Patara combines two things the Lycian coast does best: a vast sandy beach backed by dunes, and the ruins of an ancient city that was one of the leading members of the Lycian League.
The ancient city
The site includes a theatre, a colonnaded main street, a restored council house (bouleuterion) where Lycian delegates met, and the remains of a Roman lighthouse. Patara is also known as the birthplace of St. Nicholas, who later became bishop of nearby Myra.
The beach
Patara Beach is one of the longest in Turkey and stays largely undeveloped because it is a protected area and a nesting site for sea turtles. It is a wonderful place for a long walk or an afternoon swim after visiting the ruins.
Nearby
The UNESCO-listed sites of Xanthos and Letoon are a few kilometres inland, and Saklıkent Gorge, Kalkan and Kaş are all within easy reach by car.
