One is at a loss for words to describe the beauty of
Fethiye. If you are incurably addicted to exploring new
horizons and are a lover of nature, this is the
destination for you… What is it that makes these shores
so delightfully indented with innumerable coves and the
unbelievable beauty of nature. What makes it so
alluring? Perhaps it is a bit of everything, who knows?
To
wander through the bays of Fethiye is an adventure, an
exuberance, a spring of joy. While passing from one to
another, the grandeur that spreads out before your eyes
is enhanced by the silhouettes of tiny islands, which
lead you astray.
Fethiye is located in South—West Mediterranean
Turkey, connected to all other cities by three highways
and reached very easily. Dalaman International Airport
is as close as 50 km. to the town centre. During the
tourist season one can find many flights from major
European cities to Fethiye besides the domestic flights
throughout the year by Turkish Airlines. Additionally
Antalya Airport, three –hour drive to Fethiye, is
another departure point.
Fethiye seaport with its sheltered natural
structure is an important stop for yachtsmen. A new
modern marina project will be realised soon for a large
number of yachts with all facilities on the other end at
the bay.
The
whole region excluding Fethiye and Eşen lowlands is
covered with high mountains forming the south
western spurs of the Taurus Range.
These mountains exceeding 2000 meters extend the
coastline. On a sunny winter day it is a real pleasure
to view the pines and snow decorated peaks intertwined
with the blue sky. Besides the refreshing woody slopes
with thyme, sage, laurel and pine trees the exceptional
incense forest is another peculiarity of the Fethiye
region. Covering a 100-hectare area the incense forest
is an ideal campsite and a picnic area. Balsam obtained
from incense trees has pharmaceutical and cosmetic value
and it is also used as a fumigate in mosques and
churches.
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and
warm, wet winters prevails in the region temperatures
are approximately 30°C in summers and usually not less
than 12°C in winters. Seawater temperature is hardly
below 17°C all year round.
In Fethiye, with its abundance and fertile
land, agriculture is of major prominence. Therefore
whilst in other holiday resorts it becomes quiet at end
of the season, life in Fethiye flows on throughout the
12 months.
Such
farming for vegetables and industrial plants as cotton,
sesame, tobacco, and aniseed are the major agricultural
income sources. Yearly about 250.000 tons of tomatoes
are produced and exported. In bee-keeping and honey
production, the potential is on a large scale.
Furthermore, there is large supply of Chromium ore and
Fethiye is an important export part of this mineral in
Turkey.
The climatic conditions permit almost all kinds of
vegetables and fruit to be cultivated. The special
nature of contact between the producer and the consumer
may be witnessed in the town market, is most fascinating
on Tuesdays. Life at the market and the shops are
located around starts early in the morning and gives
opportunities to locals and tourists during the daytime.
Souvenir shops are located around the Turkish bath and
the old Mosque. During the peak season one can buy
leather-goods, carpets, rugs, jewellery and the other
souvenirs as well as Turkish fashion cloths from these
shops which stay open until the late hours. When you
walk around, have a break at one of “Paspatur” Cafes
for a cup of Turkish coffee or apple tea, it will keep
you relax and keep your mind on Fethiye as “the shining
light of eco world, worth
discovering”
PLACES TO VISIT
Gemiler
Island
Following the road leading from Kaya Köyü, descend to
the beautiful Gemiler beach, surrounded by pine and
olive trees. Gemiler bay faces St Nicholas Island where
the Byzantine ruins of a monastery lie tucked among the
olive trees. A Japanese team has carried out
archaeological excavations at intervals over the past 10
years and confirmed that this is the once residence of
St Nicholas.
Araxa Founded on the
Antic Xanthos Stream ascended, it is 40 km. away from
Fethiye.This extraordinary water spring is subjected to
mythological stories. Rampart ruins, Turkish baths and
aqueduct of Bizantium period are remaining from the
city, placed within territories of Ören Village today.
Tlos
Located 28 km. from Fethiye, Tlos is one of the oldest
residential areas of Lycia and one of the few cities
that continued its existence up to the 19th Century.
Tlos is known as “the sports centre” of the Lycian
Federation and was the home of the mythological winged
horse, Pegasus, and his hero Bellorophonte. An
Acropolis, the temple type tomb of Bellorophonte, the
Stadium, the Roman Bath complex (with its great views),
and amphitheatre, are some of the structures that remain
quite well preserved. The nearby trout farms are an
oasis on a hot summers day, serving delicious lunches.
