Phellos Ancient City
An overgrown Lycian ancient city offering stunning views and a challenging hike along the Lycian Way.
Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant temperatures for hiking
Phellos Ancient City
Best Time
Pleasant temperatures for hiking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An overgrown Lycian ancient city offering stunning views and a challenging hike along the Lycian Way.
"A fascinating blend of ancient history and nature, but be prepared for a challenging hike!"
🥾 Wear Proper Hiking Gear
Sturdy boots & long trousers are crucial for navigating overgrown paths and protecting your legs.
🗺️ Follow the Lycian Way
Avoid Google Maps; use Lycian Way markers from Çukurbağ for the best route.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Panoramic Lycian Views
Mountain summit
Breathtaking vistas of the Lycian coast and surrounding landscape. The ancient Lycians chose this spot for a reason!
Overgrown Ancient Ruins
Spread across the mountaintop
Explore scattered tombs and remnants of a once-thriving city, beautifully reclaimed by nature.
The Lycian Way Trail
Access from Çukurbağ
A scenic and challenging hike that leads to the Phellos ruins, offering a true sense of discovery.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Hiking Boots & Trousers Essential
Navigate the Lycian Way Wisely
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🥾 Wear Proper Hiking Gear
Sturdy boots & long trousers are crucial for navigating overgrown paths and protecting your legs.
🗺️ Follow the Lycian Way
Avoid Google Maps; use Lycian Way markers from Çukurbağ for the best route.
💧 Carry Plenty of Water
The hike can be strenuous, so stay hydrated throughout your exploration.
🐻 Be Bear Aware
Sightings of brown bears have been reported; stick to marked paths.
Tips
from all over the internet
🥾 Wear Proper Hiking Gear
Sturdy boots & long trousers are crucial for navigating overgrown paths and protecting your legs.
🗺️ Follow the Lycian Way
Avoid Google Maps; use Lycian Way markers from Çukurbağ for the best route.
💧 Carry Plenty of Water
The hike can be strenuous, so stay hydrated throughout your exploration.
🐻 Be Bear Aware
Sightings of brown bears have been reported; stick to marked paths.
🧭 Look Beyond Red Crosses
Interesting parts of Phellos lie behind the red crosses on trail markers.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Phellos Ancient City is a rewarding, albeit challenging, destination for those seeking an authentic historical and natural experience. Visitors praise the stunning views and the unique atmosphere of ruins reclaimed by nature. However, the strenuous hike, overgrown paths, and potential for misleading navigation are common drawbacks.
"Do not park where Google Maps tells you to park! The only way to reach Phellos is by hiking a part of the Lycian trail, about 1-1.5 km. The ruins of Phellos are spread around a mountain top and largely covered by vegetation. Once you've reached it, it's a fascinating blend of ancient history and nature."
Michael Schmitt
"Good place to have a daily tracking route.
Only several tombs and piles of stones remain, but the walking path is scenic."
Splitterman
"Hard hike definitely for people who like long walks. Wear trousers as our legs got scratched really badly from the bushes.
It was absolutely amazing once we made it, path is easy to follow and the ruins are great.
Couldn’t find the mosaic though :(
We parked at the mosque and followed the Lycian way."
Amb Titch
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The best way to reach Phellos is by hiking the Lycian Way trail, starting from Çukurbağ. Avoid relying solely on Google Maps, as it can be misleading. The north entry point is also accessible by vehicle.
While you can drive to the north entry point of the Lycian Way, the ancient city itself is primarily reached by hiking. The final approach involves a trek through natural terrain.
Çukurbağ is recommended as a starting point for the Lycian Way hike to Phellos. Follow the marked trail carefully.
The hike is approximately 1-1.5 km one way, but it can feel longer due to the terrain and vegetation. Allow ample time for the round trip.
Public transport options might get you to the general vicinity of Kaş or Çukurbağ, but the final leg to Phellos requires hiking the Lycian Way.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Phellos Ancient City is an open-air site and generally does not require an entrance fee. However, it's always a good idea to check for any local regulations or changes.
As an unmanaged archaeological site, Phellos does not have set opening hours. It is accessible during daylight hours, but be mindful of the hike's duration and daylight.
There is no official visitor center at Phellos. Information is scarce, and navigation relies on trail markers and personal maps.
Official guided tours are not commonly advertised for Phellos. Exploring independently or with a local guide you arrange yourself is the usual approach.
While technically accessible year-round, visiting during the spring and autumn offers the most pleasant weather for hiking. Summer can be very hot, and winter may present challenging trail conditions.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You'll find scattered ruins including tombs, remnants of structures, and a fascinating blend of history and nature. The views from the mountaintop are also a major highlight.
The strenuous hike and overgrown nature of the site may not be ideal for young children. It's better suited for older children or families who enjoy active exploration.
Sturdy hiking boots are highly recommended due to the uneven terrain and dense vegetation. Sandals are not suitable.
Phellos is largely overgrown with plants, which adds to its wild charm but means it's not a manicured tourist site.
Some visitors have reported not being able to find mosaics, suggesting they may be hidden, overgrown, or not as prominent as in other sites.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the panoramic views from the summit, the atmospheric overgrown ruins, and the scenic Lycian Way trail. The interplay of ancient stones and nature is very photogenic.
Early morning or late afternoon light can create beautiful dramatic effects on the ruins and landscape. Consider the golden hours for photography.
The scattered tombs and the general mountaintop vista offer the most striking photographic subjects. Look for interesting angles where nature meets ancient architecture.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive views, while a standard zoom can be useful for details of the ruins. A sturdy tripod might be helpful for low-light conditions.
Drone regulations can vary in Turkey. It's advisable to check current rules and obtain any necessary permits before flying a drone over archaeological sites.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚶♀️ Hikers and Adventurers
📸 Photographers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Lycian Way: A Hiker's Paradise
When planning your hike to Phellos, remember that the Lycian Way is marked with red and white blazes. However, as one traveler noted, 'don't get mislead by the red, white hiking marks and especially not the RED crosses. They are only for the hikers, you have to go behind the red crosses to find the interersting parts.' This advice highlights the need for careful observation and a willingness to explore off the most obvious paths to discover the true gems of Phellos.
Proper preparation is key for enjoying the Lycian Way and Phellos. This includes wearing appropriate footwear, carrying sufficient water, and being aware of the natural surroundings. The experience is less about a perfectly preserved city and more about the journey of discovery through a landscape steeped in history and natural beauty.
Uncovering Phellos: History and Nature Intertwined
The Lycians were known for their strategic placement of settlements, and Phellos is no exception. Perched on a mountaintop, it commands spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and the distant Mediterranean coast. This vantage point likely served defensive purposes and offered a connection to the maritime trade routes that were vital to Lycian civilization.
While the site may not boast grand temples or intact mosaics, its charm lies in its wildness and the sense of discovery it offers. Visitors often describe it as a 'fascinating blend of ancient history and nature,' making it a rewarding destination for those who appreciate a more rugged and authentic exploration.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit