Things to do

Excursions

Aphrodisias

Further afield and well worth a visit is Aphrodisias. Aprox 6 hours away from Fethiye so a car is required.

Situated on a high plateau over 600 metres above sea level, ringed by mountains and watered by the Buyuk Menderes river aphrodisias is one of the more isolated and beautifully set of Turkeys archaeological sites.

In 1959 professor Kenan Erim of New York university visited the site and noticed chunks of marble all around him. Since then excavations and restoration of the site have been carried out.

Spectacular discoveries have been brought to life such as a very well perserved theatre, a delightful little odeon, a temple of Aphrodite, a remarkably intact stadium (the only one in the world !!) with a seating capacity of 30,000 and a fine bath complex along with a bishops palace. ALL OF THIS PRIOR TO 1959 was covered !!!!!!!!!!!

Named after Aphrodite, the goddess of love, Aphrodisias was for centuries no more than a shrine, all be it an important one. It was under Roman rule that the city became very rich and prosperous and was heavily patronised by various emperors. The city was close to a quarry which produced fine pale white marble and a school of sculpture, which aquired wide spread fame, developed here. The city was also an intellectural and cultural centre and was famous as a seat of medicine and philosophy. Apart from the extensive archaeological site, there is an interesting museum housing beautiful marble sculptures retrieved from the city.

Most people forget Aphrodisias when they visit Ephesus JUST MAKE SURE YOU DONT – WE promise the journey will be worth it. .

 

Boat Trips

When you are on holiday one of the things everyone must do is go on a boat trip.For complete relaxation and absolute enjoyment I can thoroughly recommend it.You have a vast selection of boats to choose from between Olu Deniz and Fethiye.There are also different trips to go on,the most popular I think is the 12 Islands.It is an all day trip and on some islands you will find a simple restaurant,on others fragments of classical or Byzantine ruins,on others nothing but glorious peace and quiet.

The most interesting islands and mainland bays include Merdivenli (step ladder bay) which has an ancient cave cut into the side of the rock. Afrodit koyu (Cleopatra’s Bath) is an ancient ruined bath house.According to the myth,in one of the visits of Cleopatra to Anatolian coasts,her close friends decided to build a roman bath for her as a present, because they found a hot water spring in this part of the bay.

The water here was very good for the skin,with the minerals and elements it contained like Calcium,Magnesium etc. Bedri Rahmi bay was named after the Turkish artist Bedri Rahmi Pehlivanoglu,famous for his portraits of Arabic Sultans.He visited the island several times and painted a fish eye picture on the wall. Domuz Adasi (Pig Island) was so named because of the pigs that swam there. Tersane Adasi (Shipyard Island)has ruins of an ancient shipyard. Gemiler (also known as St. Nicholas) Island, once home to Lycian and Byzantine pirates. During excavations in 1990, it was discovered that the island was an important place of pilgrimage during Christianity and that the saint of the seas St Nicholas lived here.The frescoes and other ancient findings dating to Byzantian and early Christianity are worth seeing.. It is a wonderful place to swim and snorkel,and an equally wonderful place to take in a hilltop sunset with a bottle of wine

 

Butterfly Valley

Butterfly Valley is about two miles from Olu Deniz and is only accessible by sea.In this facinating valley almost all the butterfly and moth species of the Mediterranean coastal region are to be found,making it an open air natural history museum. It is surrounded by a variety of plants and herbs such as, mint ,thyme, oregano ,jasmine ,eucalyptus, anemone, mimosa. elm trees etc.

The valley is 86 acres large and surrounded by vertical rock.Until about twenty years ago Butterfly Valley was a relatively unknown and an untouched area ,and for hundreds of years the only inhabitants were the butterflies and plant life.

There still is no real access to the valley by land except for a small trail that led to villages situated at the top of the valley. This isolation helped to keep the habitat pure and intact.In the 1970’s backpackers and naturalists started to discover the valley.If you do manage to climb the valley wall there is a basic restaurant at the top which caters mainly for backpackers and anyone who wants to sleep under the stars,and also does some wonderful vegetarian meals for a couple of pound.

