Müfid Mansel Archaeology Museum

Discover Side’s newer archaeological museum, housed in the restored Late Antique structure traditionally known as Side’s ancient hospital. Its exhibitions offer another perspective on the ancient city and complement the collection of the original Side Museum.

12. See Side Ancient Theatre

The enormous ancient theatre is one of Side’s most striking monuments. Its scale, architecture and position make it an essential part of understanding ancient Side.

13. Watch the sunset at the Temple of Apollo

Few images represent Side as strongly as the columns of the Temple of Apollo against the Mediterranean sunset. Arrive before sunset and watch the colours change around one of the region’s most recognisable landmarks.

14. Experience the evening atmosphere of Side Harbour

Stay around Side Harbour after the daytime visitors begin to leave. Boats, restaurants, historic buildings and Mediterranean views give the old harbour a completely different atmosphere in the evening.

15. Experience Night Museum at Side Ancient City

See ancient Side after dark when the Night Museum programme is operating. Illuminated ruins, columns and archaeological structures create an experience very different from visiting the site under the daytime sun.

16. Visit the Side Cretan Culture House

Discover the Cretan heritage that forms an important part of Side’s more recent history. The culture house helps connect the ancient tourism destination visitors see today with the communities that shaped modern Side.


Ancient Cities & Historic Heritage

17. Explore Etenna Ancient City

Travel into the mountainous interior of Manavgat to discover the remains of Etenna in Sırtköy. Its elevated setting, surviving ruins and remote atmosphere make the experience very different from the coastal archaeological sites.

18. Discover Lyrbe Ancient City among the pine forests

Walk through pine forest to reach the atmospheric ruins of Lyrbe, long misidentified as Seleukeia. Its well-preserved agora and forest setting make it one of Manavgat’s most distinctive archaeological experiences.

19. Explore Selge Ancient City in the Taurus Mountains

Combine dramatic mountain scenery with ancient history at Selge. The surviving theatre and archaeological remains sit high in the Taurus Mountains, far removed from the coastal atmosphere of Side.

20. Walk across the historic Oluk Bridge

Stand on the ancient stone bridge spanning the Köprüçay and look down towards the rushing water below. Oluk Bridge remains one of the most recognisable historic structures within Köprülü Canyon National Park.


Waterfalls, Canyons & Lakes

21. Feel the power of Manavgat Waterfall up close

Stand beside the broad curtain of water and feel the cool spray from Manavgat’s best-known natural landmark. The waterfall is not particularly high, but its width and powerful flow give it its distinctive character.

22. Discover the Small Waterfall (Küçük Şelale)

Look beyond the famous main waterfall and seek out Manavgat’s lesser-known Küçük Şelale, or Small Waterfall. It offers another opportunity to experience the river landscape away from the district’s most photographed attraction.

23. Take a boat tour through Green Canyon

Cruise through the striking green waters and steep forested slopes of Green Canyon. The combination of the reservoir, mountains and quiet coves makes this one of Manavgat’s most popular nature excursions.

24. Enjoy the panoramic views from Oymapınar Dam

Take in the scale of Oymapınar Dam and the surrounding mountain landscape from above. The journey towards the dam is also part of the experience, with increasingly dramatic views as you climb inland.

25. Go rafting in Köprülü Canyon

Paddle through the cold, fast-flowing waters of Köprüçay on one of the region’s signature adventure activities. Rafting trips are suitable for many first-time participants as well as travellers looking for an active day outdoors.

26. Explore the geological formations of the canyons

Look beyond the scenery and notice the rock walls, layers, narrow passages and unusual formations shaped by water over immense periods of time. Manavgat’s canyon landscapes tell a geological story as well as providing spectacular views.

27. See the dramatic cliffs of Adler Canyon (Tazı Kanyonu)

Stand back from the edge and take in the immense vertical landscape of Tazı Canyon. The viewpoint offers one of the most dramatic mountain panoramas in the wider Köprülü Canyon area.

