FETHIYE TOURS

ABOUT FETHIYE

Indescribable Beauty!
Located along the south-western coast of Turkey, Fethiye lies on the Mediterranean seashore. Offering a perfect balance between a bustling resort town and a working Turkish town, Fethiye is the ideal base for exploring the surrounding coastline and countryside. Magnificently backdropped by the Taurus Mountain Range, Fethiye (historically known as Telmessos) boasts pristine turquoise blue waters, innumerable tiny picturesque coves, lush Mediterranean vegetation and clear blue skies throughout the summer. A visibly culture-rich town, the friendliness of the people and the fantastic cuisine astound all! You will find everything you need here, a wide range of shops, eateries, bars, and accommodation, as well as an excellent transportation system around town and to the surrounding sights.

The wide bay of Fethiye provides a natural port and harbor and is popular with yachtsmen from around the world. It is also the starting point of many cruises along the coast and to the surrounding islands. The busy marina is great for a picturesque walk in the evening, leading into Paspatur the 'old city'. The most colorful shopping and entertainment center of the town, the Paspatur Market offers late night shopping with many bars and restaurants to help keep your energy levels up.

Soaking in history, Telmessos (Fethiye) was a very prominent city dedicated to the god Apollo and was the center of prophecy. The ancient Lycian tombs, a Roman theatre and a medieval castle surrounding the town are the only existing monuments from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. As well the fascinating history in the area, there are many natural wonders to explore around Fethiye. Such as Butterfly Valley, Saklikent Gorge, and Oludeniz beach to name a few.

Fethiye has a typical Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers. The temperature often rising above 30ºC (86ºF) in July and August. Showers are unlikely in the summer months, but the rainfall is quite high in winter. The sea temperature never drops under 16ºC, even in winter.

Fethiye is easily reached by road, from all points north, south, east, and west. Dalaman International Airport is only fifty kilometers from the town center, while Antalya Airport is a three-hour drive away. Turkey, in general, has a very effective transportation system, with numerous private bus companies providing connections between cities, dolmuses (minivans) providing transport for local trips and taxis are available.

A NATURAL PARADISE!

FETHIYE SIGHTS

HISTORICAL SIGHTS IN TOWN
Anciently known as Telemessos, Fethiye was a very prominent city dedicated to the god Apollo and was the center of prophecy. Existing monuments from the Hellenistic and the Roman period bear witness to a city life that was rich and highly cultured. Ancient ruins include rock tombs, Lycian-type sarcophagi, a Roman theatre, and a medieval castle. Built high on the mountain slopes overlooking Fethiye Bay, the ancient tombs provide a magnificent backdrop to Fethiye. A short walk from the center of town, the tombs are easily accessible and are a great historic addition to a day spent wandering around the marina or the market. The largest of the tombs, the magnificent Amyntas' Tomb, is considered by many to be the symbol of Fethiye. Amyntas was believed to be the governor or the King of Telemessos during the Hellenistic period. Expect a number of stairs and a 5 YTL entrance fee to visit this tomb.

Walking through Fethiye, you will more than likely stumble across one of the few Lycian-type sarcophagi scattered throughout the town. The most noteworthy and beautiful of these sarcophagi is found near the government house. It bears reliefs depicting warriors.

The ancient castle stands on the place where the city was first founded. Its existing walls date back from the eleventh century. Rebuilt during the fifteenth century by the Knights of Rhodes, the castle was used as a naval base. The incredible views of Fethiye from the hill make up for the lack of general upkeep of the castle ruins and the short walk up the hill. At sunset there is no better place to enjoy a few drinks and watch quietly, as the city is bathed in a golden glow, the sky turns pink, outlining the islands lying in the bay and eventually the sparkle of the city lights below. 
 The Roman Theatre stands opposite the commercial harbor near the town center. Typically Roman in style, it was built during the second century on the ruins of a previously built Greek-style theatre. Excavated in 1993, the theatre is undergoing a Restoration Project.

