Things to see and do Mediterranean Coast

A visit to the deserted village of Kaya (the rock) is an experience not to be missed. It can be reached by dolmuş from Fethiye (15 km) or on foot from Ölüdeniz (8 km). Its 3,500 houses were originally inhabited by Greeks. In 1923, after the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey, its 25,000 inhabitants had to leave, and the Turks from Greece never wanted to settle there. The city became a ghost town. Note the two churches.

The cave is full of multicolored stalactites and stalagmites. The temperature is constantly 23°C with a humidity between 90 and 100%. It has higher than normal levels of carbon and radioactivity, which is why it relieves asthma and rheumatism. To take a cure, you must go to the public hospital where a health check-up will be carried out to determine the length of treatment required, after which another check-up will be carried out.

Fifty-three miles from Aspendos. For nature lovers with a means of transport, the excursion to the Köprülü National Park is an idea. You drive 43.5 km on the narrow road through dense pine forests dotted with waterfalls following the river. This one passes in front of the two guesthouses restaurants of the area: Selge and Kanyon (by the river, on a tree trunk, to eat trout). The river leads to the campsites: Medraft and Öncü. It reaches the entrance of the canyon and the Roman bridge of the 2nd century AD, and Oluk Köprü on the Köprü Çay River which descends from the Taurus and travels 120 km to reach the Mediterranean Sea. These establishments offer rafting for those who have not purchased a Side or Antalya trip.

Continuing this path to Altınkaya (1,000 m). The higher you climb, the wilder the landscape becomes with beautiful views of the Dedegöl mountains (3,000 m), up to the village of Altınkaya or Zerk (13 km from the bridge). Near the bridge, the ruins of Selge (paying), a city with a dark history, inhabited until the beginning of the Byzantine era. You can distinguish the agora with a 3-storey building, 2 temples (one attributed to Zeus, the other to Artemis), the stadium and an impressive 9,500-seat theatre, partly carved out of rock.

The villagers offer to guide you on mountain hikes: one of them lasts 4 hours and reaches the canyon, the others last several days to the surrounding mountains.

This museum's 13 galleries of regional archaeological discoveries are worth a visit. The rich collection includes many artifacts from the Neolithic to the Roman Empire. Moreover, this museum complements well the visit of the ancient site of Perge, as the objects discovered during the excavations of the site are displayed in the museum. An ethnological section allows to understand the life of the nomads, the city dwellers in the Ottoman period... For the children: just after the entrance is a very well done room of sensitization to the history and the ethnography.

The historic district is the most interesting part of the city. Its harbor was restored in 1988 and most of the houses have been transformed into charming hotels and guesthouses, restaurants and stores. To get there, walk through Hesapçı Sokak, next to Hadrian's Gate, which was built for a visit by the emperor in 130 A.D. Its white marble vaults are beautifully decorated with floral motifs and lion heads. It is very pleasant to stroll through the narrow streets, among the fragrant gardens and the street vendors.

Collective boats that offer cruises along the water, by the day or half day. They serve the submerged city of Kekova, offer to stop at the quiet village of Kaleköy (the ancient Simena), to pass by Lycian tombs half under water and to make superb baths. The price usually fixed by the fishermen's cooperative includes the meal taken on the boat, it only remains to choose the boat. The biggest ones, with a glass bottom, are not always the calmest! The must? Negotiate a price and privatize the boat.

The mosque with the kesik minare, "truncated minaret", (1361) is in fact an ancient Byzantine church dating from the ^6th century and which celebrated the Virgin Mary. The church itself was built from the remains of a ^2nd century Roman temple. Its minaret, now a damaged tower, continues to arouse curiosity and stands out above the ruins of the building, which partially burned down in the ^19th century. These monuments can be seen from a distance as they are not open to the public.

Boat-dolmuş from the cooperative connect Dalyan to Istuzu beach, the domain of the endangered species of caretta-caretta turtles, several times a day. A few years ago, environmentalists led a great struggle to prevent developers from building hotels in this idyllic place. Today, the turtles are protected and invisible, since the beach is only open from 8am to 10pm. Camping is prohibited. An information center in Dalyan answers all questions on this subject (open every day from 10am to 8pm).

