FETHIYE

Fethiye (Telmessos) rests on a broad Mediterranean bay (map) boasting some of Turkey's best beaches and yachting. Plenty of hotels provide a place to stay, and Dalaman Airport makes access fairly easy. The wide swath of Çalis Beach, several kilometers long, is only 5 km (3 miles) northeast of Fethiye (maps). Ölüdeniz, perhaps Turkey's most beautifully-situated beach, is 8.5 km (5.3 miles) south of Fethiye, over the hills. Both beaches have their own selections of hotels and restaurants. Besides the beach, visitors like the day-long 12-Island yacht cruise of the bay, especially the stop at Gemile Island, covered in unrestored Byzantine ruins. Boats depart every day in the warm months from Fethiye's busy yacht harbor. Some 2400 years ago, Fethiye (FET-hee-yeh) was the prominent town of Telmessos, but earthquakes have left only a few Lycian stone sarcophagi from the old town, along with the dramatic Tomb of Amyntas carved into the sheer rock cliff high above the town. Fethiye is the starting point of the Lycian Way, a 500-km (311-mile) footpath through the rugged mountains of the Tekke Peninsula to Antalya. Not far from Ölüdeniz along the Lycian Way is Tohum Eco-Center, a good spot for a meditation retreat.

OLUDENIZ ( Blue Lagoon )

Explore Blue Lagoon (Oludeniz) where the calm crystal water is ideal for swimming and other water sports. Blue Lagoon is located near the famous tourist resort of Fethiye, Belcekız Beach and protected as one of the natural parks of Turkey. It is one of the spots most favoured by the, word tourism of today. It is located at a distance of 15kms.from the center of the town. It is surrounded in the east by Kıdrak and the Valley of Butterflies and, in the west, by Gemile and coves at the mouth of the valleys descending from the foot of Babadag The sand and pebbles of the vast coastline of the Beicegiz beach, carried in the direction of northwest by the waves and the wind, create a barrier between the open sea and the calm lagoon. That is why the region is called Olüdeniz, meaning stiI as a cadaver. The lagoon reaches a depth of approximately 40 meters towards the north, while it becomes shallow, down to 5 to 1 meters. in the southern part. The Kumburnu Strait, at the entrance of the lagoon from the open sea, is narrow and shallow, with a width of about 50 meters and a depth of 8-9 meters. Climbing up the high, green slopes around Oludeniz, one can see the chrystai-clear waters, allowing for the perception of the sea-floor especially at the Kumburnu beach, displaying transformation from torguise to green and to various shade of blue. Due to its extraordinary natural beauty, the pearl-white sandy beach and the crystal-clear sea water in azure colour, Olüdeniz and the -neighbouring little coves like Ovacık, Belcegiz and Kidrak, are renowned all over the world as a tourism center. At present Ovacık, Hisaronu and Oludeniz has a total bedding capacity of 20,000 in all standarts, ranging from first- class holiday villages to small boarding houses and campsites. The temperature of the sea water does not get below 19 C even in winter months and the average day-and night difference is around 12 C which makes this region on ideal spot for winter tourism. Oludeniz is a stunning bay, with a laid-back atmosphere, one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. It's lagoon, now a protected area, has understandably adorned a million picture postcards. Oludeniz's main beach is bordered by an attractive promenade lined with small shops, cafes and restaurants making it ideal for a classic beach holiday. However the surrounding area has much more to offer an adventurous visitor. Paragliding from the heights of Babadag Mountain , trekking along the Lycian Way, a boat trip to the Butterfly Gorge, visiting some of the sites such as Xanthos, Tlos and Letoon are among the many possibilities.

CALIS

This is one of the primary accommodation and entertainment centers within the boundaries of the Municipality, There are various popular hearsays in connection with the name Calıs. In one tale, it is related that when Ahmet Gazi was fighting with the enemy on the coast, an soldier heartened an old warrior, saying, "Come on, Father, strive a little longer, we are about to cast the, enemy off to the sea" Another story alleges that the name of the person was Calls (strive). Calls is a very nice holiday center with a shore of many kilometers, the glittering sea opening up to the outer bay and with stunningly beautiful sun-sets. The Calls beach is 6 kms. extending as far as the Karıy River. The road along the coast is closed to traffic to facilitate swimming and water sports activities. It is very easy to reach Çalış There are municipality busses as well as minibus services. There are also boats to Çalış leaving behind the Municipality building,for those preferring sea route. Calis, described as 5 km. away from the province and best place to watch sun go down, is one of the most favorite places of the province tourism with its 4 km. of beach, cool wind during hot summer nights, "Caretta Caretta"s, sea appropriate for water sports, numerous qualified resort facilities, restaurants, bars, shopping and transportation possibilities How to get there: Take a dolmus from Fethiye

KAYA VILLAGE

A 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. Here a dwindling number of local families till the land and tend their animals. Some of the old Greek stone houses have been carefully restored to provide atmospheric and peaceful holiday homes. Visitors can walk, cycle or even horse-ride around the pathways and lanes of the valley, pausing at the simple teahouses, restaurants and general stores or continuing the few kilometers down to the Gemiler Beach.

TWELVE ISLANDS

Boat tour in the azure waters of the Mediterranean, visiting attractive coves and islands, where history and natural beauty embrace each other, is no longer an impossible dream. A blue voyage in a typical Turkish schooner-type boat is an exceptiona holiday project.

