Olympos, Çıralı & Adrasan: the wild side of the coast

South of Kemer the resorts stop. Olympos, Çıralı and Adrasan sit in green valleys between the mountains and the sea, with no big hotels, a protected beach, Roman ruins in the forest and natural gas flames that have burned on the hillside for thousands of years. This is the place for nature, simplicity and quiet.

Olympos, Çıralı or Adrasan?

The three are close but different. Olympos and Çıralı share the same beach, at opposite ends; Adrasan is the next bay south.

Times are from Antalya Airport. There is no direct public transport; most visitors come by car or pre-booked transfer.

Things to do

Ancient Olympos

The ruins of a Lycian and Roman port city lie scattered along a stream in a gorge full of oleander and fig trees: tombs, a theatre, a bath house and a temple gate half hidden in the forest. The site has an entry fee; the path through it leads to the Olympos end of the beach.

The Chimaera (Yanartaş)

Above Çıralı, natural gas seeps out of the rock and burns in dozens of small flames that have never gone out. It is a 20 to 30 minute walk up a stone path from the car park; go at dusk or after dark, when the flames are most striking, and bring a torch for the way down. Small entry fee.

Çıralı beach and the turtles

The long beach between Çıralı and Olympos is a protected nesting site for loggerhead turtles, which is why nothing is built on it. From May to October sunbeds are cleared at night and the beach is closed after dark; nests are marked with cages.

Adrasan and Suluada

Boat trips from Adrasan visit Suluada, a small island with white sand and very clear turquoise water, sometimes called the Maldives of Türkiye. A full day with swim stops; calm seas make it best in summer.

Hiking the Lycian Way

Some of the most beautiful sections of the Lycian Way pass here, including the trail from Çıralı up through the Chimaera and on to Ulupınar, and the cape walk south of Adrasan. Spring and autumn are best.

Ulupınar

In the hills above Çıralı, the village of Ulupınar is known for its trout restaurants with tables over cold spring water, a favourite lunch stop on the drive in or out.

Getting there

From Antalya Airport it is about 95 km to Çıralı and Olympos, around 1 hour 35 minutes: through or around Antalya, past Kemer, then off the main road at the Ulupınar junction and down a winding road to the coast. Adrasan is another 15 to 20 minutes. Intercity buses towards Kumluca stop at the main road junctions, but from there you need a taxi or a pick-up from your pension. For Kemer and the coast north of here, see our Kemer guide.

When to go

May, June, September and October are ideal: warm sea, green valleys and good hiking. In July and August the valleys are hot and the tree-house camps are busy. Many pensions close in winter. See the weather guide for monthly figures.