PATARA BEACH

In the heart of Lycia Patara is best known for its beach of soft white sand, backed by majestic dunes and in recent years the winner of a "best beach in the world" survey in the Sunday Times.

Patara is situated on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey (also called The Turquoise coast or the Lycian coast). A region boasting thousands of years of history, breathtaking scenery and hundreds of miles of unspoiled coastline.

    The beach is an long strip of sand bordered on its ends by mountains and along its length by sand dunes and the large marshy area which once was the celebrated port of Patara.

Probably as famous for its beach as for the ruins scattered about the valley Patara is a nice place to spend some time. During the summer and into the Autumn the water is lovely and the 18 odd kilometres of beach are very inviting, especially after a hard day climbing around old things. Patara was a member of the Lycian federation, in common with the other city sites in the valley, and was renowned for its oracle during antiquity. The ruins you can see, including the rather fine triple arch of the proplyon, delineate what was once the harbour but has now silted up into marshes.

Patara beach should not be missed with its gorgeous landscape and great swimming. It is a national park and home to many birds, also the breeding ground of the endangered Loggerhead turtle.

2000 years ago Patara was the largest and most important sea port of the Lycian civilisation. According to Mythology, Apollo was born here and it is also said to be the birthplace of St. Nicholas. The old city now forms part of a "protected area" along with the beach. This vast unblemished stretch of sand is still a "Turtle nesting area" and Patara has recieved the "Blue Flag" in recognition of its efforts to protect this environment.Evidence of its former glories as the principal port for Lycia and an important Roman town can be seen at the extensive site, still not fully excavated.

Here too stood the Hellenistic oracle of Apollo , thought to rival that at Delphi and a further claim of Patara's fame is as the birthplace of the fourth century St. Nicolas , the original Santa Claus.

Patara makes an ideal holiday destination. It offers peace, tranquility, and boasts a  golden, sandy beach backed by dunes and the Taurus Mountains. Its unique character and perfect location, close to the sea, mountains, gorges, forests and many of the country's most fascinating archeological sites make it an ideal base from which to explore this beautiful part of Turkey.