Turkish Seacoast at its Best
by mtncorg about NESERIN’S BADEMLI EV
Bademli Ev in Turkish means ‘almond tree’ and it is on a terrace underneath the almond tree that you enjoy sumptuous Turkish breakfasts when staying here. Neserin’s son, Tariq, runs things nowadays. He is fluent in Turkish, German and English spending his winters in either Ankara or Berlin. A tireless host, he is also a pleasure to talk with and can answer most questions that you might throw at him about the area around Kekova. There are three rooms – two upstairs and one down – in a refurbished old stone house. The upstairs rooms share a delightful covered terrace that overlooks the Simena harbor, so you can keep abreast of the day’s happenings. There is also a refrigerator to stick those cold drinks you might be enjoying out on that deck. The rooms are rustically furnished, blending with the gracious stonework. Outside, flowers abundantly drape the sides of the house. So much and so colorfully that many day trippers on their way up to the castle from their boats, stop to take that classic island home picture nestled into the bougainvillea.
The trick to visiting the Bademli Ev, as it is with any trip to Simena, is access. It is a long ways from anywhere else in Turkey. To complicate things more – something you may appreciate more when you do get here – is that no roads come to Simena. You either walk or come by boat from Üçðaýz . Taxi rates as of 2009 according to their website were: Dalaman airport to Üçðaýz 230 TL; Antalaya airport to Üçðaýz 200 TL; Demre to Üçðaýz 30 TL; Kaþ to Üçðaýz 40 TL. If you have a car, then you can leave it in a car park in Üçðaýz. From Üçðaýz, the ten minute boat ride is another 20 TL.
Kekova
by al2401
Kekova Island is across the bay from Simena and Ucagiz. Here you can see the sunken ruins of a residential part of old Simena which was submerged by an earthquake in the 2nd century.
These are best seen as part of a boat trip around the bay - either a day trip or or a longer stay. Boats can be rented from Kas, Ucagiz or Simena.
KEKOVA-SIMENA REGION
by Pinat
Simena is a popular Lycian site, situated upon one of the most attractive spots of the Turkish coast. The name "Kekova" is Turkish for "plain of thyme" and describes the region encompassing the island of Kekova, the villages of Kaleköy and Ucagiz and the three ancient towns of Simena, Teimussa and Tersane. Both Simena and Teimussa have a large necropolis. Teimussa is now the village of Ucagiz, where boats set off for tours of the area.
The Kekova region was declared a Specially Protected Area in 1990 to protect the natural, cultural and geographic richness of Kekova Island and surrounding coast by the Ministry of Environment, Authority for the Protection of Special Areas.
Kekova-Simena is an enjoyable place to visit for its great beauty and charm. It is a peaceful place of history, gorgeous turquoise water, sun, islands, unspoilt nature and blue skies. I can't wait to go back in September this year:)
SIMENA
by mtncorg
The little village of Simena is one of those gems that beckon you to settle down for awhile. No roads or beaches insure a peaceful stay, punctuated by crowing roosters – which don’t make a difference between the sun or the moon – and the gentle lapping of the sea. Day trippers shuttle past the village just offshore with the occasional tour boat stopping just long enough to let its passengers scamper up to the Byzantine capital which crowns the hill above the village.
The village dates to ancient Lycian times when it was part of the Aperlite Sympolity which included Simena, Aperlae, Apollonia and Isindia – all ruins now nearby – where all were combined for voting purposes in the Lycian League. For more, I will be adding Simena pages in the near future.
ACCESS TO SIMENA
by mtncorg
Simena is a pretty small place. While you might manage to find a place on the fly, you might want to arrange things ahead of time to stay and having the place where you are staying fix you up with a boat to come over from Üçðaýz on. The transfer is 10-20 TL and the ride is about 20 minutes across Üçðaýz Bay and around the corner – left – into Simena. From Üçðaýz you can see where Simena is by noting the big Turkish flag flying on top of what looks like a hill, but is really the castle. Watch out for the ruins of Teimussa which you pass right after leaving Üçðaýz. Pack light because you will have to carry your bags up several groups of rough stone steps to reach your pension in most cases. Another alternative to the boat is to drive out on the somewhat rough gravel road from Üçðaýz to the east looping several kilometers around the bay and ending in a parking lot next to a water fountain and a cemetery. Watch out for turtles on the road. The road is incorporated into the Lycian Way which, at the parking lot, takes off to the east. For Simena, take the well-worn path up the hill to the south and you come in past the sarcophagi necropolis on the east edge of town, entering the village next to the school and the castle. This is not a route that you really want to carry suitcases up.
Forum Posts
How should one get to Kemer from the airport?
by julia953
We are staying at the Simena Villas. What is the best ways of getting to Kemer? Does anyone have an idea of the time it would take and the cost please?
Are we just better to get a rental car for the trip?
Once in Kemer is there a good bus service in to Antayla to ick up tours or visit?
Thankyou
Re: How should one get to Kemer from the airport?
by Sirvictor
There are many all luxus hotels on the high-way to Kemer. If you wait a few minutes infront the hotel main enterence you will have many minibusses called Dolmus (read: dolmush) carring passngers between keker and Antalya. It takes only half an hour to Antalya. You will drive anong the shore coved with pine forests. If you stay infront of the hotel enterence yoır face to the mountains your left side is Kemer and right side is Antalya. You can rent a car easly at Kemer. You can travel to many historical sites easly.
