Things to do in Mediterranean Coast
-
A
Sultan Garden Restaurant
This very leafy place, with a terrace overlooking the harbour and a functioning ancient cistern, is a perennial favourite offering excellent service and traditional and inventive Turkish dishes. Try the hünkar beğendı (spiced stewed lamb on aubergine puree; TL22).
reviewed
-
B
Bougainville Travel
A long-established English-Turkish tour operator with a solid reputation and much experience in organising any number of activities lasting a full day (unless otherwise specified), including canoeing (TL70 on the Patara River, with individual rentals TL40/70 for a single/double); canyoning (TL100); mountain biking (TL72, with individual rentals TL44); paragliding (TL180 for flights lasting 20 to 30 minutes); scuba diving (TL56 per dive including all equipment); and sea kayaking (TL60).
reviewed
-
C
12-Island Tour
Many travellers sign up for the 12-Island Tour, a boat trip around Fethiye Bay (Fethiye Körfezi). The boats usually stop at six islands and cruise by the rest. Some are booze-cruise-style tours so check you're getting what you want. Hotels and agencies sell tickets or you can negotiate a price with the boat companies around the tourist office at the marina.
The normal tour (Fethiye Körfezi) visits Yassıcalar (Flat Island) for a stop and a swim, then Tersane Island for a dip in the turquoise waters and a visit to the ruins, followed by Akvaryum (Aquarium) for lunch, a swim and a snorkel. Cennet Köü (Paradise Bay) is next for a dip, followed by Klopatra Hamamı (Cleopatra's…
reviewed
-
D
Fethiye Museum
Reopened after a two-year refit and focusing on Lycian finds from Telmessos as well as the ancient settlements of Tlos and Kaunos, the museum exhibits pottery, jewellery, small statuary and votive stones (including the important Grave Stelae and the Stelae of Promise). Its most prized significant possession, however, is the so-called Trilingual Stele from Letoön, dating from 358 BC, which was used partly to decipher the Lycian language with the help of ancient Greek and Aramaic. The garden surrounding the museum contains an excellent lapidary of mostly Lycian sarcophagi and Roman tombstones, some of them portraying early Christian symbols and angels.
reviewed
-
E
Natur-el
With its dishes cooked to traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation, Natur-el and the family who runs it provide a chance to sample Turkish cuisine at its best. If you haven't yet eaten mantı, then choose from the three varieties (TL12) here. They also served aşure, an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink pudding of dried fruit, nuts and beans.
reviewed
-
F
Restaurant 36
Popular with the backpacker crowd, in part because of its location near to the cheaper pensions, yet also because of its distinctively laid-back vibe. The somewhat international menu offers items like tuna fish salads and omelettes along with the usual mix of mezes, kebaps and grills. Because the indoor dining area appears to also be the living room of the owner's home, front patio noshing is recommended.
reviewed
-
G
İç Kale
Before reaching the entrance to the fort, the road passes through the old inner citadel; this was the Turkish quarter during Ottoman and Seljuk times, and a number of old wooden houses are still standing. At the top is the Ehmedek Kapısı, the gateway to the fort. Enter the İç Kale, where you'll find poorly preserved ruins including cisterns and an 11th-century Byzantine church.
reviewed
-
H
Ney Restaurant
Tucked away off the street up some steps is this tiny but delightful restaurant set in a 250-year-old Greek house. Decorated with seashells and wind chimes, it's run by the charming Birgül, owner and cook, who offers delicious home cooking at pleasing prices. Try the mantı böreğı (Turkish ravioli).
reviewed
-
I
Hideaway Cafe & Bar
Well named, this enchanting cafe-garden is accessible from the street via a secret doorway opposite Noel Baba Cafe. Turkish breakfast (TL17.50) and Sunday brunch is offered, as well as snacks and cakes.
reviewed
-
Yakamoz Restaurant
A pleasant 1km walk from town along the promenade, this is a great place to head for a sunset drink and dinner. It's a traditional Turkish menu and the fish can be pricey, but there's plenty of atmosphere and an attractive outdoor area with big cushions down by the water.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Bi Lokma
Also known as 'Mama's Kitchen', this place has tables meandering around a terraced garden overlooking the harbour. Sabo – the 'mama' in question – turns out great traditional dishes including her famous mantı (TL9.50) and börek (filled pastry; TL10.50).
