Patara Ruins
Patara Ruins
4.5
About
Much of the city of Patara remains buried in sand, which has helped to preserve many of the ruins. Of particular interest are the Amphitheatre, Necropolis and the monumental gate or Arch of Triumph.
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16 within 6 miles
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4.5
415 reviews
Excellent
293
Very good
97
Average
23
Poor
1
Terrible
1
stuffmatters
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia882 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Patara is an interesting site, an old silted up port. Dunes covered most of the site but have now been cleared to reveal the theatre plus a heavily restored parliament / bouleterion, imperial granaries and a colonnaded street.
In future the highlight will be a reconstructed Nero era lighthouse which is not yet open.
En route to Patara stop and climb up to the viaduct at Delikkemer
The Patara site is flat but very hot
In future the highlight will be a reconstructed Nero era lighthouse which is not yet open.
En route to Patara stop and climb up to the viaduct at Delikkemer
The Patara site is flat but very hot
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salim L
Wallington, UK46 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
These ancient ruins prefectly represent the history of this part of the world. An interesting day if you like history and have a vivid imagination
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hayley C
Newton Abbot, UK109 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
It's worth spending an hour or so wandering around the ruins.
The amphitheatre is well preserved and you get a great view from the top as well as an insight into what it must have been like to watch theatre and gladiators.
Then there is the Assembly room which was surprisingly another amphitheatre.
I was struck by how many pieces of buildings, columns and marble were just lying around.
There is not a lot of shade so you may want to wear a hat whilst wondering around.
PS. We saw a snake sunning itself on one of the paths around the back so watch where you walk!
The amphitheatre is well preserved and you get a great view from the top as well as an insight into what it must have been like to watch theatre and gladiators.
Then there is the Assembly room which was surprisingly another amphitheatre.
I was struck by how many pieces of buildings, columns and marble were just lying around.
There is not a lot of shade so you may want to wear a hat whilst wondering around.
PS. We saw a snake sunning itself on one of the paths around the back so watch where you walk!
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Musicians Mum
557 contributions
Sep 2022
visited as part of a small group tour.Less touristic than other ancient sites.One of the cities of the Lycian League.Much is still to be excavated. fairly spread out .
At the end of the road is a long beach where turtles nest.
Here can also be found a cafe where gosleme are freshly made. Showers and toilets for beachside use.
Beach busier than the ruins!
At the end of the road is a long beach where turtles nest.
Here can also be found a cafe where gosleme are freshly made. Showers and toilets for beachside use.
Beach busier than the ruins!
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
775Antony
London, UK92 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Magical. We didn’t have enough time to do this place justice, but we were so immersed in the history.
It is not well looked after but that adds to the atmosphere.
It is not well looked after but that adds to the atmosphere.
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrT555
Cambridgeshire, UK273 contributions
May 2022
These ancient Roman ruins are just a 2km walk from the Dardanos hotel or Gelemis village. We walked to them almost every day, on most occasions we were the only visitors, t was like a trip back in time. Just as the sun is going down is best, very atmospheric. I would absolutely recommend visiting.
Written 13 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kharikles
Istanbul, Türkiye20 contributions
Apr 2022
Ancient Site of Patara is one of the most important and oldest cities of the Lycian League, in the southwest of the Xanthos Valley in Turkey. Patara, which is the capital of the Lycian League, is referred to as “”Patar”” in the Hittite texts of the 13th century B.C. Patara Ancient City, which has a tremendous historical and archaeological importance, has one of the rare beaches where Caretta Carettas lay their eggs for millions of years.
In Christian history Patara is famous for being a place of St. Paul’s missionary work at the end of his third missionary journey as he changed ships en route to Jerusalem. Patara was also the birthplace of St. Nicholas (born c.260-280 AD), bishop of Myra and the future Santa Claus.
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to visit there is a Blue Cruise experience.
In Christian history Patara is famous for being a place of St. Paul’s missionary work at the end of his third missionary journey as he changed ships en route to Jerusalem. Patara was also the birthplace of St. Nicholas (born c.260-280 AD), bishop of Myra and the future Santa Claus.
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to visit there is a Blue Cruise experience.
Written 13 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen B
Beverley, UK7 contributions
Apr 2022
We were primarily on a birdwatching trip checking out the nearby freshwater lagoons but ancient ruins can also provide a wonderfully undisturbed and protected habitat for wildlife so always worth checking out. This was no exception. The site is vast and surrounded by low intensity agriculture. There were black eared and common wheatears walking among the ruins and short toed eagles hunting on the hillsides. Tortoises amble among the stones and large agama lizards bask at the base of huge columns. The site itself is well laid out with a raised walkway for wheelchair users. The interpretation is written in Turkish and English. There is plenty of parking at the site centre and a small cafe with toilets. A large diorama in the cafe shows what the city must have looked like in its heyday. The drive to the site is not pretty as you pass through an area of intensive agriculture under enormous plastic greenhouses.
Written 9 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Departure811861
Germany872 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
The area of ancient Patara is vast, so take your time if you are really interested in exploring it. Also, put on strong shoes. An arch of triumph with three gates awaits you at the entrance. From the road to the parking lot you can see various sarcophagi, the necropolis and the ex harbour, which is silted up and where there are a few pools now. You can probably walk to the old harbour baths and the palm grove as well as to the amphitheater and the most relevant Likyan assembly hall without any problems. For other ruins you have to climb a bit but that is certainly worth the while because they show you how important Patara was in its high time.
Written 10 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Berkay
Istanbul, Türkiye33 contributions
Sep 2020
The capital of Lycian League and one of the biggest cities in Lycia . It is a must-visit place for history lovers and those who have interest in ancient cities.
There are still some ongoing archaeological excavations in the area and some of the buildings have already been renovated in the recent years. Emperor Nero's 26 metre high lighthouse is the next renovation goal of the archaeologists and restorators.
Interesting info: The parliament building in Patara is told to be the meeting place of the first federal republic in the recorded human history. It housed at least twenty-three city-states of the Lycian League from about 167 BC until 400 AD.
There are still some ongoing archaeological excavations in the area and some of the buildings have already been renovated in the recent years. Emperor Nero's 26 metre high lighthouse is the next renovation goal of the archaeologists and restorators.
Interesting info: The parliament building in Patara is told to be the meeting place of the first federal republic in the recorded human history. It housed at least twenty-three city-states of the Lycian League from about 167 BC until 400 AD.
Written 24 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time do the ruins open
PATARA OPENING TIMES
Patara archaeological site is open from 9am-7pm April to October and from 8am-5pm November to March.
Hope that helps
Remzi Balay
Istanbul, Türkiye10,013 contributions
Patara harabeleri yanlış bir başlık değilmi ? doğrusu Patara Antik Kenti olması gerekli.
Serkan S
Ankara, Türkiye330 contributions
Sizinle aynı fikirdeyim Remzi Bey. Tarihe sahip çıkamayıp harabe haline getirmişiz. Bence hakettiği değeri görmüyor.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Patara Ruins
- Hotels near Patara Ruins:
- (0.06 mi) Dardanos Hotel
- (1.13 mi) Dardanos Hotel
- (1.15 mi) Akay Hotel
- (0.04 mi) Patara Woddy Coffee & Bar
- (1.02 mi) St. Nicholas Pension
- Restaurants near Patara Ruins:
- (1.02 mi) Durak lokantasi
- (1.02 mi) Ayse Pancake House
- (1.04 mi) Sailing Terrace Restaurant
- (1.01 mi) St. Nicholas Restaurant
- (4.88 mi) Cafe Vita Restaurant