Antalya
Patara Beach is on the Mediterranean coast at Gelemiş, in the Kaş district of Antalya, between Kalkan and Fethiye. It runs beside the ruins of ancient Patara, once the capital of the Lycian League. Official sources give its length as 12 to 18 km. The area was declared a Special Environmental Protection Area in 1990.
Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nest on the sand between May and August. During the day the nests are marked with cages. Behind the shore rise sand dunes, formed from sand that the Eşen River carries to the sea. Next to the beach stand the ancient city gate, the theatre and the council house of the Lycian League.
Patara minibuses run from Kaş and Kalkan; by car Kalkan is about 15 minutes away. To protect the nests, the beach is closed to the public from 20.00 to 08.00. Sunbeds, umbrellas and tents are not allowed during those hours.