Patara

Located at today's Gelemiş village between Fethiye and Kalkan, Patara is one of Lycia's oldest and most important cities, its name appearing in 13th-century BC Hittite texts. As the only point where the Xanthos Valley reaches the sea, it grew in importance over the centuries and became the capital of the Lycian League in 167 BC. The Hellenistic assembly building, a theatre, baths and harbour remains are spread across a large site, and the long beach beside the ruins is also a protected natural area.