92 Best Sights in The Turquoise Coast, Turkey

Adana’s archaeology museum, in a restored former textile factory, has a nicely presented collection of local finds, including Roman mosaics, statues, and carved sarcophagi. The museum complex itself houses six separate museums, one each for archaeology, mosaics, ethnography, agriculture, industry, and urban life. Though there's no audio guide available, the lively displays help to bring the curated finds to life.

Views of the splendid castle or kale, on a mighty crag surrounded on three sides by the sea, dominate all roads into Alanya. The crenellated outer walls are 6½ km (about 4 miles) long and include 140 bastions. The road pierces these outer walls through a modern break, dividing as it heads up the summit. One section leads to the İç Kale (inner fortress), the other to the Ehmedek (garrison); both have places to park. Near the entrance to the Ehmedek are the remains of the original bedestan (bazaar); the old shops around its open courtyard now touting souvenirs. Along a road to the top of the promontory, a ticket office defends the inner keep. Inside are the ruins of a Byzantine church, its 6th-century frescoes of the evangelists faded almost beyond recognition.

The Seljuk sultan Keykubad probably also had a palace here, although discoveries by the McGhee Center of Georgetown University indicates that in times of peace the Seljuk elite likely preferred their pleasure gardens and their hunting and equestrian sports on the well-watered plain below. Steps ascend to the battlement on the summit. A viewing platform is built on the spot where condemned prisoners and women convicted of adultery were once cast to their deaths. The ticket is also valid for the Ehmedek. Admire the ruined monastery down below but do not attempt to descend toward it—the mountainside is very treacherous.

These impressive ancient Lycian rock tombs are carved into the cliff that looms above town. Follow the signs to Kaya Caddesi (literally "Rock Avenue") near the local minibus station, and then climb the approximately 200 steps leading up to the rocks (not for the faint-hearted). Your effort will be well rewarded—particularly at dusk, when the cliffs take on a reddish glow. The largest and best-known is the Tomb of Amyntas, son of Hermepias (c. 350 BC), carved to resemble the facade of an Ionic temple and presumably the burial place of a local ruler or nobleman. Inside are the slabs where corpses were laid out. Keep your eyes peeled for the ancient sarcophagi scattered throughout Fethiye.

The extensive ruins of ancient Anemurium—mostly dating from the late Roman/early Byzantine period—are built primarily of durable Roman concrete, which makes them better preserved but less picturesque than the average stone ruins. Their idyllic seaside setting, with overgrown paths leading between the structures and the waves crashing nearby, more than makes up for that, however. The marked turnoff to the site is 5 km (3 miles) west of Anamur.

Anemurium, whose ancient name refers to the winds that often blow through the site, has long inspired the curiosity of foreign visitors: English archaeologist Francis Beaufort excavated here in the 19th century. Beside the entrance is a bath building, once part of a gymnasium. Beyond this is a small well-preserved theater, or odeon, opposite which sit the scant remains of a large theater. A second Roman bath is easily the best preserved in the country, with even the great vaulted roof of the two-story building still standing. Behind it are the remains of an aqueduct, while one set of old city walls climbs up a steep slope to the unexcavated acropolis. Beside the road there are also numerous tombs, some with frescoes and mosaics. At the end of the road there's a pebbly beach, where you can take a dip when you've finished exploring, but there are no showers or other facilities.

At the time of writing in October 2024, the site is closed temporarily for some restoration work, so check ahead of your visit.

The province of Antalya has a rich array of archaeological sites, and their curated finds constitute a first-rate collection at the Antalya Müzesi. The star is Perge; statues which fill gallery after gallery here including one just for the gods, from Aphrodite to Zeus. There are also Turkish crafts, costumes, and prehistoric artifacts from the Karain Cave, with bits of Byzantine iconography and some fossils thrown in. One gallery is filled with fine Roman sarcophagi from the 2nd century AD, including a wonderful one illustrating the labors of a steadily aging Hercules. Upstairs are several coin hordes; the large one from Elmalı was recently returned to the museum after being smuggled to the United States. Ticketing is a little tricky; the €15 ticket cost (550 TL) includes an audioguide—ask for a ticket without the audioguide for cheaper entry. If you have the time, walk to the museum from the center of town along the clifftop promenade, which offers a fine sea view.

Although there are many Roman theaters still standing, none are quite as perfect as the one at Aspendos, built by a local architect named Xenon during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 161 to 180). It owes its current preservation to the fact that the Seljuk Turks repurposed it as a royal palace in the 13th century; traces of the distinctive Seljuk red-and-yellow paint work are still visible. In its heyday, it could hold 15,000 spectators and is most striking for the broad curve of seats, perfectly proportioned porticoes, and rich decoration.

