The small village of Çirali sits beside a wonderful 3.2kms of idyllic, unspoiled beach. And as well as attracting beach lovers, this straight stretch of sand also attracts endangered loggerhead turtles, which is one of the things Çirali is best known for. This is a friendly, relaxed hamlet and the best places to stay in Çirali tend to be small family-friendly resorts. But if your idea of a holiday hotel is a little grander than that, then there’s something for you on our Guru’s list too.
Seeing the loggerhead turtles bury their eggs in the sand, or watching the tiny little hatchlings making their way down to the sea are certainly bucket-list worthy attractions, but Çirali has a few more sights up its sleeve.
Çirali is close to the ‘Burning Rocks’, a rocky area on the slopes of Mt. Olympos which is almost constantly aflame - fed by the gas with seeps from the ground and spontaneously combusts when it meets the air. This spectacle is fantastic seen at night, though possibly a little apocalyptic.
The ancient ruins of Olympos are also just a 15-minute stroll along the beach. There are a number of lively bars and cafes in the new town of Olympos too. Çirali is also a marker point along the Lycian Way and, as well as joining this famous route, there are numerous excellent walking trails in the area too.
The best places to stay in Cirali will be very busy during peak summer months. So either plan well ahead or come in the quieter periods, when you'll get more of the beach to yourself!
What Not To Miss
- Spend your days on Çıralı beach soaking up the sun.
- Spot the endangered loggerhead turtles laying eggs in the sand.
- Hike up the famous Mount Olympus and enjoy stunning views of the area.
- The Olympos Ruins are also well worth visiting, especially for history buffs.
- Visit Chimaera and watch as flames spontaneously spark from the mountain as natural gas seeps out.
