FETHIYE and the Reasons to Love it

FETHIYE and the Reasons to Love it
28 June 2021

Fethiye is found on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and over the years has become the permanent home to many British expats and foreigners.

The well known Guardian newspaper named Fethiye a tourist hotspot of the world.

Fethiye is quite a large region with many smaller resorts including Calis Beach, Oludeniz, Kayakoy, Hisaronu and lots of quaint little villages.

The Fethiye region has so many naturally beautiful landmarks, places like Butterfly Valley (Kelebek Vadisi), Saklikent Gorge and Kayakoy Ghost Village, to name just a few. The entire stretch of coastline has wonderful historical sites and high up on the side of many of the mountains carved into the rock you can see the Lycian Rock Tombs.

If it’s adrenaline you’re after, you can paraglide off the Babadag Mountain either solo or with a professional.

The small resort of Oludeniz is a little piece of paradise where you will find the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon, long stretches of beach, stunning surrounding views of the mountains covered in Pine trees and up to 20 paragliders circling above your head.

In the center of Fethiye is the famous fish market with a must experience atmosphere. Here you can enjoy a meal with the fish you chose in one of the many restaurants. There are also a variety of shops and stalls. In the evening the atmosphere is fantastic with live Turkish music and lots of locals and foreigners all coming together and enjoying their evening.

The ghost village of Kayakoy is stunning and a big attraction in the region for hikers and explorers. This village was previously occupied by Greeks and Turks but got abandoned suddenly due to the population change in 1923. It’s now a UNESCO friendly village.

Butterful Valley (Kelebek Vadisi) is a place of natural beauty, a valley set between the mountains and with very picturesque scenery. There are many different species of butterflies found here due to the rich flora and fauna. The butterfly valley is only accessible by water so it’s best to take one of the boat taxis that run from Oludeniz.

The marina in Fethiye is also a place to visit. There are some spectacular boats moored here and lots of different boat tours to choose from with trips to the 12 islands. You can enjoy a stroll from Karagozler all the way to Calis along the promenade. Many restaurants, bars and ice cream parlors can be found along this stretch. The sunset is also magical.

Fethiye’s Old Town has many interesting shops to be found. You can find Ottoman style lamps hanging from the ceiling, souvenirs and plenty of homemade arts and craft items. Paspatur has many boutique style clothing shops, jewellery shops and cafes and bars.

If it’s hiking that you are into the epic Lycian Way is found in Fethiye and boasts some of the most picturesque views and trails.

The beaches in Fethiye are second to none. The crystal clear, turquoise and deadly still waters are magnificent with lots of wildlife. The Caretta- Caretta turtles can be seen swimming through the waters in the Blue Lagoon, often bobbing their heads out the water.

Although most think of Fethiye as a sun filled destination, just a short drive during the winter months takes you up to a winter wonderland, deep within the snowy mountains.

The weekly markets in Fethiye are a favorite with locals and expats alike to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables, spices, nuts, honey, lots of homemade products and fake designer items like clothing, bags and accessories. The Calis market is the favorite and is held every Sunday with the Fethiye market held on a Tuesday. There is also another market in Fethiye on Fridays but extensively smaller.

Keep a look out for the Caretta- Caretta turtles that nest in the Fethiye region. The turtles are one of the oldest animals on the planet, for around 100 million years or so. They are also endangered. Fortunately, dedicated Fethiye volunteers are helping to improve the turtles chances of survival by keeping the beaches clean and making sure hatching areas are safe.

You can escape to the paradise Sovalye Island. Just a short ride on the water taxi and you will find yourself away from all the hustle and bustle. Sovalye Island has no roads, meaning no cars so this island is a peaceful getaway. You can kayak round the island with the ancient sunken Lycian ruins below you. This place is beautiful and idyllic with just residential buildings, one boutique hotel and two restaurants. Stroll through the Carob and Pine tree covered trails and enjoy the nature and stunning sea views.

You can also visit the pioneering pilot statue in the town. In 1934 Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk declared the town, formally known as ‘Makri’, would be named Fethiye, after the brave Ottoman airforce pilot Captain Fethi Bey. Fethi was one of the forces first pilots, but sadly died when he crashed over Damascus.

The expats in Fethiye are a real community. They open charity shops, have craft fairs, have Christmas parties and do lots to help the stray cats and dogs in Fethiye by holding raffles and quiz nights. One in ten residents in Fethiye is a foreigner so it’s a great way to make friends and be involved in a community.

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