Tombs west of the theater constitute a rock necropolis in two parts. They are decorated with bas-reliefs representing warlike scenes. Note the beautiful carved sarcophagi. In the lower necropolis, fantastic tombs "inhabited" by life-size statues and reliefs representing the families of the deceased. The theater is well preserved and has 29 tiers dug into the rock. It was restored after the earthquake of 141.You can negotiate with a cab driver for a round trip.

The road that separates the entrance from the beach (1 km away) crosses the remains. You can see a triple Roman arcade, dedicated to Mettius Modestus, governor of Lycia in the 1st century BC. The complex of the baths and the basilica are very badly preserved. The theater is well preserved but it is partly silted up. From the hill against which it is leaning, you have a superb view on the area and on the beach. Small temple of the IInd century, thermal baths of Vespasian.

The fortress built by Sultan Sülemaniye (Suleiman the Magnificent) in 1522 now houses a small museum. Shortly before the capture of Rhodes, 200,000 of the sultan's soldiers took refuge in this castle. Within the museum are exposed various objects discovered during the excavations of Datça and Knidos: potteries, tombstones, statuettes, amphoras... From the top of the castle, very nice view on the old city, the marina, and in the distance, on Içmeler. The walk is pleasant.

You have to be brave to swim in Marmaris, the city offers only small pebble beaches. It is better to go to Içmeler (10 km away) and Turunç (20 km away) in the southwest direction. From April to October, water cabs go there and it is very convenient. Another (better?) idea is to explore the surrounding coves and islands on a boat. Local tourist agencies offer interesting packages. Day trips allow you to travel along the water, to discover beautiful panoramas and to swim more quietly.

In the vicinity of Kemer, on a hill, is this artificial village of nomads. Tents, local specialities and folklore.

National Park, part of which is devoted to the conservation of wild deer and goats.

This park was created in 1966, and there were only 7 deer and 200 goats left in the region, 15 years later, in 1981 there were 450 deer and 4 000 goats. You can go there picnic from Termessos. Approximately 3 km further, the Güver kanyon is a deep hole of 115 m.

This waterfall is located in the heart of Milli Park, a national park. There are small restaurants and cafés, but you can also picnic there. From the picnic area, you have to descend to the waterfall and its pond populated with turtles, crabs and fish. Enter the grotto hidden behind the water curtain and take the path along the river, the vegetation is rich and varied. This haven of peace and freshness is very popular with the Turks who go there many times on weekends, but there is a way to escape the crowd.

12 km north of Antalya. Bus from the Doğu Garaj. Very beautiful waterfall. The waters of this river coming from the Taurus follow a semi-subterranean route. They come first underground in Bıyıklı to disappear for 14 km and reflect to Varsak Çukuru and disappear again a little further for 2 km. They can be found in Düden Başı where you can admire them in waterfall and caves. Then the river separates into several beds that meet, lower, to make a 40 m dive in the Mediterranean, these are the Lara Falls. By renting a boat in the port of the old town, you can admire the waterfalls of Düden falling to the sea at the end of Lara Beach.

Access by boat only from Belcekiz beach. In addition to the sublime beach, it is possible for a few pounds to access a waterfall (30 minutes walk in the middle of vertiginous rocks) where hundreds of species of butterflies are found in spring. To visit early in the morning before the tourist boats invade the beach. The beach is exploited by young ecologists who are a little bit roots (possibility to volunteer or to rent a tent).

You can also visit by boat the island of Aghios Nikolaos, with its Byzantine ruins, and its magnificent view on the coast. Sublime at sunset.

Küçük Cakil is located in the city, opposite the Koza Hotel. This small pebble beach is welcome before or after a break on the surrounding terraces. The water is clean and translucent blue, which has earned it the "blue flag" status. It is overlooked by two bars-restaurants that have privileged access to the sea from the rocks: on the right the establishment Derya, on the left Çınarlar.

The other beach of Büyük Cakilis located 1 km further on the same road, you can go there on foot, it is a lovely little cove.

Kaputaş is a beautiful little beach in a cove that is 20 km from Kaş on the road to Fethiye. All buses and dolmuş that go in this direction can drop you off. There are steps leading up to this little piece of paradise. The turquoise water is irresistible. It is advisable to arrive early (or late) in season. The spot is popular and places are expensive. There are toilets, changing rooms and showers and there are cafes. Do not miss to stop there.