Patara→Çamyuva

This is one of those journeys where the road is half the holiday. You start in Patara, the farming hamlet of Gelemiş with its 18-kilometre dune-backed beach and the half-buried ruins of the ancient Lycian capital. You finish in Çamyuva, a green, pine-scented resort village below the Taurus mountains, just south of Kemer town. Between the two lie 113 kilometres of the D400 coastal highway and the mountain road that follows it north. The drive takes about 119 minutes, which makes it a long but scenic run rather than a slog.

Most people who book this transfer are moving between two very different Turkish coasts. Patara, Kalkan and Kaş are small, quiet and archaeological. Çamyuva belongs to the Kemer coast, where the hotels are bigger, the beaches are lined with pines and the evenings have more going on. A private car turns that change of scene into one comfortable ride instead of a day of connections.

This page walks you through the drive, the pickup in Patara, the arrival in Çamyuva, and what to do once you are there. It also covers the return trip to Antalya Airport, because many guests on this route fly home from there.

The route is 113 kilometres and takes about 119 minutes. That is an average speed well below motorway pace, and it is meant to be. The road hugs the coast, climbs over headlands and passes through several towns. A driver who knows it will not rush it, and you should not expect to be hurried.

The timing is the same whichever way you travel, but the experience changes with the time of day. In the morning the light is low over the sea and the road is quiet. By early afternoon in July and August there is more traffic in the towns, more tour coaches near the popular stops and more slow lorries on the climbs. If you have a choice, an early start gives the smoothest ride and leaves you the whole afternoon at your hotel in Çamyuva.

From your pension or villa in Gelemiş, the driver follows the village road up and out of the Patara plain. This takes you back to the D400 near Kınık. From here the highway turns east and the coast opens up on your right.

The first town is Kalkan, with its whitewashed houses stepping down a steep hillside to a small harbour. The road passes above it, so you get a view over the rooftops and out to the water. Beyond Kalkan the highway rides high above the sea. Bays appear and disappear between pine-covered ridges, and the road bends to follow every one of them. This is some of the most photographed coastline in the region. The bends are exactly why the journey takes close to two hours.

Next comes Kaş, a small harbour town with a lively old quarter, with the Greek island of Meis lying just offshore. You will usually pass the town on the highway, but the harbour is well worth a stop if you have time and want a coffee with a view.

East of Kaş the road leaves the narrow ridges and drops into broader country. The first landmark is the turn toward Kekova, the sunken ancient city that visitors reach by boat from the villages of Üçağız and Kaleköy. Then the road reaches Demre, ancient Myra. Demre is tied to Saint Nicholas, who by local tradition was born in Patara and later served as Bishop of Myra. So this stretch of the drive links the place where you start with the town where his story continues. The rock-cut tombs of Myra are visible from the roadside, and the church associated with Saint Nicholas is in the town.

Around Demre the land is flat and fertile and the view is dominated by greenhouses. This is where much of the region's fresh produce is grown, and you will see it stacked in crates along the roadside. After Demre the highway continues to Finike, a quiet port town known for its oranges and its small marina. The road then climbs out of Finike again and heads toward Kumluca.

The coast now begins to feel different. After Kumluca the highway swings inland for a while, then returns to the mountains above the sea. The cliffs become more dramatic, and the road is cut into the hillside high above the water. The turn-off for Olympos and Çıralı appears along this stretch. Çıralı is known for the Chimaera, natural flames that burn on a hillside near the ancient city of Olympos. Many travellers ask to stop here on another day, and it makes an excellent day trip from Çamyuva.

The final part of the journey passes through forested slopes toward the Kemer coast. The sea stays on your right. The road runs through pine woods, past Tekirova, and into Çamyuva, a green strip between the mountain and the water. By this point the resort area is clear: large hotels set among trees, beach clubs, small supermarkets and shaded walkways. From this point you are just a few minutes from your hotel, whichever of the resorts you have chosen.

The 119-minute figure assumes normal traffic and a sensible pace. In reality, the drive changes with the season and the day.

• Early morning: the quietest time. Roads are clear, and you may see the mountains lit gold by the sun.
• Mid-morning to mid-afternoon in summer: more traffic, especially around Kaş, Demre and the climbs after Kumluca. Allow a little extra margin.
• Late afternoon: the heat eases and the light improves. This is a pleasant time to arrive, but the Kemer approach can be busier as day-trippers and tour buses return to their hotels.
• Evening: the highway is calmer, but the winding sections are slower in the dark, so a driver who knows the road is a real comfort.

If your plans depend on a precise arrival, for example a boat trip, a dinner booking or a flight, tell us when you book. We will plan the pickup time with a margin that suits the season.

