Getting to Termessos is not the easiest journey to undertake, either a taxi or private transport is required but it is well worth the effort. The site is high up on the mountainside and although it was a warm sunny day (early Nov) it was a little chilly and although we are reasonably fit 40 somethings it took us a little while to get used to the thin oxygen levels. Reasonably stout shoes are definitely recommended as the paths are mostly rubble and it is easy to lose your footing. It is a fascinating site and it could easily take all day to see everything. We had 3 hours and it wasn't enough. We were able to scramble around the ruins and there was nowhere that was off limits. We took a short lunch break in the amphitheatre and soaked up the atmosphere. Would definitely return and could happily spend another full day there.
9 km serpentine from the main road (D350), and 5 tl for entrance. More than 1000 m altitude between fantastic rocks. Passable trail from parking place, ruins everywhere. Ruins are in the forest, the atmosphere is special, as you can be in a adventure movie, like "Indiana Jones". In december the weather was sunny, and a bit windy, 15C. The sightseeing is fantastic, from Antalya's beaches to high snowy mountains. The best attraction is the theatre, in a dramatic place, in suprising good condition. Interesting the Necropolis too, with hundreds of sarcophagus. Must have to see! Bring water and some food with yourself, and spend minimum half day there.
A theater on top of a mountain,take a good soar and climb the stairs and hills up to the ancient theater to see a fenomenal view of the surroundings.
If you look for peace with, for some special energy - this definetely a right place to go! For me that was one of the strongest experiences in Antalya! Loved it!
Area with a ton of history, we had a good time here. Very happy we came and you should mike the trek yourself!
Certainly the ruins at Ephesus are more impressive. I would probably say the same about Aphrodisias and Permukkale. But the ruins of the city of Termossos offer a feature that the more well-known and more heavily visited sites cannot match. These ruins have not been excavated and/or restored. When viewing temples, arches, agora, sarcophagi, and the (impressive) theatre, a visitor does not have to wonder what parts might have been dug from the ground, re-built, or partly re-constructed using modern concrete.Although not far from Antalya, few tourists visit Termossos due to its high elevation and relative inaccessibility. A steep, winding road leads to the parking area (which is close to the necropolis) from which a sharply inclined and rocky trail leads to ruins of the ancient city. A visitor wishing to enjoy an unhurried exploration of Termossos should allow a minimum of two hours (three is preferable), wear good hiking shoes, and bring adequate water. As a bonus, a lucky visitor may see some mountain goats on the opposite mountainside, but I was not that fortunate.
It was untouched and beautiful, not turned into a mass tourism attraction. We saw only a couple of other people.
Termessos deserves the top attraction in antalya! We had a great time here with numerous of history back from ancient greek and roma. Especially thanks for the help from the reception. An educational trip!
This was a great place to get away from the main tourist groups, hike, and be in awe of an ancient city on a mountaintop. The autumn leaves were beautiful among the stone ruins. The ancient theater was was absolutely spectacular and the cisterns were impressive. I was not expecting the view once I got to the theater - but you have to see it yourself! It is a steep hike, but my boyfriend and I hiked it super quickly, in about 15 minutes to the top (we were fighting against the sunset), and we even saw some deer!
the antic ruins are beautiful, and the site is amazing. It's a lot of fun and wonder to search in the shrub and discover gates, tombs, etc. The overdrawn ruins are also beautiful, the theatre is wonderfull, I thougt I was going o cry... Beware, if you'e curious and if you want to walk on little path to discover antic surprises, don't tell to the taxi to wait you. you may stay hours ans hours!!! (I stayed 5 hours, and should be more)