Kayakoy

Travel Guide
Kayakoy
Explore the abandoned streets of this famous ghost town and see the ruins of Greek Orthodox churches and houses built on a forested hillside in Lycia.

Wander through the deserted streets of the ghost town of Kayaköy, a former Greek village near Fethiye in Lycian Turkey. Hundreds of houses and churches make up this huge outdoor museum, built on the site of the ancient civilization of Carmylessus. The city was established in the 1700s and its residents were mostly Greek Orthodox Christians, but its streets were abandoned in 1923 after an agreement was made between the Turkish and Greek governments.

Explore Kayaköy’s eerie streets and see row upon row of houses, all in varying levels of ruin and without windows or roofs. Step over the weathered stone stairs that lead up the village’s hillside streets. See the old fountain, which dates back to 1888. Explore the Lower Church and the Upper Church and see the Greek Orthodox churches’ flaking vaulted interiors. Hike up to the Little Chapel on the hilltop, approximately a 20-minute walk from the Lower Church along a trail marked by red dots. Take in magnificent views of the sea and the valley on the other side of the hill.

This ruined village was deserted when a mandatory population exchange between the Turkish and Greek governments was enforced, following the bloodshed and political tensions of the Greco-Turkish War. The village’s Greek population left. The only signs of life in Kayaköy’s streets are a couple of street vendors, restaurants and pension hotels.

Hike in and out of Kayaköy on one of two trails. Walk 4.9 miles (8 kilometers) north to Fethiye and Ovacık, the trailhead of the famed Lycian Way trail network. Another hike leads from the Upper Church toward Ölüdeniz, home to Turkey’s renowned Blue Lagoon.

Get in to Kayaköy by foot or rent a motorized scooter and take the winding roads through the valley from Fethiye and Hisarönü. Minibuses, known as dolmuş, regularly shuttle between the ghost town and Fethiye, as well as Ölüdeniz in the warmer months. There’s a fee to visit the ghost town.

Infinity City Hotel
Infinity City Hotel
Cumhuriyet Mahallesi 39.Sokak N.6, Fethiye, Mugla
The price is ¥12,138 per night from May 16 to May 17
¥12,138
per night
May 16 - May 17
Stay at this hotel in Fethiye. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (395 reviews)
"Room slightly old fashioned but a good hotel, great breakfast and friendly staff."

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024

Infinity City Hotel
Yacht Classic Hotel - Boutique Class
Yacht Classic Hotel - Boutique Class
1 Karagozler No:24, Fethiye, Mugla
The price is ¥29,129 per night from May 16 to May 17
¥29,129
per night
May 16 - May 17
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Fethiye. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (545 reviews)
"The nicest hotel that we have stayed at. The staff are exceptional. Lovely waterfront setting with beautiful pool and restaurant area. This was our first visit to Turkey and we loved it. Will definitely go back to this hotel when we visit the area again."

Reviewed on May 11, 2024

Yacht Classic Hotel - Boutique Class
La Farine Hotel
La Farine Hotel
Karagözler Mah. Fevzi Çakmak Cad., No 33 A, Fethiye, Muigla
The price is ¥12,869 per night from May 19 to May 20
¥12,869
per night
May 19 - May 20
Stay at this hotel in Fethiye. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions Çalış Beach and Fethiye Marina are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (94 reviews)
"Wonderful, very friendly staff, she even wrote down a list of the nearest sightseeings to visit, I keep it! Love it!"

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024

La Farine Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Miralya Homes
Miralya Homes
Çarsi Cd. 97.Sokak, Fethiye, Mugla
Stay at this aparthotel in Fethiye. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Çalış Beach and Fethiye Marina are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (20 reviews)
"Very clean and spacious room with separate kitchen / living room area. Location is fabulous and there's private parking in the property. Highly recommended!!"

Reviewed on Apr 2, 2024

Miralya Homes
Alesta Seaside Residence
Alesta Seaside Residence
Baris Manço Blv., Fethiye, Mugla
Stay at this aparthotel in Fethiye. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (81 reviews)
Very welcoming and clean modern hotel 🙂
"A very clean, friendly hotel in a perfect location. Due to there being bars next door and opposite a little noisy at night but as we were in a beautiful loft room at the back of the hotel oncw we shut the patio door it wasn't an issue for us. Breakfast was varied. Staff very polite and approachable. ..."

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2023

Alesta Seaside Residence
Miralya Suites
Miralya Suites
KARAGÖZLER MAHALLESI 25 SOKAK NO 1, Fethiye, Mugla
Stay at this aparthotel in Fethiye. Enjoy free WiFi, satellite TV channels, and climate control. Popular attractions Çalış Beach and Fethiye Marina are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (8 reviews)
"Great place, nice shower and bed."

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2024

Miralya Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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