Termessos, Ancient City Hiking Tour

My second tour in a week with Onder to a site that he loves. His enthusiasm is justified. It's very unsual being an unexcavated fortified site that was never conquered.

Fantastic day trip to Termessos, I cannot recommend it highly enough! From start to finish, the organization was incredibly smooth. It's a small group trip, which made the entire experience feel personal and relaxed. Our guide was exceptional—very knowledgeable about the history and archaeology, yet incredibly easy to talk to and happy to answer all of our questions. Bring water, hiking shoes.

It was an amazing trip with going to BC centuries as went up. The guide organized it so nice and warm as it was our distant relative we never met and he hosted us with pleasure.

I had a great tour with Onder. He is an excellent guide and gave a lot of information about not only Termessos but also Antalya. Termessos is really worth visiting, I recommend.

I had a great tour with Onder. He is an excellent guide and gave a lot of information about not only Termessos but also Antalya. Termessos is really worth visiting, I recommend.

You must to visit and see with your own eyes.Even,when you have a guide Mr. Onder like I was lucky to guide us than you will experience magic.I had impression that I was part of the people who lived thousands of years before us.Every détail on our way was history.Mr.Onder is full of knowledge that he passed on me and I thank very much fir that.Dont forget he is also expert on plants. I am a 70 years old woman i relativly godd condition.We gad enough stops to rest.The terrain has hills that are not strenuous. A lits of trees that providence shade. Thanks to Viator agency for the tour and class guide.

We had an absolutely fantastic day touring Termessos and the Old Town of Antalya with Onder. He was knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely passionate about sharing the history and culture of the area. Onder brought the ancient ruins of Termessos to life with stories and historical insights that made the site even more impressive. If you’re visiting Antalya and want a memorable, informative, and enjoyable experience, I highly recommend booking a tour with Onder. This was the highlight of our trip to Turkey!

Onder was an amazing guide. His knowledge of the site was incredible!!! He was thoughtful and answered detailed questions completely. He was funny and had several family anecdotes that made the experience even more memorable. He also put the site in perspective with other sites we visited. We would highly recommend him for this and other tours he may have.

Onder was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The tour was a great way to catch some of the history and culture of this significant ruin.

We (self + wife) had a wonderful tour of Termessos provided by Onder. Not only is he a very amiable person to talk with, he had extensive knowledge of Termessos that he was eager and happy to share with us. You definintely want a guide when visiting Termessos - otherwise most of what you'll see will to you just be a pile of rocks and some half-crumbled walls. WIth Onder as your guide you'll learn so much about each point of interest inside the Termessos site.

A fascinating and fun early morning adventure close to Antalya. Nice to be out of the touristy areas and up in the mountains with a small group (4 total). Onder is an amazing guide (former teacher) and filled with with so much knowledge of the site. His passion for "his first love" shines through and makes for a great tour. The lack of crowds vs. other ancient sites and the well preserved theater at the top make this a winner.

So glad I booked this tour! Onder was personable, kind and full of knowledge. It was serene and intimate surrounded by the forested and untouched ruins.

My daughter and I booked this tour expecting just a regular, tour guided hike, Onder, was more than knowledgeable and went truly above and beyond to accommodate us, answer all our questions, and was genuinely so personable. He truly made our day, alongside providing us with the best excursion we could have chosen. (SEE TERMESSOS). Thank you again Onder your kindness will be remembered forever!!

