R&R Turkish-Style at Olympos

PHOTO: Although the beach at Olympos may be rocks, the views are worth it. (photos by Shannon Wolf)

After an action packed few weeks in Istanbul, followed by hikes through valleys and blissed-out hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia, I decided to give myself a little R&R before heading onwards to Pamukkale, where I would reunite with one of my best friends from Canada for 10 days.

When the weather exceeds 100 degrees F in the height of Turkish summer, you’re fairly limited on what you can do besides swimming, siestas or hiding in the shade — so I did just that in the tiny village of Olympos.

I stayed for a week at Bayrams pension, where I spent my days working, doing yoga in my air-conditioned cabin or reading while swinging in their hammocks.

By late afternoon, the heat became bearable, and I would walk down the dusty road, past the end of the guesthouses and onto an ancient winding path, past ancient Greek ruins to the picturesque bay of Olympos — seeking refuge in the mountains shade before running into the turquoise waters to swim. I would stay until sunrise, loving my simplistic days mastering my craft in the art of doing nothing.

PHOTO: Who needs Greece when you have the turquoise coast!

By the time I left, I felt rejuvenated and ready for my next journey. So if you need a little quiet time between the long bus rides and adventures — Olympos is a great choice for a few days!

Money: There are no banks or ATMs, so make sure you have enough cash on you before you come. (However, Bayram does accept credit cards now!)

Entering the Beach: You do have to buy a weekly pass to enter the ruins and beach. It costs 7 TL but if you ask the pension, they usually have extra cards lying around from travelers who left.

Best Hostel: Bayram ($25 a night)

Another traveler recommended a stay at Bayrams and I’m really glad I did. The staff is friendly, they provide good meals and there are plenty of comfy chill-out spots.

Features:

• Log-cabin dorms with comfy beds (only six beds per dorm)

• Dorms include two ensuite bathrooms

• Fast Wi-Fi/plenty of outlets

• HUGE and healthy breakfast/dinner vegetarian buffet included

• Less than half a mile walk to the beach

• Safety boxes available

• Plenty of cozy seating and hammocks

• Laundry service available

• Ping-pong table

Things to do:

• Chill out and relax with an ice-cold beer.

• Explore the ancient Greek ruins.

• Swim in the picturesque turquoise waters.

• Go on a Chimera Flame Tour — you will be taken to an area where natural fire erupts from the ground.

• Hike around the surrounding peaks of Olympos Valley.

PHOTO: On the way to the beach, this stunning nature is what surrounds you.

Getting to Olympos:

From Cappadocia, take a coach to Antalya (47 TL) and then a mini-bus (15 TL) from the station. Buses leave Antalya every half hour for the west (look for the destinations of Fethiye or Kas, these buses pass by the Olympos main road bus station. Antalya Tur is the company that runs these buses. The minibus will drop you off at Olympos Main Road Bus Station where you will transfer onto another mini-bus. Tell the driver the name of your pension and they will drop you right at the front door.

Leaving Olympos:

Minibuses will come down the road every couple of hours and stop in front of the pension. They will drop you off at the Olympos main road bus station and from there, minibuses will go towards Antalya and Kas every 30 minutes.