Olympos

Known for its diversity of plant life, the valley is filled with wild grapevines, oleander, bay trees, wild figs, and pines. Walk through the pristine nature to reach the stone beach, encountering tribes of backpackers along the way. At night, trek to the village of Cirali where flames poke out of holes in a rocky mountainside. Most tours start in Antalya and include a memorable cable car ride to the Mount Tahtali summit (7,760 feet / 2,365 meters) for a magnificent 360-degree panorama with views of the Beydaglari National park, pine-forested mountains, and the Mediterranean coastline.

• Olympos is an ideal spot for backpackers and nature and history lovers.
• Remember swimwear, sun protection, and water for hydration in the summer.
• The city is named after nearby Mount Olympos, one of the many mountains across Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye) and Greece named after the heavenly abode of the gods.
• There is a small admission price to enter Chimaera.

Olympos is about 56 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Antalya near the town of Kemer. Expect about 1.5 hours on the road. Buses leave Antalya every half hour (for Fethiye or Kas) and stop at the Olympos Main Road Station. From here, catch the local service that goes into the valley where many accommodations are or walk.

High tourist season in Olympos is during the summer (June through August) with backpackers taking over the treehouse hostels and beach. Come in the fall when the weather is still warm, and the crowds have left, or in the spring when the flowers are in full bloom.

A popular stop along the Lycian Way—the ancient footpath that stretches from Ölüdeniz to Geyikbayırı, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Antalya—Mount Chimaera breathesxa0mysterious flames. Fueled by natural methane leaking from the earth, the flames writhe in the air through holes in a mountain made of rock, captivating visitors for thousands of years, helping them mark their way on their voyage.