Kemer is a famous Turkish resort located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. People come here for the warm sea, clean air, gentle sun - everything that creates an atmosphere of boundless happiness. What to see in Kemer, and what to do here in general, besides going to the beach and to the pool?
Kemer is a small city. However, it is located in a good location, so in its vicinity you can find natural parks, mountains of the Taurus ridge, the slopes of which are suitable for trekking, ruins of ancient cities, interesting entertainment centers and much more. Curious tourists can spend their entire vacation exploring the resort area of Kemer.
TOP 10 attractions of Kemer
Ethnographic Park Yuruk
Ethnographic Park Yuruk
The Yuruk Open Air Museum is a place where you can learn more about the history, customs and traditions of the Yuruk Turkic tribe that lived in the vicinity of modern Kemer. Here are collected tents, which recreate the atmosphere typical for the houses of Turkish nomads. In the Yuruk Museum you can see original household items, decorative elements, one of which was carpets created by craftswomen from the Yuruk tribe. And in our time, you can watch the work of artisans who make bright, beautiful carpets on old machines and immediately sell them to tourists. There is a tent in the ethnographic park where the traditional food of the Yuruk people is served. Wash down delicious dishes with a cup of strong coffee.
Phaselis ruins
Phaselis ruins
Phaselis is a once beautiful ancient Greek city built on the territory of Lycia in Asia Minor, which now belongs to Turkey. The city, from which now there are only ruins, was founded in about 690 BC. NS. immigrants from the Greek island of Rhodes. It is located on a small peninsula in the Mediterranean at the foot of the Taurus mountain range, 53 km southwest of Antalya and only 18 km from Kemer.
Since 1811, archaeologists have been working here, who managed to find out that Phaselis was a rich city with three ports, whose inhabitants traded with the Persians, Egyptians, and Greeks. From here, wine and rose oil were taken away on ships. Scientists have discovered the remains of a wide street, theater, thermal baths, walls that surrounded the harbor, an aqueduct and the ruins of Byzantine buildings. After 411 BC. NS. Phaselis fell into the hands of the Persians. He spent the winter here 334-333 BC. NS. Alexander the Great.
The ruins of Phaselis are now surrounded by a natural park, famous for its clean beaches and picturesque corners.
Jumhuriyet Square
Cumhuriyet Square, which means "Republic Square" in Turkish, is considered the heart of Kemer. It was founded on the site of the old Kemeri bus station in 2006. It covers an area of about 7 thousand square meters. Along its perimeter there are 18 water-filled pools with graceful bridges. In the center of one of the reservoirs, a platform is installed on which a monument to Kemal Ataturk is located. The sculptor depicted the first president of Turkey with a dove in his hand. Behind the statue of Ataturk, you can see a structure consisting of seven dark columns and a light ring. There is also a fountain with a large illuminated bowl in the center of the square. There are also fountains-firecrackers, which gush directly from the pavement, covered with tiles.
The most interesting attraction of the Republic Square is the tall snow-white clock tower. It has a nightclub and a good restaurant, where visitors can comfortably sit on the observation deck located right under the clock.
Dolphinarium
Dolphinarium
Many tourists come to Turkish resorts with children. To keep the kids from getting bored, the host country pays great attention to organizing a variety of aquatic and entertainment theme parks, zoos and aquariums. There is a large dolphinarium in Kemer, which can be found in the Moonlight Park. 800 spectators can watch the show, which takes place twice a day.
What program awaits the guests of the dolphinarium:
- first, an employee of this institution talks about dolphins and the need to protect them;
- then two dolphins and a sea lion perform for the audience in a deep pool;
- after that, you can swim or take pictures with the animals for an additional fee.
The dolphinarium sells unusual souvenirs: paintings created by the sea lion Filay. There are also many traditional gizmos (soft toys, magnets, etc.), which will be a great gift for family and friends.
Tahtali cable car
Tahtali cable car
A few tens of kilometers from Kemer is Mount Tahtali, to the top of which you can climb right from the Mediterranean coast on the second longest cable car in the world. Its length is 4350 meters. It was built in 2007 by the joint efforts of the Swiss and the Turks.