Patara is not a single hotel zone. It is a village with a beach and an ancient site, and the pensions and villas spread across fields and lanes. The driver collects you from the exact address you give us, whether that is a family pension in central Gelemiş, a villa on a quiet lane or a hotel closer to the beach road.

The last part of the road into the village narrows, so allow a few extra minutes at busy checkout times in July and August. If your accommodation sits on a track too narrow for a car, the driver will tell you where to meet, and will help with the bags either way.

Please share the full address, the name of your accommodation and a mobile number when you book. If you are staying in a villa without a clear street name, a map pin is the most helpful thing you can send.

A few practical points for departure day:

• Settle any pension bill before the driver arrives.
• Leave wet swimwear and towels in an easy-to-reach bag.
• Keep passports, tickets and valuables in your hand luggage.
• Tell the driver if you want a stop on the way, such as Kaş harbour or a roadside café.

Çamyuva is part of the Kemer area, and the resort strip sits between the sea and the pine-covered mountain. Most hotels stand close to the main road or just off it, and the driver can take you right to the entrance. Because the larger hotels have reception areas and gates, the driver will usually pull up at the front and help you with the bags.

Check-in times vary, so it is worth thinking about when you arrive. If you land in the early afternoon, your room will probably be ready. If you arrive in the morning, the hotel may keep your luggage while you use the pool or the beach. Tell the hotel when you expect to arrive, and ask to leave your suitcases at the desk if the room is not ready.

Give us the name of the hotel exactly as it appears on your booking. Çamyuva, Tekirova, Kiriş and Kemer town are close neighbours, and some hotel names are similar. The correct name and a phone number for the hotel avoid any confusion at the end of a long drive.

If you are staying in a rented apartment or a smaller hotel, send a map pin. The driver will find the entrance, and the pickup will be smooth.

Çamyuva is a small place, but its character depends on where exactly you stay. Think of it in three parts.

Most visitors stay in the large resort hotels along the shore. They sit close to the sea, with pebble beaches, shaded terraces and pine trees behind. This part suits families, groups of friends and anyone who wants an easy holiday with food, pool and beach in one place. After the quiet of Patara it can feel busy, but it is a pleasant, green setting rather than a concrete strip.

Behind the resort strip there is a small local village with a few shops, cafés and simple restaurants. It suits guests who like to walk out for a meal or buy fruit and bread. It is quieter in the evening than Kemer town, and it gives a more local feel to the holiday.

To the south lies Tekirova, home of Phaselis, and to the north lies Kiriş and then Kemer. Staying in Çamyuva gives you access to both. Couples and active travellers often like this position because the mountains are close, and the sea is close, and the next resort is a short ride away.

The Kemer coast is known for its pine forests, clear water and mountain backdrop. The beaches in and around Çamyuva are mostly pebble or a mix of sand and shingle. They are not like Patara's long dunes, but the water is clear and the setting is attractive. Many hotels have their own beach area with loungers and a pier.

Nearby you will find several places worth knowing.

• Phaselis: an ancient harbour city in the pine forest between the sea and the mountains. It has three small bays, a long colonnaded street, an aqueduct and the remains of old harbour walls. It is one of the most beautiful ancient sites on the Turkish coast. It is close to Çamyuva, so you can visit by car or on a short organised trip.
• Tahtalı Mountain: the peak that rises behind the Kemer coast. A cable car climbs to the summit from the Kemer side, and the views over the gulf and the Taurus range are wide.
• Kemer Marina: a modern harbour at Kemer town with boat trips, cafés and a pleasant walk in the evening.
• Göynük Canyon: a forested gorge near Kemer, popular for walks and cool water on a hot day.

If you have just come from Patara, you may find it interesting to compare the two coasts. Patara is about one big ancient city beside an empty beach. The Kemer coast mixes smaller ancient sites with a lively resort scene.

In Patara the evenings are simple. A table under the trees, grilled fish or home cooking, a glass of wine, and bed. Çamyuva offers more variety.

In the large hotels, most guests eat in the main restaurant, where buffets often mix Turkish dishes with international choices. Outside the hotel, you will find small restaurants in the village and along the road. Try the Turkish classics: meze, grilled meat, fresh fish, gözleme and sweet baklava. Many cafés serve strong Turkish tea in tulip glasses.

For a bigger evening out, Kemer town is close. Its marina, shops and restaurants are open late in the high season, and it has bars, music and a livelier atmosphere. Taxi rides between Çamyuva and Kemer are short, and many guests make the trip once or twice during a stay.

The drive is long enough that families should plan it carefully.

