Fethiye Attractions
Southwest coast (Mediterranean)
The port of Fethiye, chief town of its district, lies on the Lycian coast some 150km/95mi southeast of the provincial capital of Mugla. The gulf, dotted with numerous islets, is closed by the little island known since 1936 as Cavaliere, the Island of Knights. The town, previously called Megri or Makri, was renamed Fethiye when Turkey became a republic, in honor of an airman, Fethi Bey, who crashed here. It was devasted by an earthquake in 1856, and after a further earthquake in 1957 much of it had to be rebuilt. As a result it is now a modern town with a long seafront promenade and a lively bazaar. In recent years, thanks to its sheltered boating harbor and many beautiful beaches Fethiye has developed into a flourishing holiday resort served by the regional airport of Dalaman (ca. 50km/30mi northwest).
The port of Fethiye, chief town of its district, lies on the Lycian coast some 150km/95mi southeast of the provincial capital of Mugla. The gulf, dotted with numerous islets, is closed by the little island known since 1936 as Cavaliere, the Island of Knights. The town, previously called Megri or Makri, was renamed Fethiye when Turkey became a republic, in honor of an airman, Fethi Bey, who crashed here. It was devasted by an earthquake in 1856, and after a further earthquake in 1957 much of it had to be rebuilt. As a result it is now a modern town with a long seafront promenade and a lively bazaar. In recent years, thanks to its sheltered boating harbor and many beautiful beaches Fethiye has developed into a flourishing holiday resort served by the regional airport of Dalaman (ca. 50km/30mi northwest).
Ölüdeniz
Of the many charming bathing-places in the surrounding area the sheltered coastal lagoon of Ölüdeniz (Dead Sea) in Belcegiz Bay (15km/9mi south of Fethiye as the crow flies) is undoubtedly the finest, with beaches of fine sand in an idyllic setting of coastal hills (conservation area). The growth in tourism has seen this part of the coast become somewhat overdeveloped in places.
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Kaya (Levissi)
Earthquakes and disasters have left this once thriving town with a very small population. It was once the site of ancient Carmylessus, and an early 12th C settlement.
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Nereid Monument (City walls)
(Xanthos)
The temple known as the Nereid Monument, and the 3rd C B.C. city walls are two of the main tourist attractions.
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Patara, Turkey
(Near Fethiye)
The ancient city of Patara contains a well preserved theater and nearby Roman and Lycian necropolis.
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Tlos
East of Fethiye are the remains of ancient Tlos, where a Turkish castle stands on the site of the acropolis. Walls, houses, and other buildings from Lycian, Roman, and Byzantine times can also be seen.
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Xanthos
Among the highlights of the Xanthos ruins are the pillar tombs, dating to between the 6th and 4th C B.C.
Pinara
Pinara, in the hills above the Esen Ovasi southeast of Fethiye, is the site of an exceptionally interesting Lycian necropolis, a honeycomb of more than 900 rock tombs and monolithic house tombs. So inaccessible was the site that the tomb-builders had to be lowered on stages secured with ropes. The monolithic Royal Tomb (with an urban scene in relief inside) is particularly noteworthy, this type of tomb being rare in Lycia.
Saklikent
About 10km/6mi south of Tlos, a large tributary stream of the Koca Çay emerges from a narrow ravine cut deeply into the karst mountains of the Ak Daglari (karst springs, fish restaurants).
Sidyma, Turkey
(Near Fethiye)
Interesting tombs are found at ancient Sidyma (lower city at 500m/1,641ft, acropolis, with small theater, at 820m/2,690ft). The site is about 15km/9mi southwest of Esen, near the village of Hisar (gravel road).
