Lycian Beaches and Coves: A Coastal Guide from West to East
No two Lycian Beaches are alike. From a long sandy beach backed by dunes to a small cove at the mouth of a gorge, from a shore you reach through the ruins of an ancient harbour to a valley accessible only by boat, each shows you a different side of Lycia.
On this page you will find the main beaches and coves along the coast from Fethiye to Phaselis, the popular coves reached on boat trips, which one suits you best and the rules to follow to protect the shore.
📌 Contents
Lycia’s Popular Beaches
Western Lycia, from Ölüdeniz to Patara
- Ölüdeniz and Belcekız: The Ölüdeniz Lagoon, with its sheltered, calm water, is ideal for families. It lies within a Nature Park, and there is an entry fee. Next to it, the long Belcekız beach is public and is where paragliders from Babadağ land.
- Gemiler Island: This small island off Ölüdeniz and Kayaköy is known for the ruins of churches from the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) period. It is reached by boat.
- Butterfly Valley: The valley, set between steep cliffs, is usually reached by boat from Ölüdeniz. The path down from Faralya is very steep and dangerous. The valley takes its name from the Jersey tiger moth, seen in summer.
- Kabak Bay: A quiet cove reached by a steep road and surrounded by pine forest, with bungalows and campsites for those who want to be close to nature.
- Patara: With its beach of about 18 kilometres backed by dunes, it is one of the longest beaches in Türkiye and one of the most important nesting sites for Caretta caretta. The beach is reached through the ancient city.
Central Lycia: Kaş and Kekova
- Kaputaş: A small sandy beach at the mouth of a gorge between Kaş and Kalkan. With its turquoise water and long staircase down from the road, it is one of the best-known sights on the coast. Space is limited and it fills quickly, so go early in summer.
- Kaş Büyükçakıl: A pebble beach within walking distance of Kaş town centre, with sea platforms for an easy swim.
- Akçagerme Bay: A sandy cove between Kaş and Kalkan, reached from the road.
- Kekova: Many of the coves here can only be reached by boat. You will find them in the “Lycia’s Popular Coves” section below.
Eastern Lycia: From Adrasan to Phaselis
- Adrasan: A sheltered, calm bay surrounded by mountains, suited to families and those looking for a quiet break.
- Olympos and Çıralı: At Olympos the beach is reached through the ancient city, while the long beach at neighbouring Çıralı is a Caretta caretta nesting site. Do not miss the flames of Yanartaş in the evening.
- Phaselis: Swim in the three ancient harbours in the shade of pine trees. The beaches are within the archaeological site, and there is an entry fee.
Lycia’s Popular Coves
Many of the most beautiful corners of the Lycian coast cannot be reached by land. The way to see them is on a day boat trip from one of the coastal towns or on a blue voyage of several days. Below, we have grouped the coves by where the boat trips depart.
Göcek and the Gulf of Fethiye
The island-strewn eastern end of the Gulf of Fethiye is among the best-loved stops of the blue voyage.
- Yassıca Islands: A cluster of small islands with shallow, clear water.
- Tersane Island: A sheltered cove with the remains of an old settlement.
- Cleopatra’s Bath: A cove with partly submerged ancient remains, popularly known by this name.
- Bedri Rahmi Bay: Known for the fish painted on a rock by the artist Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu.
- Sarsala and Boynuz Bükü: Sheltered coves where pine forests run down to the sea.
Around Ölüdeniz
Day boats from Ölüdeniz usually follow this route:
- Gemiler Island: With the ruins of churches from the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) period.
- Aquarium Bay: Named for its clear water, good for snorkelling.
- Camel Beach: A small beach on the rocky shore.
- Blue Cave: A sea cave where the water glows blue from inside.
- Butterfly Valley: The valley and its beach between the cliffs.
- Cold Water Bay (Soğuksu): Named for the cold freshwater that seeps into the sea through the rocks.
