Turquoise Coast
5
Day Itinerary •
Turkey
Five days on the Turquoise Coast takes you along the most beautiful stretch of Mediterranean coastline in Turkey, from the extraordinary Lycian rock tombs carved into cliff faces above turquoise coves to the finest gulet sailing in the world, the ancient sunken city of Kekova and the extraordinary ruins of Patara, Xanthos and Letoon that mark the heartland of the vanished Lycian civilisation. This route covers the complete Turquoise Coast. The extraordinary Saklikent Gorge and the ruins of Tlos, the finest gulet sailing between Fethiye and Kas, the ancient sunken city of Kekova, the extraordinary rock tombs of Myra and the finest beach in the Mediterranean at Patara, sixteen kilometres of unbroken sand backed by ancient ruins.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Dalaman (DLM) or Antalya (AYT)
Getting Around
Rental car essential, gulet trips available
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some hiking
DAY 1
FETHIYE AND OLUDENIZ
MORNING
OLUDENIZ BLUE LAGOON AND THE LYCIAN ROCK TOMBS
Oludeniz is the most photographed bay in Turkey, its extraordinary double lagoon of turquoise and deep blue divided by a sandy spit. The Blue Lagoon national park at the southern end is best in the early morning before the day boats arrive. The Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff face above Fethiye old town, their facades resembling temple fronts, are extraordinary at dawn when the light catches the stone. Entry to lagoon approx 5 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
PARAGLIDING FROM BABADAG MOUNTAIN
The tandem paraglide from Babadag at 1,960 metres above Oludeniz is one of the finest flight experiences in the world. The 45-minute flight descends through the thermals above the extraordinary Blue Lagoon, the Butterfly Valley and the full sweep of the Turquoise Coast. The landing on Oludeniz beach is extraordinary. Approx 80 to 120 euros. Book with a licensed operator at the beach. Drive: 1 hour boat
AFTERNOON
BUTTERFLY VALLEY, THE HIDDEN CANYON BEACH
Butterfly Valley is accessible only by boat from Oludeniz, its extraordinary canyon beach enclosed by vertical cliffs on three sides and open only to the sea. Named for the Jersey tiger butterfly that breeds in the canyon, the valley has a waterfall at its head and remarkable plant life covering the cliff walls. Swimming in the extraordinary clear water of the enclosed bay is one of the finest afternoons on the coast. Boat approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The ghost village of Kayakoy, 8km from Fethiye, is an extraordinary abandoned Greek settlement of over 3,500 stone houses evacuated during the 1923 population exchange and never reoccupied. The two Byzantine churches and the extraordinary terraced streets of empty houses are remarkably atmospheric. Entry approx 3 euros. Almost always quiet in the early morning.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on Oludeniz beach Tea and borek before the lagoon opens and the boats arrive. | Lunch: Beach cafe, Oludeniz Fresh Aegean fish and meze on the beach after the paraglide. | Dinner: Mozaik Restaurant, Fethiye The finest restaurant in Fethiye. Local fish and Aegean meze.
DAY 2
SAKLIKENT AND THE LYCIAN HEARTLAND
MORNING
SAKLIKENT GORGE, THE DEEPEST CANYON IN TURKEY
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 gorge extends 18km into the Akdag mountains, the first kilometre walkable on wooden platforms before wading becomes necessary. The cold turquoise water, the extraordinary scale of the rock walls and the mud baths at the entrance are all remarkable. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE ANCIENT CITY OF TLOS
Tlos is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Lycia, its extraordinary acropolis of a Lycian fortress converted to an Ottoman summer palace dominating the skyline above the ruins. The rock tombs carved into the acropolis cliff, the Roman theatre and the extraordinary views over the Xanthos valley make it one of the finest ancient sites on the coast. Entry approx 8 euros. Almost always quiet. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
XANTHOS AND LETOON, THE UNESCO LYCIAN HEARTLAND
Xanthos was the capital of ancient Lycia, its extraordinary funerary monuments, the Harpy Tomb and the Xanthian Obelisk, the finest Lycian sculpture in Turkey. Letoon nearby was the federal sanctuary of the Lycian League, its extraordinary three temples and the sacred pool filled with turtles making it unlike any other ancient site on the coast. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Entry approx 8 euros each.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The ancient city of Pinara, a Lycian city set in an extraordinary location on a sheer 500-metre cylindrical rock above the Xanthos valley, is one of the most dramatically sited ruins in Turkey and almost always deserted. The rock face is covered in hundreds of extraordinary pigeon-hole rock tombs. Entry approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Guesthouse breakfast, Fethiye Early start for Saklikent. Full Turkish breakfast before the drive. | Lunch: Trout restaurant, Saklikent Fresh mountain trout eaten on platforms above the gorge river. | Dinner: Arrival dinner, Kas First evening in the finest town on the coast. Waterfront fish and raki.
