FETHİYE

Fethiye, one of the oldest cities on the Lycian Gulf, is a favourite among the towns of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. The town is on a secluded bay which forms a natural marina, dotted with islands. The marina is home to fishing boats, private and rental boats of all sizes, and is a stopping-off place for tour boats. In the summer, there is a 90 minute ferry service to the island of Rhodes.

The heart of the town, which is now spreading out to east and west, is a typical Aegean seaside village. The narrow winding streets of the old quarter open out onto tiny squares where there are masses of shops, cafes and restaurants, all open till after midnight, selling every kind of food from freshly caught fish to kebab, and from pizza to world cuisine.

The weekly Fethiye market is definitely worth visiting to get some shopping bargains. This visit will mean a meandering walk through the stalls selling everything you can think of in the way of gift items, attractive cottons, leather goods, hand-woven fabrics, perfumes, shoes, spices, plants, vegetables and fruit, and even table cloths and quilts.

Sunset and evening are perfect times to take a walk along the marina, stopping to sip a Turkish coffee or a beer in one of the street cafes.

Fethiye is also heaven for anyone with an interest in history.

The mysteries of the gods of ancient mythology still linger in the remote caves and bays of the Gulf of Fethiye. Above the town stands Telmessos, site of countless Lycian stone tombs surrounded by temples and sepulchres. Xanthos, the ancient capital of Lycia, is just 55 km from Fethiye. There, in the Letoon district, the sacred heart of Lycia, there is a temple dedicated to the local goddess Leto, as well as temples of the more familiar deities Apollo and Artemis.

The myths say that Apollo was born in Patara, the main port of Lycia, to the south of Xanthos and Letoon. You can find magical remains of ancient civilisations everywhere in this region, which is also known for the hospitality and cheerful friendliness of its people.

WEATHER

TRANSPORT DETAILS

Nearest airport

Dalaman (approximately 55 km from Fethiye)

Distances to other population centres

Ölüdeniz (22 km)
Patara (60 km)
Dalyan (80 km)
Kaş (135 km)
Marmaris (150 km)
Datça (213 km)
Antalya (230 km)