Worth a Journey

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The World’s 100 Best Archaeological Sites & Ruins

Olympos

Kumluca, Turkey

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST RUINS & SITES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 60 2026
Olympos

A Lycian, Roman and Byzantine port city in a forested valley on the Mediterranean coast near Çıralı. Visitors walk the streets beside a stream, past sarcophagi, a theatre, basilicas and villas, down to a pebble beach.

Highlights

  • Ancient theatre
  • Sarcophagi under ivy
  • Basilica and bishop's palace

Good to know

  • Museum Card accepted; app QR code skips queue
  • Parking costs 200 TL per car
  • Allow two to three hours

Also in Turkey

  1. Temple of Apollo at Didyma N° 56 Temple of Apollo at Didyma Didim Temple site
  2. Aizanoi N° 58 Aizanoi Çavdarhisar Ancient city
  3. Mount Nemrut N° 63 Mount Nemrut Kahta Pyramid or tomb
  4. Phaselis N° 64 Phaselis Kemer Ancient city
  5. Ani N° 67 Ani Kars Ancient city
  6. Sardis N° 70 Sardis Salihli Ancient city