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
Articles4
FAQ5
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.