Inland from Antalya, the Taurus Mountains hide some of the most dramatic scenery in southern Turkey. The Selge and Tazı Canyon tour goes into Köprülü Canyon National Park, a protected area of deep gorges, pine forest and fast green rivers, to visit two places that few beach visitors ever reach. Selge is an ancient Pisidian city perched on a hill and now partly occupied by a small village, with the remains of a theatre, a stadium and temples scattered among the houses. Tazı Canyon is a huge natural gorge, about fourteen kilometres long and more than 400 metres deep in places, with sheer walls and a floor that you can overlook from fine viewpoints. The trip is a full-day private tour, so you set a relaxed pace and have your own guide and vehicle. The road climbs through forest and past traditional villages, and a Roman stone bridge, the Oluk Bridge, often appears on the route. At Selge you can walk among the ruins, taste village produce and chat with locals, and at Tazı Canyon you can walk to the viewpoints for photographs. If you want more adventure, ask your guide about short walks and whether you can combine the day with a rafting stop, depending on the season. This is the right day for travellers who want landscape as much as history and who prefer small groups to coach tours. It is a good alternative to the coast on a hot day, because the mountains are cooler, and it rewards anyone who enjoys photography.
Selge in more detail
The city flourished in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, famous for its olive oil, its storax resin and its fierce independence. The theatre is the best-preserved monument, set on a slope with a wide view, and the stadium and the remains of temples add context. Because the modern village occupies the site, you walk through lanes with ruins in the walls and animals in the yards. Villagers sell homemade goods and food, which gives a pleasant sense of daily life.
Tazı Canyon: the gorge is carved into pale limestone and plunges to the river far below. Viewpoints and short paths allow you to look into it safely, and the best light for photographs is usually in the morning or late afternoon. The scale is hard to judge until you see a tiny figure at the edge of a cliff. Trails vary in difficulty, so ask your guide what is realistic with your group, and keep children close to the edges.
Planning tips
The drive from Antalya takes roughly ninety minutes or more each way, and roads can be winding, so people prone to travel sickness should prepare. Bring water, sun protection, sturdy shoes and a light layer for the higher elevations. Spring and early summer have the greenest landscape and flowing water, while autumn brings cooler air and softer light.
Check what is included in your private tour, including lunch, entry fees and optional stops, and discuss your preferences with the guide in advance. Because the day is private, you can ask to spend longer at the places you like best. Combined with a rafting day in the same national park, it makes a full mountain break from the coast.
What to expect
The experience
A private full-day tour by road into Köprülü Canyon National Park, with time at Selge and the viewpoints of Tazı Canyon.
Best time
Spring and autumn for comfortable temperatures; summer mornings are fine in the cool mountains.
How long
About nine hours including drives of ninety minutes or more each way.
Tips
Bring sturdy shoes, water and a light layer, and keep children away from canyon edges. Confirm lunch and entry fees with the operator.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers, walkers and anyone who wants mountains and history without a crowded coach.
- Families
- Works for families who like scenery, with care near the canyon edges.
- Couples
- A private, scenic day with village stops and big views.
- Pair with
- Köprülü Canyon rafting on another day, or Termessos for more mountain ruins.
- Time needed
- A full day with an early start.
Good questions
What is Selge?+
An ancient Pisidian city in the Taurus Mountains, now partly a small village, with a theatre, stadium and temple remains.
What is Tazı Canyon?+
A huge limestone gorge in Köprülü Canyon National Park, with dramatic viewpoints.
Is the tour private?+
The tour is arranged as a private experience, so you can set a relaxed pace; confirm details when you book.
How long is the drive?+
Roughly ninety minutes or more each way, on winding mountain roads.
Can I combine it with rafting?+
Sometimes. Ask the operator about options, or book rafting separately on another day.
