Manavgat entertainment. The city of Manavgat - shopping and entertainment for vacationers in Side. Shopping and shops
Location
The resort village of Manavgat is located in the Antalya region and is one of its largest settlements. It is located in the southern part of the country on the Mediterranean coast. The city is crossed by a fast river of the same name, which, flowing into the sea, forms a picturesque delta. The city is surrounded on all sides by protected pine forests descending from the spurs of the Taurus Mountains. Today Manavgat is one of the most famous diving centers in Turkey.
How to get there
Manavgat has its own small airport that accepts domestic flights. The distance to the nearest international airport, located in Antalya, is 76 km. The most convenient way to get from Antalya to your destination is by bus or dolmus.
Climate
Manavgat is located in a subtropical climate zone characterized by hot, dry summers and warm, rainy winters. However, the mountainous terrain somewhat softens the climate, as a result of which summer air temperatures here are several degrees lower than in the flat areas. April is the beginning of the tourist season, at this time the sea water warms up to +21°C and the air to +25°C. The hottest months are July-August; average temperatures during this period are +28-30°C. At the end of August, the velvet season begins in Manavgat, which lasts until the end of October.
Story
Compared to its closest neighbors - Antalya and Alanya - Manavgat is relatively young. It was founded in 1329 by the Seljuk Turks and at that time was called Molasses, which was translated from the Etruscan language as “temple of the Goddess.” In the 15th century, the city became part of the Ottoman Empire and became one of its administrative centers. It began to actively develop as a tourist center in the 80s of the 20th century.
Attractions
The most famous attraction of the resort is the Manavgat Waterfalls, formed by a river running down the mountain slopes. The height of the water fall here is small - only two meters - but its rapidity is very significant. In addition, the river, making its way along mountain paths, is saturated with minerals, as a result acquiring an unusual milky-white color. You can admire the waterfall in one of the cafes and restaurants located around it.
Also on the Manavgat River there is another natural wonder - the Oymapinar reservoir - a picturesque reservoir surrounded by mountain peaks. Its depth is about 130 meters. Here, 350 meters above sea level, there is the amazingly beautiful Green Canyon with clear water, which has a second name - Emerald Lake. This lake is home to rare species of fish, which is why it is popular among fishermen. The Oymapinar Dam itself, whose height is 185 meters, is also of interest. Tourists are invited to walk along its upper edge or look at the opening picture from the upper observation deck.
12 km from Manavgat are the ruins of the ancient city of Seleukeia, founded in the 4th century BC. Due to its remoteness from other settlements, it suffered the least from robberies. Now here you can see the remains of Roman baths, temples, a mausoleum and an agora, located in the very center of a pine grove.
If you wish, you can also take an excursion from Manavgat to another ancient city - Side.
In the city itself, you should definitely visit the Manavgat Merkez Kulliye Camii Mosque, which is the largest religious building on the Antalya coast. It has four minarets and a beautiful bathhouse for ablutions. This mosque was built in 2004.
Beaches
Manavgat has sandy and pebble beaches. The most popular is the section of beach called Incekum, which means “Fine Sand” in Turkish, with fine golden sand. There are also rocky beaches with clear water, which attract diving enthusiasts. For the cleanliness of the coast, many beaches of Manavgat were awarded the Blue Flag.
Hotels
Most hotels in Manavgat have a huge territory and have their own beaches. Among them there are 5* hotels (Grand Prestiqe Hotel, Saray Regence Resort and Spa) and budget hotels (Mari Hotel, Serena Beach Hotel). There are also many club hotels in the resort (AliBey Club Park Manavgat, Barbaross Pasha's Beach Club, Club Calimera Kaya Side). Among tourists, the Villa Lapin hotel, located in a quiet, secluded place near the Manavgat River, enjoys a good reputation.
Entertainment
Manavgat offers unlimited opportunities for extreme tourism. Here you can ride a horse, go on a cruise along the Manavgat River or raft along its mountain rapids. Jeep and ATV safaris are also regularly organized in the valley between the Taurus Mountains. For lovers of hiking, there are exciting routes through the mountains and surrounding pine forests, and fans of cycling can ride along the sand spit that separates the river from the sea.
