Kayaköy (Ghost Village)
A silent village of abandoned stone houses
Image credit: Wikitestaccountlogin, CC BY-SA 4.0
About
Just south of Fethiye, Kayaköy is Türkiye's most striking "ghost village," with hundreds of abandoned stone houses covering an entire hillside. With its roofless walls and empty windows, this silent settlement carries a melancholic and enchanting atmosphere. Once a lively town where thousands of Greeks lived, the village was emptied after the 1923 population exchange and took its present form over time. Walking its stone streets, you journey through time among the ruins of two churches, cisterns and the traces of a life that went on here a century ago. A silent monument to the human tragedy of the exchange, Kayaköy is also ideal for nature walks; the path leading from here to Ölüdeniz offers an unforgettable route uniting history and nature.
History
Built over the ancient city of Karmylassos, Kayaköy (formerly Levissi) was a Greek town that flourished in the 18th–19th centuries. When the Greek population left with the 1923 Greek–Turkish population exchange, the village was largely emptied and became an open-air museum.
Visiting Tips
- ✓Wander the stone streets and the two churches
- ✓Try the walking route to Ölüdeniz
- ✓The atmosphere is most striking at sunset
- ✓Bring comfy shoes, a hat and water
- ✓About a 15–20-minute drive from central Fethiye
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kayaköy (Ghost Village)?
Kayaköy (Ghost Village) is located at Kayaköy, Fethiye, Muğla in Fethiye.
When is the best time to visit Kayaköy (Ghost Village)?
Recommended time: April – June and September – October.
