Local Attractions Summary ...

PLACES OF INTEREST / DAY TRIPS

Fethiye is a lively Turkish town. It is the perfect mix of a sophisticated and ethnic life for living and for holidays.

The town has area called Paspatur which is a bazaar area catering for the needs of all tourists with real atmosphere. The main street and all side streets are full of big and small traders in everything you can possibly imagine. Right in the centre of town is a combined permanent Fish and fruit and veg market where the bargains are incredible.

 You can buy your fish or shellfish in the market and one of the restaurants surrounding the market will create a delicious meal for you.

Tuesday is the big market in Fethiye. Maybe 500 to 700 traders all selling their wares. Big bargains but please haggle sensibly and compare prices before you buy. Great atmosphere here also.

Originally Fethiye was known as Termessos and there are still remains and an amphitheater from the Lycian period.

Fethiye must be one of the best sailing centres anywhere in the world with steady winds, crystal clear water and the most incredible scenery.

BOAT TRIP – 12 ISLANDS

This is the way to relax and take in the delights of the Turkish coastline and islands. Boats go from Fethiye daily stopping at various islands and bays, the favourite being "Cleopatra's Bay" where it is said that if you swim in the water, you will become a true beauty!

Lunch is cooked and served on board and there are plenty of stops to swim, snorkel and generally cool down.

OLUDENIZ BEACH, THE BLUE LAGOON scuba diving and paragliding

Oludeniz is situated just a few minutes drive from Fethiye and has an astonishing crystal-clear lagoon and a beautiful photogenic grey-white beach that adorns almost every Turkish travel brochure.

Oludeniz with its stunning blue lagoon is renowned as the most beautiful beach in Turkey, and therefore the water is the main attraction for holidaymakers and particularly paragliders, who come from all over the world to glide over the turquoise waters from atop the Babadag Mountain. Most visitors are tempted to try out the sport with reliable local operators. Diving and snorkelling are other popular activities. If watersports and sunbathing palls, there are dozens of possibilities for excursions in the surrounding area, including a 12-island boat trip, visits to various interesting Greek and Roman archaeological sites, the famous 'Butterfly Valley', or the ghost town of Kayakoyu.

SAKLIKENT GORGE

Saklikent (Hidden City) Gorge is the second-largest (20 km-long) gorge in Europe, the longest and deepest gorge in Turkey, about a 40 minutes' drive from Fethiye. It is a spectacular place, with sculpted walls soaring high above. Four kilometers of the gorge is walkable after April when most of the snow from the Taurus Mountains has melted and passed through the gorge on its way to the Xanthos River. Summer is the best time to visit as the canyon is deliciously cool and shady with cold water.

The gorge can be reached by Dolmus from Fethiye or by car.

By car, from Fethiye, exit the Fethiye-Antalya Highway after Kemer, where the signpost indicates the road to Saklikent. Drive down this road for 21km without turning off towards Tlos and you arrive at Saklikent.

When you arrive, the entrance to the gorge is under the bridge over the large stream. A narrow walkway suspended from the rock wall will take you into the gorge. Once inside, you reach the Ulupinar springs where very cold water bubbles up under great force from the base of the cliffs and you wade across the stream into the gorge proper to begin your walk, thankfully the water here is warm.

Outside of and tucked within the gorge locals have set up small restaurants with seating areas on wooden platforms suspended just above the rushing waters. These are a great place to lie back upon Turkish rugs and cushions with a beer under shady trees. Among other things on the menu, they offer delicious fresh trout. Outside of the gorge you will find small relaxed bars and river tubing. River tubing rides last from 45 minutes to about two hours, depending on which ride you join.

If you are continuing on to Tlos (about 4 km. northwest of Saklikent Gorge), you will also find small shady restaurants in the villages along the way, run by families that serve fresh, home-grown produce. Items on the menu include fresh trout and gözleme (Turkish pancakes filled with meat or cheese).

The gorge is open from the April 1 to September 30. The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon to avoid tour groups in the high season (mid-summer). Be sure to wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet or sports sandals as the rubber shoes available for rent at the river bar but are not very comfortable. You may also want to bring a change of clothes with you in case you get wet.

 

THE GHOST TOWN - KAYAKOY 3.8 miles from Fethiye

 

Once a thriving Greek village, this town of over one thousand houses, two churches, fourteen chapels, and two schools, was completely deserted in 1923 when the 25,000 Greek inhabitants living there, along with more than a million other Greeks living throughout Turkey were repatriated to Greece through a massive government mandated population exchange between the two countries following the Greek war of independence.

Since then, the village of Kayakoy, as it is called in Turkish, or Karmylassos, as it was called in Greek, which had been continually inhabited since at least the 13th century, has stood empty and crumbling, with only the breeze from the mountains and mist from the sea blowing through it's empty houses and streets

WALKING/TREKKING

Lycia on foot is walkers' paradise!

There are many nice walks in the surrounding hills and coastal areas. An assortment of beaches, some isolated, can be reached with a two hour descent.

