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Kayakoy is one of the most unique and fascinating areas to holiday on the Turquoise Coast. Set on hills and surrounded by thick vegetation, a villa in Kayakoy offers not only privacy and space but fantastic views of the sparkling Mediterranean coastline – being handily located just a short drive away from all the amenities of Fethiye. Inquisitive types will love a villa holiday in Kayakoy, with the area centred around the abandoned ghost village of Kayakoy itself, but it’s also the perfect destination for family villas. Once home to a thriving community, the village has stood abandoned since the early 1920s, and travellers can wander its eerie streets and explore crumbling ruined houses and churches.
Villas in Kayakoy lie outside the village itself, in the surrounding area rich in lush vegetation. There are many luxury villas in the hills above Kayakoy, offering spectacular views of the ghost town and surrounding countryside. From Kayakoy, it’s an easy drive to the restaurants, bars and golden beaches of Fethiye and Olu Deniz.
Things to do in Kayakoy
Located on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and positioned near towns like Fethiye with its beaches, yacht-filled marina and dozens of tour operators, there’s plenty to do in Kayakoy. Because of its rural position, it’s worth hiring a car when taking a villa in Kayakoy so you can explore further afield. The biggest attraction in Kayakoy is the hilltop ghost town itself, abandoned in 1923 after the Turkish-Greek population exchange and now a maze of crumbling buildings. Wandering through Kayakoy’s eerily beautiful streets you’ll see hundreds of deserted Greek-style houses and churches and get great views of the area.
Dining in Kayakoy is also easy, and there are three excellent restaurants all located close to our Kayakoy villas. Head to İzela Restaurant, set in the lush grounds of Günay's Garden for Mediterranean, modern Turkish, meze and seafood, or visit the Cin Pal Kebap Salonu for delicious lamb tandoor (clay oven) dishes and kebabs. Wine lovers will appreciate Lebessos Wine, a Turkish restaurant with a fantastic meze menu and Turkish wine list set in a 400-year-old stone building.
History and culture in Kayakoy
History whispers on the breeze in Kayakoy, an area famed for its ghost town and a popular day trip for history lovers and adventure-seekers. Learn about the Greco-Turkish war as you wander its abandoned streets, which have lain empty since the population exchange of 1923. Now an open-air museum, there are over 500 empty houses and two churches to explore.
A villa holiday in Kayakoy will also give you a fantastic base to explore many of the area’s ancient ruins and archaeological sites, like the ruined Lycian citadel of Tlos, pillars and amphitheatres of Xanthos and the remains of the large Lycian city of Pinara. Patara, with its long golden sands hiding a lost civilisation, is also nearby.
Family holidays in Kayakoy
Families will love a villa in Kayakoy, with the area rural, secluded and rich in luscious vegetation. For a fun family day out, jump in the car and head to nearby Olu Deniz to visit the Blue Flag beach and the stunning Blue Lagoon – often considered Turkey’s most beautiful beach. The beach has great amenities, shallow water for swimming and the lagoon itself provides protection from the open water – great for children.
There are also two water parks in Fethiye and one in nearby Ovacik. Ovacik’s Oludeniz Water World in Ovacik is slightly newer and has nine slides, a wave pool, children's pool and general swimming pool, along with some great Turkish cafes. A Kayakoy villa with a private pool will allow for aquatic activities without having to get in the car and venture out.
Adventurous activities in Kayakoy
Instead of jumping in the car and heading to the beach, why not try the famous nine-kilometre hiking train between Kayakoy and Olu Deniz? The trail follows five kilometres of the ancient Lycian Way trail (540km in total) through lush pine forests and along a rocky and steep path, with fantastic views over the Med – just make sure to bring sensible shoes. Another great hike is the trail from Kayakoy to Cold Water Bay (Soğuk Su Koyu), an isolated stretch of pebbled coast which is the nearest access to the sea from your Kayakoy villa.
Our villas in Kayakoy are also perfect for travellers in search of adrenaline, with the local area famed for its paragliding. Head to Olu Deniz to paraglide over the bay or stay on land to enjoy scuba diving and sailing. Nearby Fethiye is also home to dozens of tour operators, offering anything from quad and Jeep safaris to muddy adventures in a buggy.
Romance in Kayakoy
From wine tasting in 400-year-old cellars and dining on delicious Turkish cuisine to enjoying romantic sunset beach strolls and horse-riding through Kayakoy, it’s easy to add some sparkle and romance to your Kayakoy couples’ villa holiday. Situated in the town, the stunning wine house and restaurant of Lebessos Wine is perfect for a date night, offering sommelier-led tasting and romantic candle-lit dinners. For more active couples, horseback riding is a popular activity in Kayakoy, and you can horseback ride right into the heart of the ghost town.
For something different, Kayakoy Art Camp offers two-week workshops on photography, pottery, painting, carpet weaving and woodwork, all from the ghost town setting – perfect for long stays in one of our romantic Kayakoy villas.
All Villas in Kayakoy
Kayakoy, Dalaman
2
1
1
2.6 km
Kayakoy, Dalaman
4
1
2
7 km
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