Olympos Guide

Olympos, a district of Antalya, is a corner of paradise where you can find every shade of green and blue. The sea, which you reach by walking through the forest, is crystal clear. The area is under protection as it has been declared an urban conservation area and an archaeological site. As a result, it remains a pristine, stunningly beautiful location. The forest you pass through on the way to the sea is the Olympos National Park. There has been minimal development in the area, helping Olympos preserve its ancient beauty.

Olympos, part of the Olympos-Bey Mountains National Park in Antalya, covers a section of Turkey's southern coast. The Bey Mountains are located on the western wing of the Taurus Mountains. As you descend from the snow-capped peaks, you see the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean through lush pine and cedar forests.

Olympos, or Olimpos, is like a blend of a beautiful beach and a stunning landscape. Located in the heart of the national park, Olympos is surrounded by breezes that flow from the mountains.

Since no extensive archaeological excavations have been carried out, the region is covered with sparse forests. This forested landscape gives Olympos a sense of being undiscovered and secretive.

Olympos has a long history of settlement. The name Olympos is believed to originate from Ancient Greek, meaning "great mountain." Over twenty mountains and peaks worldwide bear this name, and some towns and cities near these peaks have also adopted it. The most famous of these is Thessalian Mountain in northeastern Greece, considered the home of the ancient Greek gods.

The ancient city of Olympos takes its name from Mount Tahtalı, formerly known as Mount Olympos. Tahtalı Mountain lies about 10 km north of the region and is home to the eternal flames of Yanartaş.

Olympos was once one of the most important cities of the ancient Lycian civilization. The city's foundations were laid during the early Hellenistic period, around 300 BC. It is known that Alexander the Great spent his winters in the neighboring port city of Phaselis during the early years of his conquests.

The first historical mention of Olympos appears in 78 BC when the Roman governor of Sicily, Servilius Vatia, defeated the infamous pirate Zenicetes in a naval battle. Zenicetes, who controlled the entire coastline by hiding his ships in the secret harbors of Porto Ceneviz and Sazak, had made Olympos his fortress. After being recaptured by the Romans, Olympos was declared "ager publicus" (a Roman property available for sale or lease).

During the Roman Empire's Christianization, Olympos was home to a bishop. From the 3rd century onward, frequent pirate attacks led to a gradual population decline, and the city lost its former importance.

After hosting the Venetians, Genoese, and the Knights of Rhodes, Olympos was abandoned by foreigners and came under Ottoman control when the Ottoman Navy took over the Eastern Mediterranean in the 15th century.

With its unique location, Olympos offers the pleasure of exploring historical ruins while enjoying the sun and the sea. The city was dedicated to the God of Power, Hephaestus, whose presence was believed to strengthen the eternal flames of Chimera (Yanartaş) on the other side of the mountain.

Since Olympos is a protected archaeological site, large-scale tourism development is legally restricted. This has helped preserve the area's natural landscape, making Olympos a unique natural paradise enjoyed by visitors. One could say that the ancient city has finally been conquered by nature.

To explore the area, you must embark on an adventurous journey through the forest, witnessing wildlife and inhaling the scents of pine and laurel trees.

The magnificent coastline doesn't only attract sunbathers. During the summer, large sea turtles come to the Olympos-Çıralı beach to lay their eggs at night. If you're lucky, you may witness the nesting ritual of the loggerhead turtles (Caretta carettas).

Olympos, with its natural and historical beauty and its legendary past rooted in mythology, welcomes many local and foreign tourists each year. Most accommodations are treehouses located away from the sea. If you prefer boutique hotels, you can find charming facilities nestled among the trees. You can also find guesthouses offering affordable lodging options.