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- Karain Cave in Turkey
Karain Cave in Turkey
One of the most enigmatic places of the Mediterranean Region, Karain Cave has survived from prehistoric times.

Turkey is a country of beautiful cultural and historical experiences. While most might think of the fusion of East and West in art, architecture, and culture above ground, the earth itself has some stories to tell too. Through the shifting sands of time, rolling waves, or the trickle of inland lakes, vast networks of caves formed.
Some have lain untouched for centuries, whilst others provide a fascinating insight into our ancestral past through art and artifacts left behind. Stalagmites and stalactites, secret pools, and unchartered rivers will amaze and delight even the most experienced traveler. Here is the most fascinating cave in Turkey!
The Karain Cave is one of the largest attractions in Antalya to have been inhabited in Turkey. The cave provides fascinating insights into the lives and structure of ancient settlements along the Western Mediterranean. With the remains of plants, animals, and as the site of the oldest known human remains in Anatolia, the cave is one of the most important Palaeolithic centers for Anatolian and Near East history.
Artwork found within the cave system point to settlements from the Lower Palaeolithic to the late Roman period and has helped to fill in significant gaps in Anatolian archaeological studies. Come explore this ancient cave by yourself!
The advantages of visiting this amazing cave
The advantages of this cave-dwelling were numerous:
- First of all temperature in the cave is subject to less variation than on the outside, providing pleasant cool air in summer and the protection from the elements in winter.
- The plain extending at the foot of the mountain is a fertile and now arable land, which in ancient times was an excellent food source for hunters and gatherers, and later for the first farmers.
- It is clearly visible that this is an area intensively used for agriculture. Moreover, because the cave is located on a steep slope, it provided excellent protection against attacks of enemies, the attackers were clearly visible for the inhabitants of the cave, and the defenders could easily drop rocks on the attackers forced to climb uphill.
Tips for travelers:
Many of the objects found in the cave are now presented in the Archaeological Museum in Antalya and visiting this museum after the trip to Karain Cave is highly recommended. A rich collection of findings from Karain Cave can also be seen in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Some small objects, mostly animal bones, and teeth are displayed in a tiny museum is located near the entrance to the cave.
The admission to Karain Cave costs 5 TL per person. The cave is open to visitors daily, from 9 am to 7 pm (in winter to 5 pm). From the ticket booth, located next to the parking lot, a steep and rocky path leads to the entrance of the cave. It is necessary to hike up the mountain and the path is not shaded by trees, so bring sunscreen, bottled water, and hiking boots.
There is a lighting system installed in the cave, but it does not work very well, so you can expect a sudden lack of light. The best idea is to bring your own flashlight. The floor of the cave is wet and slippery, so walk carefully. The narrow passages between the chambers of the cave are not suitable for people who suffer from claustrophobia.
If you are excited to get more information about Turkey in general, Read about:
Turkish Culture and Arts
Turkey Attractions
- Halicarnassus of Turkey
- Harput of Turkey
- Iotape of Turkey
- Knidos of Turkey
- Phaselis of Turkey
- Priene of Turkey
- Smyrna of Turkey
- Stratonikeia: Where Ancient Greek and Turkish History Meet
- Alacahoyuk: Why This Ancient City is a Must-Visit
- Anavarza: The Hidden Ancient City in Turkey’s History
- Aspendos: Turkey's Ancient Theater and Timeless Legacy
- Zeugma-Zeugma City of Turkey
- Kars- Ruins of Ani of Turkey
- Archaeological Site of Perge of Turkey
- Bodrum Telmissos of turkey
- Burdur Archaeological Site of Sagalassos of Turkey
- Hattusha Open-Air Museum of Turkey
- Kalkan Turkey: A Mediterranean Jewel Along the Turkish Coast
- Letoon of Turkey
- Laodikea
- Miletus of Turkey: A Local's Guide to an Ancient Wonder
- Myra of turkey
- Your Essential Guide to Perge!
- Foça - Phokaia of Turkey
- Manisa-Sardis of Turkey
- Patara: Where Roman Ruins Meet Turkey's Most Beautiful Beach
- Telmessos of Turkey
- Xanthos: The Ancient Lycian Capital of Turkey
- Unveiling the Timeless Beauty of Hierapolis!
