The Lycian Coast Tour in 6 Days: Fethiye to Antalya

Overview

Between Fethiye and Antalya, the mountains of Lycia drop straight into a turquoise sea. Along this coast, an ancient people carved their tombs into the cliffs, built cities on rocky hills and left them to the pines and the goats. Today, it is a beautiful, wild stretch of coast. Our Lycian coast tour follows it in six days, from the lagoon of Ölüdeniz to the old harbor of Antalya.

Fethiye, Ölüdeniz and Kayaköy

We begin in Fethiye, where the tomb of Amyntas looks down from the cliff above the harbor. Then we visit Kayaköy, a village of hundreds of empty stone houses, abandoned in the population exchange of 1923. At sunset, the lagoon of Ölüdeniz glows below the mountain of Babadağ.

Lycian Cities on the Lycian Coast Tour

On the second day, Tlos sits on a rock above the Xanthos valley, with tombs cut into its cliff. Nearby, the canyon of Saklıkent offers a cool walk in icy water between rock walls. On the third day, we visit Xanthos, the capital of ancient Lycia, and Patara, where a Roman city lies behind a long, wild beach.

Kaş, Kekova and Myra

Next, we stay two nights in Kaş, a small harbor town of bougainvillea and boutique hotels. From there, a private boat glides over the sunken city of Kekova to the castle of Kaleköy. In the afternoon, the rock tombs of Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre complete the day.

Olympos and the Chimaera

Finally, the road climbs along the cliffs toward Antalya. In a wooded river valley, first, the ruins of Olympos lie among the trees. Above the beach of Çıralı, the flames of the Chimaera have burned from the rock for thousands of years, fed by natural gas. On the last morning, the three harbors of Phaselis lie in the pines, before we end in the old town of Kaleiçi in Antalya.

From our team

• SwimmingBring a swimsuit every day, because almost every stop has a beach or a cove nearby.
• KaşThe weekly market and the evening harbor are the heart of the town.
• SaklıkentThe canyon water is icy even in summer. Bring water shoes.
• The Lycian WayWalkers can add a day on Turkey’s best-known long-distance trail.

Our suggestion Walk up to the Chimaera after dark. The small flames are best seen at night, and the walk through the pines takes about half an hour.

Shape Your Lycian Coast Tour

Every journey is private, so you can add a day on a gulet or a hike on the Lycian Way. For more of the region, read our guide to the Turquoise Coast, or ask for a tailor-made trip. We arrange your entry to the Lycian sites, timed to their hours.

Route

1. Fethiye
2. Tlos and Saklıkent
3. Xanthos and Patara
4. Kaş
5. Kekova and Myra
6. Olympos
7. Antalya

Day by day

1. Day 1 · Fethiye

   Fethiye and Ölüdeniz

   Arrive at Dalaman, then the rock tombs of Fethiye, the ghost village of Kayaköy and the lagoon of Ölüdeniz at sunset.

   • Places: Kayaköy, Ölüdeniz
   • Stay: Fethiye or Ölüdeniz

2. Day 2 · Fethiye

   Tlos and Saklıkent

   The Lycian city of Tlos on its rock, then a cool walk into the canyon of Saklıkent.

   • Places: Tlos, Saklıkent Gorge
   • Stay: Fethiye or Ölüdeniz

3. Day 3 · Kaş

   Xanthos and Patara

   The capital of Lycia at Xanthos, the dunes and ancient city of Patara, then the coast road to Kaş.

   • Places: Xanthos and Letoon, Patara
   • Stay: Kaş

4. Day 4 · Kaş

   Kekova and Myra

   A boat over the sunken city of Kekova to the castle of Kaleköy, then the rock tombs of Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas.

   • Places: Kekova, Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas
   • Stay: Kaş

5. Day 5 · Çıralı

   Olympos and the Chimaera

   Along the coast to Olympos, a ruined city in a river valley, and an evening walk up to the flames of the Chimaera.

   • Places: Olympos and the Chimaera
   • Stay: Çıralı

6. Day 6 · Antalya

   Phaselis and Antalya

   The three harbors of Phaselis in the pines, then old Antalya and the airport.

   • Places: Phaselis, Kaleiçi

What’s included

Practical

Best time to go

May to October, when the sea is warm enough to swim; in summer, we see the ruins early in the morning. In winter, the coast is mild for walking among the ruins.

Fitness level

Moderate: uneven ancient sites, a canyon walk and an evening climb to the Chimaera.

Accessibility

Tell us your needs. Some sites have steep paths and steps.

Gallery

Frequently asked questions