Exploring Olympos, Turkey is a bit like a mythological tale. Ancient Lycian ruins, an isolated Mediterranean beach accessed only by boat, unending flames from the side of a mountain and treehouses. Yes, it’s all a bit like a fantastical tale from an epic poem from ancient times.
Indeed, Olympos itself is a small smattering of homes, hotels and restaurants along the coast, but it’s history dates back much further than the meager tourist infrastructure we see today. Famed for it’s unending flames,famous in the myth of Bellarophon and the Chimera, the area has been inhabited for thousands of years. The ancient ruins of Lycia are tucked away just off the pebbled beach, and exploring them on well worn, but unkempt paths maintains that feeling of being in ancient mythology. Relative to Ephesus the ruins are smaller, but also less trafficked, so it is a great place to get up close and personal with the stone work and intricate architectural decorations. We came across the wall of this Lycian temple after wandering down an overgrown path. Symbolically, only the front gate remains. Olympos is covered with ruins like this, most not as large, but tucked away off overgrown foot paths.
If You Go: The beach is spotted with various accommodation of all comfort levels and prices. Just inland are even more options, including treehouses. The village of Olympos is relatively relaxed at night with more nightlife going on in Bayrams. We walked from Olympos to the Chimera, a long, but pleasurable walk in the night. After Jill put out the eternal flame of Olympos, we took a cab back to the beach and from there hiked inland to Olympos. Olympos is a short dalmus ride from Antalya. A paved road now runs from the main road into the village, but it does not go all the way to the beach.
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