Ancient City · Greek · Turkey
Tlos
Tlos is one of the oldest cities of ancient Lycia, set on a rocky spur above the Xanthos valley about 40 km east of Fethiye. Rock-cut temple tombs climb its acropolis cliff, including one carved with the hero Bellerophon on Pegasus, below the ruins of an Ottoman fort, a Roman theatre and baths.
Photo: Toksave, CC BY-SA 3.0
Tlos tickets: which one for you
Our pick for each kind of visit, with live dates and prices from GetYourGuide. Free cancellation on most.
Best for: First visit, small group
Transport and a guide for Tlos and Saklikent Gorge without the loud convoy of jeeps, giving time to see the tombs and the theatre properly.
- Keen on Lycian history: Fethiye private xanthos tlos and patara guided day trip A private day with a guide who links Tlos with Xanthos and Patara, the capital and the main port of the Lycian League.
- Families and fun seekers: 4x4 jeep safari tlos saklikent with bbq lunch An open jeep day with water fights, the gorge and a barbecue lunch, with a short stop at Tlos for the rock tombs and the view.
Tickets and tours: all the options
Entry to Tlos is a ticket bought at the gate by the car park, run by the Turkish culture ministry. The fee for foreign visitors is small and set in euros. There is no online booking or timed entry, and the site is rarely busy.
Most tours sold online combine Tlos with Saklikent Gorge, where you wade up a narrow canyon, and with Yakapark, a trout restaurant set among springs and streams below the ruins. The commonest kind is the jeep safari from Fethiye, Oludeniz or Calis, a loud and cheerful day in open vehicles that often includes water fights, a mud bath and lunch; time at Tlos itself is short, often under an hour. Small-group tours by minibus give a little more time, and some add the Gizlikent waterfall. Private tours with a guide can pair Tlos with Xanthos and Patara for a day of Lycian history. Entry fees are often extra; lunch is normally included.
For most visitors interested in the ruins, a small-group or private tour is the sensible choice. If you have a car, go on your own early in the morning and add the gorge in the afternoon.
What to see at Tlos
Rock-cut tombs and Bellerophon tomb
From the car park, a path climbs the eastern side of the acropolis to a cliff of temple tombs cut into the rock, with columns and pediments carved in imitation of wooden buildings. The best known, the tomb of Bellerophon, shows the hero riding Pegasus on its porch. Reaching it needs a short scramble over rocks; take care in sandals.
Acropolis and Ottoman fort
Continue up to the summit, where a palace of the early classical period once stood. Lycian and Roman walls survive beneath the ruins of a 19th-century fort built for the local chief Kanli Ali Aga. From the top, the view sweeps across the Xanthos valley and the snow-capped Akdag mountains. Lycian sarcophagi are scattered across the slopes below.
12 tickets and tours for Tlos
Live dates and prices from GetYourGuide. Free cancellation on most tickets.
Theatre
Below the acropolis to the east lies the Roman theatre, rebuilt after an earthquake in the 2nd century AD with funds from wealthy patrons. Its seating has been partly restored, and blocks from the stage building carry carved garlands, masks and inscriptions. It sits in a peaceful spot among fields and olive trees, with a fine view of the mountains behind.
Baths and Seven Windows
Walk back towards the centre to the Roman baths, on the edge of the plateau. One hall has a row of large arched windows, known locally as the Seven Windows, that open onto the valley. Nearby lie the agora, a long stadium with rows of seats along one side, and the remains of an early Byzantine church.
A short history
Tlos is one of the oldest settlements of Lycia: finds in nearby caves suggest people lived here more than 4,000 years ago, and Hittite texts of the 15th century BC call it Dalawa. The Persians took it in 540 BC, and under their rule it prospered. In the Hellenistic period it was one of the six leading cities of the Lycian League, and under Rome it called itself a brilliant metropolis of the Lycian nation. Earthquakes in AD 141 and 240 damaged the city, which wealthy benefactors rebuilt. Charles Fellows rediscovered it in 1838, and systematic excavations have run since 2005.
