Places to Visit

A selection of places and attractions around Fethiye

We could not begin to describe in detail all the places to visit in Fethiye but we can give you our view of the places worth visiting..

Fethiye

Once a minor fishing village and market town, Fethiye has become a thriving tourist center in recent years due to the growing popularity of nearby Oludeniz and easy access to some fascinating sites. Fethiye was once a Lycian City and traces of the ancient settlement can be found around the town, which include the magnificent rock tombs on the face of the cliff.

Fethiye retains a decidedly Turkish feel. Exploring the warren of shop-lined streets in the old quarter is a fascinating experience. Restaurants are in abundance, and the authentic feel of Turkish life permiates the whole area , giving a real insight into town life in Turkey. On market day the roads are full of vehicles of all types – from old American trucks, to horse and carts spilling over with a manner of produce destined to create the vibrant colours and smells of the market.

The area boasts a good nightlife at the height of the season and now even through the winter months, with many bars and discos. There is an excellent choice of restaurants from traditional Turkish lokantas to large, stylish restaurants offering a wide range of international cuisine.

Çalıs Beach

Calis beach is located 5km along the coast from Fethiye town and comes alive during the Summer season, providing an excellent choice for a perfect relaxing holiday.

The 2km promenade along the beach is lined with restarants and bars to accomodate all tastes. Sunsets are spectacular from here! Don't be tempted to go into the first restaurant you see. The locals are very friendly and will be encouraging you to sample the delights of their restaurants everywhere you go.

There are many ways to get into Fethiye town. You can get a 'Dolmus' - a small white privately owned minibus - from outside the Aquapark. They run approximately every 10 minutes. There will be a small green sign in the windscreen that says 'Fethiye'.

A taxi rank can be found next to the roundabout on your way to the beach, but by far the most enjoyable way into Fethiye is via the water-taxi's down by the river in Calis. These take you across the bay to Fethiye harbour.

Small shops are everywhere selling basic daily essentials but for a wider selection there is a supermarket located about 1000m past the Aquapark on the left-hand side.

Every Sunday the Fethiye market comes to Calis. To locate the market turn right out of the villa's front door towards the main road. Turn right again along the main road and first right again. It's approximately half a mile down that road..

Ovacık & Hisarönü

Ovacik Village

Ovacik is a delightful village located 4km from Oludeniz. It is in easy walking distance of Hisaronu and on the local dolmus route to Fethiye. Cool breezes and beautiful mountain views enchant those staying there. Located at the foot of Babadag mountain, there is always a refreshing offshore breeze even in the hottest months. This resort has plenty of cheap accommodation from budget hotels to affordable apartments. There are a growing number of bars and restaurants along the main road leading to Hisaronu. Ovacik is great for people who want to be close enough to the nightlife to enjoy it, but prefer to retire to more quiet surroundings to sleep.

Hisaronu Village

Hisaronu is situated between Oludeniz and Ovacik and is 450 metres above sea level so it benifits from fresh mountain air making it slightly cooler than Oludeniz. This is by far the most lively resort in the area. There are many shops, restaurants and bars staying open well into the early hours of the morning, so there is something for everyone. The area is commercial compared to some of the other resorts in Turkey, however very tourist friendly and judging by the amount of people who return year after year it is certainly a success story.

Ölüdeniz

Ölüdeniz is 14 kilometres from the city of Fethiye and the winding road that leads you there is surrounded by pine trees. At the end of the road, before you reach Oludeniz, Belcekiz Cove with its wonderful blue sea welcomes you. The land around Ölüdeniz and the beach has been officially designated a protected area and has been converted into a National Park. If you walk along the beach the incomparable, calm sea of Ölüdeniz will enchant you with its sandy bottom and bright turquoise tones. The reflection of the pine trees on the water enriches the impression of the colours.

There is a fee to enter the National Park area. There are cafeterias in the park providing food and beverage and an organised area for those who want to have a picnic. It is also possible to rent umbrellas and sunloungers. The parking lot is monitored by security cameras and toilet and shower facilities are free. On the beach water sports such as parasailing, water skiing and banana boats are available.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in the region but construction is strictly banned in the area of the Ölüdeniz Lagoon and the Kýdrak Beach because these sites are classified as special protected areas.

