Visiting Patara
How to get to Patara
Hey, do you want to go to Patara, the famous beach and the ancient town near Kalkan?
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There is actually a really cute village there too. Its called GelemiÅŸ
A few cute coffee shops, a couple of nice bars, a few inexpensive restaurants as well as many small hotels and pansiyons.
But how to get there?
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Here are some choices to consider:
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Some people walk and bike there, its just 15km away and also on the Lycian Way, the long distance 500km trail from Antalya to Fethiye.. Perfectly doable for fit individuals but not practical in the heat of the summer
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Some people thumb a ride since the road to Patara has many cars heading that direction and picking up a ride is easy but not to everyone's taste nor sensibilities.
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If you have a rental car, you can drive there in about 15 mins. Lots of free parking around there.
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Taxi's are also a sensible options for visitors. Clean, cool, comfortable. Ask your favourite taxi driver and he'll arrange to get you there. Expect to pay somewhere around 15gbp each way.
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Last but not least, public minibuses are also a very viable option. Inexpensive (not much more than 1gbp), frequent minibuses go from out from Bus Station/Otogar and KaÅŸ town. You can also catch this minibus in town, right in front of the Migros Jet, on the upper roundabout. Picture shows the Migros to wait at. The noted times are from the otogar. Subtract 5mins from that time, for Town stop.
Location of Bus Station / Otogar
Location of Town Stop
Finally, a mini warning about choice #5 : its hot, people sweat when they are hot. Public transport means sitting close to people who have sweat because its hot, sometimes you have no choice but to touch people who have sweat because its hot. You can imagine the rest.
Sections of Patara Beach
Patara Beach is a beach located near the ancient Lycian city of Patara, tucked away behind the village of GelemiÅŸ, an area very easily reachable from Kalkan.
Backed by large sand dunes, this splendid, 18km-long sandy beach is one of Turkey's best and due to its length, you can find busy as well as quiet spots even in the height of summer tourist season.
Whether you are there for sunrise, sunset, the main beach or to walk the entire length of it, its an area of beauty that should not be missed.
If you wish to visit Patara Beach, you will find 5 main ways to do so, some more adventurous than others.
If you are looking to visit in July & August, please keep in mind the sand can be extremely hot, especially for little ones. Bring beach shoes or consider going to Kalkan's pebbly town beach instead.
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Option 1: Main beach and ancient town
You can take a taxi, drive or grab dolmus to the main entrance.
For foreigners: there is an entry fee of €15 per person (includes museum, ancient city, beach), you can get optional heaphones too. Alternatively you can buy a beach only 10pass for €55, useful for families but does not include the antiquities.
There are also options to a 7 day (€90) or 14 day (€165) Turkey wide museum pass
Kids under 8 get in free.
Sunbeds & umbrellas are extra.
Food/drink available.
Option 2 : The dunes
You can get a taxi or drive to the dunes, from there beach access is free. There is usually a few guys selling tea/drinks but keep expectations low and bring your own picnic. No sunbeds, no umbrellas and you have to cross the dunes to get to the beach. Suitable for those with good fitness as the dunes can be a challenge. You might also find some horses once you get there if you dont wish to walk.
Option 3&4 : the 2 sides of EÅŸen River
There are no facilities at all but you have access to the river (its very cold) as well as deserted beach as far as the eye can see. Its quite pretty. No public transport, only taxi and private car can get here. Its free, isolated and you'll usually find campers and few families picnicking.
Similar to the Dunes, you can walk from here to the main beach (about 5km one way) but make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen, its a beach walk, fully exposed.
South side : https://goo.gl/maps/bjnZERP4kCx5MLnv9
North side : https://goo.gl/maps/cMhxy92QPL6EoF2p9
Option 5: Karadere
Out at the very far end of the beach, free access and there are some facilities there including food and drink during the summer season. Accessible by car and taxis.
Karadere : https://goo.gl/maps/vP8wv5Hs2vSyDfxe6
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Things to do in GelemiÅŸ village
GelemiÅŸ is a small, laid-back rural village tucked away behind the famous Patara beach. Relatively untouched by mass tourism, GelemiÅŸ offers a relaxing atmosphere where visitors can quickly feel at home. The village features authentic restaurants serving home-cooked meals, bars, gözleme houses, gift shops, and local services such as a barbershop, supermarket and general stores.
Visitors can explore the village center, enjoy Simbar's garden setting with fresh fruit drinks, or experience live music at the Medusa bar.
The village's gardens are filled with fig, mulberry, pomegranate, peach, apricot, and pear trees, alongside grape vines, offering fresh fruit to enjoy when in season.
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GelemiÅŸ provides easy access to Patara's ancient ruins as well as the ancient city and the longest beach beyond, home to caretta caretta.
Buses and taxis are available from the village center to the beach, as well as nearby coastal towns like Kalkan and KaÅŸ for further exploration.
For those interested in hiking, Gelemis is a part of the Lycian Way, with routes passing by the Delikkemer Roman aqueduct.
