Türkiye is home to more than 40,000 caves, making it a destination for those interested in exploring underground landscapes. The country’s caves feature lakes, cisterns, stalactites, and stalagmites.
One of the notable sites is Altınbeşik Cave near Antalya’s Ürünlü Village. It is recognized as Türkiye’s largest and Europe’s third-largest underground lake. Visitors can explore a 350-meter section of the cave by boat and see limestone formations and natural bridges inside.
Ballıca Cave in Tokat’s Ballıca village has been identified as being 3.4 million years old. It features honey-colored columns and high oxygen levels that some believe are beneficial for people with breathing problems. The cave has been considered for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Damlataş Cave, located by the sea in Alanya district of Antalya, was discovered in 1948 during construction work. It was the first cave in Türkiye opened to tourists and is situated near Kleopatra Beach. The cave contains stalactites estimated to be around 1,500 years old.
Dupnisa Cave is found in Kırklareli’s Demirköy district in the Thrace region. It contains an underground river and deep lakes, with two main sections: Kuru (dry) cave and Sulu (wet) cave. Historically, it housed one of Eastern Europe’s largest bat colonies.
Karaca Cave is located at an altitude of 1,550 meters above sea level in Cebeli Village of Torul, Gümüşhane. Its travertines display a range of colors from white to dark blue, making it notable for its color diversity.
Karain Cave sits within Yağca village boundaries near Antalya and has a history dating back approximately 500,000 years. Archaeological finds from this site provide early examples of Anatolian art.
The Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency continues to highlight these locations as part of efforts to promote tourism centered on natural heritage sites.