OENANDA:
A recently excavated city, Oenanda is located near
İncealiler Village, about 88 km from Fethiye. British
and Turkish archaeologists discovered about 300 scribed
tablets by the Lycian Epicurean Philosopher, Dioghenes.
Letoon
Letoon was a holy city, dedicated to the Goddess Leto.
Located at Kumluova Village and 4 km from Xanthos, it is
known that all holy ceremonies were performed here by
the priests of the temples of Leto, Artemis and Apollon.
Pinara
The Lycians’ “Beauty Center”, Pınara is on the way to
Minare Village and can be reached by a short road
branching off from the Fethiye—Kaş highway. Numerous
Pigeon Hole type simple tombs carved into the cliff
faces, a hearth planned Aphrodite Temple with fine
friezes and a well preserved amphitheatre are probably
the most interesting remains of Pınara.
Cadianda
The ancient city of Cadianda is located near Üzümlü
Village, about 20 Km. from Fethiye. Fine examples of
Cyclops Walls, a sports complex, theatre and Heroon like
temple tombs are all worth seeing, as are the
magnificent views out over Fethiye.
Üzümlü
Uzumlu village (grape village) is 18 kilometres from
Fethiye, nestled in foothills. Here the quality
variaties of grapes are still grown, as the name of
village suggests. On looms found in most homes, a local
pure cotton material (known as ‘Dastar’) is woven by the
village women. Table clothes & curtains are among the
finished products available.
Kayaköy It is a Greek
settlement founded beginning from 14th century over
antic Karmillassos, fully destroyed excluding a few
house type tomb as a result of earthquakes and
foundation period is not known definitely.Its former
name is Levissi. Kayaköy, teaching humanity on the
concepts of friendship, brotherhood and peace, and
united with five Turkish villages during its lifetime,
is one of the pride resources of our region. According
to a "population exchange" agreement signed between
Turkish and Greek governments on 1922, Greek population
of Kayaköy is exchanged with Turkish population residing
in Western Thrace.
Telmessos Antic Theater
Antic sources are mentioning that there was a huge
theater at Telmessos.On 1993, during the drilling
excavations, performed by Fethiye Museum Directorate,
sitting lines of the theater are founded under 3 - 4
meters of soil stratum filled with erosion. As a result
of studies continued till 1995, all ruins existing from
theater are revealed today. It is understood that early
Roman period constructed, IIth century BC repaired
theater has 5000 persons capacity and used as an arena
during Bizantium period. Relieve project for repair of
Telmessos Theater, responding to the 1500 persons' usage
with conditions of today, is completed.
Caunus
The city is situated on the
land across the Dalyan strait at Ortaca. According to
poet Ovidius, Miletos had twins, Caunus and Byblis.
During adolescence, Byblis felt an enormous love for her
twin and grew most possessive. Though well aware of the
unnatural aspect of her love, Byblis sent a letter of
declaration to Caunus whereupon the mythological King
was both enraged and disgusted. To avoid meeting her, he
escaped from Miletos, to the Carian and Lycian border
where he founded the city of Caunus.
Mosques
Cezayirli Mosque Mosque
is constructed by Cezayirli Hasan Pasha on 1791. Hasan
Pasha had also acquired various works of art such as
Kemer Köprüsü (Arc Bridge), Pasha In at Yayla road,
Aqueducts within Yaka village to Fethiye.
Inns
Main inns of Fethiye;
are Ilıca Inn (on the Üzümlü road), İncir Inn,
Karatoprak Inn (on İnbecik road), Pasha Inn on Kemer -
Seki road, Daydur Inn and Naldöken Inn.
Rocky
Tombs
Likya Rocky Tombs 4th
century B. C. monuments from Lycia period within city
are drawing interest. These are the tombs excavated to
natural rocks, which became the symbol of the city.Amintas,
most beautiful and most magnificent one of the tombs,
can be reached via lots of regular stages. This tomb
can also be seen from the below plains, and when you
come near, the admiration against its greatness
increases. At the middle part of the left column, "Herparnias's
son Amintas" is written with 4th century B. C. alphabet.
Identification of this person is not clearly known.
There are lots of tombs, valuable to be seen, within the
province. Most important one of these is the one which
belongs to Lycia period. There is a strange appearance
of the tomb ascending within sea. There is a rectangular,
wooden chords reminding embcarves and a gothic style
cover with arc on the two layered front side. Both sides
of the cover is embossed with frisks picturing wars, and
it is thought that these are belonging to the life of
the person.
