Patara Beach: Endless Sand, Ancient Ruins, and Sea Turtle Nesting Grounds
Ergun DündarMornings at Patara: A Photographer’s Dream
If you visit Patara Beach early in the morning, you’ll be greeted by untouched, wind-sculpted patterns on the sand dunes—perfect for photography. These delicate, wavy textures vanish once footsteps arrive, which is why Instagrammers and wedding photographers flock here at sunrise.
You can easily add Patara to a day trip from Kaş, along with the nearby ancient cities of Xanthos and Letoon for a rich mix of history and nature.
A Beach with Unique Beauty
Patara Beach, located just beside the Ancient City of Patara, is one of Turkey’s longest and most spectacular beaches. The Eşen (Xanthos) River splits the beach in two, while fine golden sand stretches a full one kilometre inland, forming rolling desert-like dunes sculpted by wind and erosion. It’s a surreal and beautiful landscape, unlike any other beach in the region.
Family-Friendly and Full of Experiences
With its fine sand and shallow waters, Patara is ideal for families with young children. A beachfront café provides food and drinks, and sunbeds and umbrellas are available for hire. If you're visiting in summer, don’t forget to bring plenty of sunscreen, as the midday sun can be intense.
Patara also offers something special: horseback riding along the beach and through the ruins. One-, two-, or three-hour routes take you past Lycian-era remains like the Temple of Athena, ancient public baths, sarcophagi, and more. These tours usually include time for swimming, mud baths, and a relaxed meal along the way.
A Protected Habitat for Sea Turtles
Patara is not just a beach—it’s an internationally recognised Specially Protected Area. It serves as one of the most important nesting grounds for endangered loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean.
In 2019, an impressive 17,323 hatchlings successfully made their way to the sea out of 21,821 eggs laid. Visitors are encouraged to respect marked nesting areas, particularly during summer.
These same loggerhead turtles are often seen on boat trips around the bays of Kaş. If you join us on a Kekova boat tour, you might be lucky enough to see one swimming beside the boat. It’s a magical encounter, and one of many reasons to join us in Kaş next summer.
How to Get to Patara Beach
Patara Beach is located near the village of Gelemiş, between Kaş and Fethiye, within the province of Antalya. It’s directly next to the ancient city of Patara, which is included in your entry ticket.
🚗 By Car:
- From Kaş: Follow the road towards Fethiye. About 11 km after Kalkan, turn at the Patara junction. Continue 6 km on the asphalt road until you reach Gelemiş village, and then another 1 km to the beach.
- From Antalya: The drive is about 3.5 hours (220 km).
- From Dalaman Airport: Located 115 km away, there’s no direct public transport. Take a Havaş or Muttas shuttle to Fethiye, then a minibus towards Kaş or Antalya, and get off at the Patara junction.
🚍 By Bus:
Minibuses run frequently between Fethiye and Kaş, and you can ask to be dropped off at the Patara turn-off. From there, local transfers or short walks can bring you to the beach.
📍 Distance from Major Cities:
- Istanbul: 837 km
- Ankara: 657 km
- Izmir: 407 km