The Greeks liked open vistas behind their stages, but the Romans preferred enclosed spaces. The stage building you see today was once covered by an elaborate screen of marble columns, and its niches were filled with statues. The only extant relief on site depicts Dionysus (Bacchus) watching over the theater. The acoustics are fine, and the theater continues to be used—for concerts and for the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival, held every September, rather than for wild-animal and gladiator spectacles as in Roman times. Most visitors just see the theater, but don't miss out on the rest of the site, which is up a zigzagging trail behind it. The rewards are a tall Nymphaion (a sanctuary to the nymphs built around a fountain decorated with a marble dolphin) and the remains of a Byzantine basilica and market hall. You can also see, below in the plain, the stadium and the aqueduct which used an ingenious siphon system.

Fethiye's lively Balık Pazarı (fish market) is, quite simply, a fun place to be. Set in the heart of the old town, it's a bubbling hub where locals and visitors alike come to enjoy freshly caught seafood beneath the ample shade of fig trees. Browse the produce from the salesmen that squeeze into its spare nooks, or grab a seat and a cup of tea. The market operates with a unique twist: if you like, you can buy your fish from the vendors and take it to one of the surrounding restaurants, where they may cook it for a fee.

This is an intriguing attraction that has been drawing visitors since before Roman times. These are two natural sinkholes that were created by an ancient subsidence. The first, located just beyond a small café and ticket booth, is the one referred to as Cennet (Heaven). A five-minute walk takes you down to the peaceful valley floor and the well-preserved 5th-century AD Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary. The path then descends into a huge, aircraft-hangar-like natural cavern, which might have been the site of a spring known among the ancients as the fountain of knowledge.

Back up the stairs a short walk leads to the Cehennem (Hell) sinkhole, which is narrower, with walls too steep to enter, and deep enough for little sunlight to reach the bottom. A dark and gloomy place, pagan, Christian, and Muslim sources all identify it as an entrance to hell. The road continues to a third cavern, the Cave of Wishes (Dilek Mağarası), also known as Asthma Cave (Astım Mağarası) for the purported respiratory benefits of its humid air. Romans picked crocuses here, and even today you may be met by villagers selling bunches of the little flowers.

At the far southern end of Çıralı, an evening scramble up a sometimes steep path will bring you to the Chimaera (Yanartaş in Turkish), named after the ferocious fire-breathing beast of legend. Flames can still be seen rising from cracks in the rock, apparently also burning the gas deep below, since they reignite even if covered. In times past, the flames were apparently even more vigorous, visible by sailors offshore, and the ruins of an ancient stone building can be seen near the flames.

To reach the Chimaera, take either of the main roads to the end of Çıralı, and then head inland. If you're staying in Olympos it's a 7-km (4.5-mile), 90-minute walk, so you may want to drive or bike to the bottom of the hill, or take a tour, which most hotels in the area will arrange. You can see the flames in the day, but they're best at night. Bring a flashlight for all the stairs, since there's no lighting. In peak season, you'll need to choose between going as late as possible to avoid the crowds or in daylight so you can see the pretty mountainside.

For a cool, memorable day hike, pack a picnic and trek up the Göynük gorge. Drive north of Phaselis to the corner of the coast where the town of Göynük ends and Beldibi begins, a point clearly marked by blue "city limits" signs at the bridge over a riverbed. Turn inland onto the unmarked tarmac and dirt track on the northern bank of the river, and follow sporadic signs to the "wasserfall" into the gorge. When you no longer feel comfortable with the rockiness of the track, park by the side of the road and walk on up. Having a guide with you is handy but not essential—red-painted signs from a local café will keep you on the right path. Take note: when the driveable road definitively ends, take the path up the left-hand gorge—not the steeper right-hand one—follow the main river, cross to the far banks, then back again about five minutes later to a forest track carved into the side of the mountain.

Nearly an hour from the last car park, the road turns into a path, and drops down to the river. You can take a refreshing swim where the cold, clear river flows through a long, deep crevasse carved by the water through the rock. Follow the rope and walk the first section of the canyon, with chilly waist-deep water. With good waterproof shoes you can continue up some small waterfalls and rocky ledges as far as you feel safe—just observe the usual precautions like not canyoning after recent rain. A variety of organized activities is also available in the canyon, including jeep tours, rafting excursions, and zip-lining.