Kaş and Kekova
With its own coves and the Kekova trips, Kaş has one of the richest sea routes in the region.
- Limanağzı: Coves on the far side of Kaş harbour, reached by water taxi or on foot along the Lycian Way.
- Hidayet Bay: A quiet cove on the Çukurbağ Peninsula, close to Kaş town centre.
- Tersane Bay (Kekova Island): The apse of an Eastern Roman (Byzantine) church rises just behind the beach.
- The Sunken City and Kaleköy (Simena): The sunken remains along Kekova Island and Simena on the opposite shore. Swimming around the remains is prohibited, so boats make their swim stops in coves outside this area.
- Gökkaya Bay: East of Kekova, known for the cave locals call the “Pirates’ Cave”.
- Aperlai: A Lycian city whose remains are partly under water, reached by boat or on foot along the Lycian Way.
Adrasan and Olympos
- Suluada: The best-known stop on trips from Adrasan, with white sand and clear water. It is a protected area, so follow the guidance of the boat crew and local rules.
- Cape Gelidonya: The southernmost tip of Lycia. The Bronze Age wreck found off the cape is known as one of the first underwater archaeological sites excavated using scientific methods.
- Genoese Bay (Ceneviz Koyu): A clear cove beneath steep cliffs between Olympos and Tekirova.
For the types of boat trips that visit these coves and tips on choosing a boat, see our Lycian Boat Tours page.
Which Beach or Cove Suits You?
- Families with children: The Ölüdeniz Lagoon, Adrasan and the sheltered coves of Göcek.
- Long walks and sand: Patara and Çıralı.
- History and sea together: Phaselis, Olympos, Patara, Kekova and Gemiler Island.
- Snorkelling: Aquarium Bay, Limanağzı, Kekova and Suluada.
- Peace and quiet: Kabak, Adrasan and Patara out of season.
Entry and Practical Information
- Paid entry: Patara, Olympos and Phaselis lie within archaeological sites, and the Ölüdeniz Lagoon within a Nature Park, so there is an entry fee. The MüzeKart is valid at the archaeological sites. For current fees, see muze.gov.tr.
- Shade and facilities: Many beaches, including Patara, Kaputaş and Kabak, have little shade and few facilities. Bring an umbrella, water and food.
- Getting there: Kaputaş and Patara can be reached by the Kaş–Fethiye minibuses. Butterfly Valley, Gemiler Island, the Kekova coves and Suluada are reached by boat.
- Blue Flag: Blue Flag status is renewed every year. For the current list, see TÜRÇEV’s Blue Flag page.
Protecting the Shore
- Turtle beaches: At Patara and Çıralı, stay off the beach at night, do not touch nest markers, keep your umbrella outside marked areas and never drive on the sand.
- Dunes: Patara’s dunes are a living ecosystem. Do not walk on them; use the marked paths.
- Anchoring in coves: If you visit the coves by boat, choose boats that use mooring buoys rather than anchoring on seagrass, and that do not discharge waste into the sea.
- Waste: In coves without facilities, take your rubbish with you.
For more tips, see our Sustainable Travel and Ethics Guide, and for the turtles, our Lycian Reptiles page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entry fee for Lycian beaches?
Most beaches are public and free. Beaches within archaeological sites, such as Patara, Olympos and Phaselis, and the Ölüdeniz Lagoon charge an entry fee. The MüzeKart is valid at the archaeological sites.
How can I get to the coves?
For coves that cannot be reached by land, join a day boat trip from Göcek, Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Kaş, Üçağız or Adrasan, or take a water taxi. Blue voyages of several days also include these coves on their routes.
When is the sea at its best?
The swimming season runs from June to October. The sea is warmest in August and most pleasant in September and October. In May and November it is cooler, but the beaches are quiet.
Which beach is best with children?
The Ölüdeniz Lagoon and Adrasan, with their calm, sheltered water, are the best choices. At Patara, watch out for waves and currents on windy days.