The Myra Archaeological Site, which includes both the Lycian rock tombs and the Roman theater, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is 250,000 Turkish lira (TL), or approximately one dollar. The Church of St. Nicholas, which is now a museum (except on December 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas, when an Orthodox service is celebrated there), is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is 600,000 TL (about $2.40).
Getting There: From Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast, drive west 85 miles along Route 400. Myra is also 75 miles east of Fethiye, a city at the western end of Lycia. If you don’t go on a tour, you will need a car to go from site to site.
Where to Stay: The superb Patara Prince Hotel is located in Kalkan, 40 miles west of Myra on Route 400. It’s incredibly atmospheric and romantic, offering suites comprised of living rooms with fireplaces, lofted bedrooms and tiny balconies overlooking the harbor (phone: 90–242-844–3920). Another good choice would be the Tütav Türkevi Hotel in Antalya, consisting of three beautifully restored Ottoman-era houses, nestled inside the old town wall beside the lovely harbor (phone: 90–242-248–6591).
Where to Dine: Myra offers only very simple cafes, good for a cup of Turkish coffee or a soft drink. For an excellent Turkish meal in Antalya, try the outdoor terrace restaurant of the Tütav Türkevi Hotel, the Kirk Merdiven restaurant (across the street from the Türkevi) or the elegant restaurant in the Marina Hotel. All three are located on Memerli Street in Kaleici, the historic section of Antalya. In Kalkan, the Agora Restaurant is conveniently located steps away from the Patara Prince Hotel.
Other Recommendations: Megatrails (phone: 800–547-1211 or 212–888-9422) specializes in travel throughout the eastern Mediterranean and plans customized trips to and tours of the Lycian sites on Turkey’s southern coast.
