Kumluca Beaches 2026: Ruins, Flames & Wild Coast
"The hillside above Çıralı has burned with natural gas flames for at least 2,500 years — ancient sailors used them as a lighthouse, and Homer may have referenced them as the Chimaera in the Iliad."
Olympos
Walk through 2,000-year-old Lycian ruins to reach the sea — entry fees, treehouse camps, Yanartaş flames and local tips for Olympos Beach.
Cirali
Flames that have burned for 2,500 years light the hillside above this protected turtle-nesting beach — costs, transport, tips and best months for Cirali Beach.
Adrasan
An island nicknamed the Turkish Maldives sits 30 minutes by boat from this quiet bay — Adrasan Beach offers calm water, Lycian Way trails, and treehouse camps on Turkey's unspoilt coast.
Introduction
Kumluca beaches line a wild stretch of Antalya's western coast where the Beydağları Mountains meet the sea inside a national park. Three bays — each with a distinct personality — sit within 20 km of each other, connected by sections of the 540 km Lycian Way hiking trail.
Character & Setting
Kumluca district occupies the mountainous coast between Finike and Kemer, 80 km southwest of Antalya city. The Beydağları Coastal National Park protects much of the shoreline, keeping development to small-scale pensions, treehouse camps, and family-run restaurants. Ancient Lycian and Roman cities dot the headlands — Olympos was a member of the Lycian League, the federation that influenced early democratic governance. The area draws hikers, backpackers, and nature-focused travellers rather than resort crowds. Mobile signal is patchy; ATMs are scarce. That is part of the appeal.
The Beaches
The three Kumluca bays form a natural sequence along the coast. Olympos sits at the end of a forested valley — visitors walk through 2,000-year-old Lycian walls to reach a sand-and-pebble shore backed by treehouse camps. The beach is rough-edged, attracting backpackers and Lycian Way hikers. Over the headland, Çıralı offers a quieter counterpart: a 3 km pebble beach fronting a village of family pensions, with Caretta caretta turtles nesting May through October and the Yanartaş eternal flames burning on the hillside above. South of both, Adrasan's sheltered 2 km crescent is the calmest of the three — pine-clad headlands block the swell, and boats depart the harbour for Suluada island. All three share a common thread: no high-rises, no all-inclusive resorts, and a pace set by the mountains rather than the tourism calendar.
FAQ
How many beaches are in Kumluca?
Three — Olympos, Çıralı, and Adrasan, each within 20 km of the others along the Lycian coast.
Can I walk between Olympos and Çıralı?
Yes. A coastal path over the headland connects the two — approximately 20 minutes on foot, part of the Lycian Way.
Are there ATMs in Kumluca's beach villages?
Very limited. Çıralı has no ATM; Adrasan's can run out in peak season. Bring cash from Kumluca town or Antalya.
Do I need a car to visit Kumluca beaches?
Strongly recommended. Dolmuş services from Kumluca town run infrequently, and the villages are 10–15 km off the D400.