Olympos, Çıralı and Adrasan camping guide: from tree houses to the Chimaera
Olympos and its famous tree houses, the turtle beach at Çıralı, the quiet bay of Adrasan and Karaöz, the way out to Cape Gelidonya lighthouse. A guide to Antalya's best-loved camping coast.
Teknovan Editorial Team ·
West of Antalya, where Mount Tahtalı drops into the sea, one of Türkiye's oldest camping cultures is still going strong. The tree houses of Olimpos (Olympos) have been a meeting point for backpackers for generations. Çıralı, with its turtle nesting beach, has stayed quiet. Adrasan and Karaöz, with coves well away from the crowds, have become favourites in recent years. This guide covers camping in Olympos, Çıralı and Adrasan.
The area at a glance
| Place | Highlights | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Olympos | Tree houses, ancient city, lively atmosphere | Young travellers, backpackers |
| Çıralı | Turtle beach, the Chimaera (Yanartaş) | Families, couples, anyone after quiet |
| Adrasan | Bay, Suluada boat trip, lots of campsites | Campervans and tents, long stays |
| Karaöz | Cape Gelidonya lighthouse, Lycian Way | Walkers, solitude |
Olympos: tree houses and an ancient city
Olympos is tied to the ruins of the ancient city that runs down a stream valley to the sea. The tree houses and bungalows lined up along the valley have stood for cheap accommodation for years. You walk through the ancient city to reach the beach. The beach and the ruins are inside the national park and there is an entrance fee.
Çıralı: the turtle beach and the Chimaera
Çıralı, just north of Olympos, has a long pebbly beach that is one of the nesting sites of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Because of that, building on the beach has been kept in check and the village has stayed calm. Above Çıralı is Yanartaş, the Chimaera, known for flames fed by natural gas seeping out between the rocks that have been burning for centuries. It is at its most impressive after dark.
Adrasan: bay, boats and camping culture
Adrasan is a calm bay with mountains on both sides and the biggest cluster of campsites in the area. The sites near the beach are within walking distance of the jetty where the boat trips leave. The Suluada boat trip from here, with its white sand and clear water, is one of the most popular day trips in the region.
Karaöz: the gateway to Cape Gelidonya lighthouse
Karaöz, south of Adrasan, is little more than a small cove and the olive groves around it. One of the most scenic stages of the Lycian Way climbs from here to the Gelidonya lighthouse. The view of the Beş Adalar (Five Islands) from the lighthouse at sunset is one of the special sights of the region.
Campsites in the area
The list is a selection of campsites on teknovan.com.tr. Ratings are based on Google reviews and are as of 1 November 2026.
| Campsite | Location | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayrams Tree Houses | Olympos | Tree houses and camping | 4.4 |
| Olympos Hypnos Glamping | Olympos | Glamping | 4.9 |
| Lavinya Camping & Bungalows | Çıralı | Campsite | 4.9 |
| Çekirdeksiz Mandalin Camping | Çıralı | Campsite | 4.6 |
| Bellerofon Camping | Çıralı | Campsite | 4.6 |
| Adrasan Gezginler Kamp | Adrasan | Campsite | 5.0 |
| Adrasan Forest Camping | Adrasan | Campsite | 4.9 |
| Adrasan Camping | Adrasan | Campsite | 4.7 |
| Beş Adalar Camping | Adrasan | Campsite | 4.7 |
| Granbusa Doğa Kamp Karaöz | Karaöz | Campsite | 4.3 |
When to go
- April-May: The mountains are green. The nicest time to walk the Lycian Way.
- June-August: Swimming season, and turtle nesting season in Çıralı. Mind the beach rules.
- September-October: Warm sea, fewer people. The most enjoyable months for camping here.
- Winter: Some campsites in Adrasan stay open for campervans through the winter.
Notes for campervan travellers
- The road down into the Olympos valley is narrow and busy. In a campervan, go for Çıralı or Adrasan.
- Adrasan has plenty of campsites with campervan pitches. Ask about rates for long stays.
- In Çıralı, do not go onto the beach at night with a light, and keep away from nest markers. Turtle hatchlings head towards light.
FAQ
Can you pitch a tent in Olympos? The campsites in the Olympos valley have tent areas. You cannot camp inside the ancient city or on the beach.
Adrasan or Çıralı? Adrasan for boat trips and a wide choice of campsites. Çıralı for quiet and the turtle beach.
How do you get there? From Antalya it takes about an hour and a half via the Kemer-Kumluca road. For the area east of Antalya, see our Antalya and Alanya camping guide.
You can see the campsites in Olympos, Çıralı and Adrasan on the teknovan.com.tr campsites page and send your booking request from there.
Image credits
Photos illustrate the region; they are not photos of the campsites themselves.
- Olimpos sahili: Olympos_beach.jpg: Alex Graves derivat…, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Çıralı: Alinihatmataraci, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Adrasan: Bilgegezgintr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Karaöz: Skaraoz7, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Çıralı: Bbortacina, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
