Patara Patara is an antique Lycian site located between fethiye and kalkan , patara was also the main and most important site of the lycian union . General meetings of the Lycian union were done in patara. Patara as being an important port especially for transportation of cereals and having one of the biggest cereal depot , during rome empire had lived its most magnificent period.
Site protected its significance in the next byzantium period and counted as an important city by christians. There is also a belief and rumour claiming that the saint nicholas , santa clause is from patara city.
The port filled by sands, struggled the ships to use Patara port therefore patara has started to lose its significance. The site is one of the virgin beach having 18 km length and almost 4 hundred mt width. Beach is also protected by government as the sea turtles ;caretta carettas are coming the beach for laying their eggs.
Among the remnants of antique city triumphal arch (Metius Modestus), basilika of byzantium , sacred places , theater , cisterns , monumental tombs ,the first parliament building of the world and oldest sea light house can be seen and visited.
How to get Patara ; scheduled minibuses are available from fethiye , kalkan and kas districts to beach. You can also join an organized tour to get Patara. If you have a car , turn to direction of gelemis village on the way of fethiye to kalkan. Driving 6 km more from gelemis village will take you to Patara beach antique city.
Two restaurants are available at the entrance of Patara in case of you get hungry.