Dalyan

Dalyan sits on the river channel between the vast Köycegiz Lake and the Mediterranean Sea. Access to the beach is by “water boat” an idyllic 30 min. journey past the spectacular 4th century Rock Tombs,or by a 20 min.bus ride to the other end of the beach The village is in the centre of a broad delta at the head of which lies the 7 km. long sandbar called Iztuzu beach. The endangered Loggerhead Turtle has returned here for hundreds of years to lay its eggs.

The ruins of the ancient harbour town of Caunos are easily accessible and well worth exploring.It dates from 3000 BC and among the ruins is a 5000-seat theatre.Above the harbour are the 4th century BC Tombs which are like small Greek Temples carved into the rock.

Up river you can visit the mud baths or hot springs and have the ‘pleasure’ of covering yourself with sulphurous mud reputed to be good for skin and general health.Afterwards you can dive off the boat into the cooling Dalyan river for a quick swim before heading for the beach. You can also rent a boat and spend the day cruising around the lake.

The Dalyan area has now been designated a nature reserve by the Turkish government. Dalyan’s wide beach is a sanctuary for the loggerhead sea turtle and some 120 species of birds. Colonies of storks are just one of the hundreds of species of birds that frequent the Dalyan delta throughout the year

As Dalyan means “fishery” in Turkish, fishing comprises a large sector in the local economy. Grey mullet spawn in Lake Koycegiz, their progress downriver providing the villagers of Dalyan with an important food source

 

Ephesus

Ephesus (Efes) is close to the town of Selcuk about an hour drive south of Izmir. Kusadasi is the nearest larger town, about 20km from Ephesus. You can do this two day tour from Hisaronu which takes in Pamukkali as well. If you are interested in the history of this country and of the Romans, this trip is a must and I would recommend it.

Let your imagination run wild as you tread the paths of the Roman debauchers on their way to the brothel or to take a bath. Marvel at the culture that must have flourished when you visit the library and the amphitheater! This place represents so many different facets of Ancient Greek and Roman culture that one wonders how the Dark Ages ever came upon Europe. Look for the footprint carved into the street marble to show the way to the brothel! View the magnificence of the Baths of Skolasticia and admire the ingenuity of the heating system which fed a swimming pool, hot bath (caldarium) and warm bath (tepidarium) and cold bath (frigidarium).

See the breathtaking Library of Celsus whose façade has been carefully reconstructed from all original pieces, was built around 125 B.C.by Gaius Julius Aquila in memory of his father, and once held nearly 12,000 scrolls.9 steps take you up to the salon of the library where you will see the niches in the walls where books were kept and the remains of low Ionian pillars that supported the reading tables. At the back of the library you can climb down the stairs and follow the winding narrow corridor to the tomb containing the beautiful white marble sarcophagus of Celsus.
Perhaps the greatest spectacle of all Ephesus –The Great Theatre – continuously excavated year by year and which would have been capable of holding 25,000 spectators. It was, like all ancient theatres, open to the sky; it was used initially for drama, but during later Roman times gladiatorial combats were also held on its stage. The Great theatre at Ephesus was the site of an Elton John concert on July 17, 2001.
It is a vast site, not yet completely excavated but what is visible gives some idea of its original splendour and the names associated with it are evocative of its former life. The theatre is huge and in a very outstanding position which dominates the view down Harbour Street leading to the harbour, long since silted up.

Pamukkali

Pamukkale is an extraordinary natural wonder. The calceous waters come out of the ground at a temperature of 35 centigrade degrees and tumble down the mountain side from a height of 100 meters, forming a myriad of pools. Cotton-coloured stalactites are formed as the water overflows the pools creating a breath-taking sight, unequalled in the worls. Water is the sole architect of this gleaming fairy-castle resembling cotton-or snow, hence its name “cotton castle”. In this wonderland are hot springs in abundance which are recommended for the treatment of heart diseases, circulatory problems, high blood presure, nervous disorders, rheumatism, and eye and skin diseases. In ancient times Pamukkale was a famous spa called Hierapolis. The springs were just as popular then as they are now for their reputedly health-inducing properties

Fethiye

Previously know as Telmessos dating back to the third century BC. Name changed to Fethiye after one of the first Turkish pilots called Fethi Bey crashed on his way back from Damascus. There are 84 residential districts in Fethiye with a central administration, 12 towns and 77 villages and it covers an area of 3059 square kilometres. Once a minor market town and fishing village, in recent years it has become a thriving tourist centre due to the growing popularity of nearby olu Deniz. The whole town is surrounded by the toros mountain range. The town was once a great Lycian city and traces of the ancient settlement can be seen about the town. These include the awesome rock tombs on the face of the cliff, Tomb of Amyntas and several sarcophagi such as the one next to the town hall. The remains of a castle which it is believed to have been built by the Knights of St John occupy the hill at the back of the town.

The area itself has witnessed two major earthquakes one in 1857 and one in 1957. The town took a battering and destroyed all buildings bar two. The Turkish Bath (Hamam) and the old mosque (cami) both of which are situated in the centre of the old town and well worth a visit.

Since the main source of income is from tourism, there are no significant industrial undertakings in this area however since 54 percent of the whole region is covered with forests there is sufficient flora to produce pine honey and at any one time there are 75 – 80 thousand beehives in the region with a yearly production of 1596 tons of honey (THATS ALOT OF BEES!!) There are also over 210 licensed fishing boats and 395 licensed fishermen in Fethiye producing approximately 120 tons of seafoods per annum. There are also 22,000 cattle and 100,000 sheep and goats in the region, which produce an annual yield of 70,000 tons of milk, 450 tons of meat and 25 million eggs!!!! The economy of Fethiye is dependent on agriculture and tourism in that order.

Local dishes to try – Keskek, Bulgur Pilavi, Etli kuru fasulye, Etli nohut and hosaf.

Fethiye is an ideal touristic centre with its natural resources of extraordinary beauty as well as with its historical sites of prominent archaeological wealth. The length of the shoreline is 167 kms and there are 180 bays within the boundaries of the town. There are also many monuments dotted around the town however clearly the one most admired is the memorial monument for soldiers from Fethiye lost in combat. It was erected in 2001 and is dedicated to all the Fethiye people. While the main theme of the monument is all those who lost their lives in combat, the emphasis is on the terrorist events of 1980 and subsequent years. It is 18 meters high and can be seen from every point in the city as well as from the bay.

Along with all the shops restaurants and cafes in the main tourist town I would advise you to visit some of the sites I have mentioned above.

 

Gocek

With a large natural harbour Gocek has grown up to cater to the needs of yachtsmen. One of the pleasures of a visit here is a stroll around the Marina to admire the array of boats of all shapes and sizes moored here. The waterfront is lined with bars and restaurants. Inland life revolves around the pretty market square which is lined with little shops selling antiques and crafts as well as the more usual carpets.

Göcek is a quiter harbour resort and for many years now it has been a favourite spot for the rich and famous.Situated in an enclosed valley and backed by steep pine clad mountains,Gocek
is a former mining and fishing village and if its peace and tranquility you are looking for then Göcek is for you. It is a very picturesque resort with a mountain backdrop and is still relatively unspoilt.It is a centre for marine sailing holidays and the physical limitations of Gocek’s situation have retained the village’s tranquil and rural atmosphere,but still providing all the facilities to support the growing number of visiting and residential yachts and land based tourists.

The main Dalaman/Fethyie road runs through Göcek where you will find grocery stores to cater for your basic needs or Fethiye is only 20 minutes away if you want to go on a shopping spree. Sunday brings colourful traders and farmers from the hinterland for the once weekly market, a noisy and bustling time in the sleepy hollow behind the village.

There are a few bars located on the harbour making it an ideal place to go to have a quiet drink in peaceful and panoramic surroundings.It is a nice place to visit if you want a couple of quiet hours to yourself.

Kaya

Kaya Village or Ghost town as it is more recently known is one of the nearest to Fethiye and is noteworthy by its historical significance as well as its beautiful natural surroundings of the sea, forests, plains and hills. Kaya means rock and the name is derived from the rocky land on which it was built under the Turkish regime. Surrounded by forests and leaning against rocky hills, backed by the sea and facing the fertile plains this district has attracted many civilizations throughout history. The first dates back to the fourth century BC. It has gone through the Lucian, Roman, Byzanthian and the Ottoman periods.

