Phaselis to Çıralı Coastal Trail

The Phaselis to Çıralı Coastal Trail links two of the Kemer District's most historically significant sites across 15 kilometres of coastal mountain terrain in Antalya Province. The route forms a section of both the Lycian Way and the St. Paul Trail, offering a combination of ancient ruins, pine forest, sea views, and peaceful beach arrival that ranks among the most satisfying day walks on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. The walk begins at the ancient city of Phaselis, a Hellenistic and Roman harbour settlement with three intact bays and a well-preserved colonnaded main street; the site charges an entrance fee of approximately 100–150 TL. From the southern bay of Phaselis, a marked trail climbs through dense Pinus brutia forest on the lower slopes of Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı, 2,365 m), ascending approximately 300 metres before crossing a ridge and descending through more open maquis scrubland toward the southern coast. Rocky headlands and several hidden coves punctuate the route; at low tide some walkers divert to isolated pebble beaches below the clifftops. The terrain includes compacted dirt, loose stones, and occasional short scramble sections over limestone outcrops requiring the use of hands. Shade is good through the forest sections but limited on exposed headlands. Navigation follows Lycian Way waymarks (red and white stripes) throughout; the path is clear in most sections. Approaching Çıralı, the trail descends through agricultural land and orange groves, emerging at the northern end of Çıralı beach — a 3.5-kilometre stretch of grey pebbles framed by the Olympos ruins at its southern end and the Chimaera access road at its north. The one-way walk is ideally completed Phaselis to Çıralı (southbound), with transport arranged back to Phaselis or onward to Antalya from Çıralı. Allow 5–6 hours including a stop at the Phaselis ruins and a swim at Çıralı beach on arrival.