28. Explore Ahmetler Canyon

Discover a quieter canyon landscape surrounded by rugged terrain and vegetation. Ahmetler Canyon appeals particularly to travellers interested in hiking, nature and less-developed outdoor environments.

29. Discover Paradise Canyon (Cennet Kanyonu)

Explore the rocky scenery and clear water around Cennet Canyon near Kalemler. Wear suitable footwear and take extra care around wet rocks, steep sections and changing water conditions.

30. Explore Titreyengöl

Take a walk around Titreyengöl and enjoy a calmer side of the Side-Manavgat tourism area. The lake and its surroundings provide a pleasant contrast to the nearby beaches, hotels and busy coastal roads.

31. Try fishing

Manavgat offers river, reservoir and coastal environments where fishing forms part of local recreational life. Choose an appropriate location and make sure you follow any rules that apply to the area and species.

32. Discover Hidden Paradise (Gizli Cennet)

Head away from Manavgat’s famous waterfall and discover a more secluded natural setting at Gizli Cennet. Its water, vegetation and rocky surroundings make it an interesting stop for travellers exploring the district beyond the main attractions.



Taurus Mountains, Forests & Trails

33. Discover the plant diversity of the Taurus Mountains

As you climb away from the coast, notice how Manavgat’s vegetation changes. Pine forests, Mediterranean shrubs, aromatic herbs and mountain plants make the Taurus landscape an important part of the district’s natural identity.

34. Observe Manavgat’s wildlife

Keep your eyes open for birds, reptiles and other wildlife across Manavgat’s forests, rivers, mountains and coastal habitats. Observe animals from a respectful distance and avoid feeding or disturbing them.

35. Camp in Köprülü Canyon

Spend a night surrounded by forest, flowing water and mountain air in the Köprülü Canyon area. Use designated or permitted camping areas and always respect seasonal fire restrictions.

36. Spend time among the pine trees of Sorgun Forest

Escape the busy coastal areas beneath the shade of Sorgun’s pine trees. Walking, sitting quietly or simply enjoying the scent and sound of the forest can provide a welcome break from the summer heat.

37. Head up to the Taurus highlands

Leave the hot coastal plain behind and travel towards Manavgat’s higher mountain areas. The cooler temperatures, rural scenery and traditional yayla culture reveal another side of the district.

38. Take a scenic drive along the Avasun Road

Follow the road towards Avasun and enjoy changing views of mountains, forests and the inland landscape. It is one of those journeys where the road itself becomes part of the experience.

39. Have a picnic in Sorgun Forest

Bring some food and enjoy a relaxed break beneath the trees in an appropriate recreation area. During the dry season, always follow current fire regulations and never light a fire where it is prohibited.

40. Hike part of the St. Paul Trail through Köprülü Canyon

Walk a section of the long-distance St. Paul Trail where it passes through the Köprülü Canyon landscape. Even a shorter section offers a combination of history, mountain scenery and outdoor exploration.


Beaches & Coastal Experiences

41. Spend a proper beach day on the Mediterranean

Choose a stretch of Manavgat’s long Mediterranean coastline and dedicate an entire day to swimming, sunbathing and doing very little else. Different areas offer everything from fine sand to steeper, more pebbly shores.

42. Watch the sunrise from the beach

Get up early at least once and reach the coast before the day begins. The beaches are far quieter at this hour, and watching the sun rise over the Mediterranean is worth the early alarm.

43. Have a sunset picnic by the sea

Bring something simple to eat and stay on the coast as the heat fades. A sunset picnic offers an easy, inexpensive way to enjoy Manavgat’s beaches outside the busiest daytime hours.

44. Take a long walk along the coast

Skip the sunbed for a while and explore the shoreline on foot. Coastal walks allow you to experience changing beaches, hotel zones, natural sections and views that are easy to miss from the road.

