The Coast West of Antalya / The Coast of Light

The mountains of the Toros (Taurus) Range is up immediately behind the coast, the whole length - from Konyaalti Beach to the Kirlangic Peninsula - is a national preserve, the Bey Daglari (Olympos) National Park. The history of this area, the ancient Lycian Peninsula, can be traced back to the Neolithic Age to the settlements at Beldibi.
The 42 km of road from Antalya to Kemer pass through spectacular mountain scenery. This resort town has been carefully designed to blend in with the surrounding scenery and offers an ideal environment for a wonderful holiday.
Kemer Beach is a Blue Flag beach. The term "Blue Flag" coined by the European Union means clean beach. In the Yoruk (Nomad) Theme Park you can watch traditional craftspeople at work.Kiziltepe, Goynuk (Blue Flag) and Beldibi (Blue Flag) north of Kemer and Camyuva and Tekirova (Blue Flag) to the south, are tourist centres full of various activities.
At the foot of Mt.Tahtali (Olympos),15 km south of Kemer, the three harbours of Phaselis were once a major commercial center. The ruins of aqueducts, agoras, baths, a theatre, Hadrian's Gate and an acropolis reveal the city's historical importance.
North of Olympos up from Cirali Beach, is Yanartas (at a height of 300 meters) where according to mythology the Lycian hero Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse Pegasus slew the fire-breathing monster, Chimaera. Gas which seeps from the earth burns brightly at night at this site, which the Byzantines also considered a religious area.
An entry port west of Olympos, Finike is surrounded by citrus trees and gardens. A sandy beach stretches to the east, and to the west are rocky bays and coves.
Limyra, an ancient Lycian city, is 10 km inland from Finike, via Turuncova. The fourth century B.C. Pericles mausoleum, decorated with caryatids, is a magnificent example of ancient art. The city walls and Roman theatre are also of interest.
Continuing west out of Kekova, you come to Kas, a lovely spot surrounded on three sides by mountains.The swimming and diving are excellent in the clear cool water around Kas.
At Demre (Kale), the ancient Myra, (25 km west of Finike), many splendidly carved rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman theatre. St. Nicholas was the bishop of this Mediterranean city during the fourth century, and died here in 342. Every year in December the Santa Claus Commemoration Ceremony attracts . many tourists who spend their Christmas holidays on the sunny coast of ancient Lycia. Kekova is an island an hour from Dalyanagzi by sea as well as the name of a whole ensemble of picturesque islands, numerous bays and ancient cities. These bays provide natural harbours in all seasons, and yachtsmen particularly enjoy exploring the unspoilt landscape.
Of ancient Antiphellos, as Kas was once known, only the Lycian rock cut tombs and sarcophagi are left. But the charm of the town remains, and it is a pleasure to wander through the streets, stopping to examine souvenir shops that offer Turkish handicrafts, leather goods, copper and silver items, cotton clothing and the inevitable handmade carpet.
After shopping stroll along the flower-lined Akdeniz Promenade or relax under the shade of a palm tree. Kas's bars and restaurants offer plenty of nightlife.
Along the scenic Kalkan road, Kapitas has a beautiful beach, at one end of which is the Turquoise Grotto.