Patara→Antalya City Center

Patara is a quiet village of orange groves and family pensions beside Turkey's longest sand beach. Antalya city center is a busy provincial capital with an old harbor, a walled old town and a long promenade above the sea. Between the two lies 142 km of Lycian coast. The drive takes about 149 minutes, which is two and a half hours of road before you add any stop.

Turkey Transfer runs this journey as a private transfer. A driver collects you at the door of your villa, pension or hotel in Gelemiş, the village that most people simply call Patara. The same driver takes you to your address in Antalya. The vehicle carries only your group. Nobody else boards at a junction, and nobody else's drop-off changes your timing.

This page covers the road itself, the best moment to leave, what to expect when you arrive, the districts of Antalya and who each one suits, and the other things a traveler can fit around the transfer.

The numbers are simple. The distance is 142 km. The journey time is 149 minutes. That works out as an average speed well below what the distance would suggest on an open motorway, and the reason is the coastline. This is a mountain-and-sea road, not a flat highway.

You leave Gelemiş on the village road, past the pensions and the orange trees, and join the main coastal road. From there the landscape changes quickly. Pine-covered hills of ancient Lycia come down almost to the water. Small bays appear and disappear between the bends. In the first part of the drive you pass the Kalkan side of the coast, with its white houses stacked above the sea, and the road toward Kaş. Then the route turns east and leads on toward the Antalya side, where the D400 coastal highway carries you into the city.

Some features of this road matter to a passenger:

• Bends. The coast road twists around headlands and climbs over ridges. It is scenic, but it can tire people who suffer from car sickness. Sit in the front seat or the middle of the back seat, look at the horizon, and tell the driver if you want a pause.
• Views. On the clearer days of spring and autumn, the mountains on the inland side stay sharp, and the sea beside the road is a deep blue. Passengers who sit on the sea side see more.
• Speed. Your driver keeps a steady pace. On this kind of road, a smooth drive gives more comfort than a fast one, and the 149 minutes already allows for it.
• Village sections. The road passes through small towns and busy junctions. Speed drops there, and in summer these sections add minutes.

Take 149 minutes as the normal figure for the whole transfer, and add a margin when your day has a fixed deadline.

On a quiet morning outside the main season, expect the journey to run close to the stated time. In July and August the road carries more traffic: tour coaches, rental cars, delivery trucks heading for the markets of the coast. Slow vehicles on the climbs can hold a whole line of cars behind them. Saturdays, when many holiday rentals change over, bring more cars than other days. Late afternoon, as you get close to Antalya, you meet the evening traffic of a large city.

A practical rule: if you must reach something in Antalya at a certain hour, such as a restaurant booking or a boat or a flight, count back from that hour by the 149 minutes, then add at least a half hour for the unexpected. If you have no deadline, leave when you like and enjoy the road.

There are three good starting points, and each suits a different traveler.

Early morning. Leave around breakfast time. The road is cooler and quieter, the light on the sea is clear, and you arrive in Antalya with the whole afternoon free. This is the best choice for families with small children, who often sleep for the first part of the drive. It is also the best choice in high summer, when a midday drive in a warm car is more tiring.

Late morning. Leave after a relaxed breakfast and a last walk to the beach. You arrive in Antalya in the middle of the afternoon, in time for a hotel check-in. Many hotels allow check-in from the early afternoon, so this timing often avoids a long wait with your suitcases in a lobby. Ask your hotel in Antalya about its check-in hour before you fix your pickup time.

Evening. Leave after a last beach sunset and dinner in the village. The road is darker, and the bends are harder to enjoy, so this suits only travelers who do not mind arriving at night.

Whatever you choose, tell us the time and the exact pickup address at booking. Patara's pensions are often small, with narrow access, and some stand a short walk from the place where a car can park. Your driver will help with the bags.

Patara has no big resort gates and no central hotel zone. Accommodation is spread through Gelemiş and along the road toward the beach. For that reason the exact address matters more here than in a large resort.

When you book, give us the name of your hotel or pension, and if possible a phone number that works in Turkey. The village is small, and the drivers know it well. We regularly collect guests from places such as Golden Lighthouse Hotel, Ince Hotel, Dardanos Hotel, Delfin, Ferah Otel, Beyoğlu, Apollon, Denge Pansiyon, Golden Pension 3 and Leton Apart Otel, as well as many other pensions in the village. If yours is not on this list, tell us the name and we will find it.

The last stretch of road in the village narrows. At busy checkout times in July and August, allow a few extra minutes at the start of the trip. If you stay close to the beach, your driver may meet you at the nearest point where the car can stop.

On a journey this long, a short rest is normal. Tell the driver in advance if you want a drink, a photograph at a viewpoint, a toilet stop for the children or a walk to stretch your legs. A stop of fifteen or twenty minutes adds that time to the total. A longer detour, such as the Saklıkent Gorge inland from this coast, needs more planning, so ask before the journey.

Antalya city center is not a single point. It is a group of districts that lie around the old harbor and the old town, and the character of your arrival depends on which one you choose. The driver needs a precise address or hotel name. If you are not sure, send the hotel name by message before you leave Patara, and we will check it with the driver.

Some practical points about arrival:

• Old town streets. The narrow lanes of Kaleiçi are partly closed to ordinary traffic or very tight for a larger vehicle. The driver may drop you at the nearest convenient gate and you walk the last few minutes with your bags. Hotels in the old town know this and often help with luggage.
• Traffic. Central Antalya has busy avenues and one-way streets. In the evening, the last few kilometers can take as long as a much longer stretch of open road.
• Parking. Some city hotels have little or no space at the entrance. The driver will stop as close as the road allows.
• Luggage. Tell us how many suitcases you have. A group with large bags needs a vehicle with the right boot space, and it is easier to arrange this at booking than at the door.

Choosing where to stay in the city changes your holiday more than most people expect. Here is a plain guide to the areas around the center.

Kaleiçi, the Old Town

Kaleiçi is the walled old quarter above the harbor. Its streets hold restored Ottoman houses, small boutique hotels, courtyards and cafes. The old Roman harbor, which is now a marina with small excursion boats, lies at its foot. Hadrian's Gate, the arch of the Roman emperor's time, stands at the edge of the quarter, and the Yivli Minaret is one of the symbols of the city.

This area suits couples, culture lovers and travelers who like to walk everywhere. It is lively in the evening, and it has more atmosphere than any other part of the city. It is less suitable for people with heavy luggage or reduced mobility, because the lanes are uneven and the way in can be steep.

Around the Harbor and Karaalioğlu Park

Next to the old town, a green park runs along the cliff edge, with views over the bay and the Taurus mountains beyond. Paths, benches and viewpoints make it a popular place for an evening walk. Hotels near here give you the old town on one side and the cliffs on the other.

This area suits travelers who want to be close to the sights and still have some open space. It is easy to reach for visitors who come for a few days of sightseeing.

Konyaaltı

Konyaaltı lies to the west of the center. It is known for its long pebble beach, wide promenade and the line of mountains that rises behind the sea. The city's modern museum and large public spaces are in this part of town. The seafront is an easy place to walk, cycle or sit with a coffee.

This area suits families, longer stays and anyone who wants a beach within reach of the city. It is a calmer choice than the old town, with more room and more green space.

Lara

Lara lies to the east of the center. It is known for sand beaches, larger hotels and a tourist-oriented seafront. The area is more resort-like than the old center. Many visitors who stay here come for the beach and the hotels, and make short trips into town when they want to see the old quarter.

This area suits those who want a holiday hotel with facilities, and who are happy to take a short ride for the sights. Tell us which district your hotel is in, because the drive from Patara adds time for districts on the far side of the city.

Many travelers use the transfer as a bridge between a quiet beach stay and a city stay. Here is what you leave and what you find.

What you leave behind. Patara beach is a long stretch of sand and dunes, with protected nesting grounds for loggerhead sea turtles in the warmer months. The ancient city lies beside the beach entrance. It has the Bouleuterion, where the representatives of the Lycian League met, the theatre, the granary of Hadrian, the Arch of Mettius Modestus and a lighthouse that is counted among the oldest known. Local tradition names Patara as the birthplace of Saint Nicholas. If you still have a free morning before the transfer, a last visit to the ruins and the beach is a good way to end the stay.

What you find in Antalya. The old harbor and Kaleiçi form the heart of the city. A walk from Hadrian's Gate down through the lanes to the harbor takes you through centuries of history in under an hour. The city museum holds finds from the region, and the Konyaaltı and Lara beaches give you sea and sand within the city limits. For a view, walk to the cliff edge in the early evening, when the light turns the mountains across the bay to a soft color.

After the long drive, an evening in Antalya is a pleasure. The city offers a wider choice than a village, and the contrast with Patara is part of the point.

• Old town. Courtyard restaurants and rooftop terraces serve Turkish and Mediterranean dishes. The harbor area has a lively evening life, with boats lit up in the marina.
• Seafront. Along Konyaaltı there are cafes and restaurants facing the water, popular with local families as well as visitors.
• Late evenings. In summer, the city stays active long after dark. After a day in the car, a walk along the promenade is a gentle way to unwind.

If you come from Patara's quiet nights, you will notice the change in tempo.

A drive of two and a half hours is a long time for small children. A few habits help.