The highlights of this huge, impressive museum are its dozens of Roman mosaics, which hint at the glorious past of old Antioch. Experts consider works in the collection here—one of the largest in the world, portraying scenes from mythology and replete with figures such as Dionysus, Orpheus, Oceanus, and Thetis—to rank among the highest achievements of Roman art.

Since neither Kaş nor Kalkan have proper beaches, this pretty spot between the two is quite popular. Set in a narrow, steep-sided inlet, there are 186 stairs leading down to it. The position between dramatic cliffs is picturesque, though the beach itself is small and can get crowded in summer. Parking is limited so arrive early to find a space. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets. Best for: swimming.

The open-air museum of Karatepe, about 130 km (81 miles) northeast of Adana, makes a (long) day trip from Adana or a worthwhile detour if you're heading to Antakya. Karatepe was a fortress founded in the 8th century by Asatiwatas, the ruler of the post-Hittite state of Adana. A short walk from the parking lot are two ancient gateways, where dozens of well-preserved carved stones (once the foundation of mud-brick walls) have been left in place. There is also a small indoor museum behind the ticket office. The area around the site is a beautiful national park; you can picnic here or swim in the adjacent dam. It’s best visited from Osmaniye, passing ancient Hieropolis-Kastabala, but a secondary, longer road leads from Kozan past Kadirli, which has a well-preserved Byzantine church (later converted into a mosque).

The 25-minute ferry ride to the Greek island of Kastellorizo (called Meis in Turkish) gives you a taste of Greece and lets you imagine what Kaş must have been like before the 1923 population exchange, when most residents were of Greek origin. Isolated from the rest of its country, Kastellorizo has escaped major development and maintains the charm of an island that time forgot. Attractions include a small 12th- to 16th-century Crusader castle, notable for its crenellated gray-stone walls; a large blue cave with fine stalactites (speedboat trips can be arranged in Meis Harbor when you disembark); the 1835 church of St. Konstantine and Eleni (usually locked), which reused granite columns taken from the Temple of Apollo at Letoon in Lycia; and a mosque converted into a small museum that recounts the island's tragic history. You can get a taste of the island in just an afternoon, but if you want more, overnight at one of the several hotels or pansiyons. If you're day-tripping, don't be alarmed if the ferry operator wants to hold onto your passport when you disembark in Greece—they process the passports in batches to speed things up. If you're not comfortable with this, just ask to have your passport stamped while you watch.

Once a prosperous seaport (until silt from the river pushed the coast farther away), the ancient ruins at Kaunos date from the 4th century BC and reflect a unique blend of Carian and Lycian influences. The entrance is near the top of the site, where you'll find a crumbling Byzantine basilica with the remains of a floor mosaic, a massive Roman bath, and a well-preserved semicircular theater that is cut into the hillside in the Greek style. An old Roman street leads down the hill to the ancient port, passing the nice temple terrace and the agora, which has a restored fountain house and a ruined portico dotted with the foundation of statues. There is a lovely, panoramic view of İztuzu Beach from the ruined city walls. The site can be reached in 15 to 30 minutes by boat tour from Dalyan and is commonly a stop on many guided boat tours. Alternatively, you can find the sandal geçiş (a rowboat crossing) in the center of town and then walk south for 30 minutes, or take the tiny car ferry from the edge of town, which drops you closer to the ruins.

Spread across three hills, the old town of Levissi—called Kayaköy, or "stone village," by the Turks—is eerily quiet. It had a population of about 2,000 before the residents (of Greek origin) were "sent home" in 1923—to a motherland they had never known. Today, you can wander through the crumbling houses which nature is slowly consuming—some with touches of blue or red wall paint still visible. There are two large churches and many chapels, as well as several schools and a fountain house. From the chapel on the hill at the southwest corner, a path leads down to the remote beach of Soğuk Su Koyu (Cold Water Bay), a 30-minute walk. You can also hike from here to Ölüdeniz Beach on a short (6-km/4-mile), steep, marked trail with dramatic views of green hills and turquoise bays.

Established as a preserve in 1981 to protect the habitat of some 100 species of butterfly, including the Jersey Tiger, Kelebekler Vadisi (Butterfly Valley) was opened for tourism in part to provide funds to support conservation (it has bungalows and tent pitches for rent). Although it's only a 15 minute drive from Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley is a favorite stop for boat trips (it's either that or a treacherous climb down a very steep hill) thanks to its pretty beach and clear turquoise waters. It attracts a laid-back crowd but can become overcrowded in high season. Those who brought sturdy sneakers can enjoy a bracing climb up to a little waterfall. If you aren't undertaking an excursion that includes Butterfly Valley as one of its stops, there's an inexpensive taxi boat service which leaves from Ölüdeniz.

