Fethiye, Kabak and Patara camping guide: the western Lycian coast
Tents scattered over the slopes of Kabak bay, the stone houses of Kayaköy, the 18-kilometre beach at Patara. A regional guide to camping on the coast where the Lycian Way begins.
Teknovan Editorial Team ·
The coast that starts south of Fethiye is one of the places where camping culture is strongest in Türkiye. The terraced campsites of Kabak bay, the gardens among the abandoned stone houses of Kayaköy and the endless sand of Patara are all on the same route. The Lycian Way (Likya Yolu) also starts on this coast, near Ölüdeniz. If you fly in, Dalaman airport (DLM) is roughly an hour from Fethiye. This guide covers what you need to know about camping in Kabak, Kayaköy and Patara.
The area at a glance
| Place | Highlights | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Kabak bay | Terraced camps on the hillside, yoga, silence | Tents and glamping, walkers |
| Kayaköy | Ghost village of stone houses, garden camps | Culture and nature together |
| Patara | 18 km of beach, ancient city, sea turtles | Long walks, sunsets |
| Kalkan | White houses, close to Kaputaş | Short stays, food |
Kabak bay: on the slopes of the Lycian Way
Kabak is a small bay with mountains on both sides, reached by a steep road down from Faralya. The campsites sit in terraces on the hillside: the sea in front of your tent, pine forest behind it. Electricity and water are limited at many sites. That is part of Kabak's quiet, off-grid feel.
The Lycian Way runs through Kabak. The stage that starts above Faralya and the Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi) and comes down to Kabak is one of the best-loved sections of the trail. Staying in Kabak and heading out on day walks is the best way to get to know the area.
Kayaköy: garden camping among stone houses
Kayaköy (formerly Levissi) was a Greek village that emptied after the 1923 population exchange, and its stone houses make it feel like an open-air museum. Walking among hundreds of them on the hillside, you lose track of time. The garden camps and tiny houses around the village make a good base if you want to be close to Ölüdeniz and Fethiye but away from the crowds.
Patara: beach, ancient city and turtles
Patara's beach, around 18 kilometres long, is one of the longest in Türkiye and is protected as a nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). That is why the beach is closed to visitors at night and camping on it is not allowed. The ancient city of Patara behind the beach and the campsites in Gelemiş village are the right starting point for exploring the area.
Kalkan: white houses and Kaputaş
Kalkan, with its whitewashed houses and narrow lanes running down the hill, is one of the most photogenic towns on the Lycian coast. Kaputaş beach, between Kalkan and Kaş, is a turquoise cove you reach by steps from the roadside, and one of the most photographed spots in the region.
Campsites in the area
The list is a selection of campsites on teknovan.com.tr. Ratings are based on Google reviews and are as of 1 November 2026.
| Campsite | Location | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kabak Lost Camping | Kabak | Campsite | 4.7 |
| Fullmoon Camp | Kabak | Campsite | 4.6 |
| Kayaköy Jungle Camping & Tiny House | Kayaköy | Campsite and tiny house | 4.8 |
| Çeyrek Camping & Bungalows Patara | Patara | Campsite | 4.5 |
| Kalkan Camping | Kalkan | Campsite | 4.1 |
When to go
- April-May: The best time for walking the Lycian Way. Everything is green and the air is cool.
- June-August: Swimming season. Midday in Kabak is very hot, so pick a shaded pitch.
- September-November: Warm sea, and the walking season starts again. The most balanced time in the region.
Notes for campervan travellers
- The road down to Kabak is very steep and not suitable for campervans. If you are in a van, stay on the Kayaköy, Patara or Kalkan side and visit Kabak for the day in a small car.
- Around Patara and Gelemiş there is flatter, roomier ground for campervans.
- Follow the turtle protection rules on the beaches: do not go onto the beach at night with a light, and keep away from nest markers.
FAQ
Can you drive a campervan down to Kabak? It is not recommended. The road is steep and narrow. Leave the van in Faralya or Kayaköy and go down in a small car.
Can you camp on Patara beach? No. The beach is a sea turtle nesting site and closed at night. Stay at the campsites in Gelemiş village.
How do you camp on the Lycian Way? There are guesthouses and campsites in villages along the trail. Kabak and Faralya are good stops. For the next part of the route, see our Kaş and Kekova guide.
You can see the campsites around Fethiye and on the Lycian coast on the teknovan.com.tr campsites page and send your booking request from there.
Image credits
Photos illustrate the region; they are not photos of the campsites themselves.
- Kabak Koyu: canonim, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Kayaköy: Wikitestaccountlogin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Patara Plajı: Esginmurat, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Kalkan: Harry Luff, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Kabak Koyu: canonim, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
