# The Lycian coast in 9 days, from Fethiye to Antalya Nine days and eight nights along the Lycian coast, between sea and mountains: three nights near Fethiye for the islands of the bay and Saklıkent Gorge, three nights in Çıralı, between the Olympos ruins and the flames of the Chimaera, after a drive via Kaş and Myra, then two nights in Antalya's old town for Aspendos and Perge. Source : https://sabaro-travel.com/en/ideas/lycie-cote-et-criques-9-jours/ ## How it works Ancient Lycia covered the mountainous peninsula between Fethiye and Antalya. Its coast alternates coves, small harbours and ancient sites, with their tombs cut into the cliffs. This trip runs west to east, flying into Dalaman and out of Antalya: Dalaman is linked to Istanbul and, in season, to several European cities; Antalya is a few hours' flight from Europe's main cities, direct or with one stop. The trip has three stops of two or three nights, in small hotels by the water or in an old town. The price includes the excursions, the entry fees for the sites along the way and private transfers, from Dalaman airport to Antalya airport; stops in Kaş and Demre, on the drive from Fethiye to Çıralı, are extra. ## At a glance | Day | Plan | Night | |---|---|---| | 1 | Arrive in Dalaman, drive to Fethiye | Yonca Lodge | | 2 | The islands of Fethiye bay by boat | Yonca Lodge | | 3 | Saklıkent Gorge | Yonca Lodge | | 4 | Drive via Kaş and Myra to Çıralı | Olympos Lodge | | 5 | The Olympos site and beach, the Chimaera in the evening | Olympos Lodge | | 6 | Phaselis or the Tahtalı cable car | Olympos Lodge | | 7 | Drive to Antalya, the old town of Kaleiçi | Casa Sur Antalya | | 8 | Aspendos, Perge and the Manavgat waterfall | Casa Sur Antalya | | 9 | Fly home from Antalya | | ## Days 1 to 3: Fethiye ### An orchard by the water [Yonca Lodge](/en/hotels/yonca-lodge/) is in Yanıklar, between Fethiye and Göcek, 40 km from Dalaman airport. Its 20 rooms are spread through a large orchard running down to the sea, with a private beach and a waterside pool; the hotel does not take children under 12 and opens from May to the end of October. It was priced at about €180 a night in June, breakfast included. ### The islands and the lagoon On day two, a seven-hour boat trip tours the islands of Fethiye bay, with swimming stops. In the evening, in [Fethiye](/en/turkey/fethiye-oludeniz/), the Lycian tombs of Telmessos look down on the town from the cliff; the 4th-century BC Tomb of Amyntas is the best preserved. Eight kilometres south, Kayaköy, a Greek village abandoned during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey, keeps 350 to 400 ruined houses. The Ölüdeniz lagoon, 24 km from Fethiye, has a 3 km beach with calm water. ### Saklıkent On day three, the eight-hour excursion to Saklıkent Gorge leads to a canyon 300 m deep and 18 km long, 50 km from Fethiye. After April, about 4 km of it can be walked; the canyon is impassable in winter. ## Days 4 to 6: Çıralı and Olympos ### The road via Kaş and Myra Day four follows the coast east. Kaş, 106 km from Fethiye, is a small harbour from which boats leave for Kekova and its sunken ruins: the [Kalkan, Kaş and Kekova](/en/turkey/kalkan-kas/) page describes them. At Demre, 45 km from Kaş, Myra keeps its Lycian rock tombs and its Roman theatre, and the Church of St Nicholas stands over the tomb of the bishop of Myra, whose relics were carried off by merchants from Bari in 1087. Both entries, €15 and €19 from 1 April 2027, are included in the price. From Kaş to Çıralı the road is 122 km, about 1 h 55. ### A turtle beach [Olympos Lodge](/en/hotels/olympos-lodge/) has 14 white rooms in a large garden reserved for its guests, on Çıralı beach, below Mount Olympos and next to the ancient site. It was priced at about €375 a night in June, breakfast included. The beach at [Çıralı](/en/turkey/olympos-cirali/), backed by dunes, is a nesting site for loggerhead turtles. On day five, visit the site of Olympos, a Lycian port founded in the 3rd century BC, whose beach