The Best Show Caves in the Middle East

Stairways in Turkey

The three Turkish caves are visited without a guide, at the visitor's own pace. Gilindire Cave sits on a cliff above the Mediterranean at Aydıncık. Long stairways lead down to a still lake called Aynalıgöl, Mirror Lake, and the same hundreds of steps lead back up through hot, humid air. Sarıkaya Cave at Yığılca is cool even in summer, with wet metal stairs and a waterfall that falls in at the entrance. Gökgöl Cave in Zonguldak has a walkway of about 850 metres along an underground stream, with wet stairs near the end.

Guided walks in Iran

Iran's three caves are seen with a guide. Ali Sadr Cave, in the Zagros highlands near Hamedan, is a water cave: visitors put on life jackets and sit in linked pedal boats that boatmen steer across clear lakes, then walk a path of stairs and bridges. Katale Khor Cave at Garmab is dry, with crystal formations and named halls such as the Bride and Groom hall. At Chal Nakhjir Cave near Delijan small groups walk about 1,200 metres in, past walls covered in coral-like deposits, and phones, cameras and bags stay outside. Closures happen there, so opening is worth checking before the trip.

Jeita Grotto

Jeita Grotto in Lebanon is two caves on one ticket. A cable car goes to the upper grotto, which is walked on foot, and a train runs to the lower one, where boats travel on the underground river. Phones are banned and go into lockers at the entrance. The lower grotto closes in winter, so the boat ride belongs to the warmer months.