- Antalya Termessos of Turkey
- Antalya - Limyra of Turkey
- Discover Sagalassos: The Hidden Turkish Ancient City
- Assos of Turkey
- Izmir-Pergamon of Turkey
- Adıyaman Nemrut of Turkey
- Aydın Aphrodisias of Turkey
- Cappadocia-Historical Places of Turkey
- Why Beyoğlu is Istanbul's Most Charming District
- Cumalikizik in Turkey
- Damlatas Caves in Turkey
- Demre in Turkey
- Karain Cave in Turkey
- Uludag in Turkey
- The Princes’ Islands in Turkey
- Tortum Waterfall in Turkey
- Belek in Turkey
- Kas in Turkey
- Sirince in Turkey
- Gocek in Turkey
- Historical Peninsula in Turkey
- Alanya in Turkey
- The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
- Turkish Bath Experience in Istanbul
- Grand Bazaar Istanbul and Spice Bazaar
- Istanbul Aquarium
- Christmas in Turkey: Tourist places and a unique experience for Christmas
Religious Sites
- Bursa Great Mosque
- St. Paul’s Church
- Eshab Kehf Cave of the Seven Sleepers
- Eyüp Sultan Mosque: A Sacred Journey in Istanbul's Heart
- Süleymaniye Mosque: Essential Guide for Istanbul Visitors
- The Church of Virgin Mary
- The Basilica of St. John
- Discover the Hacı Bektaş Veli Complex: A Spiritual Legacy
- Hidden Treasure: The Church of St Pierre in Turkey
- Ahlat
- Sanli Urfa Rizvaniye Mosque And Halil Ul Rahman Lake
- Van-Akdamar
- Your Ultimate Guide to Noah’s Ark in Turkey
- Amasya -Sultan Bayezıd II. Mosque Complex
- Ankara - Hacı Bayram Veli Complex Ankara
- Antalya - St. Nicolas
- Bitlis - Seljuk Mausoleums and Tombstones ( Ahlat)
- Bursa - Green Mosque
- Cappadocia- Hacı Bektaşi Veli Complex
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- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Konya - Mevlana Complex
- Manisa-Sardis ( Sart )
- Mardin-Deyrulzafaran Monastery ( Mardin )
- St. Paul Church and Well
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- Harran: Turkey’s Ancient Gateway to Science and Faith
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- Veysel Karani Complex (Siirt-Baykan)
- Sivas - Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi of Turkey
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Museums
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- Hatay Archeology Museum of Turkey
- Aphrodisias Museum of Turkey
- Antalya Archaeological Museum of Turkey
- Burdur Archaeology Museum of Turkey
- Denizli Hierapolis Archeology Museum: Your full guide
- Hacı Bektaş Veli Museum of Turkey
- Istanbul Galata Mawlawi House Museum of Turkey
- Rahmi M. Koc Museum of Turkey
- Miniatürk of Turkey
- The Archeology Amasya Museum of Turkey
- Iznik Ayasofya Museum of Turkey
- Alacahoyuk Historic Site and Museum of Turkey
- Istanbul Military Museum of Turkey
- Yildiz Palace Museum of Turkey
- Ataturk Congress and Ethnography Museum of Turkey
- The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations of Turkey
- Trabzon Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) Museum of Turkey
- Didyma Historic Site of Turkey
- Miletus Historic Site of Turkey
- Assos Historic Site of Turkey
- Troia Historic Site of Turkey
- Zeugma Mosaics Museum of Turkey
- Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology of Turkey
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Tomb of Mausolus) of Turkey
- Derinkuyu Underground City of Turkey
- Zelve Open Air Museum of Turkey
- Pergamon Acropolis Archeological Site of Turkey
- Ephesus Archeological Museum of Turkey
- Hagia Sophia Museum of Turkey
- Istanbul Archeology Museum
- Chora Museum in Turkey
- Great Palace Mosaic Museum in Turkey
- Istanbul Topkapi Palace Museum
- Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
- Mevlana (Rumi) Museum
- Ataturk and the War of Independence Museum
- Ankara Etnography Museum
- Hatay Archaeology Museum in Turkey
Top Destinations and Attractions
- Troy of Turkey
- Konya Attractions
- Antalya Attractions
- Bursa Attractions
- Fethiye in Turkey
- Nemrut in Turkey: Why its Giant Stone Heads Still Puzzle Historians Today
- Zeugma in Turkey
- Side in Turkey
- Sumela Monastery in Turkey
- Cesme in Turkey
- Bodrum in Turkey
- Cappadocia in Turkey
- Kusadasi in Turkey
- Marmaris in Turkey
- Dalaman in Turkey
- Pamukkale (Hierapolis) in Turkey
- Dalyan in Turkey
- Unveiling Ephesus of Turkey: A Journey Through Time's Grandest Stage
- Turkey Vacations: Everything you need to know about Turkey
Climate of Turkey
Alternative Tourism
Things to Know About Turkey
Water Sports
Outdoor Sports
Winter Sports
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