lies within the site; entry, €11, is included. In the evening, walk up above Çıralı to see the Chimaera of Yanartaş, natural flames rising from the rock that mythology links to the fire-breathing monster. ### Phaselis or the Tahtalı Day six is free. Phaselis, a port founded in the 7th century BC on a peninsula with three harbours, keeps its main street, agora and a small theatre (€11). The Tahtalı cable car climbs to the summit of the mountain, at 2,365 m. ## Days 7 and 8: Antalya ### Kaleiçi Çıralı is 79 km from Antalya, about 1 h 15. [Casa Sur Antalya](/en/hotels/casa-sur-antalya/), eight rooms in the restored house of the painter Muhittin Selamet, against the ancient wall and near Hadrian's Gate, has a botanical garden and a terrace bar. It was priced at about €218 a night in June, room only. The old town of [Kaleiçi](/en/turkey/antalya-kaleici/), inside its horseshoe-shaped walls, has about 3,000 tile-roofed houses; you enter through Hadrian's Gate, built in 130, and walk down to the old harbour, where boats leave to see the Düden waterfall drop into the sea. ### Aspendos and Perge On day eight, a ten-hour excursion combines Aspendos, Perge and the Manavgat waterfall. The theatre of Aspendos, built between 138 and 164, seats 15,000 and is one of the best preserved in the world. At Perge, 18 km from Antalya, the colonnaded street leads to the baths and agoras; the theatre is closed until its restoration is finished. ## Day 9: departure Antalya airport is 17 km from Kaleiçi, about 20 minutes, by private transfer. ## Good to know - **When to go.** In Fethiye, average highs are 27 °C in May and 32.1 °C in June, and exceed 35 °C in July and August; the sea averages 24.1 °C in June. Yonca Lodge opens from May to the end of October. - **Getting around.** Private transfers are included; the Fethiye to Çıralı transfer is priced as a direct drive, and stops in Kaş and Demre are extra. Driving times given are without stops. - **Children.** Yonca Lodge does not take children under 12; families with young children should choose another hotel in Fethiye. - **Ramadan and holidays.** Opening hours change at some places: see [Ramadan and holidays 2027 in Turkey](/en/guides/ramadan-fetes-turquie-2027/). - **Entry requirements.** The [visa and entry requirements](/en/guides/visa-turquie/) guide covers the document required and the length of stay. The rule for your country: (Depends on the traveller's country: see the table on https://sabaro-travel.com/en/ideas/lycie-cote-et-criques-9-jours/) - **Safety.** None of the stops is in an area advised against by the foreign ministries Sabaro follows. The [safety in Turkey](/en/guides/securite-turquie/) guide goes through the country area by area. The advice from your country: (Depends on the traveller's country: see the table on https://sabaro-travel.com/en/ideas/lycie-cote-et-criques-9-jours/) ## Frequently asked questions ### Can part of the journey be done by boat? Yes: the [gulet cruise and the Lycian coast](/en/ideas/croisiere-goelette-lycie-8-jours/) idea replaces the drive from Fethiye to Kekova with three nights on board a gulet. ### Can we walk the Lycian Way? Yes. The trail starts at Ölüdeniz and crosses Lycia eastwards. Specialist operators offer walks of several days on the western section, with accommodation and luggage transfer; the [Fethiye, Ölüdeniz and Faralya](/en/turkey/fethiye-oludeniz/) page gives an example. ### Do we need to hire a car? It is not necessary: private transfers between the stops are included. A car is still handy on the free days. The excursions on days two, three and eight leave from Fethiye and Antalya. ### Can we see Kekova by boat? Yes, by adding a night in Kaş or Kalkan, for example at [Hotel Villa Mahal](/en/hotels/hotel-villa-mahal/), across the bay from Kalkan. The day boat trip to Kekova leaves from Kaş, with swimming stops. The island of Kekova keeps on its north shore the remains of a town partly submerged by earthquakes, facing the village of Kaleköy and Simena Castle.