St. Nicholas Patara Patara / Kaş

Patara

See Patara from beach to village

Patara brings together an 18-kilometre sandy beach, the remains of the Lycian League capital, a protected turtle coast, olive groves and the slower village rhythm of Gelemis in one compact area on the Kas coast.

Patara

What to see around Patara

Patara is not just a beach stop. You can swim, walk through the ruins, cross the dunes, watch the protected coast at sunset and end the day back in Gelemis for dinner on the terrace.

Patara Beach

Patara Beach

Patara Beach stretches for 18 kilometres, with golden sand, open space and dune scenery that make it one of the longest beaches in Turkey.

Because the coast is protected, there is almost no built development along the shore. The only services on the sand are the beach cafe and rentable sunbeds and umbrellas, and you can even reach the beach on foot through the ancient city in about twenty minutes. From June to September, the beach is left to the turtles after dark.

  • 18 km of golden sand
  • Open dunes and shoreline
  • Beach cafe and sunbeds
  • Caretta caretta season from June to September
Ancient city and assembly hall

Ancient city and assembly hall

Patara was the capital of the Lycian League, and its assembly hall, theatre, colonnaded street, granary and harbour traces can still be walked in one route today.

Excavations show that the city is older than 2,000 years. In mythology Patara is linked with Apollo, and it is also remembered as the birthplace of Saint Nicholas. The bouleuterion seated around 1,000 representatives, the theatre held more than 6,000 people, and the ancient lighthouse is tied to the reign of Nero.

  • Capital of the Lycian League
  • City older than 2,000 years
  • Bouleuterion for around 1,000 people
  • Lighthouse linked with Nero
Nature and the dunes

Nature and the dunes

Patara National Park adds another identity to the coast, with dunes, pines, wetlands and one of the important caretta caretta nesting beaches in the region.

The beach closes after sunset from May to October because of turtle nesting season. Loggerhead turtles return to the same shore after journeys of up to 1,000 kilometres. The area also attracts bird-watchers, with species such as the wallcreeper and the Smyrna kingfisher, and dolphins can sometimes be seen offshore.

  • Caretta caretta nesting coast
  • Night protection from May to October
  • Strong bird-watching area
  • Dolphins may be seen offshore
Gelemis village and olive groves

Gelemis village and olive groves

Gelemis is the village side of Patara, shaped less by resort blocks and more by family pensions, garden restaurants, small local businesses and olive groves around the edge of the settlement.

The village has restaurants for different budgets, small bars, a hammam, snack stops and calm streets that are pleasant in the evening. Fields, olive trees and fruit gardens start almost at the edge of the village, so daily life and tourism still sit side by side here.

  • Family pensions and small restaurants
  • Restaurants, bars and hammam
  • Olive groves and gardens
  • Calm evening walks

Patara

Why Patara feels different from other resorts

The mix of a long open shore, visible Lycian history, protected nature and a village built around family businesses gives Patara a quieter character than most Mediterranean bases.

01 · Beach

One of the longest sandy beaches in Turkey

Patara Beach stretches for roughly 18 kilometres. Even in high season it still feels open, with enough space for long walks, swimming and sunset views.

02 · History

The Lycian capital can still be walked in one route

The assembly hall, theatre, colonnaded street, grain store and traces of the harbour all sit within the same archaeological area, so history here feels part of the landscape rather than far away from it.

03 · Nature

Turtles, dunes and open landscapes shape the coast

Patara is protected for a reason. The caretta caretta nesting coast, the dunes and the broad open scenery give the area a strong natural identity beyond the sea alone.

04 · Village

Gelemis still runs on family pensions and small restaurants

Instead of large hotel blocks, you find small guesthouses, garden restaurants, village shops and an evening rhythm that stays calm after the beach.

Gelemis village

Gelemis village

Evenings and village life in Gelemis

A day in Patara does not end at the beach. In Gelemis you will find family restaurants, small pensions, local shops, the hammam and calm village streets, with olive trees, fields and fruit gardens still shaping the edges of the village.

  • Family pensions and small restaurants
  • Restaurants, bars and hammam
  • Olive groves and gardens
  • Calm evening walks

How to get here

Getting to Patara

Most guests arrive through Dalaman, with Antalya as a second option. Patara is easy to reach from Kalkan, Kas and Fethiye by car or local minibus into Gelemis village, and we are happy to help with directions, village access, beach and ruins entry tips or transfers when needed.

Open directions Contact
Dalaman 110 km
Antalya 240 km
Patara / Kaş +90 549 373 1993
Stay details Contact

Patara

Gallery

Recent views of the rooms, restaurant, garden and Patara.

01

Breakfast

08:00 - 10:30. After breakfast, many guests start with the beach or the ruins in the cooler hours and keep the village, the dunes and sunset for later in the day.

02

Patara Beach

Patara Beach stretches for 18 kilometres, with golden sand, open space and dune scenery that make it one of the longest beaches in Turkey.

03

Ancient city and assembly hall

Patara was the capital of the Lycian League, and its assembly hall, theatre, colonnaded street, granary and harbour traces can still be walked in one route today.

04

St. Nicholas Restaurant in the evening

St. Nicholas Restaurant welcomes both staying guests and outside visitors with local and international dishes based on village produce.

Reservation

Write to us for a room or dinner table

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