Xanthos and Letoon are two Lycian sites a few kilometres apart. Xanthos has rock-cut tombs and pillar tombs. Letoon was the shared sanctuary, with three temples and a theatre.
Inscribed 1988Antalya and MuğlaCultural
Video
Lost Ancient Cities in Turkey! Letoon and Xanthos Exploration (Tanya Bilous). Watch on YouTube.
Plan your visit
- Getting there: Fly to Dalaman (DLM) or Antalya (AYT). Xanthos is near Kınık, 65 km from Fethiye, 45 km from Kaş and 20 km from Kalkan. Buses stop at Kınık, but a hire car is much easier for both sites. Kaş, Kalkan or Patara make good bases.
- How long: Allow about 2 to 2.5 hours for both.
- Best time: Go early or late in the day. Afternoons at Xanthos are very hot.
- Tickets and hours: Opening hours differ between listings, and tickets are sold on site. The Museum Pass is reported as valid at both. Check the current price and hours on the official page.
- Tip: Do Xanthos first, then Letoon, about 4 km away. A car or taxi saves walking in the heat.
- Tip: A hire car also lets you add Patara beach to the same day.
- Nearby: Patara site and beach are close by. Kalkan is 20 km from Xanthos.
UNESCO listingDirections in Google Maps
Header photo: Lycian tombs at Xanthos — Photo: Nikodem Nijaki via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Inscription details checked on 8 November 2026 with UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Prices, hours and transport change, so check the official page before you go.
