Phaselis

## Overview Phaselis is a 7th-century BC Lycian-Rhodian trading port with three natural harbours, later a Roman city visited by Alexander the Great in 333 BC. This is one of the essential sights in Antalya and rewards visitors who arrive with a little context and a full water bottle. ## A short history Standing on the site today, it is easy to forget that Phaselis has survived earthquakes, empires and centuries of neglect. What you see is the accumulated work — and loss — of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman hands. Nineteenth-century travellers wrote of overgrown ruins reclaimed by pine forest; modern excavations, most of them Turkish-led since the 1940s, have brought the site back to life while preserving its patina. ## What to see, section by section - **Hadrian's Gate at the entrance.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the marble main street between two harbours.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the Roman theatre framed by pines.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the aqueduct arches.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the three swim-friendly harbours (north, south and central).** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. - **the pine-shaded picnic grove.** A highlight of any visit, and worth pausing for photographs and a moment of quiet. Give yourself at least 90 minutes to walk between these areas without rushing; two to three hours if you photograph seriously. ## Best time to visit May–june before school holidays; the harbours are perfect for a ruins-and-swim combo. Shoulder-season months (April–May and September–October) combine mild weather with thinner crowds, and the low-angled light in those months flatters every marble surface. ## Photo spots The most rewarding frames are the harbour arch with a swimmer for scale, and the theatre through the pines at 16:00. Bring a wide-angle lens if you have one, and consider a polarizer to cut the Mediterranean glare. ## Tickets and hours - **Hours:** daily 08:00–19:00 (Apr–Oct), 08:30–17:30 (Nov–Mar). - **Admission:** €8 (Museum Pass Antalya included; parking €2). The Museum Pass Antalya is almost always worth it if you are visiting two or more sites — it pays for itself quickly and lets you skip the ticket queue. ## How to get there 55 km south-west of Antalya near Tekirova; rental car 45 min, or Kemer dolmuş plus a 3 km walk (or €10 taxi) from the D400 junction. If time is short, a private guided tour with hotel pickup removes every logistical headache — see our related tours below. ## Insider tips - Bring a mask and snorkel — the south harbour has submerged column drums. - Pack a picnic; the on-site café is basic and pricey. - Arrive before 10:00 in July–August or the parking overflows.