Most people who visit Antalya spend their days on the coast. That’s understandable. But 96 kilometres northeast of the city, the Kopru River has cut a 14-kilometre canyon through the Taurus Mountains with cliffs rising to 400 metres on either side, two Roman bridges that have been standing since the 2nd century, and an ancient Pisidian city on the ridge above. Koprulu Canyon National Park is one of the least crowded major natural sites in the Antalya region, and it’s accessible as a full-day trip from anywhere along the coast.
This guide covers what you’ll find at Koprulu Canyon, why the Roman bridges matter, how to reach the park, and what to expect if you go.
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What Is Koprulu Canyon?
Koprulu Canyon (Köprülü Kanyon in Turkish) is a protected national park in the Manavgat district of Antalya province. The park takes its name from the canyon carved by the Kopru River — Köprüçay in Turkish — which flows south from the Taurus Mountains through a narrow gorge before joining the broader Manavgat valley.
The canyon itself is about 14 kilometres long. The walls reach up to 400 metres in places. Dense pine and cedar forest covers the slopes, and the river runs clear and fast through the gorge. At the upper end, two ancient bridges cross the river. Below them, the water level and current make this stretch Turkey’s most established whitewater rafting route.
The park boundaries also include the ruins of Selge, a Pisidian and later Roman city on a plateau about 10 kilometres above the canyon floor. Selge and the canyon are separate visits with different access roads; most day-trippers cover one or the other, not both.
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The Roman Bridges: Oluk Bridge and Büğrüm Bridge
The two bridges at Koprulu Canyon are probably the most photographed elements of the park, and they’re worth the visit on their own.
**Oluk Bridge** (Oluk Köprüsü) spans the river at the upper end of the canyon, where the gorge narrows and the current picks up. It dates to the 2nd century AD — Roman engineers built it to serve the road connecting Aspendos and Selge. The arch is intact. The stonework is original. You can walk across it, look straight down at the river below, and walk back. There’s no ticket, no queue, no interpretation board. It’s a 1,900-year-old bridge in a canyon, and you can just stand on it.
**Büğrüm Bridge** is a short distance downstream, similar in construction and age. It’s less visited than Oluk but equally well-preserved.
Both bridges sit within a 500-metre stretch of the canyon. Most visitors park near Oluk, walk to the bridge, and then follow the river path toward the second bridge. The walk is easy and takes about 20 minutes each way.
The bridges also mark the starting point for the rafting section. If you’re visiting independently without a tour, this area is where you’d park and walk down to the water.
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Selge Ancient City
Selge is a separate site from the canyon, reached by turning off the main canyon road and driving up a narrow mountain track to the village of Altınkaya, about 900 metres above sea level.
The city dates to the Hellenistic period and was later integrated into the Roman provincial system. At its height, ancient sources suggest Selge had a population of around 20,000 people — large for a mountain city. What remains today includes a theatre with a capacity of around 10,000 seats, a colonnaded street, the ruins of a temple, and a substantial area of collapsed walls and carved stones across the hillside.
The setting is as notable as the ruins themselves. The plateau looks out over the Taurus ridges in multiple directions. There are no other visitors on most days. The entrance is managed locally; a small fee is charged at the village.
Getting to Selge adds roughly 45 minutes to an hour each way on a mountain road that is paved but very narrow in the final stretch. If you’re combining Selge with the canyon in one day, plan for a full eight hours or more.
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Rafting in Koprulu Canyon
The Kopru River is Turkey’s most popular rafting destination, and it has been for decades. The rafting stretch runs for about 14 kilometres below Oluk Bridge, through the main section of the canyon.
The rapids are graded 2 to 3 — suitable for beginners with some physical fitness, but also entertaining for experienced rafters. The surrounding canyon walls and pine forest make this one of the more scenic rafting routes in the country.
Rafting tours from Antalya are full-day affairs. A typical tour includes hotel pickup, transfer to the canyon (about 1.5 to 2 hours from Antalya), the rafting run itself (roughly 2 hours on the water), lunch at a riverside restaurant, and return transfer. Some tours combine rafting with a buggy or quad safari in the canyon area, and others add a zipline above the gorge.
Our [Koprulu Canyon rafting, buggy and zipline tour] departs from Antalya with hotel pickup included. No deposit — you pay on the day. For a full overview of outdoor and adventure options in the region, see our [adventure tours from Antalya] page.
If you’re visiting independently, local rafting operators are based near Oluk Bridge. You can book directly with them on arrival, though calling ahead in July and August is sensible.
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Hiking, Camping and the Canyon in General
Rafting is the primary draw for most visitors, but the canyon has other reasons to visit.
