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Phaselis occupies one of the most naturally beautiful settings of any ancient city in the Mediterranean. Built on a narrow, pine-forested peninsula between three natural harbors on the Lycian coast, the city enjoyed the advantages of multiple sheltered anchorages — a north harbor, south harbor, and military harbor — making it a crucial waystation for maritime trade between the Aegean and the Levant.
Founded by Rhodian colonists in the 7th century BCE (tradition places the founding at 690 BCE), Phaselis prospered through maritime commerce. The city paid tribute to Persian kings, welcomed Alexander the Great who wintered here in 334 BCE (the citizens presented him with a golden crown), and flourished under Roman rule until its gradual decline in the Byzantine period.
"Phaselis is a city of Lycia, a trading station, with three harbors."
— Strabo, Geographica (c. 7 BCE - 23 CE)
The ruins stretch along the peninsula's spine. A broad, paved main avenue runs from the southern harbor gate past shops, baths, and an agora to the northern harbor. The aqueduct that brought fresh water from the mountains behind the city survives in impressive sections. Roman baths, a theatre overlooking the north harbor, and the remains of Hadrian's monumental gate (erected for the emperor's visit in 129 CE) punctuate the landscape.
The site's integration with its natural setting is remarkable. Ancient walls emerge from pine roots, sarcophagi stand among wildflowers, and the harbors that drew the original settlers still provide sheltered swimming coves. Phaselis is now part of the Beydaglari Coastal National Park.
