Phaselis Ancient City Travel Guide

Phaselis Ruins

Phaselis is within the borders of Tekirova Town, which is located near Antalya Kemer. You can reach Phaselis Ancient City in approximately 40-45 minutes by your private car from Antalya city center. A trip to Phaselis is a place that appeals to both cultural and entertainment sense.

Phaselis is a place where you can see historical buildings, ports, baths and even the toilets used by people who lived before the ages. Also known as Phaselis. If visiting historical places has made you tired and overwhelmed, you can cool off by swimming on the beach at the North Harbor and South Harbor.

Are you hungry while swimming in the sea? You can have a picnic or even camp in the forest. However, let us remind you that according to the seasons, you may need to get permission for a picnic or camping activity.

How to get to Phaselise?

After driving for about 50 km from the center of Antalya by Kemer-Kumluca road, you will see the Ancient City signpost right after you pass the newly built Phaselis Tunnel after the Camyuva turn. Turning from here, the asphalt forest road of approximately 1 km long will take you to the Phaselis entrance gate.

Phaselis Map: https://goo.gl/maps/PSwpPPkUFqSQ8j2w8

Congestion can occur on this road towards noon. Even though the queue is moving fast, be careful not to stay until noon. There is no crowd at Phaselis Entrance in the morning hours.

Phaselis Entrance Fee and Parking

Since Phaselis Ruins is designated as a historical site by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, an entrance fee is required. If you wish, you can enter Phaselis with cash or credit card, or with your Museum Card.

Phaselis Entrance Fee :
10 $

There is no other way to enter without paying this price per person.

Those outside the age range of 18 – 65 do not pay for the visit. In addition, any parking fee is not charged separately from personal cars. You can use the car parks in the ruins free of charge.

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List of Places to Visit in Phaselis

Phaselis Ruins, which is open to visitors every day between 08:00 and 19:00, are places to visit. Aqueducts, Roman baths, Lycian Way, Marketplace, Harbors, Bay and Ancient Theater are among the places to visit.

Must-See Places in Phaselis:

1. North Harbor
2. Middle Port
3. South Harbor
4. Agora (Marketplace)
5. Domitian Agora
6. Main Street (Avenue)
7. Hadrian’s Gate
8. Aqueducts
9. ancient theater
10. Harbor Walls
11. Ancient Way
12. Water supply
13. Great Bath
14. Small Bath
15. Temple (Mausoleum)
16. Historical houses
17. Swamp
18. Cemetery
19. Ancient City Walls

South Harbor (Phaselis Beach)

It is one of the most beautiful spots to swim in the south-west part of Phaselis Ancient City. The South Harbor, which has always been used as a port for maritime trade, has also been a frequent destination for fishermen.

When you look carefully, you can see the ruins of the dock and the harbor walls, which are about to disappear. Since the large size of the port provides strategic and economic importance, it has been exposed to attacks many times in the historical process.

Today, it is used as a beach. Visitors who come to visit Phaselis Ruins cool off on the beach. While walking around the south port, you can also discover the historical atmosphere. You can come to this region from within the ruins or by tour boat and ships. However, it is forbidden for sea vehicles to take visitors to the beach/sand or even to enter the ruins.

South Harbor Beach, which is longer and shallower than other beaches in Phaselis, appeals to families and amateur swimmers. In the middle of the beach, there is a tree stump lying on its side.

In the wooded area behind the South Harbor beach, you can see those who picnic (without fire) and set up tents during the day.

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Middle Port

It is located on the north side of the ledge between the North and South Harbors. Middle Harbor is beyond the aqueduct at the entrance of the ancient city. Swimming here will be an interesting beach experience among the ancient stone ruins drifting into the sea.

It covers a smaller area in the naturally formed Phaselis Bay compared to other ports. Historically, it is the port mostly used by passenger ships. Those who came to Phaselis by sea would enter from here.

North Harbor (Phaselis Ancient Beach)

Phaselis is located on the northwest coast of the ancient city. It was one of the places where maritime trade was lively in ancient times. Remains of stone structures in the port have survived to the present day.

Like the other ports of Phaselis, the North Harbor today serves as a beach. However, it is less preferred as it is a bit more difficult to reach here. For this reason, North Beach offers a calmer environment.

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Likya Way

The historical Lycian Way, which stretches along the Antalya coast to Kemer, Tekirova, Çıralı, Adrasan, Olympos and Kumluca and from there to Fethiye, passes through the ancient city of Phaselis. Centuries ago, people using this road used to stop in Phaselis for their needs such as resting, shopping and accommodation.

Foreign visitors and traders who had the opportunity to buy the products brought from different civilizations by the Rhodesians, who were in possession of the maritime trade, contributed greatly to Phaselis economically.

As a result of this, Phaselis had a highly developed position. It is possible to see its effects in the artistic and architectural fields even today.

Phaselis Aqueducts

It was built to meet the water needs of the Ancient City of Phaselis. A part of this work, which stood out as a symbol of development in the period it was in, has managed to survive even today.

The Rhodesians, who also benefited from the slope of the land, were able to deliver fresh water to almost every point of the city with water ditches and waterways made of stone. This is how the city’s agricultural irrigation water, drinking water and water used for cleaning needs were supplied.

Aqueducts are one of the symbolic structures of Phaselis. It has a memorable architecture. It is one of the places where visitors take the most photos.

Agora (Marketplace)

Agora, large and small, located in the Ancient City of Phaselis, which has become the center of trade with its ports, are frequented places where both Rhodesians and neighboring countries meet their needs. It is the biggest market place of Agora Phaselis, opposite the small bath on the main street.

