Dupnisa Cave
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Dupnisa Cave - by Ahmet Baris ISITAN (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Description
The Dupnisa Cave complex consists of 3 interconnected caves over 2 floors in the Strandzha Mountain Range in Kırklareli Province, Turkey. The upper "kiz" cave is the habitat of over 60,000 bats and is therefore closed to visitors. The "kuru" or "dry" cave is rich in stalactites, stalagmites and pillars. About 200m is open to the public and 250m from the below "wet" cave. Trivia: the cave is the source of the spring water flowing into Rezve Creek, the frontier between Turkey and Bulgaria
Access & Transport
The complex is 6km from the village of Sarpdere, 25km from Demirköy, 55km northeast of Kirklareli, and 210km northwest of Istanbul
Instructions & Recommendations
Note that the cave is closed half the year (winter season) to protect the bats and that the way back from the exit involves a 10-15mins walk on a marked trail. Phone reception is patchy in the area and no credit card is accepted, so bring cash.
Environmental & Social
Green activity and seasonal closure to protect the local fauna (bats). Tourism brings minor economic influx to this rural area
Conclusion
The Dupnisa Caves are, in our opinion, nice but not exceptional. As such, they are worth discovering if you are in the area (or as part of a regional itinerary), but we would not recommend a special trip from Istanbul.
Key positive
Few other cave alternatives in the region
Family-friendly activity
Key negative
Significant time investment and bad road condition
Not that spectacular by international standards
Suitability
Not accessible for visitors with reduced mobility (slippery, plenty of stairs and entrance turnstile)
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
May 2025
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:2h
est. visit time:1h
Start of Season 1:May, 15
MONDAY09:00 - 17:00
TUESDAY09:00 - 17:00
WEDNESDAY09:00 - 17:00
THURSDAY09:00 - 17:00
FRIDAY09:00 - 17:00
SATURDAY09:00 - 17:00
SUNDAY09:00 - 17:00
Start of Season 2:Nov, 16
MONDAY -
TUESDAY -
WEDNESDAY -
THURSDAY -
FRIDAY -
SATURDAY -
SUNDAY -