Patara Beach & Ruins

Patara has escaped the development that mars many lesser beaches around the Mediterranean thanks to the ruins of the once mighty ancient city from which the beach gets its name, and the resident Loggerhead turtles

At 11 miles, unspoilt Patara is Turkey’s longest beach. Even more important, Patara has escaped the development that mars many lesser beaches around the Mediterranean thanks to the ruins of the once mighty ancient city from which the beach gets its name, and the resident Loggerhead turtles, a protected species which has been laying its eggs here for the past 40 million years. The beach is off-limits between sunset and 8.30am, to allow the turtles to nest.

Directions

To reach the beach, you pass Roman, Greek & Lycian ruins spanning thousands of years of history.

Patara is about 30 mins by cab, and most cabbies are happy to sit and drink tea with thier mates for a few hours while you swim, enabling them to offer a reasonably priced return trip.

The reserve has an admission charge of around £1.25 which will often be included in the taxi fare.

A word of warning:

Whilst Patara is stunning, there is NO SHADE, and the temperature can easily top 50 deg. Take an umbrella, and beach shoes, as the sand WILL burn your feet!