Fethiye is an attractive resort on Turkey’s turquoise coast, so named because of the startlingly blue colour of the Mediterranean Sea. Seventy kilometres from Dalaman Airport, it has a transfer time of ninety minutes. Fethiye has had a long and turbulent history and there is evidence of this in its ancient ruins, even though much of the town had to be rebuilt after the devastation of the earthquake in 1957. The town looks out across an island strewn bay towards Calis, a popular beach resort. Although the town has many tourists it remains essentially a working port, in a rural setting, with a very traditional character.
A Fethiye holiday offer a lively base from which to explore this interesting area with its many historical sites, its beaches and coves, its islands and its protected nature reserves. Although much of the modern town was destroyed in the 1957 earthquake, many of the historical buildings survived and are popular tourist attractions.
A Fethiye holiday caters for a wide range of interests and tastes. Although it is only a short water taxi to the beach at Calis, families with young children would probably prefer to be closer to the sand and sea. Couples of all ages will appreciate the traditional atmosphere of the town and its relaxed nightlife.
The Fethiye holiday season lasts from early spring until late autumn when the temperature range is from the twenties to the high thirties. Although the summer period is the most popular, spring and autumn are good times to visit historical sites when the days are cooler.
The small port of Fethiye was the site of ancient Telmessos and although much of the town was destroyed in 1957 the ruins of the amphitheatre and the Lycian rock tombs survived, as did the medieval fortress that towers over the port. Fethiye is a lively town with many bars, cafes and restaurants providing a range of menu that caters for all tastes. The old town, with its narrow cobbled streets has shops galore and Fethiye’s bazaar is the largest in the area. Here you can practise your bartering and haggling skills as you search for holiday mementoes.
Although Fethiye does not have a beach of its own, the popular resort of Calis is only a few minutes across the bay and can be reached by water taxi or by bus. The beach there is sand and shingle and offers a variety of water sports. The best beach is twelve kilometres away in Olu Deniz with its famous blue lagoon.
Sightseeing excursions leave from the harbour and these include a tour of the islands that are scattered in the bay, trips to the turtle beach at Dalyan, and tours along the beautiful Mediterranean coast and to the Greek islands of Kos and Rhodes. Snorkelling and diving trips are also available.
A Fethiye holiday offers a relaxing break in a traditional town with a range of recreational facilities that cater for a wide range of interests.
Fethiye has many bars and restaurants where you can while away the evening over drinks and a meal. The old town has some lively bars with music and there are one or two discos near the harbour. For really lively evenings take a trip to Hisaronu which is ten kilometres south east of the town.
Fethiye has some charming shops in the narrow streets of the old town where window shopping is a pleasure. Paspatur has pedestrianised streets with many specialist shops, among them some fine jewellers. Each Tuesday there is a large market where you can hone your bartering skills in you search for gifts and souvenirs at bargain prices.
Fethiye has a wide range of restaurants catering for all tastes. There are fast food outlets and cafes serving English style food to accommodate the less adventurous palate. Being a coastal town, fish features prominently on menus particularly down by the harbour. There are many excellent restaurants in the old town serving traditional as well as international cuisine. Turkish food is very tasty and includes stuffed peppers, aubergines and vine leaves, clay-pot casseroles, kebabs and of course feta cheese, olive and tomato salads. Borek are puff pastry pies filled with meat, cheese or potatoes that make delicious snacks. Rice dishes are also popular. If you wish to sample local cuisine, try a plate of meze, the Turkish equivalent of Greek Tapas, where you are given small portions of a variety of dishes.
Apart from strong black coffee, the national drink of Turkey is ‘raki’, an aniseed and liquorice flavoured alcohol.
Children are always given a warm welcome even in the more exclusive restaurants.