This natural and extraordinary place is meticulously maintained, with daily laboratory tests to check the quality of the sea water in Belcekiz Cove. The aim of this is to get the ISO 14001 Quality Certificate for the beach. In Turkey the first beach to get this certificate was Kidrak Beach.!

Kaya Village

Few kilometers from Fethiye climbing past the ancient fortress and rock tomb of King Amyntas, the pine trees give way to the bucolic landscape of the Kaya Village. The village is the perfect place to walk and explore, taking in the haunting view of the deserted Greek village of Levessi. There are several traditional cafes to stop and get refreshed and also a growing number of restaurants, some of the most popular of these are the BBQ restaurants, where you are able to sit at traditional Turkish tables and sample different mezes and BBQ your own food. Try horse riding or cycling around the village.

The ghost town of Kaya has been desserted since 1923, there was a population exchange agreement between Turkish - Greek governments. It was agreed that the Greek people in Turkey would return to Greece and the Turkish people in Greece would return to Turkey. The Grek people from Kaya returned to Greece, however the Turkish people in Greece did not want to return as the Greek government did not want to pay the indemnity for any of the lando r homes they owned in Greece. Due to this the houses that hed been reserved for the people to return stood empty for many years. The people who moved to the area did not setle in the stone houses built on the hill side, instead built houses on the flat land. Before the population exchange Kaya Koy was known to have around 25,000 inhabitants, now there are just 2000.

The old houses on the hill side were left and can now be seen with broken windows and door, looking very lonely and desolate. The houses are now under protection, but this comes a little late. Levissi village was known to have two churches and 14 chapels, these are now derelict, although the lower church has some interesting features, which are worth a look. There is some restoration work that is ongoing in the area.

The village is a must to look around and in the hot summer months there is a welcome breeze. There are many old house, churches, chapels and the monestry of Afkule to see high on the hill with spectacular views, on a clear day you can even see the Greek island of Rhodes. The nearest location for swimming here is Soguksu (Cold Water) Cove. Its name does not refer to the temperature of sea but possibly to the spring water boiling into the sea..

Butterfly Valley / Faralya

Butterfly Valley

The Butterfly Valley near Fethiye is a hidden gem of Turkey's Turquoise Coast. Deep, steep and accessible only by boat or via the Lycian Way walking trail, which is advised against. The Valley has only been visited in the last twenty or so years before that it was reletively untouched and unknown. Luckily due to the valley being inaccessable it has kept intact and pure.

   The valley is located at the base of Babadag mountain and is protected by the World Heritage Foundation. It gets it's name from the unique butterfly species, who have up until recently been the only residents in the valley for thousands of years. There are over 60 different species of butterfly in the valley some appearing in the day time and others only venturing out at night. There are many rare butterflies and for those who are entusiasts there is a small museum located in the valley dedicated to giving more in depth information about the species that can be found there.

   The unspoilt valley is lush gren and has much vegetation, some of the land is being cultivated to produce fresh fruit and vegetable to feed the hungry travellers that are desperate to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby tourist areas. Many of those chosing to stay on the island are backpackers, who bring tents or stay in the tree houses provided.

   In addition to the clouds of butterflies fluttering by, there are also two small waterfalls to discover, providing a refreshingly cool shower after a hike through the secret valley. There is also a small white pebbled beach on which to relax and paddle in the crystal clear Mediterranean waters.

   Many of the boat trips that leave daily from Oludeniz beach make a stop at Butterfly Valley. Visitors are asked to refrain from shouting whilst exploring as the butterflies are very sensitive. Also to preserve the valley by taking your litter away after your visit.

Faralya Village

In an area so loved by tourists and the Turkish people themselves, it is a rare treat to find a village so completely untouched and unaltered by man. Faralya delights all those who do venture a visit. A small, quiet village set on the steep hillside just 8km from Olu Deniz, 1200 feet above sea level, Faralya is an ideal day out for adventurous travelers, or an authentic Turkish hide out for those who want to stay longer. Because Faralya has retained its Turkish village status, there is relatively little to do in the village it self (just a few small hotels and cafes), but it is an ideal starting point for many nature based activities, including a starting point for the famous Lycian Trail.

