Antalya’s hidden paradises at a glance
- Nine different routes away from crowded beaches and immersed in nature, from canyons to a sunken ancient city, from secluded bays to a turquoise lake.
- Rock climbing and rafting are available in Bilgelik Valley, while Sazak Bay has no electricity or phone reception. Both are favorites among camping enthusiasts.
- Kekova is one of the region’s most mysterious stops, featuring its sunken ancient city, accessible by boat, and its status on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
- In Phaselis, history and the sea meet in the same bay. With its three harbors and ancient theater, it is one of Antalya’s best-known ancient cities.
- Suluada, off the coast of Adrasan, is known as “the Maldives of Türkiye” for its uninhabited white-sand beach and turquoise waters.
Does peace and quiet come before everything else for you on a summer vacation? If so, you are in the right place. Today, we have compiled a list of Antalya’s hidden paradises for you. In Antalya, the jewel of Türkiye, we have wonderful suggestions for a summer holiday far from the crowds, in the arms of tranquility and immersed in nature.
Bilgelik Valley
Tazı Canyon, set in the Köprülü Canyon National Park in Antalya’s Manavgat district, is also known as Bilgelik Valley – an appropriate name for this recently discovered gem. Located on the upper part of Köprülü Canyon, Tazı Canyon features dramatic 200-meter-high cliffs, along with stunning views and sunsets.
Although it retains its tranquil atmosphere, Tazı Canyon has become rather popular in Antalya, especially for rock climbing, rafting, trekking, and camping. However, if you are thinking of camping here, you need some camping experience, as it can be a little dangerous for beginners. To find more ideas for campsites across Türkiye, you can check out our camping category.
To learn more about Türkiye’s most beautiful canyons, read our article on Türkiye’s breathtaking canyons.
Kekova
Kekova, a small, uninhabited island in the Demre district of Antalya, is just 4.5 square kilometers. Despite its tiny size, the island features historical ruins and a sunken city. Visitors are permitted to swim and dive only in certain locales around this fascinating island, which was declared a protected site in 1990, this enchanting island allows swimming and diving only in designated areas. Due to its historical and archaeological significance, Kekova is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
On Kekova, visitors will find churches and chapels, towers and ancient harbors from the Hellenistic period, as well as ruins from the Roman and Byzantine eras. Guided tours are also available.
Kekova is accessible by a two-hour boat ride from Kaş or a 10-minute boat ride from Üçağız. Some vessels feature glass bottoms, through which visitors can observe the sunken city. Also, the Theimussa Ancient City in Üçağız is worth a visit.
To learn more about the enchanting ancient cities in Türkiye, take a look at our blog piece on them.
Çığlıkara Forest
Probably one of Antalya’s least frequented hidden paradises, Çığlıkara Forest encircles the mountain range to the west of Beydağları, approximately 15 km south of the Antalya city center. Located on the Elmalı – Finike border, Çığlıkara Forest is a protected natural area: the 15,000-hectare forest includes trees that are more than two thousand years old.
Çığlıkara Forest is one of the most beautiful cedar forests not only in Türkiye, but also in the world. The suppleness, durability and scent of cedar wood are renowned – and are the most well-known characteristics of the Lebanon Cedars found in the Çığlıkara Forest. Allegedly, this wood was used by Antalya’s shipbuilders to craft the ancient world’s most beautiful and fastest ships.
To spend a quiet summer day listening to the sounds of birds among cedar and juniper trees, Antalya’s hidden paradise, Çığlıkara Forest, should be on your list.
Sazak Bay
Peace, quiet and serenity are also found along Sazak Bay, another hidden paradise of Antalya. Visitors must bring their own food and drinks – there are no facilities in Sazak Bay, no electricity and no mobile phone reception. Just tranquility.
Set in the western part of Beydağları Coastal National Park, Sazak Bay is at the foot of Mount Musa, with a wide sandy beach that extends into the forest and one of the calmest bays in Antalya. You too can enjoy a unique camping experience here, in the embrace of tranquility. The bay is also near the 560-kilometer Lycian Way, which runs from Fethiye to Antalya. If you would like to extend your walking route via Adrasan, Sazak Bay makes a beautiful stop.
