Ancient sites of Lycia
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FAQ
Who were the Lycians and what made them unique?
The Lycians (who called themselves Termilae) were an ancient people of south-west Anatolia with their own Indo-European language and alphabet. They formed the Lycian League, a federation of cities that voted in proportion to their size and is often cited as an early model of representative government. Their most striking trait was a cult of the dead expressed through monumental rock-cut tombs.
What are rock-cut tombs, house-type and temple-type?
These are graves carved straight into the rock face. House-type tombs copy a timber Lycian house with beams and a door, while temple-type tombs reproduce a Greek temple front with columns and a pediment. The finest survive at Myra and Kyaneai; the Lycians believed such tombs helped carry the soul to the afterlife.
Which Lycian sites are on the UNESCO list?
Since 1988 the joint property Xanthos-Letoon has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the capital Xanthos with its inscribed pillar and Harpy Tomb, plus the nearby sanctuary of Letoon. It is the flagship Lycian site of this route; the other ancient cities are proposed for a future extension but do not yet hold UNESCO status.
Do you need a ticket and how much is entry?
The developed museum sites - Myra, Xanthos, Patara, the Church of St Nicholas, the museum at Andriake - charge admission and usually accept the Museum Pass Türkiye. Open field sites such as Sidyma, Apollonia or Gedelme castle are generally free to enter. Fees change every year, so check the current price on the official muze.gov.tr before you go.
Which town is the best base to tour the sites?
The western Lycia sites - Xanthos, Patara, Sidyma - are easiest from Fethiye. Demre is the ideal base for Myra, Andriake and the Church of St Nicholas, with Kekova close by. The central cities are best reached from Kaş, and the eastern sites - Olympos, Cape Gelidonya, Gedelme castle - from Çıralı or Kemer.