where to go

KEMER
Tourist shopping

Arykanda - superbly situated high in the lycian mountains which rise to over 3000 m, a visit here is rewarded as much by the cool air and surroundings as by the interesting ruins themselves.
Limyra - fragmentary remains of Limyra are scattered between the greenhouses and dwellings of a small village.

The ancient city's remains lie scattered across a lush valley, hidden amongst tangled thickets of oleander and fragrant bay on the banks of a placid river. It's an idyllic spot which is alive with butterflies, lizards and birds; though in summer there are a fair few tourists too.
Olympos is thought to be named after the nearby peak of Mount Olympos, now known as Tahtali Dag. A prosperous port city, Olympos was the centre for worship of Hephaistos, god of fire, with a temple built in his honour at nearby Chimera.
The beach is a pleasant spot though it can be crowded with trip boats.

Hamman (Turkish Bath)

On the way back up to the main coast road.

CHIMERA (Fire Mountain)

MYRA RUINS/ROCK TOMBS & CHURCH OF St NICHOLAS

Church - Noel baba in Turkish and who we owe the legend of Father Christmas. A fourth century Bishop of Myra, Nicholas anonymously aided the districts poor by providing dowries for local girls whose families could not otherwise afford to have them married.

On a rocky mountain about 10 mins drive north of Cirali is the extraordinary natural phenomena known as Chimera. Gas seeping out of the ground spontaneously ignites as it escapes, creating a series of flaming crevices clustered on the bare hillside. 30 min walk up to the flames.

Impressive Lycian rock tombs cut into the outcrop to the left of a large amphitheatre. The tombs were carefully crafted to resemble Lycian dwellings.

Estimated cost of trips

ARYKANDA & LIMYRA
Ł30 per person (including meal & 1 drink).

KUMLUCA MARKET
Ł5 per person

KEMER
Ł10 per person

MYRA RUINS/ROCK TOMBS & CHURCH OF St NICHOLAS
Ł30 per person (including meal & 1 drink).
Admission fees 5YTL each (as at 01/01/06).

CHIMERA (Fire Mountain)
Ł15 including admission.

BOAT TRIPS
Ł15-Trips to Olympos or Water island (including meal) 2006 prices

HAMMAN
50TL approx includes massage

Boat Trips
If heading for the Bay be prepared for a new boat trip system.
Boat Kaptans no longer actively tour the bars etc looking for business.
There is only one jetty - centre bay at the dolmus minibus station - and a "boat co-operative" is in operation to share the business.
Boats take it in pre-allocated sequence to wait at the jetty - 2 waiting at 10am and when full set off. This could be well after 11am if not many people about and 2nd boat may not go. If many people boats go when sufficiently full (up to 35 people) and other boats can then go on jetty.
I think 9 boats operate so if only 1 used per day, for example, same boat gets to go again 10 days later - or if 2 per day ~5 days later. This means you or the kaptan are never sure which boat is definitely going which day - sometimes there is the intention to go but doesn't happen in the end. Also if not enough people turn up for a boat of the day it won't go and you must try again the next day.
Nearly all head in the Olympos direction so it is difficult to pre-plan a trip to water Island especially if you want to go on a particular boat.
There is no notice board at the jetty giving details of what is on offer so "pot luck"!
Hopefully the scheme will evolve into something like one of the two initial boats each day offering Olympos and the other Water Island and also giving a guarantee they will go (if weather ok of course)?
Thanks to Dave Newbury

ADRASAN MARKET-sunday

New for Summer 2007- cable car to the top of Tahtali Dag 2366m