Ancient sites of Lycia
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The Lycians were a distinct ancient civilization with their own language, script and a federal league of cities that is counted among the early models of representative government. Their signature is the rock-cut tomb, carved into cliffs to imitate timber houses and temple facades. The table below gathers the existing sites along the route with short notes, and the FAQ answers the main questions about the Lycians, tickets and convenient bases for day trips.
Existing ancient sites of Lycia on and near the Lycian Way
| Site | Culture/era | Famous for | Near |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patara | Lycian, Roman | Capital of the Lycian League with its parliament building (bouleuterion) and a long sandy beach | Kaş (Kalkan) |
| Xanthos | Lycian, Roman | UNESCO site and former capital; inscribed pillar with the longest Lycian text and the Harpy Tomb | Fethiye (Kınık) |
| Myra | Lycian, Roman | Dramatic cliff of rock-cut tombs above a large Roman theatre | Demre |
| Olympos (Lycia) | Lycian, Roman | Picturesque ancient city by the sea; the eternal Chimaera flames (Yanartaş) are nearby | Çıralı |
| Apollonia (Lycia) | Lycian, Byzantine | Quiet ruins with Lycian pillar tombs and early Christian churches | Kaş |
| Andriake | Roman, Byzantine | Harbour of Myra with Hadrian's vast granary and the Museum of Lycian Civilizations | Demre |
| Sidyma | Lycian, Roman | Remote mountain site with a temple, agora and ornate Roman tombs | Fethiye (Dodurga) |
| Gemiler Island (Saint Nicholas Island) | Byzantine | Church and tomb of St Nicholas (the origin of Santa Claus) with old frescoes and mosaics | Demre |
| Gedelme Castle | Byzantine (medieval) | Well-preserved fortress above the Lycian Way; a plane tree of about 2500 years stands beside it | Kemer |
| Neapolis — an ancient city on the Lycian Way | Lycian, Roman | A Lycian League city with a theatre, agora and temples; a busy trade centre under Rome | Antalya |
| Gelidonya Lighthouse | Bronze Age, ancient | Cape lighthouse above one of the oldest shipwrecks ever excavated (about 1200 BC) | Çıralı (Adrasan) |
Places11
Articles3
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