**Hiking**: The canyon rim and river paths offer walking opportunities that most tour groups miss entirely. The trail along the river below the bridges follows the water through sections of the gorge with no vehicle access. This walk is quiet, shaded in summer, and the clearest way to understand the canyon’s actual scale.
**Camping**: Designated camping areas exist within the park. Camping in the canyon is a genuinely different experience from coastal camping — the canyon walls and the sound of the river replace the usual coastal setting. Bring your own equipment; there are no hire facilities.
**Swimming**: The river is swimmable in several calmer stretches outside the rapids. Local guides know the safest points. The water stays cold even in August.
**Wildlife**: The national park supports deer, wild boar, and in the higher forest areas, brown bear. Bird species include eagles and various raptors. Wildlife sightings depend heavily on timing — early morning or late afternoon, away from the main rafting areas.
**Flora**: The canyon floor and lower slopes are dominated by red and black pine, cedar, and oak. The Mediterranean cypress population in this part of the park is one of the largest in Turkey.
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How to Get to Koprulu Canyon from Antalya
Koprulu Canyon is approximately 96 kilometres northeast of Antalya city. The route goes through Serik and then northeast toward Taşağıl and Beşkonak in the Manavgat district.
**By tour**: The easiest way from Antalya, Kemer, Side, or Belek is an organised day trip with hotel pickup. Most rafting tours handle all transfers. If you’re coming from Side or Manavgat, the journey is shorter — about 45-60 minutes. For [Manavgat tours] and the full range of excursions in that area, see the Manavgat hub page.
**By car**: Driving from Antalya takes around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. The approach road from Beşkonak descends into the canyon and is well-paved but narrow in places. Parking is available near Oluk Bridge. For Selge, the road up to Altınkaya is paved but single-track in the final stretch — slow and careful driving required.
**Fuel and stops**: The canyon area has very few facilities. Fill up before leaving Manavgat or Serik. There are basic restaurants near Oluk Bridge serving lunch and tea, popular with rafting groups. Beyond these, bring what you need.
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When Is the Best Time to Visit Koprulu Canyon?
The park is accessible year-round, but conditions vary significantly.
| Month | River Level | Rafting | Canyon Visit |
| March-April | High (snowmelt) | Possible, harder rapids | Good, cool and green |
| May | Medium-high | Excellent | Best month overall |
| June | Medium | Good | Warm, manageable |
| July-August | Low | Still runnable, calmer | Hot but fine; busy |
| September | Medium | Excellent | Best month overall |
| October | Medium | Good into mid-month | Excellent, quieter |
| November-February | Variable | Most operators closed | Canyon access OK; cold |
**For rafting**: May and September are the best months. Water levels are good, temperatures are comfortable, and the crowds are lighter than July-August.
**For the ruins and hiking**: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are better than summer. The canyon floor can be very hot in July and August.
**For Selge**: Any time from April to October works. In winter, the access road can be affected by weather.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Koprulu Canyon is in the Manavgat district of Antalya province, approximately 96 kilometres northeast of Antalya city. The nearest significant town is Manavgat, about 40 kilometres south of the canyon.
The park is best known for white water rafting on the Kopru River, the two Roman bridges at Oluk and Büğrüm that date to the 2nd century AD, and the ruins of Selge ancient city on the plateau above. The canyon itself, with cliffs up to 400 metres, is one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in the Antalya region.
Yes. You can drive to the park independently, park near Oluk Bridge, and walk the river path and bridges on your own. Local rafting operators at the canyon entrance also offer rafting without pre-booking, though in peak summer months it’s worth calling ahead. Selge is also independently accessible by car.
The bridges and river path are suitable for all ages. Rafting is best for ages 10 or 11 and above, depending on the operator’s guidelines. Selge involves uneven ground and a long drive. For a family with younger children, the canyon floor and bridges make an easy and interesting half-day visit without rafting.
A half day covers the Oluk Bridge area and a short walk. A full day allows for rafting, the riverside lunch, and a walk in the canyon. Adding Selge to the same day means a very full eight-hour day. Most people on an organised rafting tour are in the area for five to six hours total.
The national park charges a small entrance fee at the main gate. Selge has its own separate fee managed by the local village. Rafting tours include all relevant fees within the tour price.
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Plan Your Visit
For a guided day that covers rafting, a buggy safari through the canyon, and a zipline, see our Koprulu Canyon adventure tour (details in the rafting section above). Hotel pickup from Antalya, Belek, and Side included. Pay on the day at the meeting point — no deposit required.
For all excursions from Antalya, visit our [Antalya excursions page].