We booked this experience via Airbnb and it turned out to be a fantastic way to explore some real history while also seeing a very different side of Antalya. Onder picked us up by bus and drove us up into the mountains of Güllük Mountain National Park, where the hike begins. From there we walked through the ancient ruins of Termessos, gradually making our way up the mountain while stopping at different parts of the old city along the route. Onder was an exceptional guide - friendly, funny and incredibly knowledgeable! His passion for the history of the site really stood out. As you move through the ruins he explains how the city once functioned and what the various structures were used for, which makes the experience far more engaging than simply wandering around the site on your own. The hike itself is very manageable and not overly demanding. There are regular stops along the way to take in the scenery, and because the city sits high in the mountains the views across the surrounding landscape are absolutely stunning. Bringing water is definitely recommended. Reaching the ancient theatre near the top is the real highlight. Carved dramatically into the mountainside, the setting is breathtaking, with sheer rock behind it and sweeping views across the valleys below. Understanding the strategic importance of the city, and how it once controlled important trade routes through the region, adds another layer of fascination to the visit. It is even more impressive when you learn that Alexander the Great once attempted to conquer Termessos but abandoned the effort because the mountain fortress was considered too difficult to capture. Onder also demonstrated the impressive acoustics of the theatre, showing how sound carries across the stone seating and rock face behind it - a small moment that really brings the history of the place to life. Overall this was a brilliant experience and a great combination of history, hiking and spectacular scenery. It felt more like discovering a hidden mountain city than visiting a typical tourist site. If you are visiting Antalya and want to explore somewhere truly unique, I would highly recommend this tour. Thanks again Onder for a fantastic day and for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm.

Wow what an unforgettable tour to see an underrated site. Onder was probably the best guide I've ever had in any of my many tours in many countries. He was so very friendly and the conversation throughout the day was great. We talked about the history of Termessos as well as joking and talking about life, family and music. Please do not be intimidated when seeing the word "HIKE". Though it is high in the mountains it is easily accessible by car with only a short trek to the city. Today we were the only people on the mountain in total peace and quiet, as this site does not get swamped by tourists. It really is a must do when visiting Antalya, the view is absolutely unbelievable. 100% recommend booking this for an epic, unforgettable day you'll never forget!

Ondee was an amazing, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, funny, inclusive guide for our hike around Termessos! 10/10 would recommend for anyone looking to get out of the city and explore an ancient city!

Termessos holds the ruins of an ancient city in a spectacular setting in the forested mountains above Antalya. Önder was the perfect guide to this special place. As we took an easy hike on well-worn paths from the Roman agora into the old city with its monuments, shopping street, cistern, theater, etc., he explained the history and significance of what we were seeing in a way that really helped the place come to life. He keeps the groups small, so that we could have a lovely conversation on the way there and back. We had such a great time together that we joined him later for a great, but unscheduled tour of the old city of Antalya (Kaleiçi). Oh, and before we left for Antalya, he had sent us a short guide to the city with helpful tips for tourists and really good restaurant recommendations. Önder's English is perfect, but he also helped me work on my Turkish. Bespoke service at a reasonable price!

Termessos holds the ruins of an ancient city in a spectacular setting in the forested mountains above Antalya. Önder was the perfect guide to this special place. As we took an easy hike on well-worn paths from the Roman agora into the old city with its monuments, shopping street, cistern, theater, etc., he explained the history and significance of what we were seeing in a way that really helped the place come to life. He keeps the groups small, so that we could have a lovely conversation on the way there and back. We had such a great time together that we joined him later for a great, but unscheduled tour of the old city of Antalya (Kaleiçi). Oh, and before we left for Antalya, he had sent us a short guide to the city with helpful tips for tourists and really good restaurant recommendations. Önder's English is perfect, but he also helped me work on my Turkish. Bespoke service at a reasonable price!

Onder is a great guide. He is informative, funny and shares lot of information to help you navigate Antalya even though he doesn't need to. Enjoyed the hike and he was the best tour guide we had in Antalya. Recommend taking his tour. Best decision we made on our Antalya trip. Only thing is meeting point can be a little tricky to get to so make sure you leave bit of time to navigate public transport to get there if needed or take a taxi there.

A great tour to the ancient town Termessos with Onder as guide, marvellous experience, lovely scenery, told with empathy and with that personal touch that makes everything more interesting! Onder is a wonderful guide, he is a former arts teacher - lucky students! His love for the history is easily recognizable. Highly recommended!!