The first thing you are likely to see are the ruins of the Greek town. As the Turkish war of independence ended with a victory for the Turks, an emnity grew between them and the Greeks fighting on the Anatolian soil and the Greek communities who for centuries had lived happily side by side and in friendship with them as neighbours. An exchange agreement was signed between the Turkish and Greek administration and the Greek orthodox population of Levissi (as Kaya was originally known) were sent back to Greece while the Turks living in Greece were sent back here. Levissi was vacated in line with the stipulations of the agreement of the Turkish – Greek population exchange on the 30th June 1923. When the Turks arrived they could not settle in the village and moved down to the plains. Thus the appearance of a ghost town. There are still two churches standing and are worth a visit.The main one the Panayia Piryiotissa Basilica still has murals,mosaic floors and marble alter screens.Just outside the church is a small building containing human bones.When the Greeks were leaving they exhumed and took the skulls of their ancestors away with them. Both the upper and lower churches are believed to have been built around the early Byzantine period around 1883.

The significant silhouette of Kaya village is composed of approx 1,000 houses, 2 large churches, 14 chapels, 2 schools, that have survived in a partly demolished state to this day! The houses are built on the slopes and do not overshadow each other which shows attractive samples of the local architecture of that time. Local skilled workmen built all these houses and cisterns to collect rain provided water. There is even a monastery (Afkula Monastery) to the west of the village aprox 3 km.

Kaya has been declared a historical monument and I would advise you not to miss this on your visit to this area! It is a must

Patara

Patara is 14.2 kms/9miles long [the longest beach in the Mediterranean] of child-friendly shore – medium grain sand – backed only by ancient ruins and swooping dunes – with no buildings visible save a small café at one end. It is 50 miles from Fethiye.
Loungers and umbrellas available for rent but no watersports or camping. The area is inexpensive and there’s a limited selection of low-key accommodation in nearby Patara town, with beach commuter transport or a longish walk. However there is so much more to Patara then just a beach.

The ancient city of Patara was the birthplace of Santa Claus !! The 4th century Byzantine bishop who was later canonised as St Nicholas was infact a Patara native.

There are a couple of restaurants and sun shades for hire, it is a wonderful day out but be prepared as it is unusually windy and hot.

At a distance of aprox 70 km from Fethiye you will need a car or jeep however the sites to see (not just the beach) are well worth it.Recent excavations of the ancient city revealed that the city existed in the 5th century BC.

There are monumental LYCIAN tombs to see along with the arch of Triumph in three sections, a Roman sarcophagus, the ruins of the hurmalik Bath, the Byzanthian fortress, the Corynthian temple, a Byzanthian church, the theatre and on and on. Take your camera because you are going to need it.

Saklikent

Saklikent Gorge (“Hidden City”) is the longest and deepest gorge in Turkey – 18 km long and so steep and narrow that the sun does not penetrate the water, leaving it deliciously icy-cold in the summer. Once inside, water-sculpted limestone canyon walls soar above you.

Saklikent Gorge is a beautiful place and a great place to explore. Be sure to bring submersible shoes as you will sometimes be walking in shallow water or mud.

Plastic shoes can also be rented outside of the gorge. The gorge is approached along a long wooden boardwalk above the river. Once inside, you reach the Ulupinar springs where water bubbles up under great force from the base of the cliffs and you wade across the river into the gorge proper to begin your walk.

The walk is easy for four km, after that a rock slide blocks the passage for all except rock climbers.Outside of the gorge there is river tubing in the Saklikent River or enjoy an icy dip.

Tlos

“Tomb of Bellerophon“

The most interesting tomb of Tlos, a large temple-type tomb featuring a relief of the legendary (from Greek myth) hero Bellerophon riding Pegasus the winged horse. Punished by the Lycian king Iobates for an improper love affair, Bellerophon was sent to kill the Chimaera, a fire-breathing monster. With the aid of Pegasus, a gift from Athena, Bellerophon slew the monster from the air and then married the king’s daughter. From their offspring came the later rulers of Lycia. Today the Chimaera continues to exist as a perpetually burning fire in eastern Lycia near Olympos.

