Renting a car in a new country can be stressful. You don’t know the local rules, and there’s always the worry of being overcharged. In the end, our experience was positive, but I have to admit it did cause some unnecessary stress.

This was my second time using the website EconomyCarRentals to book a rental car. The first time was in Las Vegas, and everything went smoothly – a great car at an affordable price with full protection. I like their transparent booking system, where you see the total cost upfront with no hidden fees. So, we decided to use the same platform for Türkiye. We chose a car from the company EssenceCar Rental, and as always, I opted for full insurance and zero deductible for peace of mind. For a week in March 2025, we paid 148€ – about 21€ per day, which is a really good deal. Let me walk you through the rental process step by step in case you’re considering renting a car in Türkiye or want to compare experiences.

By using EconomyCarRentals.com I booked the car we wanted. You fill out all the information and pay a small deposit to reserve the car. You will pay the rest of the amount when you arrive. That’s pretty much the standard with most car rentals.

We landed at Antalya International Airport, expecting a rental desk or someone waiting for us, as stated in our documents. We were a bit early, so we waited, but no one was there with our name sign. After a while, I called the number provided, and they said someone would be there in 10 minutes. That was a bit of a red flag, but I reminded myself that things might be done differently there.

The guy arrived, was friendly, spoke enough English, and made the process easy. Since it was already getting dark, I assumed we’d go to their office. Instead, he pulled out the rental agreement right there in the airport parking lot. Surprisingly, it wasn’t with EssenceCar Rental but with another company – Farmer Car Rental.

We inspected the car, signed the documents, and paid a 500€ deposit. He suggested paying in cash for an instant refund upon return, but I didn’t have that much cash on me. Paying by credit card was also possible, but he warned it could take up to 30 days for the deposit to be refunded. Since there was no other option, I agreed to pay by card. Then, he handed us the keys and disappeared into the night on foot. We stood there for a moment, stunned by how fast and informal everything was. But we had the car, so it should be fine, right? I reassured myself.

As we adjusted and got into the car, we immediately noticed something unusual – the fuel tank was almost empty. Before even leaving the airport parking lot (which cost 2€), we had to find a gas station. In all our past rentals across different countries, we had never encountered an empty-to-empty fuel policy. Usually, it’s full-to-full or same-to-same. This was noted in the rental agreement as “fair fuel policy,” but it added unexpected stress to an already long travel day. Looking back, it was manageable, but I wish we had known in advance.

The car itself was great. It was exactly the Fiat we had booked, and we had no issues the entire week. Still, something about the rental process left me uneasy. The company’s communication wasn’t always reliable, and I wasn’t sure if someone would actually be there when we returned the car early in the morning. The day before our flight, I texted the rental company, but my messages weren’t being delivered on WhatsApp. That made me nervous. I found another contact number on the rental documents and tried again. This time, they responded, saying someone from Farmer Car Rental would get in touch. Three hours passed with no follow-up.

I tend to be cautious and like to prevent problems before they happen. I worried about waiting for the rental guy in the morning and possibly missing our flight. So, I texted the other number again and finally got a response – everything was fine, and we could return the car at 8 PM instead of 7 AM, since their office was always open. At that point, I started questioning myself. Was I being too anxious? Maybe.

We drove to their office the evening before our flight, and returning the car was easy. The agent assured us that the deposit would be refunded within 30 days and even gave us a ride to our hotel. Every interaction with them was professional (when we could actually reach them). So, I was left wondering – was this just the normal way things work in Türkiye?

Back home, to my surprise, the deposit was refunded in just five days. Everything had gone well. So, did I overreact? Maybe. The cultural differences and a few minor red flags made me uneasy at times. But now that I’ve had this positive experience, I’ll be much more relaxed next time. In the end, it was a good rental experience, and we would use this company again.

Also, driving in Antalya was surprisingly relaxed. Traffic was not chaotic, and roads were in good condition. It seemed like drivers were considerate of each other and even if there was a complicated intersection, we managed pretty well.

Did you enjoy reading about this kind of experience with renting a car in Türkiye? Let us know in the comments!

Myra Ancient City is one of the most fascinating stops on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast. Known for its dramatic rock-cut tombs and well-preserved Roman theatre, it offers a close look at Lycian history. This guide covers the site’s background, how to get there, what to expect, and practical tips to make your visit smooth and meaningful.

History and Culture

Myra was one of the main cities of ancient Lycia, located in what is now Demre, Türkiye. It dates back to the 5th century BC and reached its peak during Roman and Byzantine times. 

The tombs are carved directly into cliffs, high above the ground. These tombs belonged to wealthy Lycian families who believed the dead were carried to the afterlife by winged creatures. That’s why many tombs are placed so high. The craftsmanship is detailed and bold. You’ll see temple-like facades, columns, and carvings – even though they’re part of the mountain itself.

Highlights include:

• A large Roman-style theater
• Lycian rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs

It was built during Roman rule, around the 2nd century CE. With space for up to 4,000 people, it hosted plays, speeches, and events. The acoustics still work today.

