Destination

Carian Coast

The Carian Coast of Turkey is characterized by it’s winding coastline made up of peninsula after peninsula jutting out into the Aegean Sea. This now highly prized seaside historical meant a lack of access to the bulk of the mainland, preserving local traditions and keeping out the mass tourism and construction that other coastal areas of Turkey have succumb to. This is a region of not only beautiful beaches and perfect-for-boating bays, but authentic village culture and amazing local food left veritably untouched by resort-style mass tourism. 

The Carians, residents of the ancient civilization residing in this area, also left us a wealth of structures to explore. Many of their ancient cities have seen little to no excavations or interest from the world of archeology. While this is quickly changing, for now, many ancient sites seem truly undiscovered, a paradise of city walls and stone structures hiding in plain sight. 

April - June / September - November

Biking, Hiking, Sightseeing, Cuisine, Family, Sea kayaking, Windsurfing

4-8 days

  • History
  • Local Cuisine
  • Cycle
  • Hike
  • Culture

Savor an authentic village lunch in Turkey’s dry farming capital.

Trek ancient paths only accessible by boat.

Experience the magnitude of Datca’s wild beaches.

Watch the sun set into the sea from Knidos.

Bike from beach to beach in Datca.

Enjoy a seat at the raki and meze table in a private village house.

Take in sweeping sea views from the ancient castles of Bozburun.

(Stand Up) Paddle the endless empty bays of Balikasiran.

Experience the Gulf of Gokova from high above.

History

While not proven definitively, it’s possible that the group referred to as ‘Karkisa’ in Hittite sources was in fact, the Carians. If so, then the history of this southwestern Anatolian civilization begins as far back as the 14th century BCE, its borders stretching from the Menderes River (Meandros) to the Dalaman River (Indus).

Later details about this civilization are found in the works of Homer, who mentioned them having joined forces with the Trojans in battle, and Herodotus, who believed they originally lived on the islands and only settled on the mainland after encroachment by the Dorians and Ionians. This notion was rejected by the Carians themselves who believed they had always resided on the mainland. The fact that the Carian language is categorized as belonging to the Hittite-Luwian subfamily of Indo-European languages also supports their Anatolian origin.

The peak of the Carian civilization came after the region fell to the Persians. At the beginning of the 4th century BCE, Hyssaldomus of Mylasa took his seat as the head of the Persian Satrapy of Caria, succeeded by Hecatomnus, and later Mausolus in 377 BCE. Mausolus quickly got to work moving the Carian capital to Halicarnassus (modern-day Bodrum) and constructing new walls, theaters, a palace, harbors, and cultic structures. His best known work however was his own monumental tomb, which in addition to being one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, gave us the word ‘Mausoleum’.

While ancient regions like Lycia and Ionia have seen much archeological interest and have been undergoing excavations for nearly two centuries, the Carian region remains relatively unexplored and unexcavated. Many of its ancient cities are still in their natural state, meaning that most of the sites you’ll see are not replicas or reconstructions, but the original structures that the Carians themselves would have recognized millenia-ago.

Local Cuisine

The cuisine of the Carian Coast is typical Aegean fare, closer to that of the Greek islands than inland Anatolia. Vegetables are the basis of every meal, with wild greens a distinct favorite in the spring and fall. These greens are either boiled and seasoned with lemon and olive oil, sauteed with onions, spices, and the odd egg or two, or made into savory pastries. Other vegetables are grown in the garden, which in the region’s mild climate is active year-round. Summer means tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, green beans, zucchini, and okra take center stage while winter favorites include broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, beets, celery root, and cabbage. Most dishes are simple and rely on onions, garlic, tomato or pepper paste, lemon, and herbs for flavor along with nearly obscene amounts of olive oil.

Although vegetables reign supreme, fish and seafood are also common along with cheese, yogurt, bread, grains, and legumes rounding out the table. Breakfast is beloved, and usually consists of cheese, olives, eggs, raw vegetables like tomato, cucumber, and herbs served with fresh bread and homemade jam or honey. Seasonal fruit is never forgotten, and figs, grapes, pomegranates, and citrus fruits are often eaten as snacks or dessert. And of course, no Aegean meal is complete without a glass of anise-flavored raki, especially if meze (small cold shared plates) is on the menu.

Cycle

The ins and outs of the winding coastline characterize the cycling routes of the Carian Coast, where even on the toughest climbs, you’re never far from a refreshing dip in the sea. Our biking routes in this region follow mostly dirt roads, running from beach to beach through dense forest, over rocky cliffs, or past groves of olives, almonds, or citrus. This is the best place in Turkey to combine cycling with sailing, as the coastal roads or dirt tracks are just as numerous as the quiet bays.

With long stretches of little-trafficked asphalt, the Carian Coast is also a unique road biking destination, especially during the off season. Explore the surroundings of Lake Koycegiz, loop around the Bozburun Peninsula, ride point to point across the Datca Peninsula, and pedal from trendy Akyaka to the narrow streets of Bodrum, all on challenging but unforgettably scenic and sunny roads.

Hiking

The Carian Coast is home to Turkey’s longest hiking trail: The Carian Trail, co-created and managed by our very own co-owner Altay! The trail follows the winding Aegean coastline across the Bozburun and Datca Peninsulas and the Gulf of Gokova. Along the way, it passes over 100 beaches, authentic villages, trendy vacation spots, countless ancient ruins, and some of the most remote, well-preserved stretches of coastline in the country. The Carian Trail also lacks the traffic of the Lycian Way; most days you’ll have the trails all to yourself, the perfect opportunity to fully immerse yourself in nature.

In addition to the scenic coastal paths of the Carian Trail, the region is also home to a trail system known as Eco-trails of Caria and Lycia, centered around Dalyan, Koycegiz, and Gocek. All in all, the region offers active visitors the rare chance to combine a beach holiday or yachting trip with a hiking adventure.

Culture

The Carian Coast combines untouched nature, a maritime past, rich ancient history, and vibrant village culture. We’ll start our cultural exploration by immersing ourselves in the ancient history of the region, visiting sites like the border-town of Caunos, sea-faring Knidos, island Cedrai, and Loryma, only accessible on foot or by boat.

Explore the peninsulas of Bozburun, where some villages were inaccessible by road until the 1990s, and Datca, whose remoteness has preserved its traditional architecture, food, coastal nature, and slow pace of life. Both of these peninsulas are home to rich culinary tradition and the perfect backdrop for explorations in local cuisine. Visit the village of Taslica, where a 2000 year history of dry farming lives on today. Drink wine made from ancient grape varietals in Datca, or experience a classic raki and meze night in a village house. Or head to Bodrum to learn about the Cretan influence in the town’s typical fare, wandering through the markets and backstreets before enjoying a night of raki and meze like a local.

The coastal villages on the Gulf of Gokova are known for their handmade carpets, dyed with natural materials collected from the region. Meet the last of these carpet weavers in their scenic seaside villages. Or follow the routes of local shepherds in Bozburun, tracing their steps over unexcavated ruins, across ancient terraces, and past views of the sea found nowhere else.

    Get Inspired! Our Travel Journal shares unique stories about our destinations, experiences and more!

    Subscribe today to our travel journal

    JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

    BOOK YOUR
    ADVENTURE