Beydağları Coastal National Park

Beydağları Coastal Overview

Beydağları Coastal National Park, known in Turkish as Beydağları Sahil Milli Parkı, is located along the southwestern Mediterranean coast of Turkey, in Antalya Province.

The park spans approximately 88 square miles or about 228 square kilometers and stretches from the resort town of Kemer to the ancient city of Phaselis, running along the southern slopes of the Beydağları Mountains, a part of the western Taurus range.

This diverse park is a striking blend of mountainous terrain and turquoise coastline, with elevations that rise steeply from the sea to over 2,300 meters at Mount Tahtalı, also known as Olympos Mountain. This peak, often shrouded in mist, is one of the park’s most iconic landmarks and offers sweeping views of the sea and surrounding wilderness.

The park’s landscape features a dynamic mix of rocky mountain ridges, dense pine forests, coastal cliffs, river valleys, and hidden coves. Vegetation ranges from Mediterranean scrub and maquis near the sea to alpine flora at higher elevations.

Forests of Turkish pine, cedar, and fir dominate the lower and mid-altitudes, while wild olives and carob trees cling to the rocky coastline. Seasonal wildflowers, such as orchids and crocuses, emerge during spring, adding bursts of color to the trails and meadows.

Beydağları Coastal National Park supports a rich variety of wildlife due to its range of habitats. Among the mammals found here are wild goats, red foxes, badgers, and martens. Occasionally, the more elusive caracal or wildcat may be seen deeper in the forested areas.

Birdlife is equally abundant and includes birds of prey like golden eagles and kestrels soaring above the cliffs, as well as hoopoes, woodpeckers, and bee-eaters in the forested zones. The coastline and freshwater sources also attract herons, kingfishers, and various migratory species during seasonal transitions.

One of the most popular and striking features of the park is the eternal flame of Yanartaş, also known as the Chimaera. This natural gas emission ignites spontaneously and has been burning for centuries on the slopes of Mount Olympos.

The area is also rich in ancient ruins, including the archaeological site of Olympos, a former Lycian city nestled in a lush valley near the sea. The site features stone sarcophagi, mosaics, and remnants of temples and baths. The nearby ruins of Phaselis, with its Roman aqueducts and harbor, also attract many visitors.

Visitors engage with the park through a wide range of activities. Hiking is particularly popular, with trails that range from coastal walks to alpine treks, including access to the famed Lycian Way, a long-distance trail that crosses through the park.

Cable car rides to Mount Tahtalı offer an easy route to panoramic summit views. Swimming, snorkeling, and sea kayaking are common along the coastline, and camping is available in designated areas for those wishing to immerse themselves in nature.

Beydağları Coastal National Park faces conservation challenges due to its popularity with tourists. Coastal development and visitor pressure can threaten native plant life and disturb wildlife habitats.

However, the park is under active protection by Turkey’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and measures such as regulated access to sensitive areas, sustainable tourism guidelines, and educational outreach have had positive effects in recent years. These efforts continue to support the park’s ecological health while allowing people to experience its natural and cultural splendor.

Park Map

Beydağları Coastal National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Beydağları Coastal National Park is also a rich haven for birdlife, especially raptors and cliff-dwellers, thanks to its dramatic elevations, forest cover, and coastal cliffs.

Golden Eagle
One of the park’s most impressive raptors, the golden eagle is often seen soaring above the mountains in search of prey like hares and wild goats. It nests in cliffside ledges.

Peregrine Falcon
This swift and agile bird nests in high cliffs along the coast. It preys on smaller birds in flight and is famed for its high-speed dives during hunting.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture
A large scavenger with broad wings, the griffon vulture soars high above the park, searching for carrion. It nests on high rocky outcrops in colonies.

Bonelli’s Eagle
A strong and territorial raptor, Bonelli’s eagle is often seen gliding over forest clearings and cliffs. It feeds on birds, rabbits, and reptiles.

Wallcreeper
This cliff-loving bird flutters along vertical rock faces with its crimson wings and curved bill. It feeds on insects hidden in rocky crevices.

Blue Rock Thrush
A solitary bird often seen perched on cliffs or ruins, the blue rock thrush has vibrant blue plumage and sings melodically during the breeding season.

Chukar Partridge
Well adapted to dry, rocky slopes, this ground-dwelling bird is often found in small groups. It forages for seeds, insects, and shoots and has a loud, distinctive call.

White-throated Dipper
Seen near freshwater streams and waterfalls, the dipper dives into fast currents to feed on aquatic insects and larvae. It is stocky and dark with a bright white throat.

Alpine Swift
A high-flying insectivore, the Alpine swift is usually seen in flocks swooping over cliffs and open areas. It nests in high rock crevices along the coastline.

Short-toed Snake Eagle
This eagle specializes in hunting snakes and other reptiles in open, rocky terrain. It often hovers in place while scanning the ground for movement.

Beydağları Coastal National Park offers a striking blend of sea, mountains, and forest, making it a vibrant refuge for both land and bird species in one of Turkey’s most scenic protected areas.

Beydağları Coastal National Park, located along Turkey’s southwestern Mediterranean coast, blends towering pine-covered mountains with turquoise bays and ancient ruins. The park’s diverse ecosystems—ranging from coastal cliffs to inland forests—support a rich array of mammals and reptiles that thrive in both the Mediterranean climate and rugged terrain.

Wild Goat (Bezoar Ibex)
This iconic species of the Mediterranean mountains is often seen navigating steep rocky slopes. Males have large, curved horns and are adept at leaping across narrow ledges to evade predators.

Red Fox
A common and highly adaptable predator, the red fox inhabits forest edges and scrubland. Its diet includes rodents, birds, and fruit, and it’s especially active during dawn and dusk.

Grey Wolf
Though elusive, the grey wolf inhabits remote forested areas of the park. It plays a critical ecological role as a top predator, hunting deer, goats, and smaller animals in coordinated packs.

Brown Bear
Occasionally wandering into the park’s wilder regions, the brown bear is a powerful omnivore that feeds on plants, berries, insects, and small mammals. Its presence is more common in higher elevations.

Striped Hyena
Nocturnal and shy, the striped hyena may inhabit the more remote areas of Beydağları. It primarily scavenges but is capable of hunting small animals, using its keen senses and strong jaws.

European Wildcat
Resembling a large domestic cat, the European wildcat prefers quiet, wooded areas. It is a solitary and nocturnal hunter, preying on small mammals and birds.

Eurasian Otter
Found near freshwater streams and coastal inlets, the Eurasian otter is an agile swimmer. It feeds on fish, amphibians, and invertebrates and requires clean, undisturbed water bodies.

Mediterranean Monk Seal
One of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, the monk seal may be seen in remote sea caves and quiet coves along the park’s coastline. It feeds on fish and octopus.

Eastern Hedgehog
Active mostly at night, this insect-eating mammal is found in forest edges and meadows. It uses its spines as defense and rolls into a ball when threatened.

Anatolian Rock Lizard
This agile reptile is commonly seen basking on warm rocks. It feeds on insects and small invertebrates and is known for its quick movements and excellent camouflage.