Manavgat (Turkey) is a small resort town located in the south – west of the country, 75 km east of Antalya. The area of the locality covers 2 283 km2, and its population is just over 226 thousand people. Manavgat is located just 5 km from the Mediterranean coast. It includes the famous tourist town of Side as a separate district, as well as nearby resort villages such as Kyzyl, Sorgun, Kumkei, Evrenseki, Cholakli, Gundoudu, etc. It is on the territory of these objects that numerous hotels are located, where hundreds of thousands of tourists come every summer.
The Manavgat River flows through the city center, along the banks of which there is a green park with gazebos, fountains and children’s playgrounds. There are also a variety of cafes and restaurants on the ground floors of residential buildings. During the summer season, numerous yachts and ships with tourists ply the turquoise river waters. The central city street called “Antalya”, which stretches 3,000 m across the river, is dotted with shops, banks, offices and eateries. This is where most travelers come to shop.
In the city itself, hotels, with the exception of motels, you will find. People go to Manavgat primarily for sightseeing and shopping. From here, transport also departs to nearby resorts, such as Antalya, Alanya, Kemer, etc. What notable objects can Manavgat boast of?
Attractions
If Side is a concentration of historical buildings in the face of ancient ruins, then Manavgat is the epicenter of picturesque natural landscapes. In addition, in the vicinity of the city there are many entertainment attractions for both children and adults. Among the most interesting sights of Manavgat, it is worth noting:
Kepryulyu Canyon
42 km north of Manavgat, the Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı National Park is hidden among the mountains. This place is famous for its deep canyon, along the foot of which icy mountain waters rush. Nature has created excellent conditions for kayaking, so the area has long gained popularity as a rafting center. Usually the distance of tourist rafting is 15 km, along the way there are several small and a couple of large rapids. The event is designed for beginners, it is quite safe, even children can take part in it. Kepryulyu Canyon is a mix of fun and adrenaline filled with pristine natural views. The park is considered one of the best attractions in the city of Manavgat in Turkey.
- Address: Bozyaka Mahallesi, 07550 Manavgat/Antalya, Turkey.
- Opening hours: river rafting is carried out in the summer season from May to October.
- Cost of admission: prices depend on which company you will be purchasing your ticket from. So, in a street agency, you can buy a tour for 15 €. For hotel guides, the price tag may be twice as high.
Wakeboard Park Hip-Notics Cable Ski
Among the attractions of Manavgat, you can visit the Hip-Notics Cable Ski Park on your own, which will especially appeal to tourists who are fond of water sports, in particular wakeboarding. This is a completely young complex with three lakes. The first one is designed for beginners with a minimum number of obstacles and a maximum speed of 22 km/h. The second channel is designed for advanced athletes: there are many figures installed here, and the winch can reach speeds of up to 30 km/h. The third lake is designed for private training sessions with an instructor for an additional fee.
On the territory of the complex there are houses for living, there is a comfortable recreation area with a Jacuzzi, a children’s pool and a cafe. The park appeared only a couple of years ago, but is already very popular with tourists.
- Адрес: Çakış Mahallesi, Serik Cd., 07550 Манавгат/Antalya, Turkey.
- Opening hours: during the summer season, the attraction is open from 09: 00 to 18: 00, in winter-from 09: 00 to 17: 00.
- Cost of visit: one-time visit (for the whole day) – 35€, weekly subscription-200 €. The price includes a standard set of equipment (helmet, beginner board, life jacket). Rental of boards for advanced athletes, depending on the type, is 10 € and 30 € per day.
Manavgat Waterfall
If you don’t know what to see among the sights of Manavgat in Turkey, go to its famous waterfall. The rapid flow of a mountain river falling from a two-meter threshold 40 m wide is a truly fascinating sight. The area is surrounded by a miniature park, where you can enjoy a peaceful walk in the shade of trees and a snack in the Turkish restaurant. You will find more detailed information about the object in our separate article.
Green Canyon
This is another charming place, located 22 km from the city — a must-visit attraction of Manavgat in Turkey. Here, at an altitude of 185 m, is the city reservoir, which is the fifth largest dam in the country. Climbing up to the hydro facility, you will see a mountain lake on one side, and a spectacular Green Canyon landscape on the other. The water here is distinguished by an emerald hue, achieved due to the large number of minerals contained in it. Travel agencies offer boat tours of the canyon’s mountain river, and usually include fishing as well. The dam can only be reached by car on your own.
- Address: Sevinçköy Mahallesi, Oymapinar Dam, 07600 Manavgat, Turkey.
- Cost of visit: the average price for a boat tour is 35 € per person.
