Tlos Ancient City: Lycian Rock Tombs Above the Eşen Valley

In short: Tlos sits on a rocky hill at the foot of the Akdağlar mountains, near the village of Yaka in Seydikemer, roughly 40 km from Fethiye and about 8 km from Saklıkent Gorge. You come for the rock tombs cut into the cliff, the acropolis with an Ottoman-era fort on top, a stadium, baths and a large Roman theatre, whose restoration was completed in August 2026. Most jeep safaris and Saklıkent day trips stop here.

Last checked: 10 November 2026. Opening hours change between summer and winter; check the official museum website before you go.

A city with three votes

Tlos is one of the oldest settlements in Lycia; its name comes from the Lycian Tlawa. It came under Persian rule, then Alexander the Great in 333 BC, and later the Ptolemies and Seleucids. When the Lycian cities joined together in the Lycian League, Tlos was one of its six largest cities, with three votes in the league assembly. It stayed important under Rome and later became the seat of a bishop. In the 19th century a local strongman, Kanlı Ali Ağa, built his fort on top of the acropolis using ancient stones. Tlos is part of the “Ancient Cities of Lycian Civilization” entry on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list (2009).

What to see

• The rock tombs: temple-fronted tombs carved into the cliff below the acropolis. One of them is known as the tomb of Bellerophon, after the relief of the hero on his winged horse Pegasus.
• The acropolis: climb up for wide views over the Eşen valley and the mountains, with the ruins of the Ottoman-era fort at the top.
• The theatre: a big Roman theatre for about 8,500 spectators, rebuilt with its own stones in a restoration that began in 2023 and was completed in August 2026. Solar-powered lighting has been added so that evening visits and events can be held.
• The stadium, baths and basilica: the long stadium below the acropolis, the Great Bath with its views, and the remains of a church; excavations and restoration continue across the site.

Visiting tips

• Opening hours: the official listing gives 08:30 to 19:30 in summer and 08:30 to 17:30 in winter. Tickets are sold at the entrance and online on the official museum website.
• Shoes and water: paths are stony and there is little shade, so wear proper shoes and bring water and a hat in summer.
• Combine it: Tlos pairs well with Saklıkent Gorge and the trout restaurants of Yakapark nearby.
• Time needed: allow one and a half to two hours to see the tombs, theatre and acropolis without rushing.

Getting there

• By car: about 40 km from Fethiye, under an hour, following the road towards Saklıkent and turning off for Yaka/Tlos.
• By tour: many jeep safaris and Saklıkent day trips from Fethiye and Ölüdeniz include Tlos.
• By dolmuş: dolmuş run from Fethiye towards Saklıkent; ask the driver about the stop for Tlos, as the site is up a side road.

What real travellers say

• “The tombs in the cliff are unforgettable.” Many say the view of the tombs from below is the highlight.
• “Climb to the top.” The view over the valley from the acropolis is worth the effort.
• “Perfect with Saklıkent.” Visitors like combining history and the gorge in one day.

Summarised in our own words from travel guides and holidaymaker reviews. We don’t list prices because they change often.

Sources we checked (November 2026): Turkish Museums: Tlos Archaeological Site · NTV: theatre restoration (Turkish) · Yeni Asır: restoration completed, solar lighting (Turkish, Aug 2026) · Hürriyet Daily News: stadium restoration

Tlos: questions

Header photo: the acropolis and rock tombs of Tlos. Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons