About Olimpos
Olympos lies in a sheltered valley on the southern Antalya coast, where a Mediterranean cove meets pine-covered Lycian foothills. Unlike the bustling resort coast nearby, Olympos has built a global reputation around a different style of holiday: rustic, nature-based and culturally rich. The valley contains the romantic ruins of the ancient city of Olympos, a member of the Lycian League, with stones half-overgrown by laurel and oleander leading down to the beach.
What first put Olympos on the world map, however, is the cluster of wooden treehouse lodges scattered through the valley. Türkmen Tree Houses and similar properties have become a fixture of the international backpacker route — places where evenings revolve around campfires, shared meals and stargazing rather than nightclubs. The valley's relative isolation, with limited mobile reception and no large hotels, is the source of its enduring atmosphere.
A second draw is Chimera (Yanartaş), a few kilometres around the headland: natural underground gas escapes that have been burning on the mountainside for thousands of years. Climbing up at dusk to watch the flames is a memorable Olympos experience — and the source of the original Chimera myth. The Lycian Way long-distance trail also passes through the area, making Olympos a natural base for hikers.
Antalya Airport to Olympos Transfer
Private transfer from Antalya Airport to Olympos is the most comfortable way to reach this secluded valley after a flight. Our drivers track your flight, meet you at the terminal and drive you directly to your lodge or pension. The route leaves the coastal motorway and descends through a winding mountain road into the valley — a stretch that benefits from a driver who knows the road well.
The small mountain road into Olympos valley is narrow, with hairpin bends through pine forest. Travelling with a professional transfer turns this final stretch into a relaxed introduction to the area rather than a stressful end to a journey. Treehouse lodges and pensions have address coordination that drivers can use to reach the right entrance.
How to Reach Olympos
From Antalya Airport, the route to Olympos follows the coastal motorway south-west past Kemer and Tekirova, then turns inland through pine-covered foothills before descending into the valley. The road is well maintained as far as the valley entrance; the final stretch into Olympos itself is a narrow mountain descent, scenic but requiring careful driving.
Practical Tips for Visiting Olympos
The Olympos season runs from mid-April to the end of October, with the most pleasant months being May, June and September. Because of the valley's mountain setting, evenings are cooler than the open coast — a light jacket is useful even in midsummer. Accommodation here is intentionally rustic — wooden lodges, simple pensions, eco-camps — rather than large hotels. Pack a comfortable pair of shoes for the antique-city walks and the climb to Chimera.
The valley deliberately maintains a low-key character: shopping is minimal, restaurants are small and atmospheric, and the rhythm of the day is slow. For travellers who want luxury comfort or extensive nightlife, neighbouring Çıralı (more family-oriented) or Kemer (more lively) are better options. Olympos is for those who want authenticity, nature and a touch of the legendary.
- Visit Chimera in the evening — the flames are most dramatic after sunset; bring a torch and good shoes.
- May and September offer ideal temperatures for combining beach, ruins and hill walks.
- Restaurants in the valley fill up quickly on evenings — book your dinner table earlier in the day.
