The ancient city of Olympos lies in ruins in a picturesque valley southwest of Antalya.
Founded in Hellenistic times and becoming part of the Roman empire in 78 BC, the city is believed to have taken its name from nearby Mount Olympos, one of many mountains across Turkey and Greece named after the heavenly abode of the Gods.
The city ruins lie scattered near the village of Olimpos, in an area known for its rich plant life – wild grapevines, oleander, bay trees, wild figs and pines – and are a short walk from pretty Olimpos beach.
Visitors making the trip to the ruins of Olympos also include a visit to the nearby Chimaera (Yanartas). Sitting on a rocky mountainside above the village of Cirali, these seemingly eternal flames (fuelled by natural methane leaking from the earth) have been burning non-stop for thousands of years.
Olympos is 90km (56mi) southwest of Antalya near the town of Kumluca.