Castles
Fethiye Castle It is
thought that castle ascending at the south of the city
belongs to knights of Saint John.There are two simple
and small rocky tombs on the eastern face of the hill,
excluding a cistern with indefinite history and a few
writings carved to the walls.
Beaches
Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) - Belcekız
Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon), referred as "The Eden bestowed
by God to World" according to Tourism authorities, is a
tourism center that is cost to world with its reputation
exceeding country.Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) with very green
pine forests reached to shores, tepid sea and long
beaches in which all tones of green, blue and violet
color can be seen, is a wonder of the World. Recently
parachute divers from the peaks of the 1975 m. height
Babadağı, are facing with the most breathtaking panorama
of the world. There are numerous touristic facilities,
restaurant, shopping centers, as well as health cabinets,
showers - toilets, buffets, changing cubicles etc.
within this unique bay, serving to enter sea possibility
for ten months of the year, and transportation to the
center 14 km. away from province is supplied for whole
day via dolmuşes.
Kıdrak Bay at 3 km. south of Belceğiz, is
an ideal daily resting place with its dense pine trees,
clean beach and clear sea.
Faralya Sweet coastal village at the end
of Kıdrak road, is a resort place for wanderers with its
wild nature, appropriate climate, friendly people and
its attractiveness.
Kelebekler Vadisi (Butterfly
Valley) This interesting canyon, surrounded
by 350 m. high mountains, 3 - 4 miles away from Ölüdeniz
(Blue Lagoon), took its name from butterflies named "Jarsey
Tiger" seen between July and September months. Arrival
to bay, which is an earth paradise with pink oleander
flowers adorning environment and small fall flowing for
summer and winter, wide coast, clean sea, glittering
pebbles, is maintained from Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) via
ships. Camping area with tents, restaurant, bar, roof,
shower, changing cubicles, etc. possibilities are
submitted within the valley which is the meeting place
of world wanderers.
more info & photos >>>
Saklıkent (Hidden City)
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.
cont >>>
Yakapark It is an
unique refreshment place, in which unforgettable moments
can be lived within the mysteries of voices of water and
birds, formed together with wide wealth of nature with
works and creativity of human. Transportation is
maintained with a 2 km. road from Yaka Village.
Göcek It is 30 km. away
from province, and on the Fethiye - Muğla highway. Göcek,
which has an appearance of a sweet fisherman borough,
become one of the most important centers of yachting
tourism recently. It is an unique tourism heaven with
its numerous bays and islands, near ruin places and
surrounding pine grove hills besides its natural harbor.
All kinds of services can be submitted to yachting
people within marinas, and if required, they can also
accommodate within small sweet facilities, and enjoy
within fish restaurants and bars, and enliven their
holidays with daily tours and water sports.
Islands Part named by
fishermen as "Inside the Darkness", composed of islands
and Kapıdağ Peninsula, adorned numerous bays, more
beautiful than one another, is the resort place of blue
voyagers. YASSICA Islands, Hamam Bay, Kurşunlu Bay,
Yavansu, Bedri Rahmi Bay, Tersane Island, Göbün Bay,
Boynuzbükü, Göcek Island, Domuz Island, Zeytin Island,
Kızıl Island, reached via daily tours from Fethiye and
Göcek, are also named as "12 Islands" within the region
and holds the characteristic of most important
attraction area.
Oyuktepe Bays Mempaşa,
Küçük Samanlık, Büyük Samanlık, Boncuklu, kuleli
Aksazlar, Akvaryum, Turunç Pınarı etc. natural bays on
the peninsula where to big holiday village of the
province are present, is a daily promenade place to
where regional people are frequently visits.
Katrancı Bay It is 17
km. away from the city and on the Muğla Highway. Bay
covered with dense pine trees extending till to the sea
is an inside forest refreshment area, and is an ideal
camping with tents and daily promenade place in which
services like shower, WC, changing cubicles, drinking
water, buffet, arbor, car parks are submitted.
Daily (Küçük Kargı) It
is 19 km. away from the city on the Fethiye - Muğla
highway. Bay adorned with dense daily trees faced very
rarely in the world, is a camping and daily promenade
area. It is drawing attraction of every national and
foreign person with its perfect services and unique
nature in which separate beauties are exhibited during
each season of the year.
Çalış Beach Çalış,
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.
Hisarönü - Ovacık These
two typical Turkish village within Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon)
borough, have turned their these most particular
characteristics into dense accommodation, shopping and
amusement center. Ovacık and Hisarönü, which have become
the most active focus points of tourism, are holding
another importance with their being near to attraction
areas such as Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon), Babadağ, Kayaköy.
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