Pınara: A Cliff of Lycian Tombs in the Hills near Fethiye

In short: Pınara lies about 40 km from Fethiye, near the village of Minare in Seydikemer, reached by a short gravel road off the Fethiye–Kaş highway. Its great sight is a sheer cliff riddled with hundreds of rock tombs. Below it are a theatre, an odeon, an agora and tombs with carved reliefs. It is one of the quietest major Lycian sites, perfect if you want ruins almost to yourself.

Last checked: 10 November 2026. Winter opening hours apply from 1 November to 1 April.

A short history

According to an ancient story, Pınara was founded by people from Xanthos when that city grew too crowded; they settled on a high, round hill, and the name is said to mean “round”. In Lycian inscriptions the city appears as Pinale, and the name of today’s village, Minare, still echoes it. The ancient geographer Strabo lists Pınara as one of the six cities with three votes in the assembly of the Lycian League.

What to see

• The tomb cliff: the steep eastern face of the upper acropolis is covered in hundreds of small rock tombs, many cut where it is hard to imagine anyone could reach.
• The relief tomb: one tomb, often called the King’s Tomb, has reliefs showing a city surrounded by walls, thought to be Pınara itself; it may have belonged to a local prince.
• House-type tombs: many tombs copy the wooden houses of the Lycians, with beams and doors carved in stone.
• The theatre: set on the hillside facing the tomb cliff, one of the most beautiful spots on the site.
• The lower city: the odeon and agora at the heart of the city, temples, a bath and stretches of city wall.

Visiting tips

• Opening hours: 08:30 to 19:30 from 1 April to 1 November, and 08:30 to 17:30 in winter, according to the official listing. Tickets can be bought online on the official museum website.
• Facilities: very basic; the official listing mentions only a toilet. Bring water and snacks.
• Shoes: paths are stony and uneven, and the site is spread out on a hillside.
• Time needed: one and a half to two hours.

Getting there

• By car: about 40 km from Fethiye. Turn off the Fethiye–Kaş highway towards Minare; the last 2 km to the site are on a gravel road.
• Combine it: Pınara is on the way to Xanthos and Letoon, and not far from Tlos and Saklıkent.
• Walkers: the Lycian Way passes through this area.

What real travellers say

• “We had it to ourselves.” Many visitors love how quiet Pınara is compared with the famous sites.
• “The cliff takes your breath away.” The wall of tombs is the image people remember.
• “Wear proper shoes.” The paths are rough in places.

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: Pınara Archaeological Site

Pınara: questions

Header photo: rock tombs at Pınara. Photo: Feridun F. Alkaya, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons