Patara is a seaside town that has been the capital of the Lycian Civilization in ancient times. Dating back to thousands of years ago, the region is famous for its untouched sandy beaches, which are located within the boundaries of the Gelemiş Village. Patara was the largest and most important port of the Lycian Civilization 2000 years ago. Today, the ancient city is protected along with its beach. Covered with 12 km of fine sand and sand peaks, the beach is declared a “special environmental protection area” for being a breeding ground for the Caretta Caretta sea turtles. There is no entry in the evening hours. It is said that the lighthouse discovered in recent years is the oldest known sea lighthouse of the world. The ancient city is spread over a wide area in the eastern side of the coast. The city and the port are at the entrance of a 3-km-long valley. The Patara harbor has taken its present look as it has been filled with alluvia brought by the Xanthos (Eşen) Stream. It is first Herodotus who mentions the name of the city for the first time in history. Legend has it that Patara, is the place where Lycia, the founder nymph of the city and Apollo are born. The history of the city dates back to the 5th century B.C.