Sazak Bay is connected to the Kumluca district of Antalya. It is accessible via by boat tours from Adrasan or by land via the forest road. However, the land route is difficult; it is only around eight kilometers, but about an hour’s drive.
Suluada
Located off the coast of Adrasan, about 7 kilometers from Cape Gelidonya, Suluada is known as “the Maldives of Türkiye.” There are no settlements or facilities on the island. With its white-sand beach and glass-clear turquoise waters, it is one of the most untouched corners of the Mediterranean.
The island can be reached only by boat. Daily tour boats depart from Adrasan and Olympos and arrive at Suluada in about 45 minutes. You can also rent a private boat. There are two beaches on the island: the front beach, exposed to the wind, and the more sheltered, waveless back beach. Snorkeling, underwater photography, and short nature walks are among the main activities on Suluada. Suluada is also located where the Gelidonya Lighthouse, Çıralı, and Olympos, Adrasan stages of the Lycian Way intersect; for this reason, it is a natural rest stop for those walking the Lycian Way.
Because the island is protected as a natural site, camping there requires permission from the gendarmerie and the coast guard, so most visitors opt for a day trip. The best time to visit Suluada is between April and October, though early June or late September is recommended for those who want to avoid the crowds.
Oymapınar Lake
Located in Antalya’s Manavgat district, Oymapınar Lake is nestled behind a dam on the northern side of Manavgat Stream. The lake’s turquoise color and unique flora are notable; the Green Canyon lies behind the rock islets in Oymapınar Lake and can be visited by boat. Altinbesik Cave is also here. Around Oymapınar Lake are boat companies that provide tours to the Green Canyon, and there are trekking routes along the lake. If you want to go hiking, Oymapınar Lake is a great option.
Phaselis Bay
A 15-minute drive from Kemer and a 45-minute drive from Antalya, Phaselis Ancient City and Phaselis Bay are a charming summer holiday destination. Phaselis Bay, one of Antalya’s hidden paradises, is set amid the Beydag Mountains Sahil National Park. If you are dreaming of a tranquil summer vacation intertwined with nature, Phaselis Bay will exceed your expectations, particularly if you are intrigued by ancient history.
Also known as Faselis, the Ancient City of Phaselis is believed to have been founded in 700 BC by colonists from the island of Rhodes. Phaselis was an important commercial center in antiquity, with ports in the north, northeast and southwest of the peninsula. At the same time, the Ancient City of Phaselis is also renowned for its water distribution channels, which are among the finest examples of the advanced engineering of that period. Keep it in mind during your visit!
Frequently asked questions
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When is the best time to visit Antalya’s hidden paradises?
Instead of July and August, when the summer heat is at its peak, late June and September are cooler options, both away from the crowds and better suited to sea and nature activities. For stops such as Kekova and Phaselis that require boat tours, choosing days with calm seas makes the trip easier.
Do you need to be experienced to camp in Bilgelik Valley?
Yes. Due to the steep cliffs and challenging terrain of Tazı Canyon, those who want to camp in the area are advised to have basic camping and hiking experience, as the area can be a little dangerous for beginners.
Do you need to dive to see the sunken city in Kekova?
No. Due to its protected site status, free diving in the area is restricted; the sunken ruins can be seen from glass-bottomed boats or by swimming at designated points.
What should I pay attention to when going to Sazak Bay?
Because there are no businesses, electricity, or phone reception in the bay, you need to bring enough food, drinks, and sun protection. If you choose to travel by road, remember that the forest road is challenging and takes about an hour to traverse.
How do you get to Suluada, and can you camp on the island?
Suluada can be reached only by boat. Day tours departing from Adrasan and Olympos take about 45 minutes. Because the island is a natural site, you need to obtain permission from the gendarmerie and the coast guard before camping there.
How long does it take to reach Phaselis Bay from Antalya?
Phaselis Bay is about 45 minutes from Antalya city center and 15 minutes from Kemer. Because the entrance to the ancient city and the bay are in the same area, you can experience both history and the sea in a single visit.
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