SITES OF INTEREST

Outdoor Sports

Kemer and its surrounders are situated within the ancient territory of Lykia Trade Road. With lots of trekking opportunities region also offers unique possibilities to the enthusiasts of ancient cities, national parks, caverns, canyons, valleys, and nature enthusiasts. You can participate in many activities within the regions such as; mountain-rock climbing, speleology, mountaineering, rafting, jeep safari, mountain biking and nature photography etc. Recently safari tours in high altitude areas such as Söğüt Cuması, Altınkaya, Dere villages, draws great attention. There are well kept horse farms introducing many activities with wide opportunities in Çamyuva location. You can take a horse riding training, or tours to ancient cities on horses and forest tours in these farms. There is also accommodation opportunity in these farms.

The area, starting from Antalya Trade Port to Çavuş (Adrasan) region, is "Olimpos Bey Mountains Shore National Park". There are for-the-day recreational areas with accommodating establishments on it for excursionist and picnic areas in some places within this region, like Kındıl Çeşme, Alacasu etc. You can make camping in plateaus situated at the piedmont of Taurus Mountains. Kemer folks generally go to high altitude plateaus in summer season such as Gödene Plateau (Altınyaka), Yeşil Plateau (Söğüt Cuması), Üçoluk Plateau and Belen Plateau. Söğüt Cuması is situated on Taurus Mountains and it is very crowded in summer season.

History and Culture

Sufficient information has not been  obtained about the ruins that found during the excavation works between the years 1976-1977 in Kemer. Carl Ritter who suggested that Ancient Idyros City is located in this region, also wrote that this city is at the north of Phaselis, in the north hillside of Kap Awawa Cape. However, the researches that conducted by Antalya Museum archeologists in 1977 confirmed another archeologist, Kipert’s finding that the city is located at the southeast beach of Kemer mountain, in the bay where An Awawa Cape is located.

Another different point of view is bringing in by Prof. Dr. Sencer Şahin, the head of Ancient Languages and Cultures Department of the Mediterranean University. Prof.Dr.Şahin argues that Ancient Olba City location which is considered at Antalya Arapsuyu region until today, actually located in Kemer Region and he is suggest that the thought of that ruins, found in Arapsuyu, belong to Idyros City is an absolute error. According to Prof. Dr. Sencer Şahin, the excavating must be focused in current location of Çamyuva in order to find the ruins of Idyros Ancient City. No matter its name, there are ruins of an ancient city in Kemer that reached to our century and it presents its own mysterious beauties all along the shore for the enthusiast of archeology and history.

Among the historical structures of the regions there are; Seljuk Empire Hunting Cottage and Idyros Ancient City. Seljuk Empire Hunting Cottage is located within the forest area on the right side after 200 meters from the interchange when we travel from Antalya to Kemer. Seljuk Empire Hunting cottage is survived whole 700 years and it is considered that it has been established by Seljuk Sultan Alâeddin Keykubat (1219 - 1236). During the excavation works in Idyros Ancient City, a church was found and dated to BC 4-7th centuries and it shows a complex structure because of chapel structure at the south and a baptistery structure at the north and other various structures within its surround.

During the excavation within the border of Beldibi town in order to find some clues about Middle Age history and architectural pattern, three ancient cities were found along with many farm building and olive and wine production work shops. By examining the ancient sources, it is understood that Lyrnessos and Thebe cities were founded approximately 2700 years ago by Aiolls migrating from Edremit Bay. Traces of our ancestors that have lived in various caverns and rocks have been brought to light by the surface researches small scale excavation works made in 1950s and 19660s. These excavation results only took place in scientific magazines so that the promotion of Beldibi Stone Age cultures to a wide public was prevented. Afore mentioned excavation work reports are reevaluated and the caverns studied were redetected and information concerning the Stone Age cultures were reached. Thousands of Paleolithic tools found in excavations and ruins with art characteristics shall be placed in a museum. In other words this is our wish. It is very important and valuable to visit these Stone Age locations because there are schematic figures that grafted on the rocks about 10-15 thousand years ago within four caverns among these caverns. They are easy to reach even just by walking there.