Getting there
Tlos is in the district of Seydikemer, about 40 km east of Fethiye on the road towards Saklikent Gorge. By car or taxi from Fethiye the drive takes about 45 minutes; from Oludeniz or Calis allow an hour. The route crosses the Esen river plain and then climbs a narrow road to the village and the car park beside the ticket office. Minibuses from Fethiye towards Saklikent pass the turn-off, but the last part uphill means a taxi or a walk of several kilometres. Dalaman airport is about 1 hour 15 minutes away. Saklikent Gorge is a short drive south-east along the valley.
Rules and what to bring
Do not climb on the tomb facades or sarcophagi, and keep children away from the cliff edges near the acropolis, where there are no barriers. Drones need a permit. The paths are rocky and steep in places, so wear shoes with good soles, and bring water, a hat and sunscreen, as shade is limited. Toilets are at the entrance, and a few village cafes and the Yakapark restaurant nearby serve food and drinks.
When to go
The best months are April, May, late September and October, when the weather is warm but not hot and the mountains are clear. From June to early September afternoon temperatures in the valley often pass 35 degrees, so go early in the morning, or late in the day when the cliff tombs catch the low western light. Winter is cool and can be rainy, but the site is open and very quiet, with snow sometimes visible on the peaks.
Jeep safaris and coach tours from Fethiye usually stop here in the late morning on the way to Saklikent Gorge, for about 30 to 45 minutes, so the tombs can be busy for short periods. The rest of the day the site is calm. Turkish holidays bring more local visitors to the gorge but rarely to the ruins. Allow about two hours to see the tombs, the acropolis, the theatre and the baths.
Combine it with
Saklikent Gorge, a narrow limestone canyon where you can wade up the river, is a short drive away along the valley. Yakapark, just below the site, is a popular lunch stop for trout. Xanthos and the Letoon, both UNESCO-listed Lycian sites, and the long beach of Patara are about 45 minutes to the south.
At a glance
| Hours | 8.30 am to 7.30 pm Apr–Oct, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Nov–Mar |
|---|---|
| Closed | Open daily; shorter hours on the first day of religious holidays |
| Entry fee | from EUR 3; under-8s free |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Best time | Morning or late afternoon; April, May and October |
| Booking | Pay at the gate; book jeep or small-group tours from Fethiye a day ahead |
| Access | Steep rocky paths to the acropolis and tombs; the theatre and baths are easier; little shade |
| Getting there | Car or taxi from Fethiye, about 45 minutes; minibuses towards Saklikent pass nearby |
| Excavated | 2005 |
| Civilisation | Greek |
| Checked | October 2026 |
Frequently asked questions
When is Tlos open?
8.30 am to 7.30 pm Apr–Oct, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm Nov–Mar. Open daily; shorter hours on the first day of religious holidays.
How much is the entry fee for Tlos?
Entry fee: from EUR 3; under-8s free.
How long do you need at Tlos?
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for Tlos.
Do I need to book Tlos in advance?
Pay at the gate; book jeep or small-group tours from Fethiye a day ahead.
Can I book a ticket or tour for Tlos online?
Yes. GetYourGuide lists 12 tickets and tours for Tlos, with live dates and prices and free cancellation on most of them.
When is the best time to visit Tlos?
Morning or late afternoon; April, May and October.
How do I get to Tlos?
Car or taxi from Fethiye, about 45 minutes; minibuses towards Saklikent pass nearby.
Is Tlos accessible, and what is the terrain like?
Steep rocky paths to the acropolis and tombs; the theatre and baths are easier; little shade.
Is Tlos worth visiting?
Worth it for Lycian rock tombs, a Roman theatre and mountain views in a quiet setting near Saklikent Gorge. Skip or shorten it if you want a large, fully excavated city: Tlos is scattered over a hillside and partly overgrown.