SAKLIKENT CANYON ( GORGE )

High in the mountains above Fethiye rushing torrents cut a narrow gorge / canyon through the mountains, creating Saklıkent Gorge. A cool refuge on hot summer days, Saklıkent Gorge is a favourite picnic spot with rustic restaurants serving delectable fresh trout. It is 50 km. away from province center and within the territories of Kayadibi Village. It is a natural miracle secreted within 18 km. long, and its height reaches 600 m. from place to place, unique canyon. It is an unique tourism center, so wing mountaineering, trekking, swimming possibilities for people fond of nature with steep rocky mountains, plane trees and clearly flowing ebullient springs.

GOCEK

Moving westward from Fethiye, you catch a glimpse of the sea among the thich mantle of trees. The brotherhoot of sea faring brings together all ardent yatchsmen from every country at göcek with its natural marina Göcek is an harbour where a cup of coffee shared with the neighbouring boat results in the establishment of warmest friendships. It is believed that Gocek and its environs were the city of Doidalos in the antique period. In the records of Strabo and Herodot, Daidalos is mentioned as a Lycian port. Unfortunately, due to earthquakes in the antique period, not much has survived to our times from the city. On the 25th km.of the Fethiye-MugIa highway, at the exit of the Inlice Village, there is a temple-type rock tomb which gives an idea about the boundaries of the antique city.

XANTHOS

Was the capital city of the Lycian Federation and its greatest city for most of Lycian history. It was made famous to the Western world in the 19th century by its British discoverer Charles Fellows. Xanthos is of great antiquity - finds date back to the 8th century B.C. but it is possible that the site may have existed during the Bronze Age or during the Iron Age. Xanthos stands up atop an elevated area within Xanthos Valley with the Xanthos River flowing closely under the city's west side. From this elevation one receives a supreme view of the valley surrounded by the spectacular Taurus mountains.

CADIANDA

This city, located near Uzumlu, 24 kms. to the northeast of Fethiye, is called Kodawati in the Lycian language. It was erected at an altitude of 950-1000 meters in the fifth century B.C. Cadianda is reached by a long and steep climb where there are many rock tombs and inscriptions in the Lycian and Greek languages. The most significant of these is the "Salas Monument" discovered by Fellows in 1 840. There are lots of reliefs of figures on the pieces in existence at present. The theater at Cadianda is small in size and not well protected. Besides the stadium which is 9 kms. wide and over 100 meters long, there is a bath. However, the city was devastated by the diggings of looters and is in a sorry state.

BUTTERFLY VALLEY

The Valley of Butterflies is one the most beautiful bays of fethiye. Located on a flat level ot ten hectares at the foot of a sleep and deep valley. Like an open-air museum, exhibiting oil species of butterflies living at sea level araund the Medifenanean, one can follow the life span of 30 different daytime bulterflies as well as 40 night-flying moths, tor nine to ten months of the year, starting with the spring The Valley of Butterflies may be rached by service boats from Olüdeniz, as well as by flying with parapante from the 1975 meter-high Babadag.

GEMILE BAY

Both the Gemile Bay and the island are located behind the hill where the Kayakoyu houses stand. The Afkule monastery on the road to the Gemile Bay, carved into the rocks by a monk during the 19th century, is probably the most significant construction. Going down to the shore from Kayakoyü through the evergreen pine trees, we come to a totally unspoiled beautiful bay which has been declared as a site. It is on ideal spot for having a picnic. This early Christian Island dedicated to St, Nicholas can be visited from the Gemiler Beach below Kaya village or while on one of the daily boat trips out of Oludeniz.

HISARONU & OVACIK

Located at the foot of Babadag, Ovacik is 6 kms. from Fethiye, Away from noisy crowds, with varied, accommodation facilities, it is a delightful holiday center, where we can feel the refreshing offshore breeze even during the hot summer days. After Ovacik, Hisaronu is on the way to Kayakoyu, a vivacious spot with colourful shops offering all kinds of souveniers, sparkling centers of entertainment and restaurants serving food from all over the world. On the other hand, the accommodations located on the slopes surrounded by pine trees provide a haven for a peaceful holiday. Situated on a high plateau 4km from the coast and surrounded by stunning mountains, the once sleepy villages of Hisaronu and Ovacik have combined to create a lively resort which has a distinctly British atmosphere. The nearest beaches are the famous lagoon of Oludeniz or the pebble and sand beach of Belcekiz. A dolmus leaves every five or ten minutes. The village is full of bars, restaurants and shops. This is certainly the place to haggle for any imitation designer gear. The cool mountain air can be quite a relief after a day in the sun and there is plenty to do in the evening. Hisaronu, and the Fethiye area in general, are blessed with a rugged and beautiful landscape, the potential of which for activity holidays (and holiday activites) is just being realised. Hisaronu is special because its location means that you can paraglide in Oludeniz one day, canoe down the Xanthos river to Patara the next, paintball in the pine forests of Kaya Koyu and still take an overnight trip to the classical ruins of Ephesus. There are variety of hotels, villas & aparts in the area, from simple family run to luxury hill top hotels with views of Oludeniz beach below. Just above Oludeniz amongst the pines on the lower slopes of Babadag the village of Ovacik straddles the mountain road between Fethiye and Oludeniz.It`s convenient situation, clear air, quiet country trails and excellent accommodation make it an ideal base for enjoying all the diverse aspects of this captivating area. Ovacik is situated only 3 kms away from Oludeniz Beach and is the neighbouring village to Hisaronu. Ovacik village is spread out in a big valley just below Babadag mountain - hence there isn`t a resort centre as such - but most of the accommodation is situated within walking distance to main road and Hisaronu village centre. There are beatifully landscaped hotels with views over the valleys down below, luxury villas with swimming pools, good choice of apartments and self catering accommodation. Ovacik is good alternative to Hisaronu village - if you are looking for a more private & relaxing holiday.