Location
Where are the Düden Waterfalls?
They are in Antalya, but not at a single address. After the Düden surfaces at Düdenbaşı the river splits in two and forms two separate waterfalls: Upper Düden inland in Kepez, and Lower Düden east of the centre on the coastal cliffs towards Lara. Set out without knowing which one you mean and you can easily end up in the wrong place.
The path the water takes
There is a large underground water system beneath Antalya. The Düden is fed by it and comes to the surface at a point called Düdenbaşı. From there it runs as the Düden river and soon divides.
- Düdenbaşı: the water reaches the surface.
- The split: the river divides into two arms.
- Upper Düden: the Varsak arm forms a waterfall in woodland.
- Lower Düden: the other arm drops off the cliffs towards Lara.
So the two are not rivals. They are two endings of the same water, which is why the answer to “which is the real Düden waterfall” is both.
Two locations, two different settings
Upper Düden, Kepez
About a kilometre from Varsak, inside a wooded recreation area. Shaded, cooler and made for walking.
Lower Düden, towards Lara
The coastline east of the centre. The water falls roughly forty metres straight into the Mediterranean, with the city behind it.
How to hold the geography in your head
The most useful frame for a first visit: the airport and Lara are east of the city, Konyaaltı and Kaleiçi are west and central, and Kepez is inland. Lower Düden is on the eastern side, Upper Düden inland. Keep that triangle in mind and you can build your own day around it.
Before you set out
Which direction to approach from, whether driving or public transport makes more sense, and how to fit both into a single day are covered on the getting there page.
Frequently asked questions
Which city are the Düden Waterfalls in?
Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye. They sit on the Düden river and form waterfalls at two separate points: Upper Düden in the Kepez district, Lower Düden on the coastal cliffs east of the centre, towards Lara.
Are they far from the city centre?
No. Both are close to central Antalya, measured in single or low double figures of kilometres. You reach nature without leaving the city, which is a large part of what makes Düden unusual.
Where does the water come from?
The Düden is fed by underground springs and surfaces at a point called Düdenbaşı. From there the river splits into two arms, and both of them eventually reach the Mediterranean.