Accomodation
Photos of the city of Manavgat in Turkey, juicy and picturesque, like a magnet attract travelers to the resort. If you decide to visit this area, then you should know that there are no hotels in the city itself. Here you can find only low-budget motels, where locals usually stay for the night. The closest tourist areas to Manavgat are Sorgun and Side, so it is best to rent housing in these villages. Transport links to these sites are excellent: dolmushi buses run every 20 minutes to the city, and you can get to Manavgat in a matter of minutes.
There are few three-star hotels in these areas: most establishments are represented by 4 and 5*hotels. But if you are looking for a budget option that does not work on the “all inclusive” system, then pay attention to hotels without stars. The cost of renting a double room in such variants starts from 11 € per night and on average varies between 20-30 €. Many of them have swimming pools, and the beach is within walking distance. Some offers include breakfast in the price.
If you want to stay in the city of Manavgat itself, then consider the River Hotel – the most acceptable service option for tourists. The price for a double room is 36 € per night, breakfast included. It is noteworthy that paying only 1 € more, you can stay together in an inexpensive five-star hotel in Side with an all-inclusive concept.
Food
The central streets of the city, walking along which do not forget to take a photo of Manavgat, are full of public catering establishments where you can have a cheap lunch. It is noteworthy that in Turkey, many eateries specialize in preparing only one dish, for example, denera, pide or chi-kefte. It is in such places that it will be cheaper to eat. So:
- a package of vegetables and chicken (duryumin) will cost 1 €,
- serving of pide with minced meat and cheese – 2 €,
- chi-kefte in pita bread — 1 €.
In mid-level establishments, you can have lunch for two with soft drinks for 6.5 — 7.5 €. In the fish restaurant, the prices are the highest, but quite reasonable:
- a plate of squid costs 6 €,
- grilled salmon fillet — 7 €,
- a serving of king prawns is 8 €.
There are many pizzerias in the city where you can order pizza for 4€, and fast food restaurants where the menu costs 3-4 €. The average prices for drinks in cafes and restaurants are as follows::
- EFES beer 0.5-2.5 €
- Glass of wine — 2,5 €
- Cappuccino – 1.5 €
- Glass of cola – 1,8 €
- Water 0.5-0.3 €
- Cup of black tea — 0,3 €
How to get there from Antalya
When traveling to the city of Manavgat in Turkey, you should worry in advance about the transport that will take you to the place. Most tourists who buy an all-inclusive hotel ticket get to the hotels on a free shuttle service. If you have booked a hotel where this service is not provided, then you will have to get to Manavgat either by taxi or by bus. You can book a transfer in advance via the Internet or catch a taxi on the spot. The cost of such a trip will be 40-50 €.
If you want to use public transport, then go to the main bus station of Antalya (Antalya Otogarı). From there, buses run daily from 06:00 to 21:30 every 20 minutes to Manavgat. The ticket price is 3,3 €, and the journey time is just over an hour. Before arriving at the main bus station of Manavgat, the bus passes through the city center, where it makes several stops.
Useful tips
Now you know how to get to the city and what to see in Manavgat on your own, and tourist reviews are the best way to get good information. That is why we decided to study the opinions of travelers about the area and make a list of the most useful recommendations.
- If you are primarily interested in shopping in Manavgat rather than sightseeing, we recommend that you go straight to the Nova Mall shopping center. It is located near the highway at the entrance to the city, and in it you will find absolutely the same goods as in the shops on the main streets, and even more. At the same time, you will not have to walk in the heat, and in some places you will have to overpay.
- Every Monday and Thursday, a bazaar with fruits, vegetables, clothing and souvenirs is held in the center of Manavgat on the market square. Many tourists think that this place provides an opportunity to buy goods cheap. But this is not entirely true. This bazaar has long been a tourist destination, and its prices are inflated. Walking on it is uncomfortable, especially in the heat among the crowds of locals and other vacationers.
- Be vigilant on the roads, especially at pedestrian crosswalks without traffic lights. Zebra crossing means nothing to local drivers, only a few stop to let passers-by.
- Be sure to take a walk around the local attraction-the park along the river, relax in the gazebos on its banks. To understand how beautiful it is here, just look at the photo of the city of Manavgat. If you like cycling, then in the park you can rent a bike for just € 0.15 per hour through a special machine. To do this, you will need a credit card that will hold a small amount that will be refunded after you hand over the bike. In the same park, you can buy a river tour on a two-story ship for 1,6€, which lasts 30 minutes.
- If you want to have a Turkish barbecue, head to Sorgun’s Manavgat Belediyesi Mesire Alanı Park, where there is an extensive outdoor picnic area equipped with everything you need: tables, benches, water, barbecue and electricity. On-site toilets and a shop with drinks and snacks are available. And just 500 m from the place – the sea coast, where you can swim or go fishing. The entrance to the barbecue area costs only 0.15 €.
Be sure to take advantage of our tips, and your trip to Manavgat (Turkey) will be full of events and unforgettable moments.
