Goynuk Canyon in Kemer, Turkey
Goynuk Canyon in Kemer, Turkey is a popular destination for canyoning and hiking near Antalya. It’s perfect for families with kids of all ages. The canyoning adventure is a favorite for our family in the summer heat and humidity of the Mediterranean. The hike is easy for beginners and since the park provides all the gear, it makes it easy for everyone to enjoy it. We went with some friends with kids from 7 – 12 years old. They all loved it!
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know for your trip to Goynuk Canyon in Kemer, Turkey including when to go, what to do, how to get there, and other Goynuk Canyon travel tips.
Know Before You Go
COST: Main Entrance Fee to Park & Various Pricing for Activities at the Park
HOURS: See Website for Details Goynukcanyon.com
BEST TIME TO GO: APRIL – OCT | Available Year Round
LOCATION: 45 minutes from Antalya or 20 minutes from Kemer
PARKING: Free Parking
TIME NEEDED: 2-3 Hours Minimum
- Kid Friendly | All ages can partipate dending on thier swimming level. There are several activities to choose from.
- Accessibility | Contact the park through their website for special requests.
- Photography | You will not want to take gear back while canyoning unless is waterproof. There are lockers to store belongings before your canyoning adventure.
- Canyoning Gear| The park provides life jackets, helmets and water shoes for canyoning. If needed, there are wet suits available.
- Food & Drinks | There are markets, restaurants and cafes at Goynuk Canyon. Prices are inflated. We suggest brining your own water and snacks in.
- Restrooms | There are restrooms at the park in several different locations. You can use them to change in or out of your swimsuit.
When to Go to Goynuk Canyon
First of all, the best time to go to Goynuk Canyon in Kemer, Turkey is when the weather is warmer between late April and mid-October. If the weather is cooler, there are wet suits available to wear so that you can still get in the water and enjoy canyoning.
What to Expect
When you arrive at Goynuk Canyon in Kemer, the parking is free. Walk back to the entrance and purchase tickets for any of the activities you’d like to do. If you are traveling with kids, we recommend purchasing the 2km truck ride back to the top of the hill. It will take you close to the main entrance of the canyon. Then, the kids can spend their energy on the canyoning adventure. If you take the 3km walk, while the gravel road is smooth, the first 2km are uphill and the last 1km is a steep slope downhill.
Once you get to the main canyon entrance, they’ll provide a helmet, life jacket, and water shoes. Before swimming or canoeing up the canyon, store your belongings in the on-site lockers. You can put the key around your neck or loop it around your wrists, so you don’t lose it. The keys do float!
You can expect to spend 1 – 2 hours at Goynuk Canyon swimming, climbing, jumping in the water, and enjoying your natural surroundings. Our family spent about 3 hours total at the park. We would have stayed longer but the kids were hungry, and we didn’t want to pay the inflated prices at the cafes for snacks and food.
Best Things to Do at Goynuk Canyon
While canyoning is the most popular thing to do at Goynuk Canyon in Kemer, Turkey there are several other activities you can enjoy while you are there. Read on to learn more about the best thing to do at Goynuk Canyon.
Canyoning
First, canyoning is the main attraction at Goynuk Canyon. Swimming and hiking through the cold mountain water is a fun family-friendly experience for all ages. The park provides full gear of a helmet, life jacket and water shoes. The views of the canyon are beautiful with the cool blue mountain water, large boulders, waterfalls, and natural rock slides.
When you first enter the canyon, you swim back through the water. In some sections, you go through thigh to chest-high water. There are some areas you need to climb a few rocks or a ladder to get to the next level as you head up the river. Our kids enjoyed the waterfall areas where they jumped from the rocks into the deep pools of water.
Canoeing at Goynuk Canyon
Secondly, if you’re not comfortable being immersed in ice-cold water or swimming, you can go canoeing up the river with a guide. You’ll be in a small canoe raft with 4 – 6 people and a guide that will paddle upriver. Note, you can only go as far as the first place you climb the rocks to the next level of the river. You’ll still have amazing views and will take about 20-30 minutes round trip.
Up next, we’ll talk about hiking at Goynuk Canyon in Turkey with kids.
