Everything You Need to Know About This Picturesque Anchorage and Hiking Trail

The Bays at Aga Limanı

Located on the Gulf of Göcek about a mile north of Kurtoğlu Burnu, Ağa Limani is actually made up of two bays – creatively named Büyük (big) and Küçük (small) respectively. The mouth of Ağa Limani faces east, giving boaters a lovely view of the rising sun each morning, and Mount Bagadağ throughout the day. It is perfectly situated as an overnight anchorage when heading out on longer journeys.

The water at Ağa Limanı is some of the cleanest and clearest we've seen in Turkey. In part, this is due to an underwater spring in the area which feeds fresh water to the bay. Unfortunately, that means the water is a little cooler than other anchorages - but that's not necessarily a bad thing on a hot summer day! And, the conditions make it a perfect place for turtle spotting.

The only downside to this anchorage is the bees. They are attracted by the pine trees, and tend to swarm the boat at sunrise and sunset. For the rest of the day, they are off doing their bee-business, but can pose a real problem for about an hour each morning and evening. We set out bowls of fresh water and burning coffee grounds to deter them, but anyone with severe allergies should alert Captain Oktay so he can find a different place to spend the night.

The Hiking Trail at Ağa Limanı

Hikers will enjoy the fabulous trek from the water's edge to a bowl-shaped plateau just over a hundred meters above Ağa Limanı. The view from the top is spectacular! The hike is not particularly long – only about a kilometre - but takes between 20 and 30 minutes at a steady pace to reach the top. It is literally all uphill, across loose stones, so should only be attempted with sturdy walking sandals, shoes, or boots. (In other words, flip flops are not suitable for this particular trek.)

Ancient Lydai

When you reach the top of the climb, you'll find yourself in a bowl-shaped plateau, which is currently a working farm. But once upon a time, it was an important border city between Caria and Lycia, named Lydai / Lydae / Khydai / Klydai / Chydae / Clydae, depending on which text you consult. (For simplicity's sake, we call it Lydai.)

There are extensive Roman and Byzantine-era ruins in the 800 hectare bowl, most of which are tombs and mausoleums dating back to the early 2nd century. The mausoleums, built with an upper temple area and a lower room for graves, display decorations and inscriptions which emphasize the city's wealth and importance during Roman times. There is also a theatre and agora, but they are virtually unrecognizable to non-specialists.

Ancient water cisterns – which are still in use by the local farms – dot the landscape too.

Little is known about this mysterious little settlement high above Ağa Limanı. It was, and is, in a remote location and only accessible by boat from Ağa Limanı or on foot from Hamam or Martılı Bays in the Göcek Islands region. Unfortunately, because of its challenging access, it is unlikely that researchers will further their studies of Lydai beyond what is known today.

Longer Hikes from Ağa Limanı

For the truly enthusiastic hiker, the Ağa Limanı trail continues past Lydai all the way to Hamam Bay. If this longer walk is of interest, make sure you pack snacks / lunch and plenty of water as it takes several hours to complete.

Ağa Limanı: A Photo Gallery

Updated September 30, 2021

Click on any image to expand it.

The view from the hiking trail at Ağa Limanı towards FethiyeRemains of an ancient stone wall surrounded by stones and vegetation against a brilliant blue sky.Ruins of an ancient stone mausoleum with domed roof next to a treeAncient ruins of the historic city of Lydai surrounded by rubble.Distant look at the plateau above Ağa Limanı, which was once the border city of LydaiFoundation of a stone structure on the plateau above Ağa Limanı, which was once the border city of LydaiEntrance to an ancient stone cisternRuins of a Roman-era mausoleum at the site of ancient Lydai near Ağa LimanıAerial view of boats anchored in the spectacularly turquoise water at Ağa Limanı, Turkey near Göcek.Aerial view of the two bays which form Ağa Limanı, a popular yachting anchorage near Göcek, Turkey.Bird's eye view of the site of ancient Lydai, an important city on the bowl-shaped plateau on the hills above Ağa Limanı.Drone's perspective of gulets and yachts anchored on the Turkish coastline near Göcek, looking south over turquoise water towards Ağa Limanı.Gulet anchored in turquoise water at the foot of a hiking path leading to Turkey's famed Lycian WayBoats anchored in the larger of the two bays Ağa LimanıLoggerhead Sea Turtle swimming above sea grass in the clear water at Ağa LimanıLoggerhead Sea Turtle swimming above the sandy bottom at Ağa LimanıTwo sea turtles surface for air, startling a woman in a kayakA young Loggerhead Sea Turtle swims towards the surface of the water for airA young Loggerhead Sea Turtle surfacing for airA young Loggerhead Sea Turtle surfacing for airA mature porcupine full of quills lumbers through tall grass and brush at Ağa LimanıPanorma of boats anchored at Ağa Limanı, including gulets, sailboats, catamarans and superyachtsSunrise over the distant mountains as seen while anchored at Ağa LimanıIntricate carving on stone decorations that were likely part of a mausoleum in ancient times.Ancient stone cistern that is still used to collect rain water for farm animalsAncient stone cistern that is still used to collect rain water for farm animalsSingle gulet anchored in spectacularly blue water at Ağa LimanıA variety of boats anchored along the narrow peninsula at Ağa LimanıLooking up the scree-covered hiking trail that leads to ancient Lydai at Ağa LimanıLooking down the scree-covered hiking trail that leads from ancient Lydai to the beach at Ağa LimanıLooking up the scree-covered hiking trail that leads to ancient Lydai at Ağa LimanıStone marker with red and white paint marks the hiking trail that leads to ancient Lydai at Ağa LimanıThe view of the Turkish coastline and Mediterranean Sea from the top of the hill at Ağa LimanıRuins of a Byzantine-era mausoleum on the plateau overlooking Ağa LimanıRuins of Byzantine-era mausoleums on the plateau overlooking Ağa LimanıA column stands in the middle of ruins of a Byzantine-era mausoleum on the plateau overlooking Ağa LimanıRuins of a Byzantine-era mausoleum at the site of ancient Lydai near Ağa LimanıRuins of a stone structures on the plateau overlooking Ağa LimanıOverlooking boats anchored in turquoise water at Ağa LimanıOverlooking boats anchored in turquoise water in the small bay near Ağa LimanıArkadaslik practicing social distancing at Ağa Limanı on a beautiful sunny dayRuins of an ancient stone block mausoleum on the site of ancient LydaiTurkish gulet anchored amongst sailboats and catamaransSailboats anchored in a bay as seen from high above on a hilltop