We went to Termessos Ruins and it was amazing! It’s a gem of a site and Onder was so kind and knowledgeable. It’s one of the less touristed sites due to its location in the mountains. The ruins are probably the best preserved I have ever seen from the pre-roman era. I would recommend that visitors be in reasonable physical fitness because there’s about 15-20 minutes of uphill on variable terrain. Definitely not recommended if you have mobility issues. It was so special to have the place to ourselves, we only saw another group of three people and no tour buses nor vendors. It’s a peaceful place that’s very impressive. Definite recommended and especially with Onder!

Termessos is a unique and magical place that should not be missed. Onder has a deep knowledge of this ancient site and was the perfect guide. His English is excellent and his passion for ancient history made the experience very special. Termessos remains just as it was abandoned so long ago and it is set in a pristine and majestic natural environment. I plan to return to this place with Onder to walk every trail and hear every story.

I definitely recommend this tour for everyone. It was the highlight of my trip and I'm glad I did it. Spectacular nature and theater.👍

The experience was exceptional, I really liked the mountain's air, the place and everything, Onder was passionate in his explaining, highly recommended!!

Totally worth it: a stunning site and a guide with excellent historical knowledge. Loved this half-day hike from start to finish! A hidden gem to explore without the crowds, with amazing ancient ruins and unforgettable views. Our guide showed us the highlights of Termessos and made sure everyone felt included and well taken care of. The hike was magical, with a balanced pace and explanations, easy and fun, perfect even for beginners and children. Very accessible, even in simple shoes, no need to be fit. The car ride was comfortable, the trip well organized from the city center and back, and communication was professional and friendly. I would definitely recommend this guided tour.

It was a great tour! Historical site and absolutely stunning nature! The guide, Onder was very friendly! Thank you so much!

Fantastic trip with Onder. He made sure everyone felt included and it was a privilege to share this ancient city he knows so well. He was also really brilliant with my (very active!) 72 year old mum, making sure she was safe on the hike around the site. A highly recommended trip.

I enjoyed this tour to the ruins of the ancient city of Termessos. Onder told us a lot of interesting things about how people lived, traded, and built things back then. The hike itself wasn't challenging. This can be a plus or a minus for different people. Personally, I probably would have liked more difficult path, but beginners and children will enjoy it just fine! The car ride is comfortable, straight from the city center and back. Thanks!

Really great half day out hiking and seeing amazing ancient ruins with beautiful views! Highly recommend this hidden gem. Onde is a really fun and knowledgeable guide. The trip was well organised, good communication and really professional but fun too. Highly rate Onde as a guide for his tours /trips.

Önder was an amazing guide, very knowledgeable and fun. He showed us the highlights of Termessos and made sure to look after us. For those curious about distance it’s around 3km all in and around 160m of elevation. You need good shoes with grip but otherwise very accessible for anyone with a reasonable fitness level and mobility. It was very quiet when we went and we had the Antik Tiyatro all to ourselves. Highly recommend this tour.

I had a very comfortable and enjoyable experience visiting Termessos. The tour was truly worth it, not only because of the stunning site itself but also thanks to our guide, Onder, who has excellent knowledge of history. He explained so much about Termessos in a clear and engaging way, which made the visit even more meaningful. The place is amazing and I would definitely recommend this tour.

This was a very interesting place to visit. I would definitely recommend booking this guided tour. Many thanks to our guide Onder. We will always remember this beautiful location.

Very nice and informative. The hike path was beautiful, and the pace with the explanations was very well balanced, we went a tiny uphill but didn't feel it because we stop in nice view points for a bit of information. I really liked the style of the guide, Onder, to explain the history of different places with a small humor tone, but very complete.

Erik & I spent 3 hours exploring this area today with our personal guide, Onder. He is very knowledgeable & professional & charming. He had us go early & we were the only tourists there. It’s a beautiful site to explore. Highly recommend Onder as a guide. He offers other tours in the area.

