Turquoise Coast
3
Day Itinerary •
Turkey
Three days on the Turquoise Coast covers the absolute highlights of Turkey's most beautiful coastline: the extraordinary Blue Lagoon at Oludeniz, the ancient sunken city of Kekova seen by boat from the finest small town on the coast at Kas, and the remarkable Lycian rock tombs of Myra rising in tiers from an extraordinary cliff face above a Roman theatre. This route runs from Fethiye east to Kas and on to Myra, following the ancient Lycian Way through one of the most historically rich coastlines in the Mediterranean. The turquoise water, the pine-forested mountains dropping to hidden coves and the extraordinary Lycian ruins make every day on this coast genuinely unforgettable.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Dalaman (DLM), 1 hour from Fethiye
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some walking
DAY 1
FETHIYE, OLUDENIZ AND BUTTERFLY VALLEY
MORNING
OLUDENIZ BLUE LAGOON AND THE GHOST VILLAGE OF KAYAKOY
Start at Oludeniz in the early morning before the day boats arrive. The extraordinary double lagoon of turquoise and deep blue is most vivid when the water is still. Drive up to Kayakoy, the ghost village abandoned during the 1923 population exchange, its extraordinary 3,500 stone houses and two Byzantine churches climbing the hillside in eerie silence. The Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff above Fethiye old town are extraordinary at morning light. Entry Kayakoy approx 3 euros. Drive: 1 hour boat from Oludeniz
MIDDAY
BUTTERFLY VALLEY
Butterfly Valley is accessible only by boat from Oludeniz, its extraordinary canyon beach enclosed by sheer cliffs on three sides. Named for the Jersey tiger butterfly that breeds in the canyon, the valley has a waterfall at its head and remarkable plant life. Swimming in the crystal water of this completely enclosed bay, with the cliffs rising straight from the sea, is one of the finest experiences on the coast. Boat approx 10 euros. Drive: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
DRIVE TO KAS ALONG THE COAST ROAD
The coastal drive from Fethiye to Kas is one of the finest in Turkey, the road cutting through pine forest above extraordinary turquoise coves and passing through the remarkable ancient city of Xanthos, UNESCO World Heritage Site and former capital of the Lycian League. The Harpy Tomb and the Xanthian Obelisk are the finest Lycian funerary monuments on the coast. Arrive in Kas for sunset over the harbour. Entry Xanthos approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The ancient city of Letoon near Xanthos, the federal sanctuary of the Lycian League, has an extraordinary sacred pool filled with turtles swimming among the submerged ancient remains. The three temples and the extraordinary mosaic floor of the nymphaeum are remarkable. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry approx 8 euros. Almost always quiet.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on Oludeniz beach Tea and borek before the lagoon and boats arrive. | Lunch: Beach cafe, Butterfly Valley Simple fresh food in the extraordinary enclosed bay. | Dinner: Waterfront restaurant, Kas First evening in the finest town on the coast. Fish and raki.
DAY 2
KAS AND KEKOVA
MORNING
KAS OLD TOWN AND THE ANCIENT THEATRE
Explore Kas in the morning before the heat builds. The extraordinary Hellenistic theatre cut into the hillside above the harbour retains its remarkable seating and stage, the view over the harbour and the Greek island of Meis beyond extraordinary. Lycian sarcophagi are scattered along the lanes of the old town, the largest on a street corner in the middle of the town. The harbour promenade and the Greek-built stone houses are the finest on the coast. Free. Drive: Boat from Kas harbour
MIDDAY
KEKOVA SUNKEN CITY AND KALEKOY
The boat trip from Kas to Kekova passes the ancient sunken city of Simena, its extraordinary walls, staircases and harbour installations visible beneath the crystal clear water of the strait. Stop at Kaleucagiz village for lunch on the terrace above the water. Walk up to Kalekoy, the extraordinary village accessible only by boat, to the crusader castle with the finest view on the coast and the smallest ancient theatre in Turkey carved into the rock. Boat approx 30 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
SAKLIKENT GORGE
Saklikent is the deepest gorge in Turkey, its extraordinary 300-metre walls rising from a cold mountain river that must be waded to enter. The first kilometre is walkable on wooden platforms before wading becomes necessary. The cold turquoise water rushing between the extraordinary rock walls, the mud baths at the entrance and the trout restaurants on platforms above the river make it unlike anything else on the coast. Entry approx 5 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The ancient city of Aperlae, reachable only by kayak or a 45-minute mountain walk from Sicak bay, is the most extraordinarily remote Lycian city on the coast. The submerged harbour walls and extraordinary tombs in the water are remarkable. Almost entirely unvisited. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Kas old town Morning coffee in the extraordinary lanes before the boat departs. | Lunch: Fish restaurant, Kaleucagiz Fresh fish on the terrace above the sunken city. | Dinner: Mercan Restaurant, Kas The finest waterfront dinner in the finest town on the coast.
