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The 42 km of road from Antalya to Kemer passes through spectacular
mountain scenery. This resort town has been carefully designed to blend in
with the surrounding scenery and offers an ideal environment for a
wonderful holiday. A fully equipped marina has facilities for all activities so
that yachters can enjoy the unspoilt bays and beaches south of the town.
Shoppers will delight at the wonderful range of high quality souvenirs for
sale. A beach promenade north of the marina has steps leading down from
its cafes and shops directly to the beach. In the Yoruk (Nomad) Theme
Park, you can watch traditional craftspeople at work. Along the adjoining
bay is a charming and delightful spot with many sports and entertainment
facilities discretely hidden among the pines. April is the month for the
colorful Kemer
Carnival. Also in the spring are the yacht races between Kemer and Girne in
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Kiziltepe, Goynuk and Beldibi, north of Kemer, and Camyuva and
Tekirova, to the south, are tourist centers full of various acavities The
holiday villages are all designed to blend into the forest that encircles
them.
Dalyanagzi, the
ancient harbor of Andriace, west of Kale has a good beach for swimming
and sunning.
Of ancient Antiphellos, as Kas was once known, only the Lycian rock cut
tombs and sarcophagi are left. The charm of the town, however, remains and
it is a pleasure to wander through the streets stopping to examine the
souvenir shops that offer Turkish handicrafts, leather goods, silver items,
cotton clothing and the inevitable handmade carpet.
After shopping, stroll along the flower-lined Akdeniz Promenade or relax
under the shade of a palm tree. Kas's bars and restaurants offer plenty of
night life. Open buffets serving superb Turkish cuisine are a town speciality.
The mountains which surround the town provide their share of activities and
sights. You can walk through forested hills to visit remote villages and
ancient ruins. The energetic may want to attempt the highest peak in the
area, Mt. Klzlar Sivrisi (3086 meters) or the second highest, Mt.Akdag
(3030 meters).
Along the scenic Kalkan road, Kapitas has a beauaful beach at one end of which
is the Turquoise Grotto.
Olympos
At the foot of Mt. Tahtali (Olympos), 15 km south of Kemer, the three
harbors of Phaselis were once a major commercial center. The ruins of
aqueducts, agoras, baths, a theater, Hadrian's Gate, and an acropolis reveal
the city's historical importance; a small museum at the entrance provides
additional information. From the south harbor look up at Mt. Tahtali for a
spectacular view. The sheltered sandy beaches make a superb playground,
and the waters are calm and safe for swimmers.
The ancient city of
Olympos is situated on the southern side of Mt. Tahtali. Oleander and laurel
bushes shade the Olympos Valley which you can approach by land and sea.
The play of light on the quiet pools of water enhance the mosaics in the
bath. A temple gate and theater also remain from antiquity; the outer walls
and towers around the bay date from the Middle Ages.
North of Olympos up
from Cirali Beach, is Yanartas (at a height of 300 meters) where
according to mythology the Lycian hero Bellerophon, mounted on his winged
horse Pegasus slew the fire-breathing monster, Chimaera. Gas which seeps
from the earth burns brightly at night at this sight which the Byzantines also
considered a religious area.
South of Olympos, tranquil waters and sandy
beaches line the Bay of Cavus. Here you can water ski on calm waters,
discover the colorful marine life or explore the incredible sea caves on the
northern shore.
An entry port west of Olympos, Finike is surrounded by citrus
trees and gardens. A sandy beach stretches to the east, and to the west are
rocky bays and coves.
LIMYRA
Limyra, an ancient Lycian city, is 10 km inland from
Finike via Turuncova. The fourth century B.C. Perikles sarcophagus,
decorated with caryatids, is a magnificent example of ancient art.
Further on
this road is the Lycian city of Arikanda. Set high on the mountain overlooking
one of Turkey's most beautiful valleys, the extensive ruins include the
agora, theater, stadium, bouleuterion, water system, bath, gymnasium and
scattered sarcophagi.
Kale
At Kale, the ancient Myra (25 km west of Finike) many
splendidly carved rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman theater. St.
Nicholas was the bishop of this Mediterranean city during the fourth century
and died here in 342. Every year in December the Santa Claus
Commemoration Ceremony attracts many tourists who spend their
Christmas holidays on the sunny coast of ancient Lycia.
Kekova
Kekova is an island an hour from Dalyanagzi by sea as well as
the name of a whole ensemble of piauresque islands, numerous bays and
ancient cities.
Along the northern shore of Kekova Island at Apollonia
earthquakes have disturbed the land causing some of the ancient houses to
sink under the clear water. Kaleucagiz Castle (Simena) offers a bird's
eye view of the bays, inlets, islands and colorful yachts sailing peacefully
on the glassy water.
KAS
Continuing west out of Kekova you come to Kas, a lovely spot surrounded on
three sides by mountains. The friendly local fishermen are happy to run a
water taxi service to take you to a favorite bay, cove or beach along the
coast. The swimming and diving are excellent in the clear cool water around
Kas.
Kalkan
A little distance to the west brings you to Kalkan, a lovely small hilltop
town that overlooks a tiny bay. Its quaint traditional white-washed houses,
shuttered windows and balconies garlanded with brilliant flowers that
cascade to the streets below, make it the ultimate in a peaceful holiday
town. Narrow winding streets lined with souvenir shops lead down to the
charming marina. Every morning boats busily take tourists to one of the
nearby beaches or small bays. As the sun sets, it is Kalkan style to meet on
the roof terraces for a drink before dinner and enjoy the comings and goings
of the yachts, the business of the marina and the panoramic view. Here, as in
Kas, there is open buffet every evening along the promenade.
Xanthos
A principal harbor of ancient Lycia and the port of Lycia's capital, Xanthos,
Patara is reached by following a winding mountain road before descending to
the site. Here according to mythology, Apollo was born. More concrete
history reveals that this town was the birthplace of St. Nicholas. But Patara
is also a place for beach lovers. Its 22 km of pure white sand stretches as
far as the eye can see, making it a natural choice for all types of beach
sports.
The ancient Lycian capital of Xanthos, in the Turkish village Kinik likes 18
km north of Patara. The theater, Tomb of the Harpies, Nereid Monument,
agora, and Inscribed Pillar, among a mixture of ruins from Lycian, Roman and
Byzantine times, create the special atmosphere of this site. At the holy
Lycian center of Letoon, six km farther along, three temples dedicated to
Leto, Apollo and Artemis, three familiar gods of mythology await the
exploring tourist.