Fantastic trip by Onder, he is very friendly and knowledgeable and gave us some useful tips for the rest of our trip. Termessos is well worth visiting and the early time of this trip means it’s nice and quiet. It was also good hearing and seeing nature, a few different birds and a large lizard.

A superb tour from start to finish. The importance of the Termessos site would have been absolutely lost on us without the relevance that our tour guide, Onder, shared with us. Interesting, personable, knowledgeable and a great communicator — these are all things that Onder is and so much more. Onder pointed out details of Termessos that we wouldn’t (and couldn’t) have picked out had we waddled in on our own, and we are immensely glad that he was our guide. On top of that, he is a wonderful person, and we had the opportunity to get to know him better and even share music recommendations. So much more than just a tour. Çok teşekkur ederim, Onder. Keep up the great work!

What a great day to be the first to arrive at the trailhead to hike up to Termessos. But once I got to know our guide, Onder, I would expect nothing less. He is very well organized, knowledgable, humorous, and the perfect person to guide us as we explore mostly uncovered ruins of an ancient city. Five stars in every way…most highly recommend this small group tour with Onder.

Excellent tour. Not having a car, I had to go through an organized excursion to visit this site and I do not regret it. Onder is a passionate person who knows the site very well. A site that is never offered by other guides and yet is really worth the detour. There is no one here and it is a real pleasure to visit it with all of Onder's info. There is a small climb, but nothing unfeasible for non-athletes because Onder is very considerate and moves at the pace of the slowest. Thank you Onder for this great discovery. An excellent tour. I didn't have a car, so I had to join an organized excursion to visit this site, and I have no regrets. Onder is truly passionate and knows the location inside out. It’s a spot that other guides never include, yet it is well worth the visit. Il n'y a personne d'autre aux alentours, ce qui rend l'exploration vraiment agréable tout en écoutant toutes les informations fournies par Onder. Il y a une courte montée, mais elle est parfaitement gérable même pour ceux qui ne sont pas particulièrement athlétiques ; Onder est très bienveillant et adapte le rythme à la personne la plus lente du groupe. Merci, Onder, pour cette merveilleuse découverte.

Excellent visit. Not having a car, I had to go through an organized excursion to visit this site and I do not regret it. Onder is a passionate person who knows the site very well. Site that is never offered by other guides and yet is really worth the detour. There is no one there and it is a real pleasure to visit it with all of Onder's information. There is a small climb but nothing unmanageable for non-athletes because Onder is very considerate and moves at the pace of the slowest people. Thank you Onder for this beautiful discovery. An excellent tour. I didn't have a car, so I had to join an organized excursion to visit this site, and I have no regrets. Onder is truly passionate and knows the location inside out. It’s a spot that other guides never include, yet it is well worth the visit. There’s no one else around, making it a real pleasure to explore while hearing all the insights provided by Onder. There is a short climb, but it’s perfectly manageable even for those who aren’t particularly athletic; Onder is very benevolent and sets the pace based on the slowest person in the group. Thank you, Onder, for this wonderful discovery.

Exceptional site with a magnificent theater. Easy climb. Very friendly and experienced guide. A great excursion.

Our excursion to Termessos with our guide Onder was one of the best moments of our stay in Antalya! Onder is truly amazing: passionate, super kind, funny, and very attentive. He made the tour exciting from start to finish and showed us Thermessos in a unique way. An unforgettable experience that we recommend 100%!

He was a very kind guide and told us many things about Antalya as well as the ruins of Termessus. Also, when I visited Antalya, I wanted to ask for a guide to another site. The guide was in English, but he seems to have been a guide for a long time, so it was easy to listen and talk.

It was a great experience. Onder's explanations are lively and interesting, and he can feel his love for Termessos deeply - my mother and I are curious babies, and Onder has questions for us that satisfy our exuberant curiosity. If you live in the Old Town, you can also contact Onder to pick you up near the Old Town.