One week from Antalya, stayed most of the time in Cirali.
We were meaning to stay in Kas and do the Kekova boat trip, but Kas has gone a bit too far down the road of tourist development in my books. Must have been nice 10 or even 5 years ago, but it isn't my kind of place anymore. Stayed one night and went straight back to Cirali.
And one night in Antalya at the end, where most of the old quarter was being refurbished and it was far too touristy for me - I HATE being accosted every time I walk past a restaurant or shop! Lovely landlady at the Senem family Pension tho, who really made us feel at home - recommended.
Termessos - simply unmissable. Organised through the Senem, 60 YTL the trip. I didn't see many ruins (OK, two, in fact) but the setting made this a must. Stunning theatre backed by a crag and atmospheric necropolis, a sea of tombs amid the pines and junipers.
Cirali was great, a beautiful natural beach with lovely views of the Olympos ruins on the cliff at one end and crystal clear water. Nice pansiyons, many with gardens and hammocks (oh yes, it was almost like being in Brazil again...) Transport was a little tricky tho, as the minibus service hadn't started yet, and the choice for getting up to the main road was either a taxi (20 YTL) or a 30 min walk along the beach and through the Olympos ruins to the minibus at Olympos.
Walking - many possibilities, inc a long loop Cirali-Olympos-Ulupinar-Chimaera-Cirali. The Chimaera (Olympic) flames are worth a trip, tho best at dusk (don't do as we did and try to walk it at midday and 35 degrees!) The Ulupinar walk could be fuelled by a good meal at the lovely waterfall restaurant (yes, you can eat in the waterfall itself!) at Ulupinar. And a long and hard walk to Adrasan, just up the coast. Lovely untouched forest all around, very lush.
Olympos ruins were surprisingly impressive in my book, wonderful overgrown site. I liked the ruins a lot in Turkey, most of them unfenced and totally unkempt - nice! The Olympos tree house "village" - yuk! I hate this kind of backpacker ghetto, where so-called "travellers" hang on and consdier themselves soooo superior to the package tourists, when really they're pretty much the same in their desire to hide from the country they're in.
Food in Cirali good rather than great, but IMO that goes for Turkey in general, tho we did have one v good meal in Antalya (Hasasaga??). Nice healthy food, but all that about Turkish food being in the world top 3 tho - come on!! And the wine... well, best to make no comment really. Overpriced, reminded me of the worst of W Europe 20 years ago. Still, taht enabled me to detox a little...
Thanks to everyone who offered me advice.
:D
Hi suiko,
I really am pleased that you enjoyed your time spent in Cirali and I guess most if not all the info I provided was worthwhile to you. I have been singing the praises for Cirali for a couple of years now on the forums.....So happy to hear that you got to Ulupinar to not only see the water falls but I do hope that you had a fresh trout lunch as well. And suiko is right the tables and traditional turkish kioks are built right over the flowing water.
I am however surprized that you comment about the mini-bus service to the village as I have been going out every weekend for the past month or so and I have seen at least one waiting at the top on the main highway. But you are right they will wait until they have more than 2-4 passengers. Or they will take you in for the private cost of 20 YTL'S.
For future travellers to the Cirali area .....As they are not always reliable then call the hotel you plan stay at for a pickup and most do not charge anything for this service. that of course if there is not mini-bus service available....
Glad you got up to Termessos ??? how did you end up doing it??? by bus?? did you get to the Antalya museum...that is also really worthwhile especially after travelling to Termessos because many pieces are on display there.
Look forward to your replies !!! and keep in touch on the forums from time to time as you can offer other travellers great advise !!! :)) Do you have any photos of your trip.? Would like to see them if possible.
My Cirali Photos + Antalya area sites
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