CALIS
Located roughly 5km from Fethiye town center and easy to reach via dolmus (minibus), ÇaliÅŸ beach stretches for many kilometers. This half sand, half pebbled beach lies opposite Sövalye Island and can offer superb views at sunset, with a cool evening breeze. ÇaliÅŸ is one of the prominent regions of accommodation and entertainment, with many hotels and restaurants lining the promenade. ÇaliÅŸ is also a fantastic kite-boarding spot, if you are keen to try this sport there is a school right on the beach.

KAYA KOYU - THE GHOST TOWN
Kaya Koyu is an old Greek settlement, 13km from the city center. Kaya or Karmylassos was home to a sizeable Greek community until the 'population exchange treaty' was signed in 1923, between Turkey and Greece. After the exchange the Turks, coming from the Western Thrace to replace the Greeks who migrated to Rhodes, Crete and the outskirts of Athens, could not adjust to the physical conditions of the area and after a brief stay moved to the Northern Aegean areas. Hence, the appearance of a ghost town today. Incredibly, the remains of around three thousand deserted buildings, including houses, shops, churches, and schools are scattered across the hillside.  Directly translated Kaya Koyu means "rock town", which is very fitting as the ruined village blends into the rocky hillside. Easily reachable by dolmus (minibus), running every 10 to 15 minutes from the Small Otogar (bus station) in Fethiye, they will drop you at the main gate to Kaya Koyu. This dolmus ride will cost you 3YTL. From there you can enjoy a walk through the deserted village and if you are feeling energetic there is a magnificent hike (roughly 2 hours) over the mountain to the beautiful lagoon of Oludeniz. On the plains surrounding the "ghost town" is a Turkish village, where there are many charming cafes and fantastic restaurants.

OLUDENIZ
A bustling resort town, Ölüdeniz offers breathtaking beaches, with the beautiful backdrop of Babadag mountain, only 14km from Fethiye. On the UNESCO "World Heritage" site list due to its rich flora, Babadag mountain is one of the best paragliding spots in the world. Lying on the beach below, the tandem paragliders litter the sky with their bright colors and entertain with their impeccable landings! Oludeniz beach remains one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean. The Oludeniz Lagoon and the Belcekiz Beach are known as "the blue paradise" all over the world due to their natural beauty. The Oludeniz Lagoon, also called Kumburnu, is a national park. For a small entrance fee (if you are a student and can produce identity, a discount is available), you can spend the day in the national park. Restaurants, cafes and toilet and shower facilities are all available. Belcekiz Beach is free of charge, however, expect to pay for the umbrellas and sun lounges. Oludeniz is easily accessible from Fethiye, from the small bus station, with just a short 20 minute dolmus ride (approximately 3 Ytl). The dolmuses are clearly marked 'Oludeniz' and leave every 15-20 minutes, the same applies for returning to Fethiye from Ölüdeniz.

HISARONU VILLAGE
5 minutes before Oludeniz, en route from Fethiye to Oludeniz, Hisaronu is the administrative, commercial and entertainment center of the Oludeniz area. The main street is lined with accommodation, restaurants and bars and is known as the 'party' town. It is however a very touristy town and therefore expect to pay more.

SAKLIKENT GORGE
Saklikent (Hidden city) Gorge is an incomparable natural wonder. The second-largest (300m - deep; 20km - long) gorge in Europe and the longest and deepest gorge in Turkey, Saklikent Gorge is only a 40 minute drive from Fethiye. The magnificent appearance of the canyon is a result of thousands of years of erosion by the snowmelt of the Taurus Mountains. After April, 4km of the gorge is walkable, as the waters have receeded from the snowmelt. During the summer Saklikent Gorge is a haven for those wanting to avoid the midday heat, with its ice-cold water and cool rock walls. An excellent place to enjoy outdoor activities, including canyoning, hiking or rafting. A 3 YTL entrance fee applies. After walking up the gorge, for an extra 25 YTL, you can also tube down the river for forty-five minutes and bath in the natural mud baths along side the river. An experience well worth it!