Every Monday a fair is held in Manavgat, where for a nominal price you can buy excellent knitwear, leather and ceramic products, and try real Turkish tea and fruit.
general information
Manavgat is a small resort town 70 kilometers from Antalya. There are not many attractions here; tourists appreciate the city for its warmth until the end of October, low housing prices and high-quality service. The only drawback of this resort place is that it is not located on the coast; you need to get to the nearest sea beach in 10-15 minutes by bus.
How to get to Manavgat
The nearest airport is in Antalya. You can get to the city by taxi or pre-book a transfer to the hotel. If you want to save on travel, you can take a bus to Antalya, and from there transfer to a minibus to the city.
It’s convenient to get around the city and its immediate surroundings by bicycle or scooter when it’s not swelteringly hot.
Cuisine and restaurants
The city has a lot of inexpensive cafes, restaurants and street food stalls. Local restaurants are famous for the trout that lives in the waters of the Manavgat River. River fish is a specialty of local restaurants. The Ocakbasi establishment ranks first in the travel portal TripAdvisor. Low prices combine with the freshest grilled food and huge portions.
Sights of Manavgat
Manavgat Waterfall is the main attraction of the resort. It is not high (2 meters), but very picturesque. Multi-colored fish swim in its waters, and the coast is dotted with tiny restaurants and flower beds. In the suburbs there are ruins of ancient buildings and a large Roman amphitheater.
Entertainment
Despite the remoteness of the beaches, there is plenty to do in the city. These include trekking, cycling, river rafting and jeep safaris. If your soul requires the sea and the beach, just take the bus to Side and in 10 minutes you will be on the coast. In the evening you can have fun in local nightclubs or try Turkish cuisine.
Photos
Manavgat is a cozy city in Turkey, lost between the Tauride Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, located 75 kilometers from Antalya.
Despite being the third largest city on the Anatolian coast, Manavgat and its surroundings are favorite holiday destinations for tourists from Russia and the CIS countries.
Within the city limits there are such tourist cities as Side and Seleucia.
Manavgat is a city in which, along with modern realities, the features of traditional Turkish society have been preserved. Since Türkiye is an Islamic country, the most important tourist attractions in the city are the mosques.
Tourists should definitely visit the main mosque of the city - Merkez Külliуe Camii (or Great Mosque) - which is also the largest mosque on the entire Anatolian coast. The mosque was built in 2004 and has 4 minarets, each 60 meters long. This is one of the few mosques in the world where representatives of all religions are allowed to enter. Inside the mosque there is a reservoir with drinking water, which anyone can get for themselves.
Location: Örnek Mahallesi - 1517.
Manavgat, like any other Turkish city, has many mosques. The Green Mosque is located at the entrance to the city from Alanya, and unlike the Great Mosque, it is closed to representatives of religions other than Islam. However, it is also interesting from the outside - the mosque, built in 1973, has a large dome and four half-domes made of tin material.
In the light of the sun, the mosque shimmers with light, creating an incredibly beautiful picture. Also on the outside of the mosque there are ornaments illustrating the Koran.
Manavgat is an area in which several eras and civilizations are intertwined. The oldest settlement here arose in the Roman era (as evidenced by the ruins of the ancient city of Side). However, in Manavgat itself there is a fountain dating back to 74 AD.
The inscription on the fountain says that it was erected during the reign of the Roman Emperor Vespasian in honor of his son Titus. Among other things, the fountain is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting Vespasian and Titus, as well as those managing the area during the construction of the fountain. It is noteworthy that the fountain is still in operation, giving the place and its surroundings additional charm.
It is difficult to imagine Turkish culture without a bazaar - this is where trade took place for centuries, and they continue to maintain their important role to this day, not giving way to supermarkets and even small shops. At the Manavgat bazaar you can buy the ripest vegetables and fruits, various spices, clothes, shoes, oils, perfumes, souvenirs, etc.
An integral part of any bazaar is bargaining. Only in Turkish bazaars you can reduce prices for some items by almost 90%. At the Manavgat bazaar, prices are indicated in euros, dollars and lira. It is noteworthy that the euro and the dollar are usually equivalent to a single exchange rate, so you can pay in any currency convenient for the tourist.
Zoos in Turkey are far from what we are used to seeing in Russia. Small private zoos are more common here, where a small number of animals live and you can get quite close to them.