When planning a trip to the upper platform of the funicular, located at an altitude of 2365 meters above sea level, where there is a restaurant and a number of shops with souvenir goods, it should be borne in mind that from about October to April Tahtali will greet you with snow-covered slopes and rather cool weather. Therefore, you need to take warm clothes with you in order to be able to see Kemer and its surroundings from the observation deck. The funicular's cabin is designed for 80 people. It takes tourists to the top of the mountain in 10 minutes.
The ancient city of Olympos
The ancient city of Olympos
The village of Olympos, surrounded by fragrant orange groves, has long been known to tourists for its original hotels - the so-called "tree houses". The ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Olympos are considered one of the main attractions of this settlement. You can get to them by the only road that connects the village of Olympos with the village of Cirali.
The ancient city of Olympos was founded in the 2nd century BC. NS. and quickly became one of the most significant economic centers in the region. In the 1st century BC. NS. the settlement was devastated by pirates from neighboring Cilicia, and soon after that Olympos became part of the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, the city successively belonged to the Byzantines, Venetians and Genoese until it was finally abandoned in the 15th century.
Remains of Roman baths and fortifications built in the 11th-12th centuries have survived to this day. Also in the dense forest you can see the ruins of residential buildings and temples.
Ecological natural park Tekirova
Choosing Kemer for your vacation, do not limit yourself to walking around the city and taking sea baths. In the vicinity of Kemer, there are many interesting places worth visiting during your vacation. For example, both adults and children will surely like the ecological park, which was opened in 2005 in the village of Tekirova. It is a botanical garden that houses a terrarium that contains amphibians and reptiles that live in Turkey and neighboring countries. The Ecopark is headed by the famous scientist Selami Tomruk, who has been studying exotic snakes for many years.
In 2005, this park was conceived as a center for keeping and researching reptiles. However, people became interested in the work of the center and were willing to pay to visit it. Since then, all proceeds from ticket sales have been used to develop the ecological park. In addition to snakes, giant turtles, frogs of various species, more pleasant representatives of the fauna also live here: birds, rabbits, etc.
Fiery mountain Yanartash
Fiery mountain Yanartash
Unusual mountain Yanartash, from the depths of which fire constantly erupts, is located on the outskirts of the village of Cirali. According to legend, the terrible monster Chimera died here from the arrow of the hero Bellerophon. Her body was buried on the mountain, and since then a fire has been constantly burning there. In fact, there is a natural gas field of methane located close to the surface of the mountain, which flares up brightly when it comes into contact with the air. From the side it seems that numerous torches are burning on the slope of Yanartash. This has been going on for many hundreds of years.
The site believed to be the tomb of the Chimera is a popular tourist attraction. A special trail has been laid to it, from which local residents charge a fee for viewing such a unique natural phenomenon.
This part of the mountain looks most impressive at dusk or at night.
Cirali village
The village of Cirali is a great alternative to the noisy Kemer. It is located on the territory of the reserve, so the construction of high-rise hotels with many rooms is prohibited here. The village of Cirali consists of only a few streets. For tourists, there is everything you need: cozy restaurants, lovely boarding houses, a long beach where you can see the Caretta Caretta turtles, a pine forest in the vicinity of the village, several orange groves and a number of wonderful historical monuments. For example, nearby is Mount Yanartash, which is called fiery because of the columns of burning gas erupting from its slope.
At the end of the beach you can see the ruins of the ancient city of Olympos, and in the center of the village there is a snow-white mosque with a high minaret. Hikers also come to Cirali. Interesting routes have been developed here along the slopes of neighboring mountains.
Dinopark in Goynuk
Dinopark in Goynuk
If you are vacationing in Kemer with children, then you should definitely visit the dinopark located in the village of Goynuk. The park, where life-size models of dinosaurs are installed among the forest, opened in 2012. Some of the figures of prehistoric animals are interactive: they beat their tails and growl at visitors, frightening children and making adults laugh. Kids are invited to feel like archaeologists and, armed with brushes, free the skeleton of a dinosaur from the sand.
After completing the work, you can set a record in jumping on a trampoline or watch a 7d movie about dinosaurs in a small cinema. The dinopark also has a planetarium and a panic room.
The entrance ticket to the dinopark includes five tokens, which can be used to pay for a movie theater session or lunch in a cafe.
