Tazı Canyon feels like someone turned the volume up on nature. This 8-hour trip from Side (and nearby resorts) mixes jeep adventure, ancient ruins in the Taurus Mountains, and a quirky stop at Devil’s Stones. You’ll get viewpoints, walking time, and just enough structure to keep the day moving.

What I like most is how the day balances adrenaline with real context. The canyon portion gives you the wow factor, while Selge adds meaning with ruins tied to Pisidia. You also end up with a practical sightseeing rhythm: short guided segments, photo stops, then breathing room.

One thing to think about: the tour runs in English, Russian, and Lithuanian, and depending on your departure day, you might hear Lithuanian first. If you want a specific language the whole time, plan to be flexible and accept that the driver/guide may translate along the way.

Key Points Before You Go

• Tazı Canyon’s scale: a roughly 40 km canyon with drops up to 300 m and the Koprülü River running through it
• Jeep time that actually matters: short drives that get you to the best angles fast
• Selge isn’t just walls: you’ll see multiple types of ruins like theatre, agora, stadium, and necropolis
• Devil’s Stones are photo-friendly and weird: rock shapes that people associate with animals, birds, and human figures
• Köprülü Canyon break + lunch: practical downtime where you can stretch and (time permitting) cool off in the river
• Guide support: hotel pickup/drop-off plus safety equipment helps keep the canyon part feeling organized

A Jeep-and-Ruins Day Above the Taurus Mountains

This is the kind of day trip you book when you want variety without spending a whole day in transit. You start with a coach ride from the Side-area, then switch gears into jeep/SUV driving for the canyon sections. After that, it’s straight into the archaeological side with Selge Ancient City, plus the odd stop at Devil’s Stones.

The value here is the blend. You’re not choosing between “nature” or “ruins.” You get both, and they’re in the same general region, so the effort feels justified. Plus, the tour includes lunch and pickup/drop-off, which usually saves you headaches once you’re already on vacation.

Getting to Köprülü Canyon and Your First Reset

Your day kicks off with pickup from a long list of hotels and resort areas, including Side, Evrenseki, Kızılağaç, Ilıca, Kızılot, Çolaklı, Avsallar, Belek, Alanya, and Antalya. The pickup point is near the hotel’s main entrance by the security gate, so it’s worth planning to be ready a bit early.

Once you’re on the coach, you’ll ride for about 1.5 hours. Then you get a first break at Köprülü Canyon for around 20 minutes. This is where you can use the restroom, buy any small personal snacks if needed, and mentally switch from road-trip mode to sightseeing mode.

This early stop matters more than it sounds. When you later move from coach to jeep and then start walking in the heat, that small pause helps your energy hold up.

Tazı Canyon: Jeep Views, Photo Stops, and a Cooling River Vibe

Tazı Canyon is the emotional center of the tour. It’s located in Antalya Province and is about 40 km long, with sections dropping up to 300 meters. The Koprülü River flows through the canyon, so the scene isn’t just cliffs and stone—it has movement and that reflective water look that makes photos easier.

After the initial coach segment, you’ll transfer into a jeep/SUV. Expect roughly 30 minutes of jeep driving to set you up for the best viewpoints and walking areas. Then you’ll have a dedicated stop at Tazı Canyon with:

• photo opportunities
• a guided tour component
• free time
• a short walk (about 30 minutes)

Here’s what I think works for most people: you don’t need to be a hiker. The route is staged, and you’re not doing an all-day trek. You’re there to see the canyon’s scale, take pictures with river-and-mountain backdrops, and enjoy the feeling of being down in a carved landscape.

If you like water, watch for the timing. One past guest described the chance for a refreshing swim in the river during the day’s breaks. The tour doesn’t guarantee a full swim stop in the written info, but the schedule includes river break time later at Köprülü Canyon, so it’s the most likely moment to cool off.

Selge Ancient City: Pisidia’s High-Mountain Archaeology

After the canyon time, the tour moves into the historical side with Selge Ancient City. This is an ancient settlement founded around the 4th century BC, and it was one of Pisidia’s important centers. What I like is that Selge isn’t presented as one single monument.

You’ll get a guided experience and photo time, plus about one hour of free time on-site. The ruins are described as including temples, a theatre, an agora, a stadium, and a necropolis. That mix matters because it helps you recognize a full civic layout—religious space, public gatherings, entertainment, and burial areas—rather than just scattered stones.

Selge sits high in the Taurus Mountains, so expect the air to feel different than the coastal zones. Even when it’s sunny, the altitude can make things feel a touch more comfortable than the beach. You’ll still want sun protection, though, because walking between ruins can be exposed.

A practical note: because you have free time after the guided part, you can decide how deep you want to go. If you’re into photos, focus on the theatre and open areas. If you want context, keep your guide nearby during the guided portion so you can ask quick questions while it’s fresh.

Devil’s Stones Near Manavgat: Strange Rock Shapes and Local Legends

This tour also includes a visit to Devil’s Stones, unusual rock formations near Manavgat. People describe them as rocks with different shapes and sizes, almost like an artist shaped them deliberately. Some are said to resemble animals, birds, or human figures.

What makes Devil’s Stones worth a stop is that it’s not trying to be a museum. It’s a landscape of interpretation. You look at the shapes, you let your imagination work, and you learn the local stories and legends tied to their origin and supposed properties.