In the very center of Manavgat there is a similar petting zoo, in which mostly domestic animals familiar to Turks live: turkeys, pigs, sheep, etc. As well as some representatives of wildlife: peacocks, iguanas and others. Especially for tourists who get tired of watching animals, there are benches on the territory of the zoo. The small zoo is a favorite place for tourists traveling with children.
The next set of attractions is in the city of Side, which is located 15 kilometers west of Manavgat. There are a number of attractions dating back to Greek and Roman history. The first of them is the triumphal arch, which greets tourists who want to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Side.
The Arc de Triomphe is 13 meters high. On its foundations there once stood figures of Roman emperors, which are now located in the Side Antique Museum. Under the triumphal arch there are automobile and pedestrian roads that lead to the historical part of Side.
Immediately after crossing the triumphal arch, tourists find themselves in the ruined part of the ancient Greek city of Side, which arose in the 7th century BC.
Here, tourists have a unique opportunity to visit the vast territory of the ancient city: tourists will walk past the buildings in which the ancient Greeks lived, stroll along the main avenue of the city, stop at the main square of the city - the agora, stroll to the temples of Apollo and Artemis Dionysus. You can travel around the city on your own, and during the walk, if you wish, you can join any Russian-speaking tourist group that walks around Side in large numbers.
The main attraction of Side is the ruins of an ancient amphitheater, which is the largest in Turkey. Researchers have calculated that in the best of times, the amphitheater could accommodate up to 20 thousand people. Holidays and gladiator fights took place here.
Currently, tourists are invited to walk along the stage of the theater and sit in the audience rows. The guides will tell you about the features of the ancient Greek theater, its structure and main holidays. The upper rows offer views of the sea on one side, and the historical buildings of Side on the other. From the height of these rows you can take stunning photographs with the sea in the background.
In the buildings of the city baths in the historical part of Side there is a museum dedicated to the ancient Greek and Roman periods of the development of the city of Side.
There is an entrance fee to this museum. The museum is divided into two parts - an indoor one, located in the bathhouse building, and an open one. In the covered part there are crypts with the remains of Greeks and sculptures. The open part contains the ruins of one of the small streets of the city and taller sculptures, as well as hints of a small arboretum that appeared here in the Middle Ages.
Seleucia (or Libre in other words) is a complex of ruins of a Greek (later Roman) city, located 10 km north of the city of Manavgat. These ruins are located far from the usual routes, and therefore were found by archaeologists only in the middle of the 20th century. Therefore, not only the ruins of the city have been preserved here, but also unique exhibits in the form of sculptures and jewelry, which are currently in the Antalya Museum.
Tourists visiting Seleucia have the opportunity to stroll through the untouched streets of the ancient city. Here tourists are invited to see the necropolis, Roman bath, temple and agora restored by archaeologists, which are located in close proximity to each other and create a picture of the life of the ancient city.
For those tourists who are interested not only in looking at ancient architecture, and especially those vacationing with children, they should enjoy the Discovery Park (Dinosaur Park), which is located in the city of Side. There are more than 40 models of ancient animals, which are made in accordance with their real sizes. The key feature is that some parts of the dinosaur's body - the head, jaws and tail - move, creating an element of reality.
All exhibits are located throughout the vast territory of the park, and appear spectacularly from behind the trees. Tourists in the park are accompanied by a guide who talks about all the dinosaurs they meet along the way. Also, especially for children, in a separate area there are figures from modern cartoons. The park also houses a mini-zoo with domestic and wild animals. Tourists who vacation with children should love this place.
The Manavgat area is rich in natural attractions. The most famous of them, perhaps, is the Green Canyon, which is a reservoir located at an altitude of 350 meters.
The road there runs along a steep mountain serpentine, then tourists are boarded on yachts and the journey through the canyon continues. During the trip, guides introduce tourists to the flora and fauna, and especially lucky tourists have the opportunity to see the mountain goat that lives on the slopes of the canyon. In the middle of the journey, the yacht makes a stop, and tourists have the opportunity to swim in the waters of a transparent reservoir.
3 km from the city of Manavgat, on the river of the same name, there is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Turkey. It is not striking in its height - only 4 m, and is more like a picturesque river rapids, which shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. The width of the waterfall is 40 meters, which creates an incredible picture for the eye.
