FETHIYE

GENERAL INFO

Fethiye is in city in Lycia region that lies on the Mediterranean Sea. It is tourist town and almost obligatory spot for turkey tours. Fethiye has great port and decent night life for those into it. City is also great starting spot for daily sightseeing tours to sites located deeper in country.

Fethiye is most likely the single town where you can see sarcophagus on the city street. These artefacts date from Lycian ruling of the region, and they look simply amazing in the evening, under the city lights.

Fethiye is city that is not large during winter, but its size rises significantly in the other parts of the year, when people from other parts of Turkey arrive here to spend holidays.

In ancient times city was first called Telmesos, and there are little historical information from that period. Originally it was not part of Lycia as it was first believed, but Pericles subordinated it to Lycia.

Fethiye is relaxed seasde city located on the hillside of Mendos mountain, that is part of Tourus mountain chain that surrounds bay which was named after it.

Remains of ancient city are visible everywhere-remember just mentioned sarcophagus on the city streets! Another city attraction worth visiting on daily sightseeing tours are tombs located deep in the caves near the city-most famous one is Amyntas cave. Dry, long and hot summers, and short, worm and rainy winters are climatic traits of Fethiye. Temperature rises to 40 degree Celsisus during summer, and doesn’t fall under 10 degrees celsius during winter. However, swimming in the sea is possible for even 9 months in the year, because sea temperature doesn’t fall under 16 degrees celsius. It is justified that it is said that in Fethiye there are only two seasons: spring and summer-and this is one of most important city virtues.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IN FETHIYE

Fethiye offers wide variety of activities. One can chose usual beach activities: swimming, diving, canuing, paragliding and similar; then there is climbing. Fethiye is starting point of Lycian trail that is 500 kilometers long and leads to Antalyia. One can enjoy in shoping during market day on Tuesday. And of course for many turkey tours, there are always charter jachting on Aegean Sea.

City is known for paragliding possibilities. You start from the mountain Baba Dag and finish on the beach, after riding over Oludeniz. Numerous paragliding schools in the are offer beginner’s courses, and for those who need more assurance, one can choose flight with an instructor.
Other sport activities include rafting, and this will be most enjoyable on the river Dalaman.

Calis is located 5 kilometers from Fethiye. While on turkey guided tour there, you can enjoy in souvenir shops or other shops that offer wide variety of goods, most famous and numerous ones being leather products (jackets, bags, etc.). For those who just want to relax, there is eautiful Calis beach.

Oludeniz or Blue Lagoon is one of the most beautiful lagoon of the region. It is located 15 kilometers from the city.Remarkably clear water and beautiful beaches are ideal for snorkeling and other water sports, since water temperature doesn’t fall below 19 degrees celsius even during winter. Oludeniz has been declared as one of protected natural values of Turkey. It is popular snorkeling location because there are really numerous beauties to see under water: turtles, dolphins, tuna, cuttlefish… You can go for Oludeniz from Fethiye any time: minibus goes there till late in the night. You will have to pay entrance to lagoon-around 1 euro-and this will give you opportunity to swim on one of two most beautiful beaches of region, Belcenkiz and Kidrak. Both of them serve as landing point for paragliders.

Valley of butterflies is most beautiful Fethiye bay. It got name after enormous number of colorful butterflies that inhabit bay (over 30 different species), most of tem in season in period from june to september.

Gebelar termal spring is located 35 kilometers from Fethiye and it is famous for its mineral healthy water, which temperature is between 36 and 38 degrees celsius.

Near Fethiye is Kaya Koyu, informally called Village of Ghosts, or Levissi. It has been named by orthodox Greek who inhabited it after 18th century, but where expatriated in 1923, and village has since been empty. Over 400 abandoned cottages now in ruins are creepy image, which is complemented by Panayia Pyrgiotissa church most important of three existing churches in village.

In center of Fethiye there is city museum that is interesting for turkey guided tours because it has Stela from letoon with text on three languages that contributed to decoding lycian language.

SHOPING IN FETHIYE

You will enjoy shoping experience in bazaar near Cars Caddesi. Make sure to investigate thoroughly before buying turkish rug. Original turkish carpets are becoming less available, being slowly replaced by sheap chinese copies. Also, have in mind that original antiques can not be exported from Turkey.

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK IN FETHIYE

If you eat out in one of city resturant, make sure to carefully check the bill before paying, because often happens mistake in charging, and you can pay for food you didn’t order.

Pasha Kebab restaurant has excellent selection of meat but also vegetarian menu.

Fish market in  town center is surrounded with smaller restaurants that will prepare for you fish you buy on market the way you want it. Refreshing drink worth trying is ayran, made from yoghurt, that is even better-tasting when cold.

If you want to taste some of traditional local foods, choose sac boregi (meat pie), keskes (porridge made of chicken meat and wheat).

NIGHTLIFE IN FETHIYE

Nightlife in Fethiye is relatively active. You can choose any of bars or cafes on the line from Ataturk caddesi to Carsi caddesi, all of them working to late night.

ACCOMODATION IN FETHIYE

For those looking for more luxurious accomodation, there is Hillside Beach Club. It is known for innovative approach for tourist accomodation, who can create their own schedule, choosing to relax all day long, or to use all that Club has to offer (and that is indeed a lot).

On the other side, there is Yildirim Guest House, located near marina, where one night will cost only 15 turkish liras, with only small addition for double or triple room. In this price you also get breakfast, and all rooms have bathroom, TV and free internet. Only problem is that sometimes there is no hot water.