Sunken Lycian town on coast of Kekova island.

Turquoise Coast

The ancient Lycians were on to something when they based their empire on the stunning Teke Peninsula, the chunk of Mediterranean paradise between Antalya and Fethiye. This is Turkey at its most staggeringly beautiful: sandy sweeps of shore hug a coastline lapped by jade waters and backed by forest-blanketed slopes. The Turquoise Coast is prime sun-and-sea territory, but step off the beach and you'll find ancient cities such as Xanthos, Tlos and Arykanda perched precariously atop hills, and ornate tombs carved into cliffs at Pınara and Myra. Hike between ruins on a section of the 500km-long Lycian Way and you'll be richly rewarded with scenery worth the sweat.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Narrow street in Antalya old town, Kaleici.

    Kaleiçi

    Antalya

    Antalya's historic district is a sight in itself and you could happily spend half a day strolling the narrow lanes here while admiring the mix of finely…

  • Turkey, perpetual fires of Yanartas at the Chimaera, near Cirali

    Chimaera

    Turquoise Coast

    Known in Turkish as Yanartaş, or 'Burning Rock', the Chimaera is a cluster of small flames that naturally blaze on the rocky slopes of Mt Olympos. At…

  • Woman photographing statue of Tyche (Fortuna).

    Antalya Museum

    Antalya

    Do not miss this comprehensive museum with exhibitions covering everything from the Stone and Bronze Ages to Byzantium. The Hall of Regional Excavations…

  • Aspendos

    Aspendos

    Turquoise Coast

    People come in droves to this ancient site near the modern-day village of Belkıs for one reason: to view the awesome theatre, considered the best…

  • Ghost Town of Kayakoy.

    Kayaköy (Levissi) Abandoned Village

    Turquoise Coast

    The tumbledown ruins of Levissi are highly atmospheric. The roofless, dilapidated stone houses sit on the slopes like sentinels over the modern village…

  • Frieze with Medusa heads, Temple of Apollo (Apollon).

    Temples of Apollo & Athena

    Side

    This compact site is one of the most romantic on the Mediterranean coast. Apollo and Athena were Side's deities, although Apollo eventually became more…

  • İztuzu Beach

    İztuzu Beach

    Dalyan

    An excellent swimming beach, İztuzu (Turtle) Beach is one of the Mediterranean nesting sites of the loggerhead turtle, and special rules to protect it are…

  • Kekova

    Kekova

    Turquoise Coast

    The long island of Kekova south of Üçağız is famous for its spectacular underwater ruins. These are partly submerged 6m below the sea off its northern…

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Plan with a local

Articles

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es Vedra - The South - IBIZA Lonely Planet Magazine, Issue 117, September 2018, Ibiza A young couple watch the sunset over the island of Es Vedra.

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Turquoise Coast and beyond

Beyond Turquoise Coast
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