March 28: Antalya to Olympos
Phaselis

Phaselis is an ancient Lycian city located between the Bey mountains and the forests of the Olympos National Park in Antalya Province. Phaselis can be reached by boat as well as road.

The town was colonized by Greeks from Rhodes in 700 BC. It was an important harbor city of western Lycia for centuries. Phaselis fell into Persians hands after they took Anatolia, and later on to the hands of Alexander the Great after he defeated the Persians. Phaselis opened its doors to Alexander, admitting him as a guest. It was here that Alexander accepted many of the envoys from the cities of Pamphylia, then taking each of the coastal cities in turn, advanced to Gordion. Herodotus mentions that it was a city of pirates.

Phaselis has 3 harbors. The "Northern Harbor", the "Battle Harbor" and the "Protected(Sun) Harbor". The most important of these today is the "Protected(Sun) Harbor". In the middle of the city, there is a 24 meter wide ancient street. In the southern part of the street,there is the "Hadrian Water Way Door". There are ruins of shops and stores on the sides of the street and near these there are ruins of public places like Roman Baths,Agora's and Theatres. The date of these structures are said to be dated back to 2nd century BC.