The city was a cultural and religious hub. Over time, it declined due to earthquakes, flooding, and invasions. What’s left is peaceful, quiet, and deeply historic.

Getting There, Parking, Facilities

Myra is in Demre, along Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast. Myra is about 2.5 hours by car from Antalya and 30 minutes from Kaş or Finike. Buses and tours also operate from nearby towns. We opted for a rental car and the drive from Antalya was really beautiful and gave us the opportunity to visit other places on the way.

Parking is available close to the entrance. If you are coming from Antalya, the GPS might take you to Myra from the other side and there is a big parking lot on your left, where a very nice man stops your car and let’s you park on his property for free. Okay, of course he will try to sell you everything he has, but he’s just trying to make a living. If you want to drive past him, there is also free parking right in front of the entrance to Myra.

Myra is a bit more expensive to enter compared to some other ruins in Türkiye and the site itself is also quite small – you can walk through it in less than an hour. Still, it’s well worth a visit. The rock-cut tombs and large Roman theatre are striking, and the peaceful setting adds to the experience. If you’re nearby, don’t skip it.

On-site facilities:

• Ticket booth, the entrance ticket was 13€ in March 2025
• Free toilets – turn right from the ticket booth, keep in mind that this is outside the Myra gates and there is no toilet inside
• Shops with water, snacks, and interesting souvenirs
• No food or coffee inside – plan accordingly

A Few Important Tips

• Visit early in the morning or late afternoon
• Summer can be very hot – bring a hat, water, and sunscreen
• Wear walking shoes – the ground is uneven
• Read a bit about Lycian tombs before your visit (or rent an electronic guide with headphones at the entrance)
• Combine your trip with the nearby Alakent Church

The Alakent Church

If you’re visiting Myra, make sure to stop by the ruins of the small Alakent Church. It’s just a few hundred meters toward Demre center, on the same street. The Alakent Church is a small Byzantine-era church located in the Alakent neighborhood of Demre. It dates back to the 12th-13th centuries and was buried under several meters of silt until excavations began in 2010. The excavation preserved many of its features, including mural paintings, roof tiles, facade decorations, and spolia. It looks beautiful and it is free to visit.

Final Thoughts

Myra isn’t crowded, and that’s part of the appeal. You won’t need more than an hour here, but it leaves a strong impression. The tombs are dramatic, the theater is massive, and the setting is peaceful. If you enjoy ancient sites with real history and few tourists, Myra is well worth a stop.

What do you look for when visiting ancient places like this? Let us know in the comments or find us on Instagram @kaisartravels

History and culture

According to the historians, this mountain stronghold was never conquered – not even by Alexander the Great. When he approached in 333 BC, the steep terrain and strong city walls forced him to turn away. That’s rare in ancient history.

The city was built by the Pisidians, a warlike people known for their independence. Termessos was later absorbed into the Roman Empire but kept its self-rule. Its isolated location helped it preserve its unique character. But that was also the reason for its decline. When the aqueduct system broke – possibly due to an earthquake – the city ran out of water. Cut off from help and trade, the people eventually abandoned the city. Nature slowly took over.

Today, the ruins are scattered through thick forest and rocky slopes. Highlights include:

• A well-preserved theater with a dramatic view over the valley
• City walls and gates still standing
• Rock-cut tombs and sarcophagi
• Roman-era cisterns and aqueducts
• An agora, temples, and council buildings

Find more photos on our Instagram account @kaisartravels

Getting there, parking, facilities

Güllük Mountain National Park, about 30 km from Antalya. If you have rented a car, you will have no problem to reach the national park. Another good option would probably be taking a tour from Antalya. This way you would have your own tour guide and would make the most of it!

The gates to enter the national park are open until 15:00, it will cost you 120 Turkish liras per person (about 3€ in March 2025). They will close the park at 17:00, so you need to be out before then. The parking lot is about 9km from the gate, it is a big parking area with some picnic tables and a decent toilet.

Bare in mind that there are no modern facilities – no shops, no guides – just ruins and nature.

Hiking to the site

The hike to Termessos is short 15-20 min, but it is quite steep. Reaching the site involves a steep uphill hike from the parking area. The path is rough but well worth the effort. There are some trails, but you need to feel confident to climb between the rocks to see the best parts. We enjoyed it very much, stayed there almost 3 hours, exploring and climbing.

A Few Important Tips

• Check the Weather – The mountain climate can shift fast. Rain makes the stone paths slippery and the forest trail muddy. Always check the forecast before you go.
• Footwear Matters – Wear sturdy hiking boots with good grip. The path is steep, rocky, and uneven.
• Bring Layers – Even on warm days, it can get cool in the shade or if the wind picks up. It can get pretty windy up there.
• Bring Food and Water – There are no shops or cafes nearby. Bring plenty of water and snacks. The ruins make a great picnic spot with an incredible view.
• Respect Nature – This is a protected national park. Don’t do anything dangerous, take your trash with you, and let the ancient city remain untouched.

Final Thoughts