Phaselis Ancient City — Three Harbours & Beach Guide
A remarkable ancient port with three natural harbours, a colonnaded main street and clear coves right beside the ruins.
Phaselis Ancient City: entrance fee €10 (foreign visitor rate; Museum Pass valid), opening hours 08:00–17:00 (ticket office closes 16:30). Suggested time: 2–3 hours including a swim. Best time to visit: 08:00–10:00 — cool and quiet.
Founded around 690 BC by sailors from Rhodes, Phaselis was a major trading port on the border between Lycia and Pamphylia. What makes it unusual is its three separate natural harbours — north, city and south — lying only a few hundred metres apart and linked by a marble-paved main street.
At the southern end of that street stand the foundations of the monumental triple gate built for Emperor Hadrian's visit in AD 129, with baths, the agora and a theatre cut into the hillside along the way. The site sits just north of Tekirova inside the Olympos–Beydağları National Park, so the ruins stand in the shade of Turkish red pine.
Phaselis Ancient City entrance fee and opening hours (2026)
| Entrance fee | €10 (foreign visitor rate; Museum Pass valid) |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 08:00–17:00 (ticket office closes 16:30) |
| Suggested time | 2–3 hours including a swim |
| Best time to visit | 08:00–10:00 — cool and quiet |
Fees for foreign visitors are from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism fee list; opening hours from muze.gov.tr. Check again shortly before your visit.
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How do I get to Phaselis Ancient City?
Phaselis is about 57 km south-west of central Antalya on the D400 and 16 km from Kemer; after the Tekirova turn-off a 1 km forest road leads to the car park. From Side and Manavgat allow around two hours. Minibuses from Kemer drop you at the Phaselis junction, a short walk from the gate, and boat trips run from Kemer marina in summer.
Distances and driving times to Phaselis Ancient City
| From Antalya Airport (AYT) | 73 km · about 1 h 9 min by car |
|---|---|
| From Side | 132 km · about 1 h 52 min by car |
| From Manavgat | 132 km · about 1 h 49 min by car |
| From Alanya | 192 km · about 2 h 33 min by car |
Road distances and driving times calculated on the OpenStreetMap road network (OSRM), without traffic or stops. Compare all attractions →
Tips for visiting Phaselis Ancient City
- Bring swimwear and a towel — the pebble beach of the city harbour is 50 metres from the ruins and open for swimming.
- There is plenty of shade but very little sold on site; pack water and snacks.
- Walk all the way to the north harbour: the crowds thin out noticeably there.
Where is Phaselis Ancient City?
Phaselis Ancient City — frequently asked questions
Can you swim at Phaselis?
Yes. The pebble beaches at the city and north harbours are open for swimming and the water is clear and shallow. There are no sunbeds, so bring your own towel.
How long do you need for the site?
A circuit taking in all three harbours, the main street and the theatre takes about 1.5 hours; with a swim, closer to three.
Phaselis or Olympos — which is better?
Phaselis is more compact, shadier and better for swimming; Olympos is wilder and more of an adventure. They are 35 km apart and easily combined in one day.
How much are Phaselis tickets?
A ticket for Phaselis costs €10 for foreign visitors. The site is open 08:00–17:00 and the ticket office closes at 16:30 (muze.gov.tr, November 2026).
How far is Phaselis Ancient City from Side?
Phaselis Ancient City is 132 km from Side by road — about 1 h 52 min by car without stops.
How far is Phaselis Ancient City from Antalya Airport?
Phaselis Ancient City is 73 km from Antalya Airport (AYT) by road — about 1 h 9 min by car without stops.
