Letoon: The Sacred Heart of the Lycian League (UNESCO Guide)

✓ Last reviewed: 29 September 2026 — Verified and updated by İlyas Bayrak, licensed Turkish guide (licence 070867), with the My Turkey Adventure editorial team. Prices, opening hours, transport fares and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: Letoon is the sacred, spiritual heart of the ancient Lycian civilization, a serene and atmospheric ruin that absolutely rewards a visit. As the official Lycian League sanctuary , this Xanthos-Letoon UNESCO World Heritage site offers a unique, poetic experience where mythology, history, and nature intertwine around its perpetually flooded temples, making it a must-see for thoughtful travellers exploring the coast of Turkey . Fact Detail Location Near Kumluova , Kaş district, Muğla province, Turkey Period / Date Lycian , Hellenistic , Roman (c. 7th century BC to 7th century AD ) What It Is The federal religious sanctuary of the Lycian League UNESCO Status Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988 (together with Xanthos ) Entry A modest fee applies; the Turkish Museum Pass ( Müzekart ) is valid. Typical Visit Length 45 minutes to 1.5 hours Nearest Airport Dalaman Airport (DLM) Driving Time from Fethiye Approximately 1 hour (about 65 km) Best Months April-May (wildflowers, pleasant weather) and September-October (cooler temperatures) What Is Letoon, the Sacred Heart of Ancient Lycia? Welcome to Letoon ! As licensed local guides and the team behind My Turkey Adventure, we're thrilled to introduce you to one of our favourite sites. Unlike the grand political capitals or bustling trade ports of ancient Turkey , Letoon was something far more profound: it was the soul of a nation. This was the federal sanctuary of the Lycian League , a unique democratic federation of city-states that flourished along this dramatic coastline. While the nearby city of Xanthos served as the political capital, Letoon was the common ground where all Lycians came to worship their shared patron deities: Leto and her divine twins, Apollo