Dim River (Dimcay)
Alanya, Turkey
Flowing down from the highlands around Konya to meet the Mediterranean Coast just east of Alanya, the Dim River is both an important water source and a popular recreational ground. You can visit the Dim Dam, explore natural caves and waterfalls, and swim and picnic by the riverside at the Dim River National Park.
Visiting the Dim River is a popular day trip from Alanya. Tours often combine it with a Jeep safari through the countryside, a visit to Dwarf Cave, or a tour of Sapadere Canyon. While you’re there, take a hike to the viewpoints around the Dim Dam, admire the natural rock formations and underground lake of Dim Cave, then cool off with a swim in the river at Dim River National Park. Most tours also include lunch at one of the many restaurants along the Dim River.
Pack your swimsuit and a towel, as there are swimming areas and water slides along the river.
Slip-on shoes are ideal, as many of the floating restaurants ask you to remove your shoes.
The water in the Dim River is consistently cold year-round, so make sure to test it before swimming—it might be too cold to swim outside of the summer months.
There is an admission fee for the Dim Cave. Some swimming areas along the Dim River are exclusively for restaurant guests, but you’ll also find free public areas to swim.
Some of the restaurants and swimming areas are tricky to access with a wheelchair or stroller, so it may be best to visit as part of an accessible tour.
The Dim River is located east of Alanya, and the most visited section is the Dim River National Park, just west of the Dim Dam. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Alanya, and tours typically include round-trip transport. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or catch minibus 10 from Alanya’s Dolmus station to the Dim Dam.
Sunny days entice the crowds to the Dim River, and the cool waters of the river are a popular swimming spot during the summer months. Get there early in July and August if you want to avoid the crowds, as it can get busy, especially on weekends. Most day tours time their visit for lunch and the riverside cafés and floating restaurants are a highlight.
Dim River tours often visit one of the Alanya region’s most popular natural wonders, the Sapadere Canyon (Sapadere Kanyonu). Framed by 1,300-foot (400-meter) high cliffs, the beauty spot sits in the forested foothills of the Taurus Mountains and is known for its magnificent waterfalls and turquoise waters. You can hike, swim, and enjoy birdwatching at the canyon, then visit the traditional village of Sapadere.
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