Comparison
Sapadere Canyon vs Green Canyon: which is better?
They share a word and almost nothing else. Sapadere is a limestone gorge you walk through above a cold mountain river; Green Canyon is a large green reservoir you cruise across by boat. Which is better depends on whether you want to walk or float.
The short answer
Want to walk beside water, stand under a waterfall and swim in a cold pool? Sapadere. Want to spend the day on a boat, swim from it in green lake water and eat on board? Green Canyon. Sapadere is the more physical day; Green Canyon the more relaxed one.
What each one is
Sapadere Canyon is a narrow gorge in the Taurus foothills east of Alanya: a wooden walkway of about 750 m above the river, rock walls up to about 400 m, cascades and turquoise pools at the end, an optional cave and lunch by the river. Green Canyon is a reservoir in the mountains behind Manavgat, west along the coast: a boat trip across green water between wooded slopes, with swimming stops from the boat and lunch on board.
Walking
Sapadere asks for the walkway — easy, but with steps and uneven sections. Green Canyon asks for almost nothing: you board, you sit, you swim if you like.
Swimming
Sapadere's pools are spring-fed and cold all year; swimming is optional and short. Green Canyon's water is a lake in summer sun — warmer, and swum from the boat's ladder.
Families and seniors
A family that walks takes Sapadere and remembers the waterfall; a family with a pushchair or a grandparent who avoids stairs finds Green Canyon the easier day. Both include lunch and hotel pickup.
Where they start
Sapadere is closest to the Alanya resorts and runs from them every day; from the Side coast it is a longer day on Wednesdays and Sundays. Green Canyon is closer to Side and Manavgat and is a natural Side-coast day. For guests staying in the Alanya belt, Sapadere is the near one.
Price and time
Our Sapadere tour from Alanya is €33 per adult, about 7 hours door to door; every figure is on the price page. Green Canyon days are sold by our sister site Alanya Boat Trips and by the Side-coast sister companies; their prices are theirs.
Walking beats floating for you? Book the Sapadere Canyon tour — or the Side departure if you are on that coast.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I do both?
On two different days, yes — Sapadere here, Green Canyon on the sister site. They are in opposite directions along the coast.
Which has better photographs?
Sapadere for the waterfall and the turquoise pool between rock walls; Green Canyon for the wide green water and the boat.
Not answered here? Ask us on WhatsApp
Read next
Sapadere Canyon tour vs jeep safari: which day is yours?
Coach to the canyon or open jeep in the mountains: comfort, dust, walking, families, adventure level and price, compared honestly.
Read more →Can you swim in Sapadere Canyon?
Where swimming is possible, how cold the water really is, what to wear in it, and whether children can go in.
Read more →Sapadere Canyon prices: what the tour costs and what you get
Adult and child prices for all three departures, the extras, the infant rule, and why no entrance fee is quoted separately.
Read more →The Sapadere Canyon tour specialist
Ready to explore Sapadere Canyon?
From 33 € per person · free hotel pickup · pay on the tour day · free cancellation up to 24 hours before.