Köy Evi Olympos Countryhouse

This is more than just a place to swim. It’s a region where the scent of bay trees drifts through ancient ruins, where you can walk down to the sea in the cool of the morning, spend a lazy afternoon by the pool, and still make it to another bay in time for sunset. The Mediterranean that Homer once described as the "wine-dark sea" still feels very much alive here.

What I love most about staying in Olympos is how much you can experience in a single trip. The beach, the ancient city, Çıralı, Adrasan’s boat tours, Chimaera (Yanartaş), Ulupınar, and Phaselis are all within easy reach. Instead of spending your holiday on one beach, you can wander through ancient ruins in the morning, swim in crystal-clear water by noon, sail to hidden coves the next day, and finish the evening under a sky full of stars. Having a car gives you even more freedom, but even without one, Olympos has a way of slowing life down for a few peaceful days.

This time, I stayed at @olymposkoyevi.

The story behind Köyevi fits Olympos perfectly. Its founders, Gülistan and İbrahim Pehlivan, devoted themselves to this place after retiring from their teaching careers. But their connection began much earlier. Twenty-eight years ago, while traveling along Turkey’s western Mediterranean coast, they wandered into the ancient city of Olympos. Walking beneath the bay trees and through the refreshing streams on a hot summer day left such a lasting impression that they decided to build a life here. They bought the first property they came across and designed the house themselves. What started as a home for welcoming friends gradually became the boutique hotel it is today.

Today, Olympos Köyevi Hotel reflects Anatolian architecture, the heritage of the ancient city, and a lifetime of carefully collected treasures. Stone walls, handcrafted woodwork, bay windows inspired by the traditional houses of Amasya, ancient-style arches, a uniquely designed swimming pool, and charming wooden pavilions all create its distinctive atmosphere. Yet what truly gives the hotel its soul is the story behind every object. Copper cookware, antique wagon wheels, vintage armchairs, handwoven rugs, embroidered curtains, stained-glass chandeliers, stone mosaic tables, wooden sculptures from the 2002 Wood Sculpture Symposium, wall frescoes, and original paintings in every room make the entire property feel deeply personal.

Sitting beneath ivy-covered stone walls or relaxing on the cushioned wooden daybeds surrounding the pool, the rush of everyday life begins to fade away. It’s also the perfect escape from the Mediterranean heat. In the evening, climbing up to one of the wooden pavilions to watch the stars—or enjoying a glass of wine under a full moon—becomes one of those simple rituals that make you wish the night would last a little longer.

Comfort has not been overlooked, either. The rooms are air-conditioned, furnished with high-quality beds, and each has its own unique style. There is also an accessible room for guests with disabilities. Families with children are welcome: children aged 0–5 stay free, ages 5–11 are charged at the child rate, and guests aged 12 and above are considered adults. Cats and dogs are also welcome, provided you notify the hotel in advance. Pets can stay in selected rooms with direct garden access, subject to availability.

Mention the code KUCUKOTELLER10 when booking to receive a 10% discount, subject to availability. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions.

One of the hotel's biggest highlights is its food. Breakfast is served as an abundant buffet featuring homemade jams, sauces, naturally fermented sourdough bread with flaxseed, traditional menemen, roasted potatoes, freshly baked cookies, pastries, börek, and cakes. The cheeses come from different regions of Turkey, the olives are harvested from the owners' own olive trees, and the vegetables are sourced from the local markets of Kumluca and Kemer.

Dinner includes a generous selection of dishes prepared with premium extra virgin olive oil, daily soup, rice or pasta, roasted potatoes, grilled fish or chicken wings depending on the day, baked meatballs or sautéed beef, followed by dessert and seasonal fruit. For lunch, lighter options such as homemade burgers, fries, pasta, and fruit yogurt are available. Even the sourdough bread, lemonade, yogurt, burger buns, and breakfast pastries are made in-house. In short, deciding what to eat is never the hardest part of your holiday here.

The swimming pool is a wonderful place to spend an entire afternoon, but if you feel like being more active, there's table tennis, backgammon, Okey, Monopoly, and chess. Anyone who's ever played these games on holiday knows how quickly a friendly match can turn into a surprisingly serious tournament.

How to Spend Your Days in Olympos

Start your first morning with a visit to the Ancient City of Olympos. Walk through the refreshing streams flowing between the ruins before heading down to Olympos Beach for a swim. The beach is about 2.5 km from Köyevi and offers crystal-clear, deep water with a pebble shoreline. Afterwards, stroll towards Çıralı and stop at one of the cafés or restaurants along the way. In the evening, Olympos' live music venues are always a great choice.

On your second day, join a boat tour departing from Adrasan to discover hidden bays and secluded beaches. In the late afternoon, hike up to Chimaera (Yanartaş), then enjoy dinner beside the river in Ulupınar. Comfortable shoes and your phone's flashlight are highly recommended—they'll make the walk more enjoyable and reduce the chances of tripping over the rocky path.

On another day, be sure to visit Phaselis, just 15 km from Köyevi. This remarkable ancient city is surrounded by three beautiful coves, making it easy to combine history and swimming in one trip. Çıralı Beach, the quiet bays around Karaöz, nearby archaeological sites, and the region's natural springs are all worth exploring. If you enjoy local markets, don't miss those in Kemer, Adrasan, or Kumluca for fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables.

For those seeking a quieter atmosphere, May, June, September, and October are the ideal months to visit Olympos. Since Köyevi is located directly on the Lycian Way, spring is particularly rewarding for hiking enthusiasts. July and August, on the other hand, are livelier, with boat tours, beach days, bars, and nightlife in full swing. The hotel is open from April 1 to November 1 each year.

Throughout the summer, the region also hosts astronomy events, science festivals, and meteor shower observation nights. Olympos is equally known for its live music and DJ performances during the warmer months, although schedules vary by venue and date, so it's always worth checking before you go.

Breakfast and dinner are already included in your stay at Olympos Köyevi, but if you'd like to dine elsewhere, Akhisar Köftecisi Olcay Usta is a favorite for traditional Turkish meatballs, Havuzbaşı Restaurant in Ulupınar offers riverside dining, Neşeli Balık near Finike is known for fresh seafood and meze, while Parkvillas Restaurant is a great option in Olympos for both dinner and drinks.

For nightlife, Kaktüs Bar is famous for international rock, blues, and reggae, Shadow Bar plays Turkish rock, Bull Bar hosts electronic music and DJ sets, and Eskiyeni is one of the go-to spots if you're not quite ready to end the night. Since line-ups change regularly, it's always a good idea to check the schedule before heading out.