If you want to take a dip in the iconic sandbar that lies across the mouth of the lagoon, then you must first enter Ölüdeniz Nature Park. To do so, go down to the seafront, turn west, then left at the fork where you can see the toll booth; the charge is 125 TL per car or 40 TL per person on foot (kids are half price or free, depending on age). The setting is absolutely beautiful, which means you should expect crowds. Pretty much the entire pebbly beach is taken up by densely packed lounge chairs and umbrellas, either of which can be rented for 300 TL each. The sea gets deep quickly here, and there are several diving platforms anchored a short swim out. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.

Boat tours of this large, tranquil lake and its refreshing, sulfurous mud baths can be arranged through tour companies at the riverside dock in Dalyan. In summer, there is also a regular boat service to the bustling Monday market in the eponymous Köyceğiz village. If you're staying in Marmaris, it's an hour bus ride to Lake Köyceğiz.

This tiny bay across from the main harbor in Kaş is only accessible by boat (or by hiking), which makes it the perfect retreat from the bustle of the city center. It has a small beach with rentable chairs and a small bar to purchase drinks from, making it a great spot for a casual swim on a long, relaxing day. You can also rent a canoe if you want to paddle around the bay. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming, walking.

On the eastern edge of town, the highway goes right past Mamure Kalesi—a spectacular castle with 39 towers, first constructed in Roman times to protect the city from seaborne raiders. It was expanded by the Seljuks, who captured it in the 13th century, and later rebuilt by the Karamanoğulları, who controlled this part of Anatolia after the Seljuk Empire collapsed. Note the inscription to the Karamanoğulları prince, İbrahim Bey II, dating from 1450. The place is so impressively preserved you'd think it was a modern reconstruction.

The monuments of ancient Myra—a very well-preserved Roman theater and a cliff face full of Lycian rock tombs—sit just north of Demre. The theater dates from the 2nd century AD and was one of the largest in the region; for a time it hosted gladiator spectacles and wild animal hunts. Some of the tombs are decorated with reliefs, and there are expressive theatrical masks carved into stone blocks throughout the site. When you arrive, you'll see plenty of vendors hawking Orthodox Christian votives to Russian tourists, to tie in with the nearby church of St. Nicholas. The entrance fee is steep, but it's included on many organized tours so it's worth spending some time planning.

Another way to enter the old town is via the Old Harbor, now overflowing with yachts, fishing vessels, and tourist excursion boats. If you're interested in exploring the bay by water, simply stroll up and take your pick from one of the many providers, but be prepared for some hefty prices. If you're in a car, follow the signs to the yat limanı (yacht harbor), and you'll find a convenient parking lot behind the quaysides. From here you can head up any of the lanes leading north and east from the harbor to reach the heart of the old town. If arriving on foot, wander down from the Saat Kulesi, forking to the right past the T-shirt and perfume shops, until you reach the bottom of the harbor. Despite all the commerce, spending time by this atmospheric harbor with dondurma in-hand (Turkish ice cream), is a must-do in Antalya.

Shaded by tall firs and amid flowering oleander bushes, the ruins are next to a river in a mountain gorge, so they're delightfully cool in summer—the perfect time to explore. Many tombs are scattered about the ancient city. In the center of the northern half of the site is the large cathedral complex, once the main temple, which includes a much-photographed, 18-foot-high gate dedicated to Marcus Aurelius in AD 171. Note how some walls around the site have clearly been rebuilt in later centuries with narrow arrow slits. At the beach entrance is a poetic inscription on a sarcophagus in memory of an ancient ship's captain, along with a carving of his beached boat—not that different from today's gulets. From here you can also climb to a small acropolis and some medieval fortifications where citizens in ancient times would keep a lookout for ships and pirates.

The southern side of the ancient city is best reached by crossing the riverbed (sometimes dry in summer) by the land-side ticket office and heading east toward the beach along a well-beaten path that starts with a remarkable row of tombs. Farther along are shipping quays, warehouses, and a gorgeously overgrown theater, some of which lie half-buried in what feels like the floor of a jungle. Farther south along the beach are the walls of a medieval castle and church.

