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Kayaköy

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City
—°8
Kayaköy (Turkey)
ℹ️

Practical info — Kayaköy

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the abandoned village early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense midday sun.
  • Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the paths between the ruins are uneven and rocky.
  • You will need to pay a small entrance fee to access the main archaeological site.
  • Minibuses (dolmuş) from Fethiye run frequently and are the easiest way to arrive.

🍽 Food

🍽
Gözleme

Savory Turkish flatbreads made fresh by local women at rustic roadside cafes near the village entrance.

🍽
Traditional Turkish Meze

Enjoy a selection of small dishes in the shaded gardens of the village's family-run restaurants.

🍽
Fresh Pomegranate Juice

Squeezed to order at small stalls along the path to the ruins.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Handmade Ceramics

Artisan pottery featuring traditional Turkish motifs, sold in small boutiques around the village.

🛍
Local Honey and Olive Oil

High-quality natural products sold directly by local farmers near the dolmuş stop.

🧘
The Upper Church

Climb up to the highest ruined church for a serene panoramic view of the valley and sea.

🧘
Trail to Ölüdeniz

A peaceful, pine-scented hiking path connecting the ghost village to the famous lagoon.

Kayaköy, originally known as Levissi, is one of the most evocative historical sites in Turkey. Located in a valley near Fethiye, the village was abandoned in the 1920s during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Today, hundreds of roofless stone houses and two large churches stand as a silent monument to a vanished community, creating a hauntingly beautiful landscape that attracts history buffs and photographers. A short drive or a scenic hike from the ruins leads to Gemiler Koyu (Gemiler Bay). This protected beach is located in a cove surrounded by pine and olive trees, offering calm, turquoise waters first-rate for swimming. The bay overlooks Gemiler Island (St. Nicholas Island), which houses the ruins of several Byzantine churches and is easily accessible by small boat from the beach. The modern village of Kayaköy surrounding the ruins has developed a bohemian atmosphere with pleasant cafes, craft shops, and boutique guesthouses. Visitors can enjoy traditional Turkish 'gözleme' (savory pancakes) while soaking in the unique historical ambiance. The combination of the profound silence of the ancient ruins and the sparkling Mediterranean waters of Gemiler Bay makes this a truly unique destination.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr–Jun.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C151416182125282927242016
Rain mm1931246944257642064105175

Live webcam – Kayaköy

See what it looks like near Kayaköy right now.

Oludeniz: Belcekiz Beach Club - Ölüdeniz Plajı - Belcekiz Beach Hotel - Paragliding Oludeniz Turkey - Fethiye · 4.8 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Coordinates
36.57813, 29.08746

Facts

  • Ghost village
  • Levissi ruins
  • Gemiler Bay
  • Near Fethiye
  • St. Nicholas Island
  • Byzantine ruins
  • Bohemian vibe
  • Population exchange

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Kayaköy (8)

ruins of a church🏺 historical

Ruins of a 19th-century Greek Orthodox church in the abandoned village of Kayakoy, Turkey.

Cold Water Bay🎡 recreation

A pebble beach on the Mediterranean coast near Kayakoy.

Ancient Water Reservoir🏺 historical

A stone-built water cistern from the Greek era in Kayakoy.

High Chapel📍 landmark

A restored Greek Orthodox chapel on the upper slopes of Kayakoy.

Lower Church📍 landmark

A large stone church near the square in the ghost town of Kayakoy.

Roundabout signpost monument📍 landmark

A stone monument at the roundabout marking the entrance to Kayakoy.

High Church🏺 historical

Another ruined church on the hillside of Kayakoy.

Camel beach🎡 recreation

A sandy beach near Kayakoy, popular for swimming.

Frequently asked questions

Kayaköy: where is it located?
Kayaköy is located in Turkey.
Kayaköy: what is there to see?
Highlights include ruins of a church, Cold Water Bay, Ancient Water Reservoir.
Kayaköy: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Jun.
Kayaköy: why is it worth visiting?
Kayaköy, originally known as Levissi, is one of the most evocative historical sites in Turkey.
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