Tünektepe cable car and looking down on Antalya: current status and alternatives

Looking down on Antalya is one of the best ways to understand the city. The bay, the Konyaaltı beach, the harbour, the silhouette of the Taurus mountains and the apartment blocks in between only fit into one frame from above. For many years the first place that came to mind for this view was the Tünektepe cable car. Before going further, one important point: the Tünektepe cable car was closed after the accident in April 2024 and still appears as temporarily closed in the sources we checked. So you need to confirm its current status before you go. Below we explain what the facility was and what you can do today to see Antalya from above.

What is Tünektepe and where is it?

Tünektepe is the hill rising above the Konyaaltı coast. The cable car line starts in the Sarısu area and climbs to the top. The facility belongs to Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and was run by an operating company. According to travel sites, the summit is about 618 metres above sea level, and its height above the Konyaaltı shore is given as about 605 metres. The line is about 1,706 metres long and the ride takes 9 to 10 minutes. A 2018 Hürriyet report said the system had 36 cabins and could carry about 1,200 people an hour, with a cafe and binoculars for viewing the city at the top.

What made Tünektepe special was seeing Konyaaltı beach, Antalya Port and the mountains behind in one glance. For someone newly arrived, that panorama was very useful for grasping the geography and where each district sits.

What happened in April 2024, and what is the status now?

On the evening of 12 April 2024, on the Sarısu–Tünektepe line, a support pylon came loose at its connection point and struck a cabin. According to Habertürk, the cabin floor broke, one person died and others were injured; passengers stranded in the other cabins were rescued by helicopter and ground teams over roughly 21 to 23 hours. The report says a preliminary expert report mentioned corroded or inadequate connection parts and damaged pulley systems, and detention orders were issued as part of the investigation. The facility was closed to entry on 15 April 2024, three days after the accident (Diken).

A travel site we consulted says the cable car was temporarily closed as of May 2026 and lists no operating hours. We found no official announcement on a reopening date, so we give no date or timetable. For current information, check the facility's official website and announcements from Antalya Metropolitan Municipality.

Photo: Haciaksoy / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons

How to look down on Antalya today

While Tünektepe is closed, there are other ways to see the city from a height.

Mount Tahtalı and the Olympos cable car

Mount Tahtalı, in Beydağları National Park within the Kemer district, is 2,365 metres high according to Kemer Municipality's page, one of the highest points close to the sea. The Olympos cable car links the coast to the summit in about 15 minutes, and the departure point is about 30 minutes by car from Kemer centre. The same page gives this schedule: 1 May–31 October, 09:00–19:00 with a departure every half hour; 1 November–30 April, 10:00–17:00 with an hourly departure. The last return from the summit is 19:00 in summer and 17:00 in winter. Hiking trails lead from the top to Beycik Village in about four hours and to Çukuryayla in about six. Hours and prices can change and services can be disrupted in bad weather, so confirm with the operator before you go. Our post on Olympos, Çıralı and Yanartaş covers this part of the coast more broadly.

High points inside the city

In the city centre, parks and districts along the cliff edge are natural viewing terraces. Around Karaalioğlu Park, which runs along the cliffs, the bay and the Taurus open up in front of you; we described what living there is like in Living on the Işıklar cliffs and around Karaalioğlu Park. Another district that looks down on the city is the Çankaya and Masa Dağı area; our guide to Çankaya and Masa Dağı covers the residential side.

Sunset and night views

The best hour to look from a height is in the evening, when the sun sinks over the bay. If you wonder how the seasons feel, Antalya's weather through the year explains them. Pick a clear day with good visibility; in fog or rain, high points do not deliver the view you expect.

A short checklist

• Ask about status first: Do not set out for closed or under-maintenance facilities; check official announcements.
• Watch the weather: Wind and cloud directly affect cable car services and the view.
• Choose your hour: Sunset gives the best light but is the busiest time; weekdays are easier.
• Clothing: High points can be noticeably cooler than the coast, so a light jacket makes sense.
• Supplies: Food and drink at the top may be limited; carry water and a snack.

Conclusion

Looking at Antalya from above shows mountains, sea and settlement in one view, which is why residents and newcomers love it. Since Tünektepe appears closed in the sources, it makes sense to turn to alternatives such as Tahtalı and the city's cliff parks. If you are thinking of living in Antalya, see our guide to buying a home in Antalya and projects page for areas and homes, and feel free to write to us with questions.

Sources: Habertürk (report on the 12 April 2024 cable car accident), Diken (closure of the facility), Hürriyet (2018 report), Kemer Municipality (Mount Tahtalı), Nomado Travel (Tünektepe Cable Car).

Cover photo: Сергей Секачёв / CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons