Lycian Coast Road
The D400 along Turkey's Mediterranean Lycian coast, from Fethiye through Kalkan, Kaş, and Demre to Antalya, with cliffs, bays, and ancient cities alongside.
The Lycian Coast Road is the coastal section of the D400 national highway in southwestern Turkey, running from Fethiye to Antalya. It covers about 300 km through ancient Lycia and is one of Turkey's most popular self-drive routes. At times the road clings to cliffs above emerald bays; at other times it winds into valleys and pine forests. Ancient cities and beaches are dense along the way. Near Fethiye, there is the Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon and the Saklıkent Gorge, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Xanthos and Letoon. Next is the 18-km Patara beach and its ancient city, followed by the whitewashed town of Kalkan. The most famous stretch lies between Kalkan and Kaş, where the road curves along cliffs above Kaputaş Beach. Kaş is a hub for diving and paragliding. The sunken city of Kekova can be explored by boat, and Demre has the rock-cut tombs of Myra and St. Nicholas Church. Then comes the ancient city of Olympos with the Chimaera flames nearby, and the ancient city of Phaselis. Finally, you reach the old town of Antalya. Plan 3–7 days, with 2 nights in Kaş or Kalkan and 1 night in Olympos or Çıralı. The road is fully paved, but the Kaş–Demre–Finike section has many sharp bends and heavy traffic from buses and trucks, so choose safe spots for roadside photos. In summer, midday is scorching, so schedule visits to ancient cities for the morning or evening.