Çukurbağ: Phellos and the Lycian Way

Çukurbağ combines ancient history with a distinctive hiking route. Phellos lies in the Fellen-Yayla area of the village at an elevation of about 950 metres above sea level; the Lycian Way also passes through Çukurbağ. This brings together different travel interests: polygonal walls and the extent of an ancient settlement, long, level stretches of trail through fields, and a viewpoint overlooking Kaş District from above. If you are looking for a holiday rental, these specific local features can help you decide what you would like your trip to focus on.

Phellos: History and Architecture

Phellos was an important city in the 4th century BC. The acropolis is surrounded by polygonal walls and extends over an area about 550 metres long and around 200 metres wide. These measurements describe the extent of the area and give the fortified complex a tangible sense of scale. “Polygonal” refers to the many-sided shapes of the masonry; this building style defines the acropolis at Phellos. The elevation of about 950 metres is also part of the historic site’s setting.

There are also ancient building remains in the village of Çukurbağ, on the private plots 203 Ada 107, 108, 109 and 110. They were registered as cultural property by decision No. 2779 on 31 October 2008. The private ownership of the plots should be taken into account when planning a visit.

Trail and Landscape

The Lycian Way passes through Çukurbağ. The route follows long, level stretches and runs through fields before reaching a viewpoint overlooking Kaş District from above. The route description therefore combines open stretches across fields with views of the landscape. If you are weighing up hiking and culture for your trip, you can consider the Lycian Way as a focus in its own right, alongside Phellos. Trail conditions can change; check the latest conditions before setting out.

On the descent from Phellos towards Çukurbağ, the settlement of Pınarbaşı can be seen off the trail, along with ruins farther south that are also referred to as Pınarbaşı. The settlement and the southern ruins are therefore two distinct visible landmarks. Uyuyan Dev Dağı is also among the natural formations in Çukurbağ.

A Culinary Highlight

The 2025 Gault&Millau Türkiye describes Capra Çukurbağ as a restaurant in the village of Çukurbağ in Kaş. For the drinks menu, the edition mentions the concept “from vineyard to table”, as well as local products from Anatolia. This offers another specific connection to the area, alongside its historical and landscape features.

Find a Holiday Rental That Suits Your Travel Interests

When looking for a holiday rental in Çukurbağ, you can start with a simple choice: should Phellos, with its ancient architecture, be the main focus, or are you more drawn to the Lycian Way, which passes through the village, with its fields and views? These are distinct travel priorities: one centres on history and walls, the other on trails and scenery. If your trip brings together several interests, you can combine these priorities and add the culinary appeal of Capra. This way, your choice of location reflects what you would like to discover in Çukurbağ.

Discover more destinations: Kaleücagız, Kızılağaç Köyü, Kalkan, Demre, Ilıca, Gelemiş Köyü, Çandır, Kargicak.

For the main travel overview: Antalya.