DAY 3
MYRA AND PATARA
MORNING
MYRA, THE FINEST LYCIAN ROCK TOMBS
The Myra rock tombs are the most extraordinary Lycian necropolis on the Turquoise Coast, tier upon tier of carved temple-facade tombs rising up the cliff face above the ancient Roman theatre. The sheer scale of the necropolis, the extraordinary painted detail surviving on some tomb facades and the remarkable 2nd-century theatre below make Myra the finest single ancient site on the coast. Arrive early before the coach tours. Entry approx 8 euros. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
THE CHURCH OF ST NICHOLAS, DEMRE
The Church of St Nicholas in Demre was built over the tomb of the original Santa Claus, the 4th-century Bishop Nicholas of Myra. The church retains remarkable original mosaic floors, carved marble decoration and extraordinary Byzantine frescoes. The extraordinary stone sarcophagus believed to have originally contained St Nicholas is displayed in the nave. One of the most visited Christian pilgrimage sites in Turkey. Entry approx 8 euros. Drive: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
PATARA, THE LONGEST BEACH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Patara has 16km of unbroken sand, the longest beach in the Mediterranean, backed by the extraordinary dunes and ruins of the ancient Lycian capital. Walk east from the entrance to leave all visitors behind. The beach is a protected loggerhead turtle nesting site and entirely undeveloped beyond the entrance. Swimming in the extraordinary surf of the open Mediterranean below the ancient ruins is the finest way to end the Turquoise Coast journey. Entry approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The ancient city of Olympos, set in an extraordinary pine-forested valley where a river meets the sea, has one of the finest beaches on the Turquoise Coast. The ruins of the Lycian city are scattered through the forest down to the beach. The Chimaera eternal flames on the hillside above burn from natural gas seeping through the rock at night. Entry approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Last breakfast, Kas Final morning in the finest town on the coast. | Lunch: Lokanta in Demre Simple local cooking near the Church of St Nicholas. | Dinner: Beach cafe, Patara village Simple fresh fish after the finest beach on the Mediterranean.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Fethiye or Oludeniz, Night 1 Boutique hotel with sea views near the Blue Lagoon. Approx 80 to 160 euros. Kas, Nights 2 to 3 The finest small town on the coast. Stone house hotel. Approx 80 to 180 euros. Kas tip Stay in Kas old town not outside the centre. The harbour lanes are the best of the coast.
Top Tips
1. Oludeniz Blue Lagoon is most beautiful in the early morning before the day tripper boats arrive.
2. Kas is the finest town on the coast. Arrive by late afternoon to walk the lanes before dinner.
3. The Kekova sunken city is best seen by kayak from Ucagiz, not the larger tour boats from Kas.
4. Patara beach is 16km of empty sand. Walk east from the car park to leave all visitors behind.
5. The ghost village of Kayakoy near Fethiye is extraordinary in the early morning. Entry approx 3 euros.
6. Book the Kekova boat trip from your hotel in Kas the evening before to guarantee a place.
Total Budget
105 to 245 euros/day