Termessos
Hidden high in the rugged mountains of southwestern Türkiye, Termessos is one of the destination's least-visited ancient cities. Perched over 1,000 meters above sea level, it was famously unconquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BCE due to its strategic position. Today, the largely untouched ruins are a spyglass into the past for those willing to make the hike up from the entrance of Güllükdağı Termessos National Park.
The journey begins at the site’s lower city, where the remains of the Artemis-Hadrian Temple, Hadrian Propylaeum, and the city gate still stand. Climbing further, visitors encounter the upper city, with its imposing walls, colonnaded street, and the expansive agora. The ingenuity of the ancient Pisidian builders is evident in the vast underground cisterns, once crucial to the city's survival. The necropolis, lined with scattered sarcophagi, tells silent stories of Termessos’ elite, though many tombs have been raided over centuries.
The highlight of the site is undoubtedly the theatre, dramatically perched on a peak with panoramic views stretching to the Mediterranean. Seating around 4,000 spectators, this ancient structure, influenced by both Hellenistic and Roman designs, offers an awe-inspiring setting for visitors to pause and take in the landscape. Nearby, visitors will find the remains of the bouleuterion, or city council house, and the gymnasium, where young warriors once trained.
Despite its remoteness, Termessos is relatively easy to access. A 45-minute drive from Antalya leads to the national park entrance, where visitors pay a small fee before continuing up a winding road to the car park. From there, the ascent to the ruins begins. The hike can be steep and rocky, requiring sturdy footwear and plenty of water, especially in the summer months.
Unlike Turkey’s more frequented ruins, it remains blissfully free of crowds, allowing visitors to explore its ancient streets in near solitude. It’s a rare chance to step back in time, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, the whispers of history, and the quiet beauty of a city lost to time but never truly forgotten.
