Discover the Lycian Coast

Your Lycian Coast tour begins with your arrival into the resort town of Gocek, with a transfer to your luxury yacht waiting in the marina. Boarding is in the afternoon, so you might want to walk around the village. Nestled in the hills of the Taurus Mountains with lush, green landscapes covered in forest and a turquoise sea, there are lots of opportunities to unwind while enjoying the beauty. Once it’s time to return to the vessel, you’ll be welcomed by the captain and crew, get settled in, and depart to a bay nearby where you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Early this morning you’ll sail to Kalkan, a lovely town with whitewashed homes that descend to the sea, brightened by bougainvillea. You can enjoy swimming in the clear blue waters and relaxing here or take an optional tour to visit Patara nearby. It has an interesting history to explore as a major trading and naval port along with a gorgeous, nearly 7.5-mile-long sandy beach that’s been named one of the best in the world. Be sure to bring your bathing suit as the water is ideal for a dip. There’s a beach café for enjoying a bite with a view too. Return to the yacht in the early evening – you’ll dock in the harbor or moor in a secluded bay tonight.

Today you can visit ancient Antiphellos or charming Kas, a resort town with a Roman theater and sarcophagi, while temple ruins sit above the harbor. From here, you can choose to visit the tiniest inhabited Greek Island in the Dodecanese, Kastellorizo. Just a few miles south of the Turkish coast, it features pirate coves, narrow fjords, precipitous cliffs, and soaring mountains. The harbor looks like it’s straight out of a storybook with its pastel hues and features shops selling handcrafted items, tavernas, and seafood eateries. There’s even a Blue Grotto, similar but bigger than the well-known cave on the island of Capri in Italy.

This morning, cruise on to Kekova where you’ll be mooring for the night. This island offers striking beauty while the locals live among sunken ancient remains. There are sarcophagi and Lycian rock tombs that are visible from the sea. The charming fishing village of Kalekoy is overlooked by a beautifully preserved castle that holds Lycia’s smallest amphitheater and at the east end, you’ll find a Lycian necropolis and sarcophagi nestled among ancient olive trees that overlook the Aegean. The half-submerged residential area of ancient Simena, devastated by 2nd-century AD earthquakes, includes staircases that descend to the water.

Your next destination is Kale where you’ll have the option to visit either St. Nicholas Church or the site of Myra, a leading city of the Lycian Union that eventually became Lycia’s capital. It hosts the region’s largest amphitheater and many tombs that were carved from the cliffs just above. By the 11th-century, it was mostly abandoned. The original Church of St. Nicholas at Myra was constructed in the 6th century, with a monastery added some 500 years later. The remains of frescos and a mosaic floor are still visible. In the afternoon, enjoy swimming in Kekova Bay before cruising north to Yesikoy.

Continue to the most photographed lagoon in Turkey, Olu Deniz. Its surreal, brilliant blue waters and photogenic sands are often featured on travel brochures and tops the list of the country’s most beautiful beach lists. You can spend the day here swimming and watch the paragliders who come from across the globe soar off Babadag Mountain. An optional, strenuous hike or drive to the deserted village of Kayakoy is possible, with its history dating back to 3000 BC, though there are only a few remains of rock tombs and sarcophagi dating from the 4th-century BC.

As you make your way back to Gocek, you’ll be able to explore this 12-island sailing paradise with its clear, calm water ideal for swimming while surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery. Your yacht will dock in the port of the seaside village of Gocek, now the most popular yachting hub in the country. Especially picturesque, it’s surrounded by pine tree-covered hills on three sides with homes just a couple of blocks from the water featuring small gardens with a wide variety of vegetables while the sidewalks are lined with lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, and orange trees. It makes a lovely panorama and a fantastic photo-op.

The day has arrived that most of us dread: departure day. You’ll have time for breakfast this morning before transferring to Dalaman Airport about a 25-minute drive away. From there you can catch your flight to Istanbul followed by a connecting flight home or transfer elsewhere. Our travel experts can help if you’d like to continue your journey but aren’t sure where. Or, contact them when you’re ready for your next unforgettable trip with countless destinations to choose from.