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Kayakoy
Travelling to Kayakoy in the southwest corner of Turkey is like visiting a time capsule with a dream-like quality.
The Kaya Valley where Kayakoy is located, is of fertile lands and has an atmosphere of a laid-back traditional rural lifestyle far removed from the exciting Olu Deniz beach area nearby.
Kayakoy, meaning literally “stone village,” was once the Greek town of Karmylassos whose evocative ruins still stand today after the village was abandoned in the 1920’s.
Its gorgeous stone houses, now in ruins, cover the hillsides, inviting visitors to walk up and along the streets, and enter the buildings with its intricate mosaic inlay on the floors and wall paintings. Locals live among the hundreds of ruins in this small picturesque village, with some of the stones houses open for renovation as an interesting modern home.
As part of a population exchange agreement between Turkey and Greece, this old town bustled with economic activity before the War of Independence and the Greek inhabitants were expelled in 1923.
The tranquil Cold Water Bay doubles as a local beach, which is a quick walk up through the village. Some home owners on the surf will offer meals fresh from sea and garden for herbs and salad. There are also Turkish cafes to enjoy a simple dish of gözleme, traditional Turkish pancakes, with a cold glass of elma cay (apple tea).
Guests are invited to visit the nearby beach at Gemiler. This secluded and picturesque beach is found on St. Nicolas Island, an island protected by its patron saint and namesake, as it is claimed that the saint’s relics, who was born at nearby Patara were being kept there.
A short boat ride away from the beach are the Byzantian and Lycian archaeological sites that can be explored by the more adventurous visitor.
