Damlataş Cave
Located on the western edge of Alanya Castle, Damlataş Cave is one of Alanya’s most famous natural attractions, known for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Discovered in 1948, the cave is known as the first cave in Turkey to be opened to tourists.
About
Damlataş Cave, One of Alanya’s Landmarks
Located in the center of Alanya, Damlataş Cave is one of the city’s most famous natural attractions. Thanks to its location on the west side of Alanya Castle, near the seashore, it is one of the major tourist attractions that visitors exploring the city center can easily reach.
The cave was discovered in 1948 during the opening of a quarry in the region to extract stone for the construction of the Port of Alanya. Later opened to the public, Damlataş Cave is, according to information provided by the Alanya Municipality, the first cave in Turkey to be opened to tourists.
Features of Damlataş Cave
There is a passageway approximately 50 meters long at the cave’s entrance. After a section reaching a height of 15 meters, visitors reach a cylindrical chamber and descend from there to the cave floor. Water droplets falling from the stalactites inside the cave gave rise to the name “Damlataş.”
The Antalya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, states that the cave is approximately 30 meters long, of the dry, horizontal type, and covers an area of about 200 square meters. It contains numerous stalactites and stalagmites.
Cave Climate That Remains Constant Year-Round
One of the notable features of Damlataş Cave is its microclimate. According to data from the Alanya Municipality, the cave’s temperature remains around 22°C year-round, while the humidity level is approximately 95 percent.
For many years, the cave has been particularly associated with asthma patients. However, it would be more accurate not to present this on the site as a guarantee of treatment or medical advice. It is sufficient to state, as reported by official sources, that the cave’s air is preferred by asthma patients.
What’s Around Damlataş Cave?
One of the advantages of visiting the cave is its proximity to other important sites in Alanya. Damlataş Beach is located right in front of the cave and at the foot of Alanya Castle.
Cleopatra Beach is also located in the same area. The Alanya Municipality places Cleopatra Beach on the coast in front of Damlataş Cave, to the west of the historic peninsula.
Therefore, visitors to Damlataş Cave can combine the cave, Damlataş Beach, Cleopatra Beach, and the area around Alanya Castle into a single itinerary.