45. Try to spot dolphins in their natural habitat

Keep watch during a sea trip and you may be lucky enough to see dolphins offshore. Sightings are never guaranteed, which is exactly why encountering them naturally is more meaningful than treating wildlife as an attraction.

46. Observe Caretta caretta sea turtles responsibly

Sea turtles use parts of the Mediterranean coastline for nesting. If you encounter turtles, tracks or nesting areas, keep your distance, avoid disturbing them and follow any protective signs or barriers.

47. Go horse riding along the beach or through the forest

Join a guided horse ride and experience the landscape at a slower pace. Depending on the route, rides can combine forest tracks, rural surroundings and stretches close to the Mediterranean coast.

48. Take a night walk along Side’s seaside promenade

Return to Side after dark and walk beside the Mediterranean when the temperature is cooler. The combination of sea views, lights and nearby ancient remains gives the promenade a distinctive evening atmosphere.


Boat Trips & Water Sports

49. Take a full-day boat trip on the Mediterranean

Spend a day offshore with swimming stops, coastal views and plenty of time on deck. Boat-trip styles vary considerably, from relaxed cruises to larger entertainment-focused excursions.

50. See Side from above while parasailing

Rise above the Mediterranean behind a speedboat and see the Side coastline from an entirely different angle. The elevated view gives you a striking perspective on the beaches and peninsula.

51. Ride a jet ski

Add some speed to your beach day by taking a jet ski onto the Mediterranean. Follow the instructions of the water-sports operator and respect designated swimming and riding zones.

52. Go on a banana boat ride

Hold on with your friends as a speedboat pulls the inflatable banana across the water. It is simple, chaotic and one of the classic group activities offered along the resort coastline.

53. Ride a ringo or another towable water inflatable

If a banana boat is not wild enough, try one of the other towable inflatables offered by local water-sports centres. Different designs produce very different levels of bouncing, spinning and falling into the sea.

54. Paddle on a SUP board

Try stand-up paddleboarding when the sea is relatively calm. It combines balance, gentle exercise and a peaceful way to move along the coastline without an engine.

55. Explore underwater with a snorkel

Bring or rent a mask and snorkel and look beneath the surface rather than only across it. Rocky sections generally provide more to explore than completely sandy stretches.

56. Dive at the Side Underwater Museum

Join a properly organised dive to explore the Side Underwater Museum beneath the Mediterranean. Its submerged sculptures turn a recreational dive into one of the region’s most unusual cultural experiences.



Adventure & Sports

57. Go on a Jeep safari

Leave the resort areas behind on an off-road trip towards Manavgat’s countryside and Taurus foothills. Jeep safaris typically combine rough roads, rural scenery and plenty of dust.

58. Go on a buggy or ATV safari

Drive through off-road terrain on a buggy or ATV and expect to finish considerably dirtier than you started. It is one of the most popular ways to add some adrenaline to a Manavgat holiday.

59. Zipline across the canyon

Fly across part of the canyon landscape on a zipline and experience the scenery at considerably higher speed than a hiking trail allows. It is often combined with other outdoor activities in the Köprülü Canyon area.

60. Complete the treetop rope courses at Oymapınar Adventure Park

Test your balance and confidence on elevated rope courses among the trees. Bridges, obstacles and climbing sections make this a more physical alternative to simply sightseeing around the Oymapınar area.

61. Race on a go-kart track

Challenge your travel companions to a few laps on a local go-kart track. It is an easy evening or family activity when you want a break from beaches, ruins and nature trips.

62. Spend a day on the slides at a water park

Swap the Mediterranean for pools, slides and splash zones. Water parks can be particularly useful for families or anyone looking for an activity built entirely around cooling down and having fun.

63. Play beach volleyball

Join a game or start your own on one of Manavgat’s broad beaches. You do not need much equipment, and it is an easy way to turn a lazy beach afternoon into something more active.