Faralya can be easily reached by dolmus (public minibus) from Olu Deniz, or by taxi. Those who like a bit more of a challenge can reach Faralya by way of an uphill hike from Butterfly valley, which can itself only be reached by boat (or down hill from Faralya!). Be warned, this is by no means easy ground, and it is not recommended for the faint hearted. The breathtaking views and warm hospitality of the people of Faralya however, can be appreciated by everyone.

Saklıkent

Saklikent Gorge is the longest and deepest gorge in Turkey, 18km long and so deep that the sunlight never penetrates the water, therefore, the fast and at times furious waters are deliciously freezing.

If you wish to get wet and have some fun, you can try and walk up some of the canyon(only about 4km is walkable). Don't forget to wear some shoes as the bottom of the gorge is pebbly and you will need to have a firm footing to battle the rapidly flowing waters. See how far you can get! If your feeling lazy on the way back you can always let the current carry you.

If you prefer to relax and don't like the sound of the freezing water temperatures, or may be just fancy a quick paddle, this place is still for you. Around the gorge is traditional Turkish style cafes, where you can sit back and relax on the cushions, sip a nice cold drink and enjoy some local food, gozleme is a traditional style pancake made by the local villagers. Enjoy watching the fun but stay firmly on dry land.

Dalyan

Dalyan in Turkish means enclosure of nets fixed on poles used for catching fish. The village is situated on a river, surrounded by lush green fields breaking into spectacular mountain ranges. On one side of the river is the ancient city of Cuanos that is regarded as a great archaeological site in Turkey. Only ten percent of the city has been uncovered and every year more and more treasures are being discovered. There is much wildlife to discover in Dalyan including many birds that are not found anywhere else in the world. A short tranquil boat ride through the reeds and you come to a 4km sandy beach. Iztuzu (Turtle) Beach is a conservation area home to the rare Caretta Caretta loggerhead turtles.

Due to the conservation restrictions that have been in place since 1989, Dalyan has retained much of its natural charm and beauty. Due to Dalyan being nestled inbetween mountains, next to a river, huge lake and right by the sea there is so much to do for all ages.

Patara

Patara is famous for its 18km of unindependent white sandy beach, with a backdrop of spectacular sand dunes and mountains untouched and unspoiled.

Together with being voted the best beach in the world in a Sunday Times survey, Patara is a centre of historic interest, not only because of the ruins from when Patara was an ancient, but also as it is recognised as the birth place of St. Nicholas in 4th century − the original Santa Claus.

At only 54km from Oludeniz, Patara is easily reached and is loved by everyone who goes there.

Üzümlü

If you have not seen a typical Turkish village and wish to see one, Uzumlu is just for you. The village is 20km. away from Fethiye where a village cooperative presents the wine produced from the grapes of the area. The village is also renowned for Dastar, a special kind of cloth woven from cotton or silk. You can reach Uzumlu by the dolmus or public buses departing from the dolmus station on Carsi Caddesi in Fethiye city centre.
After following a steep road from Uzumlu, you reach the Cadianda ancient city which was known as a rich Lycian settlemen.

Göcek

Set at the north-west end of the Gulf of Fethiye, Gocek is blessed with magnificent scenery. Backed by majestic mountains and substantial pine forests it looks out over the Twelve Islands, which provide shelter for Gocek's almost circular bay that has made the village such a perfect, natural harbor. Lured by such perfection, the yachting community has long made Gocek a favorite, and it is also a popular stop for gullet cruises. Gocek which recently became the meeting point of yachtsmen and lovers of the sea, has attained a justified fame with its natural position. The coves where colorful yachts ranging from the latest models to small vessels meet, can be visited in all seasons. In addition to being an ideal place from the standpoint of wind, sea and air temperature, it is only 22 km from the Dalaman Airport with international standards. Also the yacht marina built in recent years and improved rapidly has placed Gocek into a privileged state.