DAY 3
KAS AND KEKOVA
MORNING
KAS, THE FINEST SMALL TOWN ON THE TURQUOISE COAST
Kas is the most beautiful small town on the Turquoise Coast, its extraordinary amphitheatre cut into the hillside above the harbour, its Lycian sarcophagi scattered along the lanes of the old town and its remarkable Greek-built stone houses lining the harbour front. The weekly Thursday market fills the town with the finest local produce. The view from the theatre over the harbour and the Greek island of Meis is extraordinary. Free. Drive: Boat from Kas harbour
MIDDAY
KEKOVA, THE ANCIENT SUNKEN CITY
The ancient city of Simena was partially submerged by an earthquake in the 2nd century AD, its extraordinary ruins visible beneath the crystal clear water of the Kekova strait. The boat trip from Kas passes the submerged city walls, staircases and harbour installations before stopping at Kaleucagiz village for lunch. The Lycian sarcophagi at the water's edge and the remarkable crusader castle above the village are outstanding. Boat approx 30 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
KALEKOY AND THE SIMENA CASTLE
Kalekoy is the most extraordinary village on the Turquoise Coast, accessible only by boat, its houses climbing the hillside to a crusader castle with the finest view on the coast. The tiny theatre carved into the castle rock holds only 300 spectators and is the smallest ancient theatre in Turkey. Lycian rock tombs rise from the water at the village harbour. The extraordinary combination of ruins, sea and village is unique. Entry approx 5 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The ancient city of Aperlae, accessible 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, the extraordinary tombs and the city walls in the water are remarkable. Almost entirely unvisited. The kayak from Ucagiz takes about 45 minutes. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Kas old town Coffee in the extraordinary lanes of the finest town on the coast. | Lunch: Fish restaurant, Kaleucagiz Fresh fish on the terrace above the sunken city of Kekova. | Dinner: Mercan Restaurant, Kas Waterfront dining in Kas. The finest octopus meze on the coast.
DAY 4
MYRA AND THE ROAD EAST
MORNING
THE ROCK TOMBS OF MYRA, THE FINEST LYCIAN NECROPOLIS
The Myra rock tombs are the most extraordinary Lycian necropolis on the coast, tier upon tier of carved temple-facade tombs rising up the extraordinary cliff face above the ancient theatre. The 2nd-century Roman theatre is one of the best preserved on the Turquoise Coast. The sheer scale of the tomb facade and the extraordinary colours of the carved stone in the morning light are remarkable. 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 whose extraordinary generosity to the poor inspired the tradition. The church, heavily restored but retaining remarkable original mosaic floors and carved decoration, is one of the most visited Christian pilgrimage sites in Turkey. Entry approx 8 euros. Drive: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
FINIKE AND THE ROAD TO ANTALYA
The drive from Demre to Antalya along the extraordinary coastal road passes through the finest scenery on the Turquoise Coast, the mountains dropping directly to the sea, the road cutting through pine forest above extraordinary turquoise coves. Stop at Phaselis, the ancient Lycian port city set in a perfect pine-forested bay with three harbours, one of the finest ancient sites on the coast. 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 and is almost always quieter than its neighbours. 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. Entry approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Kas Last breakfast in the finest town on the coast before the drive east. | Lunch: Lokanta in Demre Simple village cooking near the Church of St Nicholas. | Dinner: Antalya old city restaurant First evening in Kaleici. Fresh fish and local Antalya meze.
DAY 5
PATARA AND ANTALYA
MORNING
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. The ancient city of Patara was the birthplace of St Nicholas and the headquarters of the Lycian League. The extraordinary lighthouse, the triumphal arch, the Roman baths and the finest Lycian theatre on the coast are all remarkable. The beach is a protected loggerhead turtle nesting site. Entry approx 8 euros. Drive: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
ANTALYA OLD CITY, KALEICI
The old city of Antalya, known as Kaleici, is one of the finest preserved historic city centres on the Mediterranean, its extraordinary Roman harbour surrounded by Ottoman houses, Byzantine churches and Roman walls. The Hadrian's Gate, built in 130 AD for the emperor's visit, is the finest Roman arch in Turkey. The extraordinary Yivli Minaret and the clock tower mark the old city skyline. The harbour promenade at midday is extraordinary. Drive: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
ANTALYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Antalya Archaeological Museum is one of the finest in Turkey, its extraordinary collection of Lycian, Pamphylian and Roman sculpture including the remarkable Gallery of the Gods, which contains the finest collection of Roman statuary outside Rome. The extraordinary sarcophagus of the Laughing Hercules and the remarkable finds from the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos are outstanding. Entry approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The ancient city of Aspendos, 47km east of Antalya, contains the best preserved Roman theatre in the world, its extraordinary 2nd-century structure still used for performances today. The theatre seats 15,000 spectators and the original stage building stands to its full height. Almost always quieter than Ephesus. Entry approx 15 euros. The aqueduct nearby is equally extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kaleici cafe, Antalya Morning coffee in the extraordinary restored Ottoman old city. | Lunch: Roman harbour restaurant, Antalya Fresh fish in the extraordinary ancient harbour of Kaleici. | Dinner: Farewell dinner, Kaleici Final evening in the finest old city on the Mediterranean coast.
Where To Stay
Fethiye or Oludeniz, Night 1 Boutique hotel with sea views. Approx 80 to 160 euros per night. Kas, Nights 2 to 3 The finest small town on the coast. Stone house hotel. Approx 80 to 180 euros. Antalya old city, Nights 4 to 5 Restored Ottoman house in Kaleici. Approx 100 to 200 euros.
Top Tips
1. Oludeniz Blue Lagoon is most beautiful in the early morning before the day tripper boats arrive.
2. Saklikent Gorge requires wading in cold water. Wear sandals or water shoes, not hiking boots.
3. Kas is the finest town on the coast. Stay two nights minimum to appreciate it properly.
4. The Kekova sunken city is best seen by kayak, not the tour boats. Hire from Kas harbour.
5. Patara beach is 16km of empty sand. Walk east from the car park to leave all visitors behind.
6. Antalya old city Kaleici is best at dawn before the tour groups. The Roman harbour is extraordinary.
Total Budget
105 to 265 euros/day