The ancient city of Phaselis with three harbors and ruins you can swim around sits within pine forest on the coast. Combine with the resort marina town of Kemer for lunch and afternoon relaxation. Alexander the Great wintered here and the setting is extraordinary.
Phaselis is one of the most beautifully situated ancient cities on Turkey's Mediterranean coast: a compact Lycian and Roman port occupying a forested peninsula with three distinct harbours — North Harbour, South Harbour, and the Central (Military) Harbour — each offering different views and swimming possibilities, 55km south of Antalya within Olympos-Beydağları Coastal National Park near the village of Tekirova. The site is distinguished by the quality of its natural setting as much as its ruins: the agora, main colonnaded street (decumanus maximus), bath complex, and aqueduct all remain visible, with pine forest slowly reclaiming the structures from their edges. Alexander the Great wintered in Phaselis in 333 BC before his campaign through the Taurus Mountains; a modest honorary arch marks the north entrance to the colonnaded street, built to commemorate Emperor Hadrian's visit in 129 AD. The most memorable experience at Phaselis is swimming directly within the ancient harbour walls — ruins of colonnaded buildings stand at the waterline and foundations are visible below the surface in clear turquoise water. The South Harbour is the finest for swimming, with pine-tree shade reaching right to the waterline and soft-sand beaches rarely busy before 11:00. The Central Harbour is shallower and calmer, better for children. Entry to Phaselis within the national park requires a national park entry fee (approximately 250 TL) plus site entry, paid at the kiosk on the approach road before reaching the site itself. Kemer, 13km north of Phaselis and 55km south of Antalya, is a modern resort marina town with a well-maintained harbour promenade and numerous seafood and grill restaurants from approximately 12:00. Kemer functions best as a comfortable lunch and rest stop rather than a sightseeing destination in its own right. From Antalya, take a dolmuş to Kemer from the Antalya Kemer Garajı (approximately 70 TL), then a local minibus toward Tekirova or a taxi to Phaselis (approximately 150 TL). Organized tours from Antalya covering both Phaselis and Kemer run approximately 350–500 TL with transport.
Highlights
- Phaselis three-harbor ruins
- swimming in ancient harbor
- pine forest setting
- Roman theatre and agora
- Kemer marina lunch
Tips for visiting
- Bring swimming gear — the experience of swimming in Phaselis's ancient South Harbour alongside the ruin walls is the trip's highlight and not to be missed even on a short visit.
- Pay the national park entry fee at the approach-road kiosk before reaching the site; the kiosk is separate from the archaeological site entrance.
- Arrive before 10:00 in summer to have the South Harbour beach largely to yourself before day-tripper crowds arrive by mid-morning.
- The walk from the car park through the ruins to the South Harbour is approximately 1.5km one way on ancient stone paving through pine forest — comfortable in trainers, challenging in flip-flops.
- Kemer marina restaurants are reliable for lunch; fish restaurants along the harbour charge 200–400 TL for a grilled fish plate with salad and bread.
- In July–August, a boat day-trip from Kemer marina that stops at Phaselis by sea is a relaxing alternative to the land approach and provides views of the ancient city from the water.
When to visit
May to October for swimming; late April and early May offer the ruins in green spring setting with very few visitors. The site is at its best before 10:00 in July and August when pine forest shade and calm water make the South Harbour especially beautiful. October visitors find warm sea temperatures (22–24°C) and almost no crowds.
Accessibility
Phaselis's colonnaded street is ancient stone paving with uneven surfaces; the beaches are reached via a 1.5km walk through the site. The South Harbour beach has a sandy approach. The national park road is paved. No wheelchair-accessible facilities exist within the archaeological site itself.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors swim at Phaselis?
Yes. Phaselis has three ancient harbours with sandy-bottomed swimming areas. The South Harbour is the most popular for swimming, with ruins visible in the water along the harbour walls and pine shade right to the beach edge.
Is there public transport to Phaselis?
Phaselis has no direct public bus service. From Antalya, take a dolmuş to Kemer, then a local minibus toward Tekirova (ask for the Phaselis turn-off) or a short taxi from Kemer to the national park entrance.
Who was Alexander the Great's connection to Phaselis?
Alexander the Great wintered in Phaselis in 333 BC during his campaign through Pamphylia. The city welcomed him voluntarily and he used it as a base before advancing through the mountains. The event is documented by the historian Arrian.
How much time is needed at Phaselis?
Allow 2–3 hours for a relaxed visit including swimming. Visitors who want to explore all three harbours, the colonnaded street, baths, and agora thoroughly should allow 3–4 hours on site.
What is Kemer like as an addition to the day trip?
Kemer is a modern resort town best used as a lunch stop rather than a sightseeing destination. The marina area has numerous seafood restaurants and a pleasant harbour promenade suitable for a post-Phaselis meal before returning to Antalya.