Walk along Lycian mule tracks, some widened for timber lugging, some neglected and stony, from time to time stumbling upon an overgrown Lycian settlement. Along this little explored coast you can walk to isolated coves or find a beach with some sophistication. Within 2 hours walk from Ölüdeniz you will find:

Butterfly Valley ... famous for its moths

Kizilcakaya Beach ...overlooked by a roman tomb

Balatli Beach ...stunning and still unknown

Insuyu Beach ... probably just you on the beach

Kabak Beach ... a botanists paradise

Babadag Walk ... climb up and paraglide down

Lycian Way... rated by the Sunday Times as one of the ten best walks in the world

RAFTING

The Dalaman is the best river in Southern Turkey for rafting with genuine exhilarating grade four rapids.

In the past called Indos, Dalaman River has its source within Kocas Mountain located nearby Dirmil. It runs into the sea some 8 km south of Ortaca after its course through a narrow and deep valley where two of its branches, one coming from Goktepe and the other from Yaylacik Mountains, being part of the Western Taurus Mountains merge together. Its total length is: 229 km. It takes place between the rivers that attract the largest number of tourists as far as rafting is concerned. Dalaman River situated within Mugla province borders amongst Köycegiz and Dalaman is offering you R2 (difficulty rate: 3+) and R3 (difficulty rate: 3-4+) level course services. The river increases the adrenaline of the participants to the rafting activity through its rapid and exciting course track.

Dalaman Upper River, which courses through a scenic gorge, is laced with Class I-III rapids that offer easy to moderate summer white water -- but still plenty of excitement. On a hot summer day, join the rafting team to cool down in the waters of fast mountain river near Dalaman. The rafting routes are specially designed for the different levels of rafting experience or none at all. You can be rafting by yourself or together with your friends in the larger boats. Usually there is a break for lunch since the trip program is for all afternoon. Recommended for strong swimmers only 16+

SAILING

It is hard to imagine a more totally relaxing holiday than one aboard a traditional Turkish gulet as it sails or motors along the heart-stopping beautiful Turquoise coast.

Days are spent in unashamed indolence and indulgence as the crew take care of the sailing and navigation and present you with three delicious meals and as many drinks as you care to order each day.

The major daily decisions are whether to swim, snorkel or windsurf, go ashore and visit an inviting archaeological site or pretty beach side village or just drift and dream on your comfortable deck mattress.

Dalyan – Caunos

This trip is a real favourite because it offers such variety. Experience beautiful scenery whilst cruising through the Dalyan river marshes.

Passing the famous Caunos rock tombs and ruins before arriving at the mud baths. Here you have a chance to pamper yourself in the mud and sulphur pools and will feel the wrinkles disappearing!

Now feeling cleansed and fresh you're ready for a riverside lunch stop and perhaps a beer or two!

After lunch drift down the river again to relax, soak up the sun, swim and they're the same beach space as the Caretta Caretta turtles who still breed here.

Ephesus & Pamukkale (2 Days)

For those who want to go further a field this trip is the one for you. The first stop is a visit to the Virgin Mary's house. Then it's on the Ephesus, the most famous ancient site of Turkey with its well preserved historic remains the Library of Celsus being an excellent example. The amphitheater played host to many famous musicians and is still used today as for concerts. Then, off to Pamukkale for an overnight stop in a luxurious hotel with thermal pool. Turkish Bath and comfortable beds for any weary travellers.The next day is spent exploring the ancient site of Hierapolis and the natural wonders of Pamukkale, the "Cotton Castle". A swim in the Roman Baths before lunch. And then it's onto the carpet-weaving centre before returning to Fethiye for early evening.

Pamukkale (1 Day)

An early start means we breakfast on the way. Our first visit is the ancient site or Hierapolis, set amongst beautiful scenery.

Next stop Pamukkale, known as the "Cotton Castle" which is truly a natural wonder and is formed by thermal springs containing calcium salts which have created stalactites and natural pools. Though it is no longer permitted to swim in the actual pools, a nearby pool of the thermal water is a welcome stop and will soothe your aching limbs. After lunch, a trip to the carpet weaving centre before setting off for home.

OTHER BEACHES

PATARA BEACH

In recent years the winner of a "best beach in the world" survey in the Sunday Times, Patara Beach is 54 km drive from Fethiye. Eighteen kilometres of soft white sand, backed by majestic dunes - shouldn't be missed!

KIDRAK(PARADISE) BEACH

Kidrak - also known as the Paradise Beach -only 2 km away from Ölüdeniz - can be reached with half an hour walk - is much more secluded and quieter than Ölüdeniz.

BUTTERFLY VALLEY BEACH

Butterfly Beach can only be reached from Ölüdeniz by boat - there is basic accommodation on the beach - tents and tepees - and a small restaurant.

KABAK BEACH

Kabak Beach - one of the most secluded and remote beaches in the area can be reached by car or by boat from Ölüdeniz. There is a campsite on the beach providing basic accommodation.

GEMILER BEACH

Gemiler Beach is just opposite of the St. Nicholas Island which is worth visiting for it's history. There are several simple fish restaurants serving fresh fish dishes. It's a perfect day tour from Ölüdeniz; swim, snorkel, eat and snooze

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