Castle of “Bloody Chief Ali

Crowning the top of Tlos’ acropolis is the castle of this notorious Turkish lord, built upon the foundations of a Lycian fortress. The view from the top is spectacular – it overlooks a lovely valley of fertile fields and orchards with mountains rising in the distance.

Byzantine Basilica

Remains of a Roman gymnasium and bath converted into a Byzantine basilica. Inside is the “Yedi Kapı” ( “Seven Gates”) – a dramatic set of seven arches overlooking a lush valley.

This is not only a cultural trip but a chance to experience breathtaking scenery.

At lunch visit Yakapark trout farm where you can choose you own trout for lunch alongside delicious traditional Turkish mezes.

Xanthos

At a distance of 55 km from Fethiye you are going to need a car or jeep however this is another one not to miss.

Xanthos was the capital of Lycia !! Set in a beautiful location above the Esencay river. Many of the tombs and relics (including the Harpy and other inscribed tombs) are now in the BRITISH MUSEUM due to Sir Charles Fellows carrying off the greater part of its moveable art works in the 18th century.

The Lycians were a fiercely independent race, believed to have been of Cretan origin. They settled and defended the wide peninsula between Antalya and Dalaman around 1400 BC. They had their own language, inscriptions of which are still to be found and as yet still not fully understood !!!

When the persians beseiged the city of Xanthos in about 540 BC rather than surrender the men burnt their families and belongings before fighting to their death ! Only 80 families in the summer pastures in the moutains survived. Again in 42BC when Brutus laid siege to the city, there was a mass suicide and only 150 Xanthians serviving. What remains however is spectacular and not to be missed, most notably the mosaic floors and theatre.

This site is really for those who wish to see ancient ruins at its best – NOT TO BE MISSED

Excursions 

welcome to paragliding

BabaDag Mountain at Olu Deniz is one of the best locations in the world for paragliding, a sport similar to parachuting.Olu Deniz is the first place in Turkey where paragliding took place and is one of the world’s important paragliding hubs.Beginners can try a tandem jump, firmly strapped to their instructors. Take off is at the top of the 6,600 ft mountain and you then glide slowly on your parachute ‘wing’ to the golden sands of Olu Deniz below. The instructor is able to control the descent precisely and will make the best of the air currents to give you an experience of a lifetime.

THE FLIGHT ………………Oludeniz is a dream location, arguably the highest fly down from any paragliding site. The launch area at 6000 ft is a gentle slope where you and youre pilot are harnessed together and your glider is laid out behind you ready for take off. When the conditions are right you will both run until the glider inflates above your head and gently lifts you off the ground…

You’re Airborne. Now you can sit back and enjoy the thrill of soaring with the birds above the beatifull bay of Oludeniz. Fethiye,Kelebekler Valley,Olu deniz,Patara Beach,Dalaman and even Rhodes can be seen during the flight, so take your camera to record the experience of a lifetime which will last at least 35-40 minutes.The landing is as smooth as take off, the pilot flaires the canopy and you touch down with a little forward motion. The flight season is between April and October

 

 

welcome to scuba diving

Scuba Experience in the Swimming Pool: This is by far the easiest and safest way to try scuba diving for the first time.It involves spending up to 2 hours in a swimming pool where you will learn all the important skills required for a Scuba experience in the open sea.

This option is for those who may feel a little uneasy or apprehensive about Scuba Diving.It’s also a great way to have some fun in the safety of a swimming pool,and can be arranged anytime to suit your requirements.

When you have decided to take up the Scuba Diving challenge,you will join your boat in Fethiye and proceed to the diving area.You will be given a talk by the divers on board who will explain to you exactly what will be happening and also explain safety features to you.Normally dives take place just off one of the islands,and are in water no deeper than 10m.

You do one dive in the morning then have some lunch,then another in the afternoon. Scuba Diving in the sea is a fantastic experience and one which should’nt be missed. Family or friends who don’t want to dive are also welcome to go on the boat,which also helps to make it a fun and relaxing day out for everyone

.At the end of the day back in Fethiye you will be given a diving certificate and you can collect your photographs (which will be taken on your dive).