We do not have adequate Information about the origin of settlement in Olympos. However, "Lykia" Tahtali Mountain has been called as Olympos from the old times. Ancient city which is situated at 16 Km South of the mountain has the same name with the mountain. There, we meet first traces of settlement to be In 2nd century B.C.. In this period, the City prints coins belonging to Lykia association. So, we can understand that the City Is a member of the association. Olympos becomes one of the most Important cities of Lykia approximately In year of 100 B.C.. Lykia Association classifies member cities into three categories. These cities have the right of using one, two or three votes at meetings. Strabon counts Olympos among the 6 cities having privilege of using three votes. These are; Xantos, Tlos, Pinara, Patara, Myra and Olympos. Strabon, mentions in his writings about this situation that it had happened one century ago before Augustus period by taking information from the Historian Artemidoros from Ephesus. Cicero mentions about Olympos as an old city. Depending on all these words, it is not easy to say how the history of the city goes back. Some scientists claim that Olympos was established in a later period like Hellenistic Period. Whenever it was established, it is very surprising that Olympos has gained priority compared to Phaselis having advantages of being a rich commercial city and which was very near to Olympos.

At the beginning of the first century B.C., the cities of Olympos and Phaselis were both captured by pirates of Zeniketes. Then, Olympos were rescued and included into Roman Lands by Servilius Isauricus in the year of 78 B.C., This means that the land (ager publicustur) could be given or sold or rented to anybody by the new owner. This situation continued unchanged until the end of civil wars and until establishment of Roman Empire. As Strabon states Olympos as a large city, Cicero informs how they met a rich and well decorated old city at war time of Servilius. Certainly, being captured by pirates for some time had reduced the brilliance of the City. In fact, the City becomes a faithful member of Lykia association during Roman Imperial era.

In 2nd Century A.D., as in many other Lykian cities, Opramoas, a very rich man from Rhodiopolis gave his hand and has supported reconstruction of Olympos. So the City was very prosperious and brilliant during that era.

Roman Emperor Hadrianus visited the City and stayed there for awhile in the year of 130 A.D.. The association chose an envoy from Olympos City to transmit their message to the Emperor in 2nd Century A.D.. As the Olymposians were polytheistic, they built temples for Zeus. Apollon, Athena, Hephaistos and they made a great festival at several times to honor their The Greatest God Hephaistos.

When piracy starts threatening the City again in 3rd Century A.D., the City becomes poorer and loses its importance as a result of many attacks and lootings. Solinos mentions about Olympos in 3rd century A.D., as : "It was a noble city once but could not preserve its presence and it is only a castle now." However, the City continues to print coins at the same time. Plutarkhos, while mentioning about the war between Pompeius and Pirates, tells as an interesting information that Pirates were making secret and strange sacrificial ceremonies. Among these, there were Mithras Ceremonies widely used then in everywhere.

Later, when Christianity covered Olympos, the City is represented by a bishop. Staying as a small place for a long period of time, Olympos, then became an important city again during Crusades when Venetian, Genovian and Rhodian knights were active. After the Ottoman naval forces had an absolute superiority in the Mediterranean Sea in 15th century, Olympos joined Ottoman Empire, but it is completely abandoned and being forgotten afterwards. The Olympos City was established on two sides of a valley that starts as a narrow pass then becomes wider and be narrow again which has a small stream inside. The valley combines the sea at the end where there is a beautiful beach and also, a Middle Age castle and other remains stand over the rocks at the north of the stream being an evidence of last periods of the City. This antique City is well known with high quality saffrons which were grown up in the skirts of the Mountain and with Hoplon who is son of Hoplon from Olympos and was the president (Lykiark) of Lykian Association and with bishop Methodius who was killed by Romans and most importantly, with legends of Bellerophontes and Khimaira where there is a natural fire still burning in the mountain nearby.

Today, the City of Olympos and its environment is under protect being a natural and archeological place.