If you lived in ancient times, you could find many things you need in the Agora Bazaar, located in the very center of the city. It is quite impressive that it is located almost in the same way as today’s shopping malls. Because there are ancient theater area, Turkish bath, harbor and city square in its immediate vicinity.

There are two known market places, the Great Agora (pictured) and the Agora of Domitian, located a little further in the city.

Main Street (Ancient Town Square)

It is a very busy road that passes through the middle of Phaselis City and connects important places such as ports, theater, market area and baths. Since the road is made of stone, even today it welcomes us in its original form on the first day.

It is quite normal to feel as if you are traveling in time while walking along the road, which has commercial and socio-economic importance.

Hadrian’s Gate

It is the city gate built in the 2nd century in memory of Hadrian, one of the Roman Emperors. This gate, which opens to Phaselis Main Street, attracts the attention of visitors. Hadrian’s Gate, designed with Roman arch architecture, is like a time gateway to the ancient period.

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Phaselis Ancient Theater

It is one of the most magnificent works of the ancient city in my opinion. It is known as the place where the artistic activities of the period were held. When you walk on the main street for a while, you will see the Little Bath on your left and the Agora (Marketplace) on your right and the stone stairs leading up right across it.

Since some of the stone stairs have lost their function, you can go to the Ancient Phaselis Theater without damaging the historical texture by constructing a wooden staircase today. It has a very imposing architecture, similar to which you can find in Ephesus and Myra.

The greatest importance of the ancient theater is that the Rhodesians, who lived in the region centuries ago, built marvels of engineering. The fact that these historical works that shed light on that period have survived to the present is another engineering skill.

We have created the panoramic view of Phaselis Antique Theater so that you can see the entire structure.

Harbor Walls and Wharf Remains

Kuzey ve Güney Limanlarında yürüyerek gezmeye çıktığınızda tarihi limana ait duvarları ve iskele kalıntılarını görebilirsiniz. Denizin aşındırıcı etkisi nedeniyle görmek biraz zor ancak imkansız değil.

Phaselis Büyük ve Küçük Hamam

When you go for a walk in the North and South Ports, you can see the walls and pier ruins of the historical port. A little difficult to see due to the corrosive effect of the sea, but not impossible.

Apart from the large and small baths, there is also the Harbor Bath, which is used by sailors and located in the port area. However, not much remains of this bath. The Phaselis Bath, which is in the best condition, is the Small Bath as seen in the picture.

Ancient Phaselis Mansions

You can see the ruins of many houses, large and small, built with masonry stones with the ancient Roman architecture. The houses, which are close to the ancient square in terms of location, are mostly mansions that appeal to the wealthy of the period. As you go out of the city, the shape and size of the houses decrease relatively.

While visiting the Ancient City of Phaselis, you will feel like you have taken a journey through history with a time machine. The enchanting atmosphere of the environment is surrounded by all sides.

As can be seen in the picture, parts of the houses such as entrance doors, stairs, windows and hallways are easily recognizable even today. You can see the harmony created by stones of different sizes and shapes.

Antique Toilets

While walking towards the square on the main street in Phaselis Ancient City, you will see old ruins on your right. Be sure to check out the interiors as it is free to enter these ruins. When you look at the remains of houses and public buildings, you can also learn about interior architecture.

Temple (Mausoleum)

The Phaselis Temple, built by the Lycians, was built in the Hellenistic period. Although it is known as the Temple of Apollo, it is not like that. Because the Temple of Apollo is located in Didim.

It is claimed that the temple here is the Temple of Athena built in the name of the goddess, but this is not a confirmed information as the temple ruins have not been uncovered yet. This is the place known as the Acropolis Hill.

Frequently Asked Questions About Phaselis

Interesting information about the ancient city and the most frequently asked questions.

Is it possible to camp in Phaselis?

Since the Ancient City is located in the historical site, accommodation cannot be made in any way. However, those who come to swim in the South Port or the North Port for a day are allowed to pitch a tent. These tents must be removed by 18:30. Because Phaselis Ancient City closes at 19:00.

It is forbidden to stay overnight with a caravan the tent.

It is forbidden to anchor and stay in ports outside visiting hours with yachts, boats or any other sea vehicle.

Are there any Hotels or Pensions in Phaselis?

Since the region is completely within the protected area, it is forbidden to build any fixed buildings. For this reason, there is no accommodation facility like a hotel or hostel. There are two different options for those who plan to stay in Phaselis.

First, you can use the hotels or hostels in Tekirova Town. Secondly, you can benefit from accommodation facilities in Camyuva. Both settlements are very close to Phaselis.

Is Parking Charged in Ancient City Phaselis?

You do not have to pay for your car or parking fee, except for the fee you pay per person when entering Phaselis. There are parking lots where a large number of vehicles can park.

However, you should be careful not to let the bottom of the vehicle touch the ground while parking your vehicle in the parking lot due to the rough terrain.

What to Eat in Phaselis? What to Drink

There are not many places to eat and drink in the ancient city tour. We can even say no. There is a buffet right in front of the aqueduct. However, the prices are quite expensive. Last year, I paid 120 TL in total for an ice cream and 1.5 liters of water.

If you are going to stay here for a long time, I recommend that you bring basic supplies and food items with you.

Finally, it’s good to be reminded. It is forbidden to make fires in the ancient city, on the beaches and in the forest areas, including barbecue, samovar and picnic tube. The officers intervene immediately and an administrative fine is imposed.