Side-Turkey.

Some places on the Turkish Riviera you remember for the view. Yanartas you remember for the smell of woodsmoke, the dark hillside, and the strange sight of small flames flickering straight out of bare rock. Locally the name means "flaming stone," and the old Greek world knew it as the Chimaera the fire-breathing creature from Homer's Iliad. Tucked into the pine slopes near Cirali and Olympos, a short drive down the coast from Kemer, it is one of those rare spots where geology, myth and a good walk all line up in the same evening.

What exactly is burning at Yanartas?

The flames are real, natural and very old. Methane and other gases seep up through vents in the hillside, and when they reach the open air they catch light on their own clusters of small fires that have, by all accounts, been burning here for thousands of years. There is no gas pipe, no switch, no attendant lighting them at dusk. You can sit beside a flame, warm your hands, and watch it flicker against the rock as if the mountain itself were quietly alight.

Just below the fires lie the weathered ruins of a temple to Hephaistos, the Greek god of fire and the forge a fitting neighbour. Ancient travellers clearly felt the same awe you will, and tied the place to the legend of the Chimaera. Whether or not Homer had this exact hillside in mind, standing among the flames after dark, the story feels entirely believable.

Going after dark: why timing matters

By daylight the flames are faint and easy to miss. After sunset they come into their own glowing orange against the black rock, with the smell of the pines drifting around you. That is why most visitors come in the evening. Reaching the fires means an uphill walk on a stone path from the foot of the slope; it is steady rather than steep, but it is a genuine climb, so trainers with grip beat sandals every time.

What to bring

A torch or your phone light for the walk back down, a layer for the cooler evening air, water, and comfortable shoes. The path is uneven in places, so watch your footing in the dark. The exact visiting window and any park or entrance arrangements are confirmed at booking and on the official national-park information do check there for current details rather than relying on old figures.

Pairing Yanartas with the rest of the Kemer coast

Yanartas sits in the same beautiful stretch as several of the Kemer area's headline sights, so it travels well with the coast around Cirali and Olympos that long pebble beach, the overgrown, romantic ruins of ancient Olympos among the trees, and the cool, clear water of Goynuk Canyon between its tall rock walls. Up the road, Mount Tahtali is reached by the Olympos cable car for sweeping views, and Phaselis offers Lycian-Roman ruins and swimming off the same pine-fringed harbours. It is genuinely one of the richest corners of the Turkish Riviera.

Quick Facts

• Duration: Confirmed at booking.
• Pick-up: Hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat & nearby resorts; time confirmed at booking.
• Includes: Hotel transfers and guided visit to the Yanartas flames; details confirmed at booking.
• Excludes: Personal spending, food and drinks, and any entrance fees unless stated check official site.
• Family Friendly: Yes suitable for children who can manage a short uphill walk; hold little ones near the flames.
• Best Season: Spring through autumn for the most comfortable evening walking.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate a steady uphill stone path; basic mobility needed.

Related Excursions

• Kemer tours & excursions
• Things to do in Antalya
• Tours from Side
• Belek excursions
• Alanya day trips
• More Turkish Riviera travel guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the flames at Yanartas real or man-made?

They are entirely natural. Methane and other gases rise through the rock and ignite on contact with the air, producing flames that have burned here for thousands of years.

Why is Yanartas linked to the Chimaera?

The fire-breathing Chimaera appears in Homer's Iliad, and ancient and later travellers connected this burning hillside with that legend. Below the flames lie ruins of a temple to Hephaistos, the god of fire.

Is it better to visit during the day or at night?

At night. The flames are faint in daylight but glow dramatically after dark, which is why most people come in the evening.

Is there a walk involved?

Yes a short, steady uphill walk on a stone path from the foot of the slope. Wear shoes with grip and bring a light for the way back down.

Is Yanartas suitable for children?

Generally yes, for children who can handle the short climb. Keep a close hold on younger ones near the open flames and on the uneven path.

Where is Yanartas in relation to Kemer?

It lies along the coast near Cirali and Olympos, in the Kemer area of Antalya province, among the pine-clad Taurus Mountains.

What should I bring?

A torch or phone light, a warm layer for the cooler evening, water and comfortable closed shoes with good grip.

How long does the visit take?

Duration is confirmed at booking; the time at the flames depends on your itinerary and pace on the walk.

Ready to watch the eternal flames flicker against the dark? Book DIRECT with the Murat Atalay team at side-turkey.com message us on WhatsApp or email info@side-turkey.com. As a local operator we cut out agency and OTA commission, so you get our best-price guarantee and honest, on-the-ground advice. We'll sort your hotel pick-up and confirm the timing when you book.