Fethiye, with its luxurious resorts, stunning turquoise coastlines, and rich historical sites, offers an exquisite destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure in an idyllic Mediterranean setting.

The most important town along the Turquoise coast, Fethiye occupies a prime position.  Local historic monuments bear witness to the ancient origins of the area with Lycian rock tombs carved into the hillsides, the Knights Castle that boasts magnificent views across the rooftops to the port and a Hellenistic theatre that is still undergoing archaeological exploration and excavation to note just a few.  After the earthquake of 1958 which hit the area, Fethiye today is one of the most well known holiday spots along this coastline.  The traditional market is a place to haggle, the old town is full of atmospheric spots and the glamourous marina is filled with boats and luxury yachts.  There are plenty of bars and restaurants and some great beaches in the area too.

Fethiye itself has no beach to speak of, but the promenade that runs along the harbourside is perfect for a stroll to enjoy the views either during the day or in the evenings when the lights are turned on in the bars and restaurants. The closest beach is at Calis which can easily be reached by local bus or even a water taxi across the bay and where the sand and shingle shelve gently into the azure waters. The beach is backed by bars and restaurants making it a popular choice to spend days under the Turkish sunshine. The most popular and famous beach in the area is without a doubt at Olu Deniz around 8km from Fethiye and served by a frequent dolmus (local minibus) service. The azure lagoon here that is framed by pine covered slopes on three sides and on the fourth by a spit of almost white sand and shingle is one of the most photographed images of Turkey. The natural beauty of the area has a stunning natural beauty and it’s no surprise that the area is now a popular resort in it’s own right. The promenade runs behind the beach and is also lined with bars and restaurants. Olu Deniz has, however, managed to avoid the glut of high rise developments that may have spoiled some of the other areas and remains a delightful spot where local mix with holidaymakers of multiple nationalities giving it a cosmopolitan vibe whilst remaining comparatively laid back. Part of the attraction of Olu Deniz is the huge variety of activities here. The lagoon (a protected area with a nominal entrance fee) is well sheltered for kayaking and there are a selection of watersports available from the beach – the sea in the area offering many possibilities for scuba diving (the Lykia World Diving Centre is just a few kilometres down the coast) and the mighty Mount Babadag is the launch point for the many paragliders that are regularly seen above the bay. There are a number of forested walks in the area too for those in need of a little shade and some peace and quiet along with a cable car up to the summit of Mount Babadag for those infinite views over the Turquiose coastline.

Local attractions in the area include the Amyntas Rock Tombs which are a series of burial caves carved directly out of the cliff face and were the resting place of the ancient Lycians 2500 years ago. Paspatur is the old quarter of Fethiye and is filled with narrow streets and alleyways full of traditional shops and is a great place for a wander and people watching along with seeing the ole mosque of the town. For those with an interest in the local history, it is said that Alexander the Great once spent time t the Fethiye amphitheatre which is currently undergoing excavation and archaeological exploration and dates back to Hellenistic times and could seat up to 6000 people. It’s free to visit just back from the harbour in Fethiye. Not far from Fethiya are the Tlos ruins – an ancient settlement including a roman fortress and baths all with superb views over the local countryside – it’s just a few kilometres inland from Fethiye. East of the area past the actual town of Dalaman is the famous Iztuzu beach – a 4km stretch of golden sand and crystal clear waters that has a special attraction that brings the visitors here – the beautiful loggerhead turtles that use the beach for nesting – watch out for the wooden stakes along the beach that mark nesting spots. Terfly Valley is a boat trip from Fethiye with plunging cliffs, crystal clear waters – and of course butterflies. A 40 minute dolmus from Fethiye is the ghost town of kayakoy which was abandoned almost a century ago and today is an eerie place filled with crumbling houses and churches – especially early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun paints thee ruins in wonderful shades of yellow and orange.

One of the most popular excursions in the area is the 12 islands boat trip that allows guests to admire these 12 islands that appear to float in the sea – some trips include lunch and/or watersports as well – trips are readily available from many outlets along the whole of the turquoise coastline.  Alternatively, local gulets can be hired for the day to enjoy the sea breezes on board with swimming stops as well as normally lunch on board.  For international exploration, there are numerous ferries each day from Fethiye across to the Greek island of Rhodes – passports required of course!