Hostels in Olympos, Turkey

Nestled away on the southwestern tip of the country, just sixty kilometres south of Antalya is the tiny town of Olympos, Turkey. Picture yourself standing in a small hippie village with mountains and trees behind you; rivers beside you; and the tranquil, crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea in front of you. Sound good? Well, that's exactly what you will find in Olympos.

This once-ancient Roman city on the Lycian Coast still offers remnants of its former glory. Roman ruins are scattered throughout the town and surrounding mountains, and it's possible to go on some hikes and see the crumbling ruins hidden amongst the trees.

The teeny-tiny village is attracting a growing number of tourists annually and it's easy to see why. The nature in Olympos is calm and breathtaking and creeps right down to the town. There are numerous walking paths that allow you to explore the mountains -- be on the lookout for the tortoises that climb the mountains too.

The mountains also boast a natural phenomena called Yanartas or "Flaming Stones," where fire and natural gases burst through the rocks of the mountains to create small fires. Night is the best time to see the Yanartas.

Olympos is easily accessible via bus from nearby cities like Kas or Antalya and boasts an increasing number of accommodation options. Hostels in Olympos, Turkey, mostly take the form of pensions or bungalows, but by far the best and most fun option are the tree houses! Tree houses in Olympos function in the same way as a hostel, except guests get to stay in a cabin lodged between tree branches. Most have communal areas for guests to hang out in and an onsite restaurant, serving traditional Turkish meals. Generally speaking, tree houses also offer guests a plethora of activities such as kayaking, enjoying traditional foods, and hiking.