Manavgat Waterfall is rightly considered one of the most beautiful in Turkey. It is the waterfall that is one of the brands of Manavgat - on all souvenirs connected in one way or another with the city there is always a waterfall, and even moreover, for a long time in the 20th century, the waterfall was on a banknote of five lire. Tourists always get incredible aesthetic pleasure from visiting the waterfall.
Perhaps the most sentimental attraction of Manavgat is the small freshwater lake Titreyengol, located six kilometers from the city. The name of the lake is translated from Turkish as “trembling lake”, and this is connected with the legend of an old man who saved ducks from hunters by sacrificing himself and drowning in this lake. And since then, the water in the lake has been trembling in memory of the old man. In addition, you can take picturesque photographs on the shores of the lake. There are walking paths along the lake, and hotels, cafes and recreation areas are located along the entire coast.
Manavgat is an incredibly interesting place for tourists. There are a huge number of attractions here, both historical, natural and entertainment. By choosing Manavgat, tourists will significantly expand their horizons and receive many unforgettable experiences!
There are a large number of resorts in Turkey. On one of them, in Antalya, there is the popular Manavgat Zhelalesi waterfall. Read about it in the article.
River
Such a natural object as the Manavgat waterfall is located on the river of the same name. It originates in the Taurus Mountains, on their western slopes, and flows into two large reservoirs: Oymapynar and Barazh. Waterfalls have formed not far from the cities that are located on the banks of the reservoir.
The water in the river is very clean and cold. Its temperature is no more than 12 degrees. The fact is that Manavgat is filled with underground springs in mountain canyons. In the past, nomads lived on the banks of the river.
Attractions
Manavgat waterfall is the most visited place in the area of the same name. It is considered not very large, but this body of water attracts a large number of tourists every year. On the banks of the river in the place where the waterfall is located, there are all kinds of cafes and restaurants. Not only travelers, but also native Turks come here.
However, not far from Side there are several other attractions that are also worth visiting. One of them is a small waterfall, which is located just a kilometer from Manavgat. The name is suitable to describe its size. This natural site most often goes unnoticed by tourists. Residents of Turkey spend their time in its vicinity. Entrance to its territory is free.
The Kulye Mosque is the most beautiful building in the region. It also has the largest dimensions. This architectural monument is constantly open to the public.
Description
Manavgat Waterfall, a photo of which is presented in this article, is attractive to tourists. Its width is four tens of meters, height - five. The falling streams of water are swift. Depending on the time of day, they can be painted in different shades. In the sun they look either greenish, sometimes turquoise, sometimes slightly bluish. The spray that rises as the water falls is dispersed throughout the valley.
There are several platforms at the waterfall that offer beautiful views of the river. These sites are built in such a way that they are at different heights. Those people who want to stand in the water can go down to the lowest ones. Waves and splashes constantly get here. They are so strong that they can rip flip-flops or other shoes off your feet. Some restaurants are located on such sites. As mentioned earlier, the water in the river on which Manavgat is located is cool. Its temperature does not exceed 12 degrees, so you should not stay on the sites for a long time.
Location
The Manavgat River flows through the province called Antalya. There is a waterfall of the same name on it. Translated, its name means “mother goddess.” According to another version, the word from which it came, namely “Manauva,” is translated as “temple of the goddess.” For several years, from 1968 to 1983, the Manavgat waterfall was depicted on Turkish banknotes worth five liras. This proves that the water body is very important for the residents of the state.
It is located in the province of Antalya, near the resort town of Side. Just 12 kilometers from the natural site there is a dam called Oymapinar, which is also a local landmark. The Manavgat waterfall is considered not very large: the height of the threshold for the fall of the water wall is only five meters. However, the object is located on a wide river, which allows it to look very large.
Story
It is believed that people began to inhabit the banks of the Manavgat River before our era, or more precisely, in the sixth century. In 1071, the Battle of Malazgirt took place, after which the composition of the population of the coast changed. Turkmen nomads settled on the western part of the river. The opposite bank was occupied by Senir Bey.
