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Olimpos is known for
a pristine little beach, a
pine forest full of tumbledown marble
temples,
tree house-hotels, and the Chimera,
a natural flame that has burned ceaselessly
for millennia.
Located 80 km (50 miles) southwest
of Antalya on
Turkey's Mediterranean
coast not far from Phaselis (map), Olimpos is
a village set 7 km (4 miles) off the
highway among pines, citrus orchards
and farmers' fields.
A little stream flows
through a rocky gorge and reaches
the Mediterranean at a beautiful beach.
(More
photos)
"Discovered" by backpackers
on a budget, Olimpos became popular
early on for its tree-house camps and
pensions, the most famous of which
is the renowned Kadir's Tree
House (but Bayram's is
also well-regarded).
Tree houses offer a variety of comfort
levels, and where
else can
you live in a tree with an Internet
connection?
The prettiest, most comfortable
accommodation here is Olimpos
Lodge.
The Chimera (Yanartas), a natural eternal
flame located on a mountainside
about 7 km (4.3 miles) from Olimpos
village, was easily visible by mariners
at sea in ancient times it, but today
it has dwindled to a series of tiny
flames, a less impressive but still remarkable
natural phenomenon.
The best way to visit Olimpos is by car because
it's 7 km (2.5 miles) south of the
coastal highway. If you're going by bus from
the north (Antalya, Kemer, Phaselis)
or from the west (Kas, Kalkan, Demre)
you should ask the driver to
let you off at the road to Olimpos.
In summer, taxis and
minibuses usually wait at this junction
and at the restaurant on the highway
to shuttle travelers to Olimpos proper
for about YTL3.
They usually meet the bus arrivals
and departures, if possible. Otherwise,
try to arrive by mid-afternoon and
hitch
a
ride.
Maps
of Mediterranean Turkey
Distances & Travel Times
Antalya: 80
km (50 miles) NE, 1.5 hours
Demre (Myra,
Kale): 70 km (44 miles), 1.75
hours
Fethiye: 215
km (134 miles), 5.75 hours
Kas: 116
km (72 miles) W, 2.5 hours
Kemer: 30
km (19 miles) N, 30 minutes
Phaselis: 18
km (11 miles) N, 20 minutes
Tekirova: 15 km (9 miles) N,
15 minutes
Mediterranean
Turkey
Where
to Go
Turkey
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