Patara Ancient City & Beach Tour
A half-day Patara ancient city tour from Kalkan exploring the Lycian capital — a parliament building, triumphal arch, theatre and lighthouse spread through the dunes. Your English-speaking guide unpicks the layers of Lycian, Roman and Byzantine history in a small, family-friendly group, and the afternoon ends on the empty 18-kilometre beach next door. An easy, culture-rich day trip from Kalkan harbour with time built in for a swim.
- From
- €55per person
- Duration
- Half day
- Passport
- Not needed
- Pickup
- Included
- Cancellation
- Free 24h
- Payment
- On the day
About this tour
A half-day Patara ancient city tour from Kalkan exploring the Lycian capital — a parliament building, triumphal arch, theatre and lighthouse spread through the dunes. Your English-speaking guide unpicks the layers of Lycian, Roman and Byzantine history in a small, family-friendly group, and the afternoon ends on the empty 18-kilometre beach next door. An easy, culture-rich day trip from Kalkan harbour with time built in for a swim.
What's included
- Air-conditioned transport from your Kalkan hotel
- English-speaking guide
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled water on board
- Liability insurance
Not included
- Lunch (recommended local options shown along the way)
- Personal expenses and tips
- Optional activities marked as extra
What to bring
- Sun cream and a hat — the ruins have almost no shade
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes for the site
- Swimwear and a small towel for the afternoon on Patara beach
- At least 1.5 L of water
- Cash for lunch and incidentals
Meeting point
Hotel pickup is included from any hotel in central Kalkan. If you are staying further out, we agree a meeting point in advance — usually Kalkan Marina or the main square.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Inside 24 hours we charge 50% if the spot cannot be resold; weather cancellations on our side are always fully refunded.
Frequently asked
- What is Patara ancient city?
- The capital of the Lycian League and a major harbour-city — birthplace of St. Nicholas, with a restored bouleuterion (parliament), Roman theatre, lighthouse, triumphal arch and a long colonnaded street. The ruins sit just behind the 18 km Patara beach.
- How much walking is involved?
- About 1.5–2 hours of slow walking on uneven ground around the site, mostly flat. The walk to the lighthouse is an extra 20 minutes through dunes; skip if mobility is limited.
- Is the beach included?
- Yes — after the ruins we have around 2 hours on Patara beach. The beach is wide and shallow with no facilities at the protected end, so bring water and snacks.
- Are turtles really there?
- Yes — caretta caretta (loggerhead turtles) nest on Patara beach from May to October. The beach closes at 20:00 in nesting season; do not approach marked nests.
- Is there an entrance fee?
- Yes, museum entrance is around 25–35 EUR depending on the day's rate, paid at the gate. We tell you the current price at booking.
ToursJeep Safari Saklıkent
A full-day Saklıkent gorge tour from Kalkan that swaps the coast for the Taurus mountains. Your English-speaking guide leads a small, family-friendly group by off-road jeep into the cool, rushing waters of Türkiye's deepest canyon, then on to the hilltop ruins of ancient Tlos. Lunch of fresh-grilled trout is served on wooden platforms above the river — an unhurried, photo-rich day trip from Kalkan harbour.
ToursMeis Island Tour
A relaxed day trip from Kalkan harbour to the Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo) — the easiest hop from Türkiye to the Dodecanese. After a 25-minute crossing your English-speaking guide points out the pastel harbour, the Blue Cave sea grotto and quiet tavernas perfect for a long lunch. A full-day, family-friendly small-group tour; passport is essential, and the Greek island stamp is a souvenir in itself.
ToursXanthos River Canoe Tour
A gentle half-day canoe trip from Kalkan down the slow, willow-shaded Xanthos river, ending at the wide sands of Patara beach. Suited to first-timers and families, the route is led by an English-speaking guide in a small group and broken up by a generous village lunch served at a riverside table. A green, cooling counterpoint to the coast — easily the most refreshing day trip from Kalkan in summer.