Altınbesik Cave Tour and Buttoned Houses Tour from Side

The Altinbesik Cave and Buttoned Houses Tour from Side is a relaxed day trip deep into the Taurus Mountains that blends nature, history and traditional village life. You take in panoramic views of the Green Canyon and Oymapinar Dam, see the famous Buttoned Houses built without any cement, and glide by inflatable boat across the turquoise water inside Altinbesik Cave, Turkey's largest underground lake cave. Pickup is in the morning from your hotel in Side, with return in the late afternoon. Throughout the day your guide shares stories about the region's history, village architecture and how the cave was formed.

Tour itinerary

Hotel pickup and Green Canyon views

• Pickup from your hotel in Side at around 09:00.
• Impressive panoramic views over the Green Canyon and Oymapinar Dam along the way.

Buttoned Houses and historic villages

• Sarihacilar village and the Buttoned Houses around Ormana: traditional homes built from juniper, cedar and pine with an interlocking system and no cement
• Free time in this area
• Optional visit to the Ethnographic Museum (ticket paid separately)
• Historic water cisterns and the village mosque
• A short stroll through a forest village

Altinbesik Cave

• Arrival at the cave inside Altinbesik National Park
• Boat ride by inflatable boat on the underground lake inside the cave
• Close-up views of stalactites and stalagmites in the cool, humid air

Lunch and return

• Lunch (drinks are extra) and a walk around the village
• Return to your hotel in Side in the late afternoon

The tour takes about 8 hours.

What's included and not included

Included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Lunch
• Entrance fees on the programme
• Insurance
• Professional guide

Not included

• Drinks
• Ethnographic Museum ticket
• Personal expenses

What to bring

• Towel and swimwear
• Spare clothes
• A light jacket for the cave
• Comfortable, non-slip shoes
• A camera and some cash

Why choose this tour?

If you want to see something other than sea and sand around Antalya, this tour is a true day of discovery. Altinbesik Cave lies within an area declared a national park in 1994, and its constant cool temperature makes it a perfect escape from the summer heat. The Buttoned Houses keep alive centuries-old architecture in villages along historic Silk Road routes. The tour is family-friendly and ideal for guests staying in Side, Manavgat, Kumkoy, Kizilagac and Titreyengol.

With hotel pickup, free cancellation and the option to book now and pay later, planning is easy. You can see the current price in the booking box: choose your date and reserve your seat on the Altinbesik Cave tour online.