This 3-km (2-mile) swath, with a line of fir trees behind it and an amphitheater of mountains (including the 7,500-foot peak of Mt. Olympos/Tahtalı Dağı) surrounding it, is one of the wonders of Turkey. Although it has escaped the ravages of industrial tourism, there are several good beachfront restaurants where you can eat during the day or spend an evening. Keep an eye out for the nests of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), who regularly lay their eggs on the beach. The surface here consists mostly of smooth white and multicolor pebbles mixed with some light gray sand, so prepare to recline on a lounger rather than a beach towel. Note that Olympos and Çıralı are separated by a 21-km (13-mile) drive around the mountain but only a short walk along the beach. If it's crowded near Olympos, stroll up toward Çıralı, where you're likely to find a patch of beach all to yourself, even in high season. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

On the Datça Peninsula, this quiet, escape-from-it-all beach—a mix of sand and pebbles—is one of the region's best. The rolling landscape of pine-crowned hills and olive groves gives way to the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Amenities: Food and drink, parking (free). Best for: solitude, swimming, walking.

Beyond the ruins of Patara is a superb 18-km (11-mile) sweep of sand dunes, surely one of the finest beaches on the Turquoise Coast. Despite its popularity with Turkish families and tourists from Kalkan and Kaş, you don't have to walk far to find solitude here. Note there is no shade available—if you bring an umbrella, it should be planted within 20 yards of the sea only to prevent disturbing the nests of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers, toilets. Best for: walking; swimming.

Although Perge isn’t beautifully situated like Termessos or an A-list attraction like Aspendos, it is an ideal place to get an overall impression of a Roman city. It's also only a 25-minute drive from central Antalya, or, you can take a local dolmuş or the tram to nearby Aksu, from where it's a short walk. The first thing you'll see is the splendid restored theater, followed by a stadium that is one of the best preserved in the ancient world. The vaulted chambers under the stadium bleachers held shops (marble inscriptions record the proprietors' names and businesses).

The rest of the site is about 1 km (½ mile) north. After parking just outside the old city walls, you'll enter near sturdy 3rd-century BC garrison towers. Directly ahead is a fine, long-colonnaded avenue, unique for the water channel that ran down its center, starting at a fountain at the far end. This street was trodden by St. Paul as he passed by on his way to Pisidian Antioch in the mountains. Beside the entrance is the old agora; the slender, sun-bleached columns lining the street once supported a covered porch filled with shops. Opposite is the well-preserved bathhouse, similar to the hammams still popular in the region today. Follow the main street to the end, and then climb the hill for a literal overview of the site. The outskirts of Perge are rather overgrown, but the keen-eyed can hunt down several churches and a gymnasium. Come early in the day, or be prepared for a hot, sunny visit.

The ruins of Phaselis, the ancient port city with a majestic setting at the edge of three smalls bays, are as romantic as the reputation of its ancient inhabitants was appalling. Demosthenes the Greek described them as unsavory, and Roman statesman Cicero called them rapacious pirates. Since the first Greek colonists from Rhodes bought the land from a local shepherd in the 7th century BC for a load of dried fish, classical literature is replete with the expression "a present from the Phaselians," meaning a cheap gift. Still, the setting is beautiful, and Alexander the Great spent a whole winter here before marching on to conquer the east.

A broad main street is lined by some remarkably well-preserved buildings and cuts through the half-standing walls of the Roman agora. The street is also bookended by bays, each with translucent water that's ideal for swimming. A small theater with trees growing among the seats has a divine view of Mt. Olympos, and fine sarcophagi are scattered throughout a necropolis in the pine woods that surround the three bays. The ruins are poetic and impressive, ideal for a picnic or a day at the beach. Weekends or any day during peak season, however, the site can be crowded; it can be downright depressing when tour yachts from large tourist hubs arrive with speakers blaring.

Ancient Pınara was probably founded as early as the 5th century BC, and it eventually became one of Lycia's most important cities. Its mountain setting is still strikingly beautiful, but you need time and determination to explore the site, which is spread out, largely unexcavated, and thick with plane, fig, and olive trees. You can park in the village of Minare and make the 30 minute hike up the clearly marked trail or drive up the steep dirt track (wear sturdy hiking shoes). There are a few signs near the entry but no good maps.

The spectacular Greek theater at Pınara, which has overlooked these peaceful hills and fields for thousands of years, is one of the country's finest. It's perfectly proportioned, and, unlike that of most theaters in Turkey, its stage building is still standing. The site also contains groups of rock tombs with unusual reliefs (one shows a cityscape) and a cliff wall honeycombed with hundreds of crude rectangular "pigeonholes," which are believed to have been either tombs or food storage receptacles.