64. Play beach football or catch a match

Look out for informal games and beach football areas along the coast. If there is space and the players are happy to have you, joining a casual match can quickly become a memorable holiday moment.

65. Cycle from Manavgat city centre to the coast

See how the inland city connects with the Mediterranean by travelling towards the coast on two wheels. Choose quieter roads or suitable cycling routes whenever possible and avoid the hottest part of summer days.

66. Take fun photos at the Upside Down House (Ters Ev)

Step inside the Ters Ev and abandon serious sightseeing for a while. Its upside-down rooms and furniture are designed for playful perspective photos, making it especially popular with families.



Local Food & Drinks

67. Try Antalya-style tahini piyaz

Do not expect an ordinary bean salad. Antalya-style piyaz is distinguished by its rich tahini-based sauce, creating a regional version that visitors should try at least once while in Manavgat.

68. Try tarhana

Taste one of Türkiye’s traditional soups, made from a fermented mixture typically including grain and yoghurt. Tarhana is especially comforting in cooler weather and reflects the home-style food traditions found across the region.

69. Taste keşkek

Try this slow-cooked dish traditionally prepared from wheat and meat. Keşkek has deep associations with communal meals, celebrations and village traditions across Anatolia, including communities around Manavgat.

70. Eat fish by the Manavgat River

Choose a riverside restaurant and enjoy fish while watching the water and boats pass nearby. The setting is as important as the meal, especially during the cooler hours of the day.

71. Try traditional Turkish desserts

Treat yourself to some of Türkiye’s best-known sweets while you are in Manavgat. Try classics such as baklava, künefe, sütlaç or lokma, and discover how different Turkish desserts can be from one another.

72. Enjoy a long Turkish breakfast

Do not rush breakfast. Sit down to a spread of cheese, olives, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, bread, jams and endless tea, and treat the first meal of the day as an activity in itself.

73. Eat freshly cooked gözleme from a traditional griddle

Watch thin dough being filled and cooked on a hot sac before eating it fresh. Cheese, potato and herb fillings are among the classic choices.

74. Drink Turkish coffee

Order a small cup of strong Turkish coffee and give it the time it deserves. If you are with local friends, turning the finished cup upside down for a playful fortune reading can add to the experience.

75. Make the evening last with a table of meze

Instead of rushing through dinner, order several small dishes and share them slowly. Cold vegetables, yoghurt dishes, seafood and other meze are made for long conversations and warm Mediterranean evenings.

76. Drink traditional tuluk ayran (yörük ayranı)

Try a cold, frothy version of Turkey’s familiar yoghurt drink prepared in a more traditional style. It is particularly refreshing after a hot day or alongside grilled and rural-style food.

77. Eat Maraş ice cream and enjoy the ice cream seller’s show

Cooling down is only half the experience. Traditional Maraş ice cream sellers often turn buying a cone into a playful performance, repeatedly handing it over — and taking it back — before finally letting you eat it.


Local Produce & Flavours

78. Taste tahini made from Manavgat Golden Sesame

Manavgat’s golden sesame is one of the district’s most distinctive agricultural products. Try tahini produced from the local sesame and notice how such a simple ingredient connects directly with the area’s farming traditions.

79. Try prickly pear cactus fruit

Look for the seasonal cactus fruit known by several local names, including dikenli incir and incir yemişi. Its unusual appearance hides a sweet, refreshing interior — just mind the tiny spines.

80. Taste a Manavgat banana

Bananas are part of Manavgat’s expanding subtropical agricultural landscape. Try locally grown fruit and look out for banana cultivation as you travel through the district’s rural areas.

81. Taste a Manavgat watermelon

Few things work better against the Manavgat summer heat than cold watermelon. Buy one locally during the season and turn a simple piece of fruit into a proper Mediterranean summer break.

82. Taste a Manavgat orange

Citrus orchards form another important part of the district’s agricultural identity. During the right season, locally grown oranges provide a very different experience from imported fruit eaten thousands of kilometres away.

