5 Dramatic Ancient sites in Turkey to reach by Boat

All year you dream of sea, sand, sun and making your yacht holiday plans accordingly. But Combining history and the sea, explore ancient sites in Turkey to enrich your yacht holiday experience. There are more than 400 ancient sites in Turkey, therefore, it is like an open air museum. You can consider adding your route the places where the sea and nature meet history.

Ephesus ancient site-Turkey

Starting from 4000 B.C., Turkey has hosted many civilizations such as Sumerian, Hittite, Lydian, Greek, Roman and Ottoman. Especially in coastal towns, history and nature intertwine. It is not a surprise to see a Roman column on the wall of a cove house or a sarcophagus in the middle of the sea..

Let’s set sail towards the ancient sites in Turkey. You will immerse in the magical atmosphere on your yacht charter holiday.

Sunken city – Kekova 

Kekova ruins of Sunkencity

Kekova, is also known as the Sunken City, near Demre town of Antalya.  It is a large region including the island of the Kekova, idyllic seaside villages Kalekoy and Ucagiz. The mysterious Sunken town is only accessible by water. But swimming is forbidden around the sunken ruins due to is a protected area.

Because of an earthquake, ancient city destroyed in 2 AD, and slipped under the waters. In addition to the flooded city buildings and the ancient port, there are the Lycian sarcophagi in the sea. Because of that it is one of the most desirable ancient sites in Turkey.

While floating by your boat in the clear sea water, you can see the remains of stairs and walls of the sunken city under the water. It’s magical to imagine what the town might have been like at the height of ancient time.

Knidos – Datca

teather of Knidos

Knidos or Cnidus is one of the biggest ancient sites in Turkey. It was a port city that was a center of trade in ancient Carian dating to around 4th century BC.

Also, Knidos was a celebrated center for arts & culture, science, and its fabulous nature. Even today, it still preserves its celebrity with its nature and history in Datca Peninsula.
While walking along the Liman Street, there are couple of must-to-see things in the ancient city. The famous ruins are the Dionysos terrace, the Stoa building, Temple of Aphrodite, and Athena. Knidos Ancient City also was famous in antiquity for its many great amphitheaters.

When you visit this ancient ruins of Knidos in your Yacht Charter Holiday, you must wait for the sunset in Knidos. Due to the glow of the sun on these ancient ruins and the breathtaking scenery make a very dramatic setting.

Phaselis -Kemer

ruins of Phaselis

Phaselis is an ancient site in Turkey nearby Kemer-Antalya, the peninsula is a perfect spot with three small bays. An important port town in Lycian and Roman times for shipping rose oil and perfumes as well as timber from the surrounding forests.

The ruins of the ancient city start at the seashore. So you can walk along the grand Port Street past the elaborate Roman baths, an Agora, and the well-preserved Hellenistic Theater. Aqueducts, Hadrian`s Gate are the other buildings that you can explore in Phaselis.

While enjoying the Mediterranean turquoise waters, explore the ancient ruins of Phaselis protected within the grounds of a beautiful national park. It is one of the impressive ancient sites in Turkey, has been on the UNESCO Tentative List since 2009

Castle of Bodrum – Bodrum

Castel of Bodrum

Bodrum Castle, aka the Castle of St. Peter is a magnificent site. It is a perfect preserved medieval castle, with dramatic sea walls and a moat.

The Knights Hospitaller of Rhodes built the castle in the 15th century. Through overlooking the harbor and Bodrum marina, makes for an interesting sea approach.

The stones from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, were partly used in the construction of the castle. Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Today the castle is home to one of the most significant Underwater Archaeology Museum in the world. When you plan on a Blue Cruise around Bodrum you can’t miss to visit this eye-catching castle.

Kaunos – Dalyan

Kaunos in Dalyan

if you are cruising between Fethiye and Marmaris, head to Dalyan. It is best known as the location of the ancient trading city of Kaunos. Kaunos was an important seaport city in ancient Carian dating back to the 9^th century B.C.

Due to the magnificent Lycian Temple tombs carved into the cliffs overlooking the river. Kaunos is one of the most interesting ancient sites in Turkey.

Because of strict environmental protection laws, yachters can’t enter inside the river. Kaunos is on the UNESCO Tentative List since 2014. However, you may anchor around Ekincik bay and take a riverboat up the Dalyan river. This is one of the ways to see the spectacular ancient rock tombs of Kaunos.

You can add all the ancient sites mentioned above to your yacht charter route. To plan your yacht holiday and add to your route these stunning ancient sites in Turkey , visit royalguletyachting.com and contact us.