Termessos - ancient city in today's Turkey

Termessos is an ancient city in the Pamphylia region of Turkey, high over the mountains northwest of the regional capital of Antalya.

Understand

Established by native Pisidians, the earliest records available about Termessos date back to 333 BC, when Alexander the Great failed to conquer it in one of his rare defeats. At an elevation of more than 1000 metres over the Mt Solymos (modern Güllük Dağı) of the Taurus Mountains range, the city has been referred to as an eagle's nest ever since.

Due to its mountainous setting, Termessos is often nicknamed "Turkey's Machu Picchu", although it receives only a fraction of the visitor numbers of its South American counterpart. Nevertheless, Termessos is quite impressive due to its mountainous terrain, it is just hard to get there. Most of the site is probably still buried or lying around. But the theatre in the mountainous surrounding is definitely worth the trip and entrance

Get in

There is no direct public transportation to Termessos.

A dolmuş from Antalya otogar (30 km) to the Termessos junction costs 8 TL, which leaves you 9 km from the site. There is usually a taxi waiting at the bottom, but he charges a lot. Nevertheless, hitchhiking is easy. Or walk and enjoy the views.

Fees

Entry costs 15 TL (€1) per person.

See and do

The highlight of the site is the impressive theatre.

Explore the Roman ruins. The site is small enough to be explored on foot.

Buy, eat and drink

There are no shops so bring what you need with you, including snacks and plenty of water.

Sleep

There is no accommodation available in the park.

• Pension Camping Yesil Vadi is just outside the park before the ticket gate. Ciglik Beldesi Aydinlar Mah. Termessos Antalya 07191.

Stay safe

Go next

Head west to the non-touristy town of Elmalı, which is a starting point for hikes up to the nearby mountains. Further westwards from there, the road meets the sea again in Fethiye.