About Lycia

Anatolia is known as a cradle of civilisations where many different cultures has flourished since the ancient times. One of most interesting cultures of those, Lycians had lived in about 70 settlements in various sizes on the Teke Peninsula which streches between Fethiye and Antalya in South-West Anatolia.  Lycian cities established the earliest democratic federation in the World history during the 4^th BC against to Persian invasion when combined their forces.

Lycians were also known with their own language, scripts, matriarchal family system, believes and passion for independence and freedom. Therefore they always keep their social proud and honour on top of everything. They even has committed communal suicide for protecting their independence and freedom (read on Persian siege of Xhantos).

Earliest written documents about Lycians were found in Hittites archives which were prepared 3500 years ago. It is mentioned that, Lycians supported Hittites against to Egyptians at Kadesh in 1296 BC, which battle was ended with the earliest written peace agreement of World history. Also In Homer’s Legend Iliad, Lycians were told as they supported Trojans against to Greek ancestors; Akhians.  

Teke Peninsula as it is known as Lycian’s homeland has a magnificant visuality with its fertile plains between the rows of Taurus Mountains, rich flora, fauna and turquoise waters of Mediterranean. This land also has convenient features for almost all outdoor activities like mountain biking, off road driving, climbing, photo safaris, gurme and botanic tours, cultural excursions as well as trekking on Lycian Way and Fethiye trails.

Telmessos, Xanthos, Tlos, Patara, Pınara, Cadianda, Oenoanda, Letoon, Myra, Arycanda like Lycian towns are getting bigger interest by the visitors with archaeological excavations and restoration works. Xanthos and Letoon are also in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Earliest Parliament Building of World history, oldest Lighthouse of Mediterranean Turkey, temple of love built by heart shaped columns, Tomb of Mythological winged horse; Pegasus and his hero: Bellerophontes, rock cut monumental tombs and obelisks, Cyplops Walls built by mythological single eye giants, biggest sundial of the world, hundreds of Epicures philosophy scripts on the wall stones, hundreds sqm of floor mosaics covering houses and churches and the greatest rock cut temple type tomb are all in Lycia created by Taurus Mountains and turquoise Mediterranean waters...

 You can visit our tours and activities pages to discover Lycian beauties by walking, cycling or 4X4 driving.