Patara Beach

Patara Beach is located near Gelemiş in the Kaş district of Antalya Province, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. The beach extends along a wide and largely open section of shoreline close to the ancient city of Patara.

Its scale is one of its defining features. Patara is much longer and broader than many of the small coves found elsewhere around Kaş.

The shoreline consists mainly of fine sand, with dunes rising behind parts of the beach. These sandy formations give the landscape a distinctive open character and create a natural transition between the coast and the inland plain.

The Mediterranean water can shift from pale blue near the shore to deeper blue further out. Because the beach is exposed to the open sea, waves are more common than in sheltered bays and lagoons.

Patara is also associated with Caretta caretta sea turtles, which use the beach as a nesting area.

One of the most unusual characteristics of the location is the relationship between the beach and the nearby archaeological landscape. The ruins of Ancient Patara lie inland from the shoreline and include a theatre, assembly building, streets and other remains.

This means the area combines two very different experiences: an ancient city and a long Mediterranean beach.

The dunes are also an important part of the visual landscape. Their soft forms, grasses and pale sand contrast with the blue sea and surrounding hills.

Patara is particularly well suited to long walks because of the length and openness of its shoreline.

As the day progresses, the beach’s appearance changes with the angle of the sun. Late light can produce warmer colours across the sand and dunes while the Mediterranean remains visible across the western horizon.

Patara Beach stands apart from compact resort beaches because of its wide sandy landscape, dunes, wildlife and close connection with one of Lycia’s important ancient cities.