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Olympos, Çıralı and the eternal flames of Yanartaş
Photo: Carole Raddato / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Editor's route Legendary experiences Season: April–November (Yanartaş all year)

Olympos, Çıralı and the undying fire of Yanartaş

By day, the ancient city of Olympos hidden among the trees along a stream, and the sea; in the evening, climb in the dark to Yanartaş (the Chimaera) to watch natural gas flames that have burned from the rocks for thousands of years. One of Antalya's most magical days.

Duration1 days
Distance≈ 8 km
Stop3
Tickets0
AP

AnatoliaPass editorsTürkiye's legendary experiences · last checked 22 October 2026

Know before you go: transport and safety
  • Çıralı beach is a nesting area for loggerhead turtles: do not use lights on the beach at night, fill in the holes left by sunshades and stay away from the nests.
  • The Yanartaş path is stony and steep in the dark; bring a torch and do not touch the flames.

Things to experience at least once in Türkiye: the Eastern Express and the train to Lake Van, sunrise on Mount Nemrut, the Lycian Way, a Blue Cruise, the sunken city of Kekova, the Hittite capital, Selimiye and Kırkpınar, and skiing on Erciyes and Palandöken. We don't sell train, boat or ski tickets; each route links to the official sales channel. Places where seasons and hours may change carry a "check before you go" notice.

Getting there / tickets: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism · museums and archaeological sites

AnatoliaPass does not sell these tickets; we send you to the official sales channel. Check prices and departure days there before you go.

Make your own version
  1. 1

    Olympos Ancient City

    Start: Olympos entrance · stay 150 min

    Lycian and Roman ruins scattered among the trees along the stream, with the sea at the end of the city. The site ticket also gives access to the beach.

    Olympos Ancient City
    Photo: Josh.artofwayfaring / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Hours and prices change with the season; check with the official source before you go.

  2. 2

    Çıralı beach

    ≈ 20 min walk along the beach · stay 150 min

    A long pebble beach and family-run guesthouses; lunch and a swim.

    Çıralı beach
    Photo: Alexey Komarov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting area.

  3. 3

    Yanartaş (Chimaera)

    ≈ 10 min by car from Çıralı + ≈ 20–30 min climb on the path · stay 75 min

    Natural gas seeping from cracks in the rocks ignites by itself; in antiquity these flames were linked with the myth of the Chimaera. Most impressive after dark.

    Yanartaş (Chimaera)
    Photo: Carole Raddato / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Hours and prices change with the season; check with the official source before you go.

One more day? Bursa.

Outside Istanbul

≈ 2 h 15 min · fast ferry + bus · Day trip

Why here: The first Ottoman capital. The Green Mosque, the Grand Mosque and Koza Han make an easy day trip; we suggest it if you are staying in Istanbul for more than four days. Not part of this route.

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