Phaselis is already one of the most atmospheric ancient sites on the coast, three Roman harbours, a theatre, a colonnaded street, all wrapped in pine forest by the sea. For a few nights every September, it becomes something else too: a free open-air concert venue. The Phaselis Festival brings pianists, violinists, orchestras and folk performers to play among 2,000-year-old ruins, and it’s one of the more unusual, low-key cultural events on this stretch of coast. Here’s what it actually involves.
📝 A Local’s Note
This isn’t a fenced-off festival ground with ticket gates and food stalls. It’s a genuinely low-key, small-town cultural event held inside a working archaeological site, so seating is simple (bring a cushion), there are no big crowds compared to a city festival, and it still closes at the site’s normal ruins-plus-beach hours during the day.
Combine it with a swim. Since the concerts are held in the evening, you can spend the afternoon at one of Phaselis’s three beaches, dry off, grab dinner in Tekirova or Kemer, then head back in for the show once it cools down.
What is the Phaselis Festival?
The Phaselis Festival is an annual cultural event held inside the Phaselis Ancient City near Kemer, organised by the Kemer ve Yöresi Tanıtım Vakfı (KETAV) with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Kemer District Governorship and the Phaselis Excavation Directorate. The idea is to pair the site’s historical and natural setting with live music and performance, celebrating the region’s layered heritage from antiquity through to the modern era. It typically runs across four evenings in September, and every performance is free and open to the public.
What a typical program looks like
The exact line-up changes each year, but recent editions give a good sense of the mix: classical piano and chamber ensembles one night, film-score violin and piano the next, a full orchestra performing songs from past decades in period costume, and folk or flamenco-style performances blending Turkish instruments with dance on the closing night. It’s a genuine cross-section of music, not a single-genre event, so there’s usually something worth catching whichever night you can make.
| Phaselis Festival | What to know |
| When | Annually in September (most recently confirmed: 24–28 September 2024, the 14th edition) |
| Where | Phaselis Ancient City, Tekirova, ~15 km from Kemer |
| Cost | Free, open to the public |
| Organiser | KETAV (Kemer ve Yöresi Tanıtım Vakfı) |
| Program | Classical, film-score, orchestral and folk performances across ~4 evenings |
The exact 2026 dates weren’t confirmed at the time of writing. KETAV and Kemer Municipality usually announce the program a few weeks ahead, so check KETAV’s own site or the Kemer Belediyesi channels closer to September, or ask at your hotel’s activities desk if you’re staying in Kemer or Tekirova that month.
Do you need a ticket for the ruins themselves?
The concerts are free, but Phaselis is a paid archaeological site during the day, around €10 (roughly 560 TL) for the standard entrance ticket, with MuseKart holders entering free. If you’re visiting in the afternoon before an evening concert, the same site ticket covers the ruins and all three beaches. For full pricing, opening hours and how to get there from Kemer, see our complete Phaselis Ancient City guide.
Getting to Phaselis for an evening show
By car or taxi is the most practical option for an evening event, follow the D400 and turn off at the Phaselis sign, then park at the gate. Minibuses from Kemer’s Clock Tower run roughly every 30 minutes during the day but service can thin out later in the evening, so check the last return time before relying on one, or arrange a taxi pickup in advance. If you’re staying further away in Antalya or Belek, this is a night worth planning as a dedicated evening out rather than a stop on a busier day trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Phaselis Festival free?
Yes, all concerts are free and open to the public. You only pay if you visit the ruins and beaches during regular daytime hours.
When is the Phaselis Festival held?
Annually in September. The most recently confirmed edition ran 24–28 September 2024 (the 14th edition). Check KETAV or Kemer Belediyesi closer to the date for the confirmed 2026 dates.
Where exactly does it take place?
Inside Phaselis Ancient City in Tekirova, about 15 km north of Kemer, among the ruins and pine forest by the harbours.
What kind of music should I expect?
A mix across the festival’s evenings: classical piano and chamber music, film-score performances, orchestral shows, and folk or flamenco-style performances with Turkish instruments.
Can I combine it with a beach day at Phaselis?
Yes. Since concerts are in the evening, a swim at one of the three Phaselis beaches earlier in the day pairs naturally with a concert once it cools down.
More on Phaselis and Kemer: see our full Phaselis Ancient City guide, best excursions from Kemer, things to do in Kemer, and best hotels in Kemer.
Page last updated: September 2026.
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