I advice you to drive westwards to Demre. Demre is the bithplace of Santa Claus. There is a antic church in Demre where Santa Claus was a priest. The cunning italian catholic priests smuggeled his bones to Rome some 150 years ago. Now Turkish government aytemps to bring bach the bones to his grave in Demre.
If you drive eastwards you can visit Side, Aspendos, waterfalls and Alanya.
I wish you a good time and travels in Turkey
visit my kemer page
Re: How should one get to Kemer from the airport?
by FAIRYCHIMNEY
Hey there,
I definately recommend car rental if you fully explore the coast.There is firm called Dalaman Car rental they also have office in Antalya Airport.I think their prices very reasonable.
info@dalamancarrental.net
On the other hand, hotel perhaps offer you shuttle bus.If your arrival Antalya on a reasoble time,you can also get on a shuttle bus to Kemer.Its not very far anyway.
Enjoy your trip and go for hiking:)
Antalya vs. Fethiye
by leila12
With an extra day in the south of Turkey, should I spend it in Fethiye or Antalya?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Re: Antalya vs. Fethiye
by marsistanbul
Hi Leila.
it is very very provocative question:)) antalya doesn't vs. Fethiye or Fethiye too:))
Which of your parents do you love more?? hard to say?? :)
Pls tell me that what'll be yr previous destination before Antalya or Fethiye??
brgds.
Re: Antalya vs. Fethiye
by leila12
Well, my friend and I will be in Istanbul and then Ephesus, and then we will go to Bodrum. Then we are taking a 4day/3 night cruise from Fethiye to Olympos, and then we will go to Cappadocia. We are deciding whether to stay in Fethiye for a full day before the cruise or spend a full day in Antalya before going to Cappadocia.
So do you think we should go to Antalya or Fethiye.
Re: Antalya vs. Fethiye
by marsistanbul
Well, my friend :)
first,cruise means blue voyage or gulet cruise or blue cruise..is it??
day one;fethiye,St.Nicholas Island,Blue Lagoon(Olu deniz) and Butterfly Valley(Kelebekler vadisi)
day two:stopping in Kalkan,Kas and Limanagzi bays along the way.
day three:the sunken city of Kekova,the castle of Simena,Disco island.etc.
day four:full day sailing,visiting pirate's cave,Camlica bay,the ruins of Myra,St.Nicholas church,Demra port,and land transfer to Olympos..
During your blue voyage tour,as I know that you'll visit the most of the Fethiye's touristic spots(near/around),therefore,winner is ANTALYA:)
please stay in Kaleici(Old city-Old citadel) and there is an awesome disco(Ally),the end of the Blue voyage could be fun..
have a safe travel..
take care.
Re: Antalya vs. Fethiye
by ozguray
olympos (history 4*, forest 4*, beach 5*, night life 5*) (70 km west of antalya)
kemer (beach *3, night life 4*) (45km west of antalya)
gokbuk karstic canyon (amazing natural virgin beauty) (110 km west of antalya, when you come to finike, you can go to north 15 km for coming gokbuk small town)
i lived more than 20 years in antalya, and absolutely know every meter squere..
finaly i can say
west of antalya is the best
east of the antalya is disappointment..
i think, don't prefer east (for ex. alanya)
prefer west for stay (kemer, olympos, cirali, kas...)
if u need to first class hotel, u can stay realy first class in kemer..
but u prefer warm and active trip, absolutely i suggest olympos tree house.. olmpos have fantastic beach & history & night life & forest & nature.. and cheapest hotels (you can stay 15-30 dolars per night in tree house - tree house is very romantic and comfortable.)
A good place for on way from Antalya to Bodrum
by sanscott
We will be traveling from Antalya to Bodrum by bus and would like to break up the trip. Any thoughts on what might be the best place to stop for three or four nights.
Thinking aboout...Marmaris, Fethiye, Datca, Cirali, Kas
Open to suggestions.
Thanks
Re: A good place for on way from Antalya to Bodrum
by FAIRYCHIMNEY
Hello There,
On your way from Antalya to Bodrum,in order : Cirali,Kas,Fethiye,Marmaris and Datca will be on your route.But if you like to spend some time around, its much better to accomodate in Kas for day 1 or two and hire a car to explore fantastic Lycian Ruins.You can visit Patara Ruins(also the longest sandy beach in Turkey) Saklikent Gorge, and further on Cirali/Olimpos.Its much better to see Cirali at night anyway.(there are regular departures from Olimpos every night)As Kas will be located right in the middle, its much much better to be based in there.
And when you make it to Bodrum from Marmaris, do not forget to eat seafood in Akyaka, the name of the restaurant is "Halil'in yeri" yummy..
Briefly,just hire a car to have better observation.
Enjoy your trip :)
Re: A good place for on way from Antalya to Bodrum
by al2401
Would definitely recommend Kas - a fantastic place to spend some time. While there you should try 'Bi Lokma' restaurant - great food and friendly service. I thought the Lycian ruins great too. If you have time try to get to Simena and climb the old fortress, or Ucagiz, or see Kekova. I liked Fethiye also but Kas better. Hope this helps - haven't got around to Turkey travel pages yet.
Simena
Simena
Simena
Simena
