Ancient Monument · Roman · Turkey
Incekaya Aqueduct
The Incekaya Aqueduct is a stone bridge of six arches spanning the Tokatli Canyon about 7 km north of Safranbolu, rebuilt in the 1790s by the grand vizier Izzet Mehmet Pasha. It is 116 metres long and stands up to 60 metres above the river, and visitors can still walk across the narrow channel on top.
Photo: Ahmet KAYNARPUNAR, CC BY-SA 3.0
Tickets and tours: which to book
Nothing for the Incekaya Aqueduct alone is sold on GetYourGuide, and no ticket is needed: the aqueduct is open-air and free, reached by a short path from a parking area above the canyon. The glass-floored viewing terrace over the Tokatli Canyon nearby, run by the municipality, charges a small fee, and the canyon has walking paths and a small cafe area.
Most people visit from Safranbolu, either by taxi or on one of the local minibus excursions sold in the old town, which usually cover the aqueduct, the canyon terrace and the Bulak Mencilis cave in a half day. These trips include transport and sometimes a local guide, with cave entry extra. Day trips from Ankara or Istanbul to Safranbolu also run, but they are long and rarely leave time for the canyon.
There is no visitor centre at the aqueduct and no official guide service, so read up before you go. The sensible plan is to stay a night in Safranbolu, take a taxi or local tour to the canyon in the morning, walk across the aqueduct and back, and spend the afternoon among the old Ottoman houses.
What to see at Incekaya Aqueduct
Crossing the Aqueduct
From the car park a short path leads down to the end of the aqueduct, where you can step onto the top and walk across. The walkway is between about 1.1 and 2.2 metres wide and runs along the old water channel, with views straight down into the gorge. Take it slowly and keep children close.
The Main Arch
Halfway across you are above the main arch, the largest of the six, which carries the bridge over the deepest part of the canyon. The other five are smaller supporting arches. Look down at the rubble-stone masonry and the green river far below, and across to the cliffs where the canyon narrows to the north.
Tickets and tours that include Incekaya Aqueduct
Live prices from GetYourGuide for tickets and tours that include this site. Free cancellation on most of them.
View from the Canyon Edge
Back on the rim, walk a few minutes along the path to the viewpoints above the gorge, which show the whole aqueduct in profile. From here the full length of 116 metres and the slender piers are easiest to appreciate, and in the morning the sun lights the stone from the east.
Tokatli Canyon Terrace
A short drive or longer walk upstream, the glass-floored terrace projects from the cliff over the canyon, giving a view down the gorge towards the aqueduct. It can be busy at weekends. From near the terrace, a path leads into the canyon for those who want a longer walk.
Incekaya Village
On the way back, the road passes through the small farming village of Incekaya on the plateau above the canyon, which gave the aqueduct its name. The fields and orchards here show the kind of landscape the water once crossed on its way to Safranbolu, a reminder that this was a working supply line.
A short history
Local tradition holds that an older aqueduct, perhaps Byzantine, crossed the Tokatli Canyon on this line before the Ottoman period. The present bridge was commissioned in the late 18th century by Izzet Mehmet Pasha, a native of Safranbolu who served as grand vizier of the Ottoman Empire from 1794 to 1798, to bring water to his home town. It is built of rubble stone with one main arch and five smaller ones, is 116 metres long and rises up to 60 metres above the riverbed, at about 600 metres above sea level. The water channel no longer works, but the bridge has been restored for walkers.
Getting there
Safranbolu lies in northern Turkey, about three hours by bus from Ankara and six from Istanbul. Long-distance buses stop at the Safranbolu or Karabuk terminals, from where local minibuses and taxis run to the old town, known as Carsi. From Carsi, a taxi to the aqueduct takes about 15 minutes along the road north towards the village of Incekaya; ask the driver to wait or to return at an agreed time, as taxis are not available at the site. Driving, follow signs for Tokatli Kanyonu; there is a small car park above the aqueduct. The nearest airports are in Ankara and Zonguldak.
Rules and what to bring
Stay on the walkway and paths, do not climb onto the parapets, and keep a firm hand on children, as railings are low in places. Avoid crossing in strong wind, rain or ice, when the stone is slippery. Drones need a permit. Wear shoes with good grip and bring water; there are no facilities at the aqueduct itself, but the canyon terrace area has toilets and drinks.
When to go
Spring, from April to June, and autumn, from September to October, are the best seasons, with green or golden woods in the canyon and mild walking weather. Summer is warm rather than hot at this altitude, but the midday light is flat for photographs, so morning or late afternoon is better. Winter brings snow and ice, and the walkway can be dangerous then.
The aqueduct is quiet on weekdays. At weekends and during Turkish public holidays, especially the long breaks around religious festivals, Safranbolu fills with domestic visitors, and the canyon terrace becomes busy from late morning. Come early on those days. In Safranbolu itself the old town is at its most atmospheric in the early evening. Allow about an hour for the aqueduct and its viewpoints, and half a day with the terrace, the cave and a walk in the canyon.
Combine it with
Safranbolu's old town, a UNESCO site of Ottoman timber houses, bazaars and caravanserais, is 15 minutes away and deserves most of the day. The Bulak Mencilis cave, with lit walkways through its chambers, is about 20 minutes by car from the aqueduct, and is often included on local half-day tours.
At a glance
| Hours | Open-air; best visited in daylight |
|---|---|
| Closed | Open daily |
| Entry fee | Free; small fees for the nearby canyon terrace |
| Time needed | An hour; half a day with the canyon |
| Best time | Morning or late afternoon; April to June and September to October |
| Booking | No booking; walk in |
| Access | Narrow walkway with drops; uneven paths and steps in the canyon; not suitable for wheelchairs |
| Getting there | About 15 minutes by taxi north of Safranbolu's old town, via the village of Incekaya |
| Founded | 1750 (18th century (midpoint)) |
| Civilisation | Roman |
| Height | 60 m (aqueduct, max height over the canyon) |
| Elevation | 600 m above sea level |
| Checked | October 2026 |
Frequently asked questions
When is Incekaya Aqueduct open?
Open-air; best visited in daylight. Open daily.
How much is the entry fee for Incekaya Aqueduct?
Entry fee: Free; small fees for the nearby canyon terrace.
How long do you need at Incekaya Aqueduct?
Allow An hour; half a day with the canyon for Incekaya Aqueduct.
Do I need to book Incekaya Aqueduct in advance?
No booking; walk in.
Can I book a ticket or tour for Incekaya Aqueduct online?
Yes. GetYourGuide sells tickets and guided tours whose route includes Incekaya Aqueduct; live prices are shown on this page.
When is the best time to visit Incekaya Aqueduct?
Morning or late afternoon; April to June and September to October.
How do I get to Incekaya Aqueduct?
About 15 minutes by taxi north of Safranbolu's old town, via the village of Incekaya.
Is Incekaya Aqueduct accessible, and what is the terrain like?
Narrow walkway with drops; uneven paths and steps in the canyon; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Is Incekaya Aqueduct worth visiting?
Worth it for a short, dramatic walk over a canyon combined with the old Ottoman town of Safranbolu. Skip or shorten it if heights trouble you: the path across is narrow, with low railings and a long drop.
How old is Incekaya Aqueduct?
Incekaya Aqueduct dates from 1750 (18th century (midpoint)).