It’s also a great change of pace after the more structured ruins of Selge. Selge asks you to look at human history through architecture. Devil’s Stones asks you to look at geology through imagination. For many people, that rhythm is what turns a good day trip into a memorable one.

Lunch and River Break at Köprülü Canyon

Lunch is included, and it’s timed around the Köprülü Canyon portion later in the day. There’s a longer break here—about 40 minutes—and it’s listed as including lunch and free time.

This part is where you catch your breath. If you’ve been walking at Selge and taking short walks at Tazı Canyon, your legs will appreciate the reset. It’s also the most likely moment to get that river-time feeling people talk about, including a quick swim if conditions allow and the guide deems it safe.

Keep your expectations realistic: it’s not a long lunch in a restaurant with a leisurely menu. It’s a functional included meal, designed to keep you moving and to avoid losing half the day to food logistics.

Price and Value: What $30 Buys You in Real Terms

At $30 per person for an 8-hour day, this tour is priced like a solid value package—especially if you’re coming from Side or nearby resorts.

Here’s what you’re paying for beyond transportation:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off across many Side-area locations
• a live guide (English, Russian, Lithuanian)
• lunch included
• safety equipment for the activities involved

Drinks are not included, so bring a plan for water and any extra you want. But the big items—guiding, lunch, and transfers—are covered, which keeps the total cost predictable.

If you’re the kind of traveler who hates spending vacation time coordinating buses, that predictability is the real value. You also get multiple “signature” stops in one shot, which is usually harder (and more expensive) if you DIY.

Guide and Language: Expect Help, Not a Perfect Script

The tour lists guides in English, Russian, and Lithuanian. In real life, that can mean different groups hear different main languages during the day.

One past guest highlighted Özkan as a friendly driver/guide who was flexible and helpful. Another guest noted that the tour was mostly in Lithuanian, but Özkan translated and shared info in Russian and English too. That’s exactly the kind of support you want: not just reading from a script, but helping the group understand what they’re looking at.

So if your language is one of the listed options, you’ll likely feel comfortable. If not, don’t panic. You can still enjoy the day because the stops are visual, and the guide support can bridge gaps.

Timing and Pace: What Feels Long, What Feels Short

You’re out for about 8 hours, with:

• about 1.5 hours on the coach each way
• short, purposeful jeep segments
• short breaks and guided stop blocks

That structure is good for people who want to see a lot without burning out. The free time chunks are long enough to wander and get photos, but short enough that the day stays tight.

The only “watch-out” is that you’ll spend time in vehicles: coach, then jeep, then coach again. If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider taking your usual prevention ahead of time.

Small Tips That Make the Day Easier

These are the practical things that make a canyon-and-ruins day smoother:

• Wear comfortable shoes with decent grip for ruin paths and uneven ground.
• Bring water even though lunch is included. Drinks aren’t included, and you’ll walk in sun.
• Pack sun protection. The ruins and canyon viewpoints can be exposed.
• Bring a light layer. Even in warm seasons, mountain air can feel cooler once you’re higher up.
• If you’re hoping for a water moment, plan around the river breaks rather than expecting it during every stop.

Also, the tour provides safety equipment, which is a reassuring detail for anyone who worries about getting the canyon part “right.”

Who Should Book This Trip (and Who Might Skip It)

This is a great fit if you:

• want both nature and archaeology in one day
• enjoy jeep-style sightseeing rather than just bus windows
• like photo stops but still want guided context
• want a structured plan with lunch included

It might be less ideal if you strongly dislike vehicle time. You’ll be in transit on both ends and doing short jeep drives. If you’re looking for a slow, relaxed walking day with lots of museum-style reading, this schedule is more action-and-views than long, quiet study.

Also note the tour has rules on what’s allowed, including no baby strollers and no electric wheelchairs, plus restrictions around certain mobility items. If you need accessibility accommodations, check carefully before booking.

Should You Book Tazı Canyon, Selge, and Devil’s Stones?

I’d book it if your ideal Turkey day includes canyon views, a high-mountain ruin stop, and at least one quirky “only-in-this-region” moment. The mix of Tazı Canyon’s scale, Selge’s varied ruins, and the Devil’s Stones rock shapes is a winning combination for most people who don’t want to choose.

It’s also a good value at $30, mostly because pickup/drop-off and lunch are included, and the day is designed to be efficient rather than improvisational. Just go in with the right expectations: you’ll have structured guided time plus limited walking, and language may vary depending on the group.

If you want a day trip that feels like two trips in one—nature and history—this one delivers.

FAQ

What is the total duration of the tour?

The tour runs for about 8 hours.

Where does the tour pick up from?

Pickup is offered from multiple locations in the Antalya Province area, including Side and many nearby resort towns.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included during the Köprülü Canyon part of the day.

What language is the live guide?

The live tour guide is available in English, Russian, and Lithuanian.

Is drinks included with lunch?

No. Drinks are not included.

How long do you have at Tazı Canyon and Selge?

Tazı Canyon includes photo stop, visit, guided tour, and free time with about 30 minutes of walking time. Selge includes photo stop, visit, guided tour, and about 1 hour of free time.

How does the tour handle transportation?

You travel by bus/coach and then use a jeep/SUV for parts of the canyon experience, with breaks along the way.

Are there restrictions on strollers or wheelchairs?

Yes. Baby strollers and non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed, and electric wheelchairs are also not allowed.