You can reach to the Ancient city Phaselis easily by sea and land and also by walking since it is located within Tekirova town and 2 km far from the town center. Ancient Lidia on Pamphilya border with three ports was founded by colonists of Argos according to one myth on BC. 690. Phaselis was under the reign of Persians during 200 years and on BC 344 it passes to Alexander the Great. It is known that Alexander the Great was fascinated from the beauty of Phaselis and stayed there during a winter season. The city was very popular especially during Roman Empire due to its dominant location on Syria and Greece. It was visited by the Emperor Hadrian on AC. 29th century. Most of the ruins found today belong to Roman and Byzantium period. You can experience history and nature together in Phaselis Ancient city. Theatre unites with the unique landscape of the environment in accordance with the Hellenistic traditions. Main road is 225 meters and connects the military port to the south port to each other. The road with 20-25 meter width is trapezoid shaped and it has three floored interesting plan. In this plan the common main road is followed by similar sub upper roads like pavement with three stairs on both sides of the main road. Phaselis contributes very much to yacht tourism with its marvelous bays and clean sea water. Theatre within the Phaselis Ancient city is united with the unique landscape of the environment and it is constructed in accordance with Hellenistic traditions. The theater is 2-floored and with 5 doors and you can reach the theatre by stone stairs from the arena. Theatre was used during hundred years and its shape is semi circular and has 200 seating lines. So it has 1500-person capacitywith this structure.

It is considered that Olimpos as a Lykia city  was established during Hellenistic Period. It is among the 6 major cities that has three voting rights within Lykia Union. This city was eliminated from Klikian pirates at the beginning of AC 1st century and Roman Empire dominated this location after that period. Olimpos was very popular during AC. 1st and 2nd centuries. Unblinking flame very near to it in Lykia and Hephaestus culture concerning this makes the city very famous in ancient history. However after AC. 3rd century piracy has started again and continuous depredations and attacks made the city pooper. Fortified castles were constructed by Venice, Genoese and Rhodes chevaliers in Olimpos within this period. It was left completely after 15th century. City was established over the two sides of a river flowing to the sea. River was a channel and landing deck during ancient times in order to provide transportation. Olimpos is the mountain of mythological Gods. Olympus is the mountain of Zeus, God of Gods, and Gods come together on it and make decisions. There are unblinking flames on this mountain. You can watch any kind of view that will satisfy your needs from the foothill of Tahtalı Mountain that you can reach after 8km mountain road from Tekirova. Phaselis, Olimpos and Yanartaş Çıralı complete this beautiful landscape. The reason to call this place as “Yanartaş” is the flames still burning today. According to mythological stories, Bellerophantes coming from god blood came to the place Çıralı (as called today) by the sea travel and he is the one to first explore this region. You can go to unique places at the foothill of Tahtalı (Olimpos) Mountains by a vehicle that you can rent from rent a car companies or by safari tour organizations. You can eat meat unique to the region and fish in the restaurants located within the unique landscape in Çınarlı Pınar 20 km far from Tekirova when you enter the region from Kemer Kesme Boğazı at the foothill of the Mountain and you can enjoy the unique Mediterranean landscape.

Olympos

This ancient city is situated on the southern side of Mt. Tahtali. Whether coming by sea or land do not miss the Olympos Valley shaded with oleander and laurel shrubs and the refreshing quiet pools of flowing water. The design of the mosaics in the Olympos bath is enhanced by the play of light while a temple gate and a theatre are of interest along with the other walls and towers around the bay which date from the Middle Ages. North of Olympos, up from Cirah Beach, is Yanartas (at a height of 300 m) where, according to mythology the rire breathing monster, Chimaera, was slain by the Lycian hero Bellerophon who was mounted on his winged horse, Pegasus. Nearby you can see remains from the Byzantines who attached religious importance to the area. Tranquil waters and sandy beaches line the Bay of Cavus, situated south of Olympos. This enchanting bay is yours for an unforgettable experience of water-skiing on glassy water, for discovering the colorful marine life in waters clear enough to see to the bottom, or exploring the incredible sea caves on the northern shore.

Phaselis

Situated at the foot of Mt. Tahtali (Olympos), 15 km south of Kemer, the three harbours of Phaselis were the reason for its historical role as a commercial centre. The view of Mt. Tahtali from the south harbour is particularly spectacular. The sheltered, pebbled and sandy beaches around the bays are delightful and the waters here are calm and safe for children and young swimmers. The ruins of aqueducts, agoras, baths, a theater, Hadrian's Gate, and an acropolis underline the city's historical importance.

Entertainment and Nightlife

Turkey always has an interactive relation with the cultures around it since she is a bridge between Europe-Asia Continents. It is possible to see the most significant example of this interaction in Kemer nightlife.

You can listen to Turkish Folk Music including rich philosophies in Anatolia and its environment, Turkish Classical Music and Balkan music and popular music in the world in night clubs, discos and bars.

In addition to this, very interesting animation events are performed at day and night in all hotels and holiday villages within Kemer region. Night life becomes more colorful with the organizations made by the municipalities themselves.