Find out what is worth seeing around Kemer in Turkey! Ancient cities, ruins, Chimera lights, beautiful beaches and other attractions. Our reviews and advice from other tourists.
Kemer is green mountains, turquoise water and breathtaking smells of pine needles. There are so many things in the area that we visited very few sights in one vacation. We share our experience and advice on what to see in Kemer and the surrounding area on our own.
How to see the surroundings of Kemer independently and inexpensively: use buses or rent a car. We visited some places by bus, and went to others on a rented scooter. Renting a bike in Turkey is quite difficult (scarce choice and poor condition), so take a car better. Find out more about car rental abroad.
The main thing: do not take excursions from the tour operator - it's expensive, boring and inconvenient. Explore the sights on your own!
Phaselis
In our opinion, this is the No. 1 attraction in the vicinity of Kemer, which is worth seeing on your own. Many come here with an excursion and spend no more than an hour, but we advise you to come yourself and spend more time here - the city is worth it.
Phaselis is a real combo: you will touch the antiquity, enlighten, swim in a calm bay and enjoy the shade of a coniferous forest on a sultry day. And what are the aromas of pine needles - do not breathe for life!
From the Lycian city, which was founded already in the 7th century BC, there is not much left. It seems to be just the ruins of some city, but when you find out that its history is almost twice as long as the history of Russia, it is impressive. There is a massive aqueduct at the entrance. However, the most impressive thing is the grandiose amphitheater. All tourists hang out there and take selfies. Come early and wander alone. Climb to the top of the theater - from there a gorgeous view of Mount Takhtaly.
Even if you are not a fan of ancient ruins, we advise you to come here at least for the sake of views and crystal water. Phaselis has two bays. The first is calm Phaselis Kuzey Limanıwhere there are ruins and rocks under the water. The second is big Phaselis Güney Limanıwhere all those ugly "pirate" ships sail with thundering music and crowds of tourists. It is good that the ancient Greeks did not survive to this day - it would be painful for them to see how thousands of half-naked barbarians from the East are now walking around the ruins of their majestic cities, temples, theaters and houses day after day.
The beaches are pebbly and wild, so there are no sun loungers, umbrellas, bars. The place is popular with the Turks: we have been here twice, and it is always sold out. They come for a picnic with their families and sit in the shade of trees.
There is a toilet, shower and a museum cafe on site, where mostly overpriced drinks are available. Take water with you.
Advice: Come to Phaselis for the opening - you will almost walk alone and admire the mountains.
Price: 30 ₺ per person.
How to get there. In the center of Kemer, at the stop opposite the clock tower, take a bus with a Phaselis sign. The ticket costs 4.5 ₺ per person one way. You must pay in cash upon exit. We left early in the morning - at 8:50.
Ulyana Gerasimova: "Turkey is not just beautiful, it is an open-air museum!"
Olympos and Cirali beach
The Lycian city of Olympos is located in the vicinity of Kemer and it is also better to see it on your own. There are significantly more people among these picturesque ruins than in Phaselis, although they are worse preserved. The thing is that from the modern resort of Olympos, tourists can go to the beach only through the territory of the ancient city. Along the way, they watch the ruins and swim in the cool river. The visitors are mostly Turks.
The city is large and is divided into two parts by the river. The right one, where the path to the beach lies, is crowded. There is almost no one on the left side - you can imagine yourself as Lara Croft or Indiana Jones and look for ruins hidden in the thickets.
The most interesting thing is a huge necropolis with dozens of tombs and crypts. There are no remains, but still interesting and atmospheric. However, be careful, we met a snake there.
After the ruins, it is pleasant to swim on the beaches of Olympos and Cirali - in fact, this is one long beach. There are beautiful species, and turtles that lay eggs in pebbles can be found. Alas, we didn't see anyone.
