Patara Beach: Three Things to Know Before Visiting

One of the beaches we visited during our Kaş travels was Patara beach. With its wide sandy coast stretching for 12km and the surrounding area protected from further development due to the nearby ancienty city, the beach boasts a unique, unobstructed landscape. Here's three things to know before you visit:

1-Easy Access

Located a short 20 minute drive from Kalkan, or about an hour's drive from Kaş, Patara beach is a great option to grab some sun and sea for holiday-goers in the area. The beach is situated within the ancienty city of Patara. The road is well-marked and there is plenty of parking right at the edge of the beach. Unlike nearby Kaputaş beach, there is no hiking or stairs to get in or out of the beach area, just stroll down the boardwalk and enjoy the beautiful plant life around you!

2-Family Friendly

When we visited the beach was full of families with small children. Its wide sandy coast is a little gentler on little feet than the pebble beaches or rocky coasts found throughout this region. Let's face it, wiggling your toes in soft, squishy sand is fun no matter what your age!

It is open between the hours of 8am and 8pm with a lifeguard on duty between 9am-12pm and 1pm-6pm.

It has changing rooms and showers available to use free of charge. Barbecuing is forbidden on the beach, but there are a couple of tiki huts with refreshment options, including slushies, fries, cold drinks, and grilled sandwiches.

Technically pets are also forbidden, but we did spot this furry little guy enjoying a cool dip in the water!

3-Watch Out for Sea Turtles

Several sections of the beach were marked as nesting areas for loggerhead sea turtles. The beach is a recognized sanctuary for these threatened animals, and as such the area is under protection by the Turkish government. Warning signs are placed in these sections to keep visitors from accidentally stepping on the nesting areas, so keep a lookout!

Of all the beaches in Turkey we have been to, this one stands out for its sheer size and beautiful sand. We hope you get a chance to visit this beautiful beach and the nearby ancient city for yourself.