• Child seats: tell us the age and weight of each child when you book, so the right seat is in the car.
• Timing: a morning departure usually works better than the middle of the day. Children are fresher and the car is cooler.
• Snacks and water: bring plenty. The road has places to stop, but it is nice to have your own supplies.
• Motion sickness: the coastal road has many bends. If a child is prone to car sickness, sit them in the front-facing seat with a view out, and ask the driver for a calm pace and an extra stop.

Çamyuva is a very family-friendly place. The resort hotels are made for children, with pools and beach areas, and the pine shade is welcome on hot days. After a few quiet days in Patara, kids often enjoy the change, though some parents miss the quiet.

Many guests on this route are not just changing hotels. They are heading home from Antalya Airport after a week or two on the Lycian coast. The journey from Çamyuva to the airport is a separate, shorter drive, but it is worth planning well.

If your flight is early in the morning, you will leave the hotel in the dark. The road to the airport is the main coast road toward Antalya, and it is quiet at that hour, but it still needs time. Aim to be at the airport well before check-in closes. For international flights, many travellers like to arrive about three hours before departure. Your hotel can arrange an early breakfast box if the restaurant is not open.

If your flight is late at night, you can use the day. Check out of your hotel in the morning, ask to leave your bags with reception, and enjoy the beach or pool. The driver then collects you at the time agreed. This is a comfortable way to avoid a long wait at the airport.

If you arrive in Çamyuva late at night, the driver can still meet you. Tell us when you book, and give us your hotel's reception phone number, because night reception can be hard to reach at the gate. Telling the hotel in advance that you will arrive late helps.

Tell us your flight number and we track your flight. If a flight is delayed, we adjust the pickup.

If you are leaving Çamyuva for Antalya Airport, the drive is a good deal shorter than the journey from Patara. It follows the Kemer coast road north, then runs on toward Antalya. In normal conditions it takes about an hour, but this depends on traffic.

The Kemer-to-Antalya road can be slow in high summer, especially on weekend afternoons and when many flights leave at the same time. So we advise building in a margin, and the driver will tell you the right pickup time. As a general rule, leave earlier than you think necessary in July and August, and a little less early in the quieter months.

At the airport, the driver stops at the departures area and helps with luggage. You can go straight to check-in.

Çamyuva is a good base for exploring the Kemer coast and the Antalya area. These trips work well by car, boat or organised tour.

• Phaselis: very close, and one of the best ancient sites on the coast. Go in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
• Olympos and Çıralı: a short drive south, with ancient ruins in a wooded valley and the Chimaera flames on the hillside. The flames are best seen after dark.
• Tahtalı cable car: a ride to the top of the mountain for views over the Taurus and the sea.
• Kemer and its boat trips: many boats leave the marina for a day on the water, with swimming stops in clear coves.
• Antalya Old Town: Kaleiçi has Roman and Ottoman buildings, a harbour and narrow streets. It is about an hour away by car.
• Göynük Canyon: cool and green, a good option on a hot afternoon.

The Mediterranean coast has long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Each season gives the Patara to Çamyuva drive a different feel.

From April to May the countryside is green and the air is fresh. The sea is still cool, but the days are bright. Roads are quieter, and the mountains sometimes keep a little snow on the highest peaks. This is a good time for walking and sightseeing.

From June to August the weather is hot and dry, and the sea is warm. It is the busiest time on the road, with more traffic, more tourists and more tour buses. Leave early in the day, carry water, and expect the car's air conditioning to be welcome. The Patara turtle nesting season runs from May to October, so you may see turtle-protection signs on the beach before you leave.

September and October are often the best months. The sea keeps the summer's warmth, the crowds thin and the light turns soft. For many travellers, this is the perfect time for the coastal drive.

From November to March the coast is quiet. Some small businesses close, the sea is cool and rain is possible. The road is empty, and the drive is peaceful. Mountain weather can change quickly, so check the forecast. In winter the hours of daylight are shorter, so an earlier start helps you complete the journey before dark.

The route covers 113 kilometres and takes about 119 minutes. The road follows the coast and has many bends, so the time reflects a steady, safe pace rather than motorway speed. In busy summer periods, add a little margin.

No single bus links the two places. By public transport you would change in Kalkan or Kaş, then again near Antalya, and finish with a local bus or taxi toward Kemer. With luggage, that takes much longer than the private drive. A private car goes from door to door.

Yes. We collect from any pension, villa or hotel in the Patara and Gelemiş area. Send us the exact address or a map pin when you book, and the driver will come to your door.

Yes. Short stops at a viewpoint, in Kaş or at a roadside café are easy to arrange. Tell the driver at the start of the journey so that the stop fits the plan.

Yes. Tell us your flight time and your hotel, and we will agree a pickup time that gives you a comfortable margin, particularly in summer.