Lycian Coast

Fethiye — the ancient Telmessos — is located in a sheltered bay, surrounded by wooded mountains and offshore islands. The city is the ideal starting point for the entire Lycian Coast and combines lively city life with ancient sites and natural wonders.

Highlights

• Rock Tombs of Telmessos: The Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs above the city (4th century BC) — especially the tomb of Amyntas with its temple-like facade — are a magical sight at sunset. Entrance 100 ₺.
• Fish Market (Balık Pazarı): Choose your fresh fish at the market, bring it to one of the surrounding restaurants, and they will prepare it for you (only preparation fee, from 100 ₺). Unique concept and unbeatable freshness.
• Marina & Old Town: The promenade at the harbor is perfect for strolling. In the old town (Paspatur), you'll find souvenir shops, restaurants, and the charming chaos of a Turkish small town.
• 12 Islands Boat Tour: The classic day tour from Fethiye harbor — 6–8 islands and bays with swimming stops, lunch on board, turquoise water. From 300 ₺/person.
• Kayaköy (Ghost Town): 8 km south — an abandoned Greek village with over 500 stone houses and 2 churches, deserted during the population exchange in 1923. A melancholic, atmospheric site that inspired Louis de Bernières for his novel "Birds Without Wings".

Ölüdeniz (literally: "Dead Sea", due to the calm, windless water) has one of the most photographed bays in the world: The Blue Lagoon — an almost closed basin with incredibly turquoise water, surrounded by pine forests and sandy beach. Behind it rises the 1,969 m high Babadağ massif.

The Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a nature reserve (entrance 100 ₺ per person). The beach is fine pebbles, the water shallow and warm — perfect for snorkeling. In summer (July/August), however, it gets very crowded. The best time: June or September, mornings before 10 a.m.

Paragliding

Ölüdeniz is one of the best paragliding spots in the world. From the summit of Babadağ, you glide down to the beach in a 25–45-minute tandem flight — with views of the lagoon, the coast, and the surrounding mountains. Prices: 2,500–4,000 ₺ (approx. 70–115 €), including transfer to the mountain, flight, and photos/videos. Dozens of providers, all certified. In summer, hundreds of pilots fly daily.

Beaches

• Belcekiz Beach: The main beach of Ölüdeniz — 600 m sand/pebbles, paragliders land here. Lively, many beach bars.
• Kidrak Beach (Paradise Beach): 2 km south, quieter, more natural, surrounded by pines. Entrance approx. 50 ₺.

The Butterfly Valley is a narrow canyon opening to the sea, framing a small beach — accessible only by boat or via a challenging climbing path. The name comes from the over 100 species of butterflies (including the rare Tiger Swallowtail) that live here in the lush vegetation.

On the beach, there is a simple camp with treehouses and tents (from 300 ₺ including dinner). The atmosphere is a hippie backpacker paradise: campfires, starry sky, waterfall in the canyon, no road, no car, minimal mobile reception. Those who only want to stay for the day can come by boat from Ölüdeniz (round trip 200 ₺, 30 min.).

A short hike (30 min.) up the canyon leads to a small waterfall — refreshing after the climb, especially in summer.

Kaş is the jewel of the Lycian Coast — a small, charming coastal town without large hotels, without all-inclusive, without mass tourism. Instead: white houses with bougainvillea, winding alleys, independent boutiques, excellent restaurants, and a cosmopolitan, relaxed atmosphere.

Kaş is the diving capital of Turkey: Clear water (30–40 m visibility), sunken ancient ruins, underwater caves, and rich marine life make the waters the best diving area on the entire Turkish coast.

Highlights

• Diving: Over 30 dive sites. Highlights: Canyon dive, sunken city of Kekova, airplane wreck. Dive schools: Bougainville Travel, Dragoman Diving. Introductory dive from 600 ₺ (~17 €), double dive from 1,500 ₺ (~43 €).
• Lycian Rock Tomb: In the middle of the town, directly above the shopping street, a magnificent Lycian rock tomb from the 4th century BC towers — perfectly illuminated at night.
• Amphitheater: The ancient theater of Antiphellos (Kaş' ancient name) offers 4,000 seats and a panoramic view over the sea to the Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo).
• Day trip to Meis (Kastellorizo): The Greek island is only 7 km from Kaş. Ferry in 20 minutes (round trip from 250 ₺), colorful harbor town, Blue Grotto, Greek tavern — a wonderful day trip across the border (passport required!).
• Boat tour Kekova: The sunken city of Kekova (Simena) — an ancient settlement partially submerged in the sea due to an earthquake. In the crystal-clear water, walls, stairs, and sarcophagi can be seen. Boat tour from Kaş (full day, from 500 ₺) or from Üçağız (shorter, cheaper).