• Tell us the ages of the children when you book, so the right child seats are ready in the vehicle. Seats are available on request.
• Leave at a time when your children usually nap. Early morning or just after lunch often works well.
• Keep water, light snacks and a toy within reach, not packed away in the boot.
• Ask for a short stop at the halfway stage. A ten-minute walk and a drink make the second half easier.

In Antalya, Konyaaltı and the park areas give children room to run. The city has a lot to see for a family, and a beach is never far.

Many travelers in the Patara area do not only move between hotels. They also plan flights. The nearest airport to Patara is Dalaman, about 68 km away. If your departure is from Antalya Airport, the transfer from Patara is a longer day. The drive from Patara to Dalaman takes roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter. The drive to Antalya takes much longer, so choose your airport with care.

If you are traveling between Patara and the Antalya area for a flight, remember these points:

• Early flight. Leave Patara in the evening or night before, and stay in Antalya near the airport side of the city. An early morning start from Patara can be tight, and the roads are dark and winding.
• Late flight. A late flight gives you a relaxed final day. Leave Patara in the afternoon, and allow the 149 minutes plus a margin for the busy periods.
• Late arrival. If you land late and need to reach Patara, tell us the flight number when you book. We track the flight, so a delay does not change the plan, and the driver waits with a name board at arrivals.

Do not push the schedule to the last minute, because on a coast road a small delay can grow.

Some travelers use this route in the other direction after their stay in Antalya, or they return later to the airport after a longer trip in the region. In the simplest case you need to plan the return from Antalya to the airport. For a flight, count back from the departure time as follows:

Count back from the departure time. Check the check-in closing time of your airline, allow for the queue at the terminal, which is busy in summer, allow for city traffic in the morning and evening, and add a margin.

Tell us your flight time when you book, and we will help you choose a pickup hour that leaves a safe margin.

A long transfer can also become part of a short trip. Because the journey follows the Lycian coast, there is a lot nearby that travelers like to add. These suggestions come from places that are well known along this stretch of the Mediterranean.

• Xanthos and Letoon. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites, about ten minutes from Patara. Xanthos was the political capital of ancient Lycia, and Letoon was its religious sanctuary. A visit before you leave is an easy way to begin the day.
• Kalkan. The old town and the marina are about twenty minutes from Patara. It is a good place for coffee and a first break.
• Kaş. Kaş is a small harbor town with a lively center. Boat trips from here go out toward the sunken ruins at Kekova.
• Saklıkent Gorge. A deep canyon inland from the coast. It is a favorite of visitors who like walking in cool water in the summer heat.

Once you are in Antalya, there are more ideas close to the city. The ancient theatre at Side, the golf courses of Belek, the pine coast of Kemer, Beldibi and Göynük, and the terraces of Pamukkale can each be planned as a separate trip. Ask us at booking if you want a quote for any of these.

The Lycian coast has long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The weather decides what the drive feels like.

Spring (April to June). Wildflowers and fresh green hills line the road. The air is warm but not heavy, the sea is still cool, and the road is quieter than in high summer. It is one of the best times for sightseeing on the way.

Summer (July and August). Sea temperature reaches about 28°C in August, which is why the beaches are full. The heat is strong in the middle of the day, and the road carries more traffic. Leave early or late in the day if you can, and drink plenty of water. The air conditioning in the vehicle is a real comfort on a drive of this length.

Autumn (September to October). The sea is still warm, the crowds thin out and the light is soft. Many experienced visitors choose these months. The road is calmer, and a long drive is more pleasant.

Winter (November to March). Winters are mild, but the weather is more changeable. Rain can fall on the mountain sections, and some seasonal places along the way are closed. The sea is cold, but Antalya remains a lively city, and the old town has a quiet charm. Allow a bit more time in poor weather.

There is no direct, frequent public service between Patara and central Antalya. A journey by public transport usually means a short ride to the main road, then a wait for a connecting coach, and then a second local ride at the far end. With suitcases, children and the heat of midday, that is a tiring day. A street taxi over 142 km also raises questions of meter and return fare.

A private transfer removes the changes. You step out of your door in Patara and step out in Antalya at your address. You keep your own timing, you can ask for a stop, and you do not share the vehicle with strangers. The price for your vehicle is shown at booking, and it covers the whole vehicle, not each person, so a group of four or five shares one cost.

The road from Patara to Antalya city center is long, but it is one of the more beautiful drives on the Turkish coast. You start in a village with ruins and a wild beach and end in a city with an old harbor and a mountain skyline. Tell Turkey Transfer about your group, your luggage and any stops you want, and we will organize a calm door-to-door journey. Our vehicles are air-conditioned, and we choose the size to suit your passengers and bags.