reviewed
-
K
Café Oley
Run by the dynamic Atilla, the Oley offers the best breakfast in town serving everything from bacon and Cornflakes to Vegemite and pancakes. It also does good salads and sandwiches. Customers have free internet access and there's a book exchange.
reviewed
-
Dripstone Cave
South of the tourist office and close to Cleopatra's Beach is the entrance to this cave with stalactites and a humidity of 95%. It is said to produce a certain kind of air that, if inhaled and exhaled for long enough periods, has the ability to relieve asthma sufferers.
reviewed
-
Meğri Restaurant
In a beautiful old stone house decorated with traditional artefacts, this place serves a varied menu in a nice atmosphere. With Turkish, Italian and French food all on offer, it might suit bickering couples who can't agree on where to go.
reviewed
-
L
Ocean Turizm & Travel Agency
Next to the tourist office, the Ocean Turizm & Travel Agency sells boat tickets and organises parasailing (TL125 for 45 minutes), day-long rafting trips (TL85) and half-day horse-riding excursions (TL50) along with lots of other water sports including so-called blue voyages.
reviewed
-
M
Hi-Jazz Bar
This mellow little bar round the corner from Chez Evy has canned (and sometimes live) jazz. It's very friendly and cosy but with no outside space – not one for the height of summer.
reviewed
-
N
Ancient Theatre
A well-preserved ancient theatre is about all that's left of ancient Antiphellos, which was the Lycian town here. The ancient theatre, 500m west of the main square, is in very good condition and was restored some time ago.
reviewed
-
O
Mavi Bar
Conveniently sited at the far end of the main square, the Mavi's permanently packed with people - it was Kaş' favourite when we visited. It plays a good mix of music and has tables outside.
reviewed
-
P
Queen Bar
Popular with travellers and locals alike, this place has a lively dance floor on the 1st floor and a more sedentary bar on the second. The friendly DJ, Emin, encourages musical requests.
reviewed
-
Q
Hilmi et Balık Restaurant
Set inside the fish market building, this place does meat dishes as well as fish (its speciality) and is a firm favourite locally. You can also bring-your-own.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
R
Çınarlar
Perennially popular with Kaş' young bloods, who come for the affordable pide and pop music, Çinarlar has a pleasant courtyard tucked away off the street.
reviewed
-
S
Sempati
The homestyle cooking at this place behind the blue door on the corner of Slippery Street attracts a loyal and regular following. Try the delicious aubergine fritters.
reviewed
-
T
Dalyan Kooperatifi
Every day in summer, excursion boats leave the quayside at 10:00 to cruise to Köyceğiz Gölü and the Sultaniye hot springs and mud baths, the ruins of Kaunos and İztuzu beach on the Mediterranean coast. You can save yourself a lot of money by taking boats run by the local cooperative, Dalyan Kooperatifi ; various pirates charge considerably more.
If you can organise a small group, it may be more economical to hire an entire passenger boat that holds from eight to 12 people. Haggle to get the best price, particularly if it's early or late in the season and many boats are standing idle. There are tours to Kaunos (two-hours), or to Kaunos and the Sultaniye hot springs (t…
reviewed
-
U
Antalya Museum
On no account should you miss this comprehensive museum about 2km west of the centre and accessible on the tramvay (tram). The museum is large, with exhibitions in a dozen large halls that cover everything from the Stone and Bronze Ages to Byzantium, so allow sufficient time. Unmissable are the Hall of Regional Excavations, which exhibit finds from Lycian (eg Patara and Xanthos) and Pamphylian cities; the Marble Portraits Hall, with evocative busts bearing incredibly realistic expressions and emotions; and the sublime Hall of Gods.
Even those not especially interested in Greek mythology will be moved by this collection, which includes representations of some 15 Olympian go…
reviewed
-
V
Kaunos
Founded in the 9th century BC, Kaunos (or Caunus) was an important Carian city by 400 BC. Right on the border with Lycia, its culture reflected aspects of both empires. The famous Kings' Tombs in the cliffs, for instance, are largely Lycian style. If you don't take a boat excursion to the site, walk south from town along Maraş Caddesi to Kaunos Sokak to view the tombs across the Dalyan River.
When Mausolus of Halicarnassus ruled Caria, his influence reached the Kaunians, who eagerly adopted that Hellenistic culture. Kaunos suffered from endemic malaria; according to Herodotus, its people were famous for their yellowish skin and eyes. The Kaunians' prosperity was also thre…
reviewed