However, facts from the history of Turkey claim that the first inhabitants appeared here only in the 14th century of our time. At first they built small settlements, but after several centuries quite large settlements appeared. Thus, the well-known city of Side is one of the most visited resorts in the state, and the Manavgat waterfall (Turkey), a photo of which can be seen in this article, is considered one of the symbols of this country.
Excursions
Manavgat Waterfall was opened to the public in the last century. Since the 80s, many people from all over the world come here both individually and as part of excursion groups. Entrance to the waterfall territory costs four liras. The line for tickets can be very long because this attraction is heavily advertised.
The most picturesque views of the surroundings of the waterfall open in the summer or early autumn. If the winter is wet, the waterfall turns into a river rapids. Its height at these moments does not exceed one meter. Interestingly, there are posters and various protrusions under the water that can be easily seen.
How to spend time at Manavgat waterfall?
Arriving in Turkey, many people visit the resort town of Side. Manavgat Waterfall, which is located nearby, is a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by souvenir shops, cafeterias and restaurants. There is also a small bazaar where you can buy nice little things, gifts, souvenirs, as well as oriental sweets. The most popular establishments that serve seafood and fish dishes, as well as fruits. The menu in local restaurants and cafes is very diverse. The most favorite drink is traditional tea, which is served cold. In any establishment you can order trout dishes. In terms of taste, they are not inferior to food from gourmet restaurants.
The Manavgat waterfall is located on the river of the same name, along which you can take a stroll on yachts and boats. If you don’t want to use water transport, you can spend time on the banks of the river, visit restaurants, cafes and shops. There are also designated picnic areas and small areas that are located so close to the water that their floors are constantly wet.
It is unlikely that you will be able to spend time in silence here. The fact is that the place is so popular that crowds of people come here every day. Sometimes there are so many people wanting to enjoy the picturesque views that there are even queues for photo sessions.
How to get there?
To get to Manavgat Falls (Turkey), you need to get to a city called Antalya. This can be done in two ways: using air and road transport. After this, you should take a bus to Manavgat. Then the journey can be continued by car or minibus. The route, which covers local attractions, operates daily. Public transport costs 2 lira. You can pay in either dollars or euros, but paying in local currency is more profitable.
It takes about fifteen minutes to get to an object called Manavgat. How to get to the waterfall? The path to this place lies along a dusty road, so you should not walk. A trip by minibus is preferable and takes 10 to 15 minutes. Public transport operates regularly. A bus arrives at the stop every 20 minutes. By boarding it, you can get to the nearest cities. Those people who came here with their own vehicles can leave their car or motorcycle in the parking lot.
We go to the box office, because... The attraction is well-promoted, so there is an entrance fee:
See how Selale is written? Look for the same sign on minibuses:
Entrance, by the way, is not so expensive - only 5 liras:
2. Walk through the park and waterfall
In fact, the cheap entrance is compensated by the huge number of shops and cafes located in the park:
Full of cafes, there’s definitely no privacy to be found here:
Apparently someone had already tried to jump into the waterfall, so they had to post a warning in all major languages:
The park area is small, but you can take a walk - opposite the largest rapids of the Manavgat River there are observation platforms at different levels:
In some places the water rushes right onto these sites, and the water, by the way, is cold - about 10 degrees, so I definitely wouldn’t want to swim there, but many people go into the water to take better pictures:
What lengths do people go to for a selfie? :)
The entire area is filled with cafes, bridges and beautiful views of the river:
There is so much water and the flow is so stormy that it seems as if in just a couple of minutes everything will flood:
Apparently, the water level in the river decreases periodically, otherwise why are these posters right in the water?
Please note that there are some walls under the water on the left, everything is flooded:
And this is not some kind of raft, but an ordinary cafe - I would feel uncomfortable there, just behold - it will be carried away by a stormy stream of water:
On the left in the distance is that same cafe, and on the right is the main view of the Manavgat waterfall:
You can only go into the water barefoot, otherwise your shoes may be carried away (by the way, we just saw someone’s flip-flops floating in the water):
There are a lot of people, and not only tourists, but also local residents love to visit this place. In the minibus, there was a Turkish woman who sat next to me, having learned that we were going to the waterfall. started telling me admiringly what a wonderful place this is and how much we would like it :)
Would you like a photo with a parrot?
And below everyone gets wet:
