The Altınbeşik Cave is breaking record after record in 2024.

The Altınbeşik Cave, located near Ürünlü Neighborhood in the İbradı district of Antalya, is the world’s third-largest underground lake cave and the largest in Turkey and Europe. It is attracting a surge of visitors, breaking record after record. In 2023, 130,000 people visited the cave, while in the first 10 months of this year, the number exceeded 180,000. The goal is to surpass 200,000 visitors by the end of the year.

Local and foreign visitors exploring the beauty of Altınbeşik Cave on turquoise-colored boats are in awe of this paradise corner of Antalya.

**Great Interest**
Ulaş Ünlüsoy, the person responsible for the Altınbeşik Cave and an employee of İbradı Municipality, stated that the municipality manages the cave and that it is receiving increasing interest from both local and foreign visitors every day. Ünlüsoy mentioned that Altınbeşik Cave is the largest underground lake cave in Turkey and Europe, ranking third in the world, saying, “We host around a thousand visitors daily, including local and foreign tourists.”

**”Foreign Visitors are Pouring In During Fall Season”**
Ünlüsoy explained that the cave is open every day depending on weather conditions and that the number of visitors is continuously increasing. He noted, “During the fall season, especially, foreign visitors are arriving in droves. There has been a significant increase in our foreign visitors. Tours are organized by tourism companies. Currently, we are hosting an average of a thousand visitors daily. Our foreign visitors, particularly from Germany, England, Russia, and Poland, show intense interest. People are coming from everywhere, which accounts for the daily visitor count of around a thousand. The cave continues to receive a steady influx of visitors.”

**”We Will Surpass 200,000 Visitors by Year-End”**
Ünlüsoy shared that they are getting closer to their goals each year, stating, “Our target this year was to reach 200,000 visitors. We will indeed reach our year-end goal. We will surpass the 200,000 mark for the first time and achieve an unprecedented record. Since 2021, the management of the cave has been under İbradı Municipality. We strive to provide the best service to our local and foreign guests. We aim to provide quality service with the best boats. Our guide friends conduct a 15-20 minute tour, explaining the interior and exterior of the cave and the entire region. Each year, we increase the number of visitors to the cave. Tourists are fascinated by the ambiance of Altınbeşik Cave. The fact that the temperature inside is 17 degrees in both summer and winter is particularly interesting for them.”

**”Breaking Records This Year for the First Time”**
Ünlüsoy pointed out that they have welcomed over 180,000 visitors by the end of the first 10 months in 2024, saying, “Altınbeşik Cave has been open to tourism since 2004. Last year, we hosted 130,000 visitors in a year. We reached the number of visitors we had last year by July. Currently, we are breaking record after record with 180,000 visitors in the first 10 months. This is the first time we have reached such numbers since the cave opened to tourism.”

**”Every Part of Our Country is Beautiful in Its Own Way”**
Mehmet Onay, originally from Aydın province, mentioned that he moved to Germany as a baby and lives there, visiting Turkey twice a year. He explained, “I live in Germany. I came to Antalya for vacation with a coworker from Germany. Previously, I had visited my hometown, Aydın, in July-August. This year, I came to my country for the second time with my coworker as a cultural ambassador. We came to Altınbeşik Cave to better introduce my country to my friend. My friend also liked the cave very much. He loves cultural trips. The interior of the cave is really superb. The water level is a bit low right now. The lighting and appearance inside are wonderful. The friends operating the boats are true professionals, providing excellent promotion of the cave. They also assist us in taking pictures. Every part of our country is a paradise. Our historical places like Fethiye, Saklıkent, Cappadocia, Didim, and Kuşadası are very beautiful. I have traveled to many countries abroad. But our country is more perfect with its history and culture. I moved to Germany as a baby. Now I am 55 years old, and I have been in Germany for 55 years. I come to my country every year by car because I have a fear of heights.”

**”Once You Visit, You Will Come Again”**
Jurgen Hubl (69), who came to Turkey for the second time this year and visited Altınbeşik Cave with his German friend Ruth Beucke (69), said, “I come to Turkey every year without fail. Sometimes I come twice a year. When I came in April this year, I visited Altınbeşik Cave. I can’t describe the admiration I felt during my first visit. To show this place, I brought my friends during my second visit. My friends also loved the cave and were amazed. I am very happy to see this magnificent cave again.”