Hiking at Goynuk Canyon
Hiking a 3km trail in Goynuk Canyon in Kemer, Turkey is available year-round. You’ll have an entrance fee to the park and then be able to hike on the 2km path up to the highest point on the trail. Then you’ll go the remaining 1km down a steep slope to the entrance of the canyon. During the peak travel season, there are trucks carrying guests to and from the main entrance of Goynuk Canyon on the trail. Expect dusty air and being passed frequently by vehicles on the gravel road. At the end of the trail, you’ll find a small lake to swim in surrounded by small cafes to sit and enjoy a cup of Turkish tea.
Zipline Course
Next, you can take the kids ziplining before taking off on the trail to go canyoning. The zipline is 40 meters above the ground and includes two lines and a hanging bridge. This is a perfect adventure for parents to do with their kids!
Goynuk Canyon Restaurants & Cafes
Also, there are several places within the Goynuk Canyon park where you’ll find restaurants and cafes. First, the area you pay the entrance fee is a small café to sit and have tea. Secondly, after entering the park and walking about 500 meters back, there is a gozleme restaurant, ice cream shop, and café. There are picnic tables and sitting areas near the river to relax and enjoy the views.
Finally, after hiking or riding the 3km trek back to the main entrance of the canyon, there is a small market and café with picnic tables and tables and chairs around the pool. We stopped and had an iced coffee after canyoning while the kids swam.
Travel Tip
The costs of the restaurants are somewhat inflated, and while we were there, all the cafes took cash only and no credit cards. Bring cash with you if plan on buying anything. You can bring a cooler and water with you to Goynuk Canyon.
Activities Near Goynuk Canyon in Kemer, Turkey
There are many other activities near Goynuk Canyon in Turkey that you can visit on your trip to Antalya with kids.
Go to one of the best beaches in Antalya like Phaselis, to explore ancient ruins and then swim the rest of the day. If you’re looking for panoramic views and cooler temperatures, ride a cable car to the top of Mt. Tahtali. See magnificent views of the Mediterranean and the Taurus Mountains.
Next, if you’re staying in Kemer, you can take a boat trip from the local Kemer harbor. You go up the Mediterranean coast as far as Phaselis and make several stops on your way back to Kemer to swim, snorkel, and enjoy lunch on the boat.
Finally, you can make a trip to explore the ancient city of Olympos which sits on the Turkish coast. Then, stop at Cirali for a day at the beach before heading back to Kemer in the Antalya province.
If you’re looking for other waterfalls in Antalya, go see Kursunlu Waterfalls, Upper Duden, and Lower Duden Waterfalls. You can’t swim, but the views are spectacular.
Also, see our guide to Kas with kids.
What to Wear to Goynuk Canyon
What to Wear for Canyoning
Wear your swimsuit and good walking shoes to get back to the main entrance of the canyon. You’ll be provided a helmet, life jacket, and water shoes to use during the canyoning portion of your trip. Also, there are wet suits available to use if you need one. There are restrooms on-site that you can use to change clothes in and out of your swimsuit if you want to.
What to Wear for Hiking
If you’re only hiking or will hike back to the main canyon entrance, wear comfortable clothing. During the summer months it is hot and humid, so whatever you need to stay cool Where good hiking shoes and bring water to drink for the trek.
How to Get to Goynuk Canyon in Turkey
The easiest way to get to Goynuk Canyon in Turkey is by car. If you’re traveling with kids, we suggest renting a car or private transfer. If you have a private family tour, don’t forget to add Goynuk Canyon to the itinerary. With any of these options, you’ll have more flexibility to spend as much time as you’d like at Goynuk instead of being on someone else’s schedule.
Antalya to Goynuk Canyon
Antalya to Goynuk Canyon is about a 45 minute (37km) drive from the Antalya city center. Head west on the coast road D400. Between Beldibi and Kemer you’ll see signs for Goynuk Canyon and turn right on Kanyon Yolu. Follow the road about 1km and you’ll see the free parking area.
Kemer to Goynuk Canyon
If you’re traveling east from Kas or Kemer to Goynuk Canyon is a 20 minute (12.4km) drive from Kemer city center. Go west on road D400 that runs along the coast towards Antalya. You’ll see signs for Goynuk Canyon and turn left on Kanyon Yolu. Take the road 1km until you reach the free parking area for Goynuk Canyon Park.
Goynuk Canyon Turkey Map
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Goynuk Canyon in Turkey is a great family-friendly activity to enjoy on your trip to the Turkish Riviera. With fantastic views in the canyon, you can enjoy canyoning, hiking, ziplining, and picnicking together. This is a great day trip activity from Antalya that will keep everyone can participate!
