The Lycian Coast: Rock Tombs & Sunken Cities
Democratic cliff citadels, coastal necropolises, and ancient harbor ruins
📜 Expedition Overview
Traverse the dramatic Turquoise Coast where the Taurus Mountains plunge directly into the Mediterranean. Explore the rock-cut house tombs of Kaunos and Tlos, the UNESCO federal capital of Xanthos with the neighboring sanctuary of Letoon, the sand-dune-protected parliament at Patara, the breathtaking theatrical cliff tombs of Myra, and sail over the submerged earthquake ruins of Kekova.
📅 Day-by-Day Field Itinerary
Day 1
Kaunos
View Dossier→Temple-facade rock-cut kings’ tombs carved high into the cliff face of Dalyan
Day 2
Tlos
View Dossier→Tomb of Bellerophon carved with Pegasus reliefs and panoramic acropolis over Xanthos Valley
Xanthos
View Dossier→Pillar tombs, Harpy Tomb replica base, and Inscribed Obelisk recording Lycian script
Letoon
View Dossier→Three side-by-side temples of Leto, Apollo, and Artemis, and the trilingual inscription
Day 3
Patara
View Dossier→Restored Lycian League Parliament (Bouleuterion) and Nero’s ancient Roman lighthouse
Day 4
Myra (Demre)
View Dossier→Wall of rock-cut tombs resembling miniature temple facades sculpted directly onto the mountain cliff
Kekova Sunken City & Simena
View Dossier→2nd-century CE earthquake-submerged ruins, stone stairs descending into turquoise water, and Simena Castle
🎒 Practical Field Advice
- ✓Fly into Dalaman Airport (DLM) and return via Antalya Airport (AYT) to make this a one-way coastal road-trip.
- ✓Charter a small private wooden boat from Üçağız harbor to sail over the Kekova sunken ruins at your own pace.
- ✓Patara beach requires a modest walk through shifting dunes; bring sun hats and drinking water.
The Lycian Coast: Rock Tombs & Sunken Cities
Democratic cliff citadels, coastal necropolises, and ancient harbor ruins
Access interactive satellite imagery, turn-by-turn routing, audio narration, and offline GPX downloads directly on your smartphone:
📜 Expedition Overview
Traverse the dramatic Turquoise Coast where the Taurus Mountains plunge directly into the Mediterranean. Explore the rock-cut house tombs of Kaunos and Tlos, the UNESCO federal capital of Xanthos with the neighboring sanctuary of Letoon, the sand-dune-protected parliament at Patara, the breathtaking theatrical cliff tombs of Myra, and sail over the submerged earthquake ruins of Kekova.
📅 Day-by-Day Field Itinerary
Temple-facade rock-cut kings’ tombs carved high into the cliff face of Dalyan
Tomb of Bellerophon carved with Pegasus reliefs and panoramic acropolis over Xanthos Valley
Pillar tombs, Harpy Tomb replica base, and Inscribed Obelisk recording Lycian script
Three side-by-side temples of Leto, Apollo, and Artemis, and the trilingual inscription
Restored Lycian League Parliament (Bouleuterion) and Nero’s ancient Roman lighthouse
Wall of rock-cut tombs resembling miniature temple facades sculpted directly onto the mountain cliff
2nd-century CE earthquake-submerged ruins, stone stairs descending into turquoise water, and Simena Castle
🎒 Practical Field Advice
- ✓Fly into Dalaman Airport (DLM) and return via Antalya Airport (AYT) to make this a one-way coastal road-trip.
- ✓Charter a small private wooden boat from Üçağız harbor to sail over the Kekova sunken ruins at your own pace.
- ✓Patara beach requires a modest walk through shifting dunes; bring sun hats and drinking water.
Atlas Anatolia — A Living Geographic & Archaeological Atlas of Anatolia and the Ancient World.
Coordinates referenced to WGS84 standard. Always verify current museum hours, local ticketing, and weather warnings prior to departure.
Document generated from https://atlasanatolia.com/expeditions/lycian-coast-rock-tombs