83. Buy seasonal fruit at a local market

Let the season decide what you eat. Local markets change throughout the year, giving you the chance to discover fruit, vegetables and herbs when they are naturally at their best.

84. Taste local Manavgat olive oil

Olive cultivation has deep roots across the Mediterranean landscape around Manavgat. Try locally produced olive oil with bread or food rather than treating it merely as another ingredient.

85. Try Manavgat honey

Look for honey produced around Manavgat and the Taurus foothills. Different vegetation and flowering seasons influence the flavour, making local honey another edible connection to the surrounding landscape.

86. Discover Taurus thyme and sage

Smell the dried herbs sold in local markets or village areas and you will recognise another part of the Taurus landscape. Thyme and sage are used in kitchens as well as traditional herbal infusions.

87. Taste carob molasses

Try keçiboynuzu pekmezi, a thick molasses made from carob. Its dark colour and intense sweetness make it quite different from most flavours visitors associate with the Mediterranean coast.

88. Discover homemade local products made by women from Manavgat

Look for locally produced tarhana, noodles, jams, pickles and other homemade foods prepared by women from the district. Buying directly from local producers also keeps more of your spending within the community.

89. Discover Manavgat laurel oil

Laurel grows naturally in the wider Mediterranean landscape and is used for more than cooking. Explore locally produced laurel-based products and learn about another plant traditionally connected with the region.


Shopping & Local Life

90. Join the crowds at Manavgat’s Monday and Thursday markets

Experience one of Manavgat’s liveliest weekly rituals when the large markets fill with locals and visitors. Expect clothes, household goods, fresh produce, food and plenty of bargaining energy.

91. Explore the Covered Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)

Walk through Manavgat’s covered shopping area and browse a mix of clothing, accessories, souvenirs and everyday goods. It offers a different shopping atmosphere from both the open markets and modern malls.

92. Shop in Manavgat’s small local stores

Explore the small shops found across Manavgat, from the city centre to busy tourism areas such as Side, Kumköy, Evrenseki and Çolaklı. Browse clothing, accessories, souvenirs, local products and everyday goods away from the larger shopping centres.

93. See modern Manavgat at Novamall

For a completely different side of the district, visit Novamall. The shopping centre is part of everyday contemporary Manavgat and provides an easy escape from the heat as well as familiar retail and dining options.

94. Spend time with Manavgat’s street cats

Cats are part of everyday street life throughout Manavgat and Side. Enjoy their company, but interact gently and avoid giving them food that may be unsuitable or disturbing animals that prefer to be left alone.

95. Ride a dolmuş and experience local transport culture

Take one of the minibuses that connect Manavgat, Side and surrounding neighbourhoods and resort areas. For visitors, a dolmuş ride is not just transport — it is a small introduction to how daily mobility works locally.


Wellness, Nightlife & Events

96. Attend a theatre performance, concert or exhibition at Manavgat Atatürk Cultural Centre

Check what is happening at the local cultural centre during your stay. A theatre performance, exhibition or concert offers an opportunity to experience Manavgat as a living city rather than only a holiday destination.

97. Visit a traditional Turkish hammam

Experience the heat, steam, scrubbing and foam of a Turkish bath. A hammam visit combines relaxation with a bathing tradition that has been part of Turkish culture for centuries.

98. Have a spa or massage day

Give yourself a day with no ruins, rafting or itineraries. Manavgat’s tourism areas offer plenty of wellness options where you can slow down with a massage, sauna or other spa treatments.

99. Experience Side’s nightlife

Stay out after dinner and discover Side’s bars, live music venues and evening atmosphere. The area around the old town and harbour becomes particularly lively during the summer season.

100. Attend a festival or open-air event

If your visit coincides with a local festival, concert or outdoor cultural event, add it to your plans. These occasions provide a chance to experience Manavgat alongside residents rather than only other travellers.



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