Dim Cave

Eleven kilometres from the centre and two hundred and thirty-two metres above the sea. It has four galleries and a total length of three hundred and sixty metres, with the ceiling reaching fifteen metres in places. At the far end lies an underground lake of about two hundred square metres, seventeen metres below the entrance. Türkiye's culture portal puts its age at around a million years.

The cave opens on the western slope of Mount Cebel-i Reis, within the boundaries of Kestel. Alanya Municipality presents it as the second largest cave open to visitors in Türkiye; if Damlataş sits in the middle of town, Dim sits inside the mountain.

The path inside runs level, so this is not a cave you descend into by long staircases. The galleries vary between ten and fifteen metres in width and height. Stalactites on the walls and ceiling, stalagmites rising from the floor and travertine formations follow one after another.

The visit ends at the lake. Here the floor drops, and seventeen metres below the entrance a small pool of water appears, about two hundred square metres across. It is the quietest corner of a cave whose story runs back around a million years.

The name Dim is shared with the river in the valley, and the Dim river has its own page in this guide. On our jeep safari the entrance to Dim Cave is not included and is listed as optional. The main stops of the tour are the Taurus village roads, a swim at Kadıpınarı Waterfall and a grilled lunch out in nature.

• 11 km from centre
• 360 m, 4 galleries
• ~200 m² lake