Duden Park — Attraction in Muratpaşa

Although the place is called as "Duden PARK", I wouldn't call it that way. There's literally nothing except the waterfall at the end of the park. Not taking in consideration the fact of the existence of hundreds of tiny cafes. When I say PARK I expect the place to be with benches, well maintained (read here CLEAN, not with tons of trash everywhere around you), maybe some sellers with hotdogs or something, the atmosphere of joy and relaxation. Neah, not this place. Definitely. The Central Park is paradise compared to this place.

One time visit "park". I wouldn't recommend to visit one cafe, it's on the right side of the river (when you're going back from the waterfall), or the left side of it (if you're just on your way to the waterfall) called "river side cafe" or something like that. I was waiting for anyone to give me the menu for 15 mins. After I got it, I asked if the waitress spoke English. She replied in Turkish. Ok, clear. The menu is in Turkish as well. After I chose what I wanted to order, I had to jump around trying to pay any waiters' attention. After my 50th attempt a guy came up to me, I asked if I can make an order. He giggled and left. Not saying a word. He continued doing what so ever he was doing before (standing doing nothing and looking at me). The same happened to the next lady. She reacted the exact same way. After this madness I stood up and left. If they don't care about guests, well, don't go there (unless you speak Turkish). Though, I'm still sure the service there is terrible even if you do speak...

Duden Creek springs out of the Bey Mountains, the Western extension of the mighty Taurus mountain range, which enclaves the Antalya Bay from North. It then powers a hydroelectric plant in Kepez (Northern Antalya) before it is released to a canal that runs through the city, makes its first fall at the Upper Duden Falls (a water park popular with the locals for picnics) and then it finally arrives at Lower Duden Falls where it makes a spectacular splash over the red-colored rocky cliffs into the magnificently blue Mediterranean.

This review covers the Lower Duden Falls, which is where Duden Creek meets the Mediterranean Sea.

The waterfall is surrounded by a lanscaped park area with benches and vista points. It is simply gorgeous. Along both sides of the canal that transports the Duden Creek, there are cafes, restaurants, and some shops that sell run-of-the-mill tourist items.

A more impactful way to see the waterfall is from the sea. You can get on one of the sightseeing boats at the oldtown marina (Kaleiçi Harbor, which is must see in and of itself day and night). The whole trip takes about an hour depending on the package you buy.

Antalya offers a remarkable mix of natural beauty, ancient history (some of the best preserved ruins, lavish beach resorts and lively nightlife both in the city or within close proximity of it.

It does get very hot during the Summer months, particularly July and August, but hey you don't go to the Mediterranean for...

"A Disappointing Visit to Düden Parkı"

• Overall Experience I recently visited Düden Parkı and would rate my experience a disappointing 2/5. While I had hoped for a pleasant outing, the park did not meet my expectations.

• Scenic Beauty The views at Düden Parkı were underwhelming. Although there are some natural elements, the scenery lacks the stunning appeal one might anticipate. It simply didn’t offer the picturesque landscapes I was looking for.

• Bug Issues Another significant drawback was the abundance of bugs. The presence of insects made it uncomfortable to fully enjoy the surroundings, detracting from what could have been a peaceful experience.

• Facilities and Maintenance While the park has some basic amenities, the overall maintenance seemed lacking. Cleanliness and upkeep are important for any public space, and I felt that Düden Parkı could benefit from more attention in this regard.

• Recommendation In summary, I cannot recommend Düden Parkı as a worthwhile destination. The views are not particularly impressive, and the bug issue makes it less enjoyable. There are likely better options for enjoying nature...