Karain Mağarası
In Döşemealtı, one of the caves with the longest continuous record of human occupation in Anatolia. Finds spanning the Palaeolithic to the Roman era make it Türkiye's most important prehistoric excavation site.
Karain is one of Antalya's most valuable sites archaeologically, yet it sits entirely outside the tourist crowds and is usually quiet. Excavations have produced stone tools and human and animal bones dated to roughly 500,000 years ago, showing this to be among the oldest human settlements in Anatolia.
The cave consists of three main galleries in a hillside and can be visited on laid-out walkways. Stalactites and broad chambers make it geologically interesting too. The small museum at the entrance displays finds from the excavations along with panels explaining life in each period.
The terrace in front of the cave commands a view over the Döşemealtı plain. At about 30 kilometres from central Antalya it pairs easily with Termessos on the same day; both lie in the same direction and away from the crowds.
- Best time
- All year
- Budget
- Budget
Tips
- There is a stepped climb up to the entrance; wear comfortable shoes.
- The interior is cool and damp — a light layer helps even in summer.
- On the same route as Termessos; combine the two.