Along the way, apart from experiencing the true Turkish way of life, there will be many interesting places to visit, should you be so inclined. A few of these (there are far too many to mention) are as follows.
Blue Lagoon (Ölüdeniz)
Explore the Blue Lagoon (Ölüdeniz) where the calm and crystal clear water is ideal for swimming and other water sports. It is situated just a few kilometres over the hill from Fethiye town, and protected as one of the natural parks of Turkey.
Xanthos
The capital of the Lycian Federation. Xanthos is known as the place where all the inhabitants committed suicide together for peace and freedom when Persians invaded town in 546 BC.
Sir Charles Fellows first discovered Xanthos in 1838. All the reliefs and beautiful Nereid’s Monuments were taken to the British Museum in London. The ruins still standing, which are near to Kınık Village on the road from Fethiye to Kaş Town, are splendid samples of the Lycian Civilisation.
Letoon
Letoon is a holy city, dedicated to the Goddess 'Leto'. It is near to the Kumluova Village, 4 Km. from Xanthos. All the holy ceremonies were held here, with the priests of the temples of Leto, Artemis and Apollon.
Oenanda
The recently excavated city of Oenanda is located near İncealiler Village, about 88 Km. from Fethiye. British and Turkish archaeologists discovered about 300 scribed tablets of Lycian Epicurean Philosopher Dioghenes.
Gemiler Bay & Island
Following the road leading from Kaya Köyü, you end up at a beautiful beach surrounded by pine and olive trees. Gemiler bay looks out to the small Island where Byzantine ruins lie tucked among the pines. A Japanese team has carried out archaeological excavations here for 10 years.
KAYA KÖYÜ—MOSAICS OF CULTURES
Continuing on beyond the Fethiye fortress going south, climbing up to the slope some 7 km, you arrive at a magnificent lowland where Anatolian Greeks lived until 1922.
What is now known as 'Kaya Köyü', Greeks called 'Levissi'. During the exchange of Turks in Thrace with Anatolian Greeks in 1922, the town was evacuated and nobody would live in the abandoned housing. Kaya became, and still is, a “Ghost Town”.
There are 2 churches, chapels, numerous houses, schools, a library, a hospital, and other structures will be renovated soon by a project administered by The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies and The Chamber Of Turkish Architects. Post renovation, Kaya Köyü will serve as a “ Peace & Friendship Village” and be protected forever.
Butterfly Valley
Pieri Rapos, Euglapia Quadripunctia, Danaus Chtsippus and others… Butterfly Valley is at the bottom of a steep cliff and is one of the most beautiful bays around Fethiye. More than 40 different kinds of butterflies can be seen here for about 9 to 10 months of the year.
Cadianda
The ancient city of Cadianda is located just outside Üzümlü Village, about 20 Km. inland from Fethiye. There are some superb samples of Cyclops Walls, a sports complex, theatre and Heroon like temple type tombs to be seen here.
Tlos
Located 28 km. from Fethiye, Tlos is one of the oldest residential areas of Lycia. It continued to be in use right up until the 19th Century.
Tlos is known as “the sports centre” of the Lycian Federation and was reputedly the home of mythological winged horse Pegasus and his hero Bellorophonte. An acropolis, the temple type tomb of Bellorophonte, a stadium—bath complex, and theatre are some of the structures remaining from early periods of Tlos.
Pınara
The “Beauty Center” of Lycians. Pınara is on the way to Minare Village and can be reached by a short road branching off from the Fethiye—Kaş highway. Numerous simple tombs are carved ino the side of the hill. They look, from a distance, like Pigeon Holes.
Günlüklü (Küçük Kargı)
This site is valued for its Styrax trees (Liquidambar Orientalis) which are used for incense and grow only in Muğla region. Arabians used to burn Styrax during the harvesting of frankincense, as it was believed to scare away snakes. It is also run, in part, as a camp-site by the Directorate of National Parks.
Saklıkent Gorge
High in the mountains above Fethiye rushing torrents cut a narrow gorge / canyon through the mountains, creating Saklıkent Gorge. A cool refuge on hot summer days, Saklıkent Gorge is a favourite picnic spot with rustic restaurants serving delectable fresh trout.
Patara
Officially one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 5km of golden sand.
Dalyan
Caretta Caretta Turtles, Birdlife, Mudbaths and the ancient city of Kaunos (some spell it Caunos). What more can be said?
Gebeler Spa
The Gebeler Spa is a thermal spring. It contains high levels of Chlorine and sulphur and is believed to cure many ailments. The 15 metres deep spas are reportedly excellent natural remedies for rheumatism, sciatica and skin diseases.
Fethiye’s magnificent mountains and forests are mostly undeveloped, keeping nature preserved as it should be. There is an extraordinary variety of culture, flora and fauna.
For centuries nomads and semi—nomadic people have migrated annually to the fresh pastures of the higher elevations in summer.
Seki and Girdev Pastures are two of the most picturesque areas in the Taurus Mountains range. They are 80 km. from Fethiye Town centre and famed for their horses and Juniper trees. At Boğalar Village, there is also a nomad museum worth seeing.
Fethiye is surrounded by the Taurus Mountains, which are fully decorated with pine and cedar trees in addition to about 10.000 floral varieties. The ecological life of Fethiye is waiting to be explored by the people who love nature, culture and history.
From the coastline to the mountains & pastures, Fethiye is a place where different cultures have lived side by side over the centuries. Yörük (Nomads) and fishermen come together easily in a typical Fethiye picture. Folklore, folk music and dancing, handcrafts and local cuisine are all different from those you will find in other regions of Turkey.
Shopping!
I mustn't forget to mention the shopping!
Even though currencies are unstable at the moment, there are many bargains to be had shopping. From the cheap copy stuff on the markets, to high quality clothing, watches and handbags from the established, reputable shops.
Jewellery and leather goods are particularly good value for money.
You may also find it useful to be in the company of someone who lives there, particularly because this tends to lead to a lower price! However, bartering is an integral part of the Turkish shopping experience and should be enjoyed.
Some of the local handicrafts to keep an eye open for are:-
Kaya Rugs. Kaya Village rugs have been made for centuries with specific designs and colours. A special technique (and closely guarded secret) is used to make the dyes.
Dastar is a craft more seen in Üzümlü Village. Cotton is used for these scarves. They are hand made either in plain weaving or with designs in white-on-white.
Kilim. These are flat woven carpets as well as saddle bags. They are hand-made at Seydiler, Atlidere, Karaçulha and Eldirek Villages with specific designs.
Kolan. These are thin, long belts woven from wool dyed in various colours.
Having said all that, it would be remiss of me not to mention the excellent Dentistry & Opticians available here. They are absolutely state of the art, at a fraction of the UK prices!
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Sightseeing / Shopping
