Kayaköy, known in the past as Levissi, was a large Greek Orthodox village of stone houses on a hillside a short drive south of Fethiye. After the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in the 1920s its people left, and the village was never resettled. Roofs fell, walls stayed, and today several hundred stone shells stand in rows up the slope, with two Orthodox churches, narrow paths and a silence that is rare on this busy coast. It is a protected site, and walkers pay a small entry fee at the gate. The linked tour is a full-day city and countryside trip that combines Kayaköy with the Amyntas rock tombs, the cable car at Babadağ and Fethiye itself, which makes it a convenient way to see the ghost village without arranging transport. A smaller number of local families live in the newer village below, where a few restaurants and craft shops serve visitors.
Why it matters
Kayaköy is an unusual window into the exchange of populations that followed the First World War, and the empty streets give a quiet, human sense of that history in a way a museum cannot. Interpretation on site is limited, so a guide or a short read beforehand adds much. Walk up through the houses to the upper church, which has the best views over the valley, and take your time; the paths are stony, uneven and steep in places, so wear proper shoes.
Visiting well
Go early or late, when the stone glows and the site is quiet, and avoid the hottest part of a summer day, since there is little shade on the hill. In November it is cool and clear, which is ideal for walking. Entry is cheap, and opening hours can change with the season, so check at the gate or with your tour operator.
Do not enter buildings that look unstable, and take your litter with you. The village sits on the road between Fethiye and Ölüdeniz, so it is easy to combine with the Blue Lagoon.
Pair it with a meal in the village below, where simple restaurants serve gözleme and local dishes, and consider walking a stretch of the Lycian Way from Kayaköy toward Ölüdeniz if you have the time. Photographers should keep the late afternoon for the light on the stone. If you are taking the full-day tour we link, expect to see the Amyntas tomb above Fethiye and the cable car as well, so allow a full day and bring layers for the mountain.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through an abandoned hillside village of stone houses and ruined churches, or a full-day tour that adds the Amyntas tomb and the Babadağ cable car.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon, and cool months for comfortable walking.
How long
One to two hours on site; the linked tour fills a day.
Tips
Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, stay out of unstable buildings and check opening hours at the gate.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers and photographers who want something quiet and atmospheric.
- Families
- Older children enjoy exploring, but paths are steep and stony.
- Couples
- A late-afternoon walk with the light on the stone, then dinner in the village below.
- Pair with
- Ölüdeniz, the Blue Lagoon and the Amyntas rock tomb.
- Time needed
- Half a day with lunch.
Good questions
Is Kayaköy open in November?+
Yes, the site is open year-round, and cool weather makes it a pleasant time to walk. Hours can change by season, so check at the gate.
Why was Kayaköy abandoned?+
Its Greek Orthodox residents left during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in the 1920s, and the village was never resettled.
Is there an entry fee?+
Yes, a small one, collected at the gate. Tours often include it, so check what your booking covers.
How far is it from Fethiye?+
It is a short drive south of Fethiye on the road to Ölüdeniz, usually about 15 to 20 minutes by car.
Is it suitable for children and buggies?+
Older children usually enjoy it, but the stony, steep paths are not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.
