Kemer, Olympos & Çıralı
West of Antalya, where the Taurus Mountains plunge directly into the sea, lie some of the wildest and most beautiful places on the Riviera.
Kemer
Touristically developed seaside resort with pebble beaches and a pretty marina. Starting point for boat tours to hidden coves and to Phaselis — an ancient Lycian port city between three bays with pine forests (one of the most romantic places on the coast).
Olympos & Çıralı
At the foot of Mount Olympos (Turkish Tahtalı, 2,366 m) lie the ruins of the ancient city of Olympos, overgrown in a dense laurel forest by the beach — pure Indiana Jones atmosphere. Right next to it is the hippie village Olympos with treehouses as accommodations.
The neighboring bay Çıralı is the counter-program to resort tourism: a 3 km long natural beach (turtle nesting site), small guesthouses, organic restaurants, and the Chimera — eternal flames that have been flickering from the rock since antiquity (emission of natural gas). The ascent to the Chimera in the dark is mystical.
💡 Tipp
Stay in a treehouse in Olympos (from 400 ₺ including breakfast and dinner, e.g., Kadir's Tree Houses — legendary!) or in a quiet guesthouse in Çıralı. In the evening, hike to the Chimera (20 minutes uphill) and experience the eternal flames under the starry sky — unforgettable. During the day, take the cable car up to Tahtalı (2,366 m) for panoramic views.