Dalyan is located on a river between Lake Köyceğiz and the Mediterranean — a unique location that makes the town one of the most atmospheric places on the entire coast. From the waterfront promenade, you can see monumental Lycian rock tombs (4th century BC) on the opposite riverbank — one of Turkey's most iconic images.

Highlights

• İztuzu Beach (Turtle Beach): The 5 km long sandy beach is one of the most important nesting sites for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean. Between May and October, the turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs. The beach therefore closes at 8 p.m. During the day, it is a beautiful, unspoiled bathing beach. Accessible by dolmuş boat from Dalyan (30 min., 40 ₺).
• Mud Baths (Çamur Banyosu): Natural thermal springs lie on the riverbank, where you can cover yourself in healing mud — good for the skin, fun for photos. Warm sulfur pool next to it for rinsing off. Popular with tourists but a real experience. Boat tours from Dalyan included (from 200 ₺).
• Ancient Kaunos: Accessible by boat across the river — the ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos with theater (5,000 seats), temple, basilica, and city wall. Little visited, atmospheric.
• Boat trip on the Dalyan River: The most beautiful way to experience Dalyan: by boat through reed fields and under the rock tombs to the beach or Lake Köyceğiz. Organized tours combine rock tombs + mud baths + İztuzu Beach (from 300 ₺).

The Lycian Way is one of the great long-distance hiking trails in the world — 540 km from Fethiye to Antalya along the Lycian coast. Marked in 2000 by British hiker Kate Clow, it leads through ancient ruins, along deserted beaches, through fragrant pine forests, and along dizzying cliffs. The Sunday Times named it one of the "10 best hikes in the world".

Route Overview

• Fethiye → Ölüdeniz → Butterfly Valley: Spectacular start with cliffs and sea views.
• Kalkan → Kaş → Üçağız/Kekova: Coastal hike with sunken cities and Lycian sarcophagi.
• Demre (Myra) → Finike → Adrasan: Ancient sites and secluded bays.
• Olympos → Çıralı → Phaselis → Antalya: Grand finale with eternal flames of the Chimera.

Practical Information

• Best Time: March–May and September–November. Too hot in summer (35°C+), rain and short days in winter.
• Duration: The entire route: 29 days. Most hike sections (5–10 days).
• Marking: Red-white markings (like the GR in Europe). Download GPS track (Wikiloc, AllTrails).
• Accommodation: Guesthouses and campsites along the route. In some sections, 20–30 km without supplies — bring water and snacks!
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. Some sections steep and rocky, surefootedness required. No via ferratas, but sturdy footwear is a must.

Best Stages for Casual Hikers

Kalkan — 25 km west of Kaş — is a small, elegant coastal town that has developed from a fishing village to an upscale resort without losing its charm. White houses with bougainvillea cascade down the hillside to the small harbor. Kalkan is quieter and more exclusive than Kaş — ideal for couples and those seeking tranquility.

• Rooftop Restaurants: Kalkan's specialty — almost every restaurant has a rooftop terrace with a view over the bay. Eating meze here at sunset is a dream.
• Kaputaş Beach: 7 km east — one of the most photogenic beaches in Turkey: a narrow gorge opens to the sea, turquoise water, framed by cliffs. 194 steps lead down. Very crowded in summer.
• Patara Beach: 18 km long sandy beach (the longest in Turkey) — nature reserve and turtle nesting site. Hardly developed, endless expanse. Plus, the ruins of ancient Patara with theater, triumphal arch, and allegedly the oldest parliament building in the world.

The sunken city of Kekova (Simena) is one of the most fascinating destinations on the Lycian Coast. Due to earthquakes in the 2nd century AD, the ancient settlement of Dolchiste partially sank into the sea — today, walls, stairs, cisterns, and sarcophagi are visible in the crystal-clear water. Swimming and diving are prohibited in the protected area, but glass-bottom boats offer spectacular views.

Above the sunken city towers the village of Kaleköy (Simena) — accessible only by boat, with a small Crusader castle on the summit and Lycian sarcophagi in the water. A magical, timeless place.

The neighboring village of Üçağız is the starting point for boat tours: small gulets pass by the sunken city, stop for swimming in secluded bays, and dock in Kaleköy (full-day tours from 200 ₺).