Bodrum Castle
This castle was built from 1402 onwards by the knights of St John. It has four towers known as the English, French, German and Italian towers. The castle was completed in the late 15th century and was taken over by the Islamic Ottoman Empire in 1523. The castle remained under the empire for almost 400 years. The chapel was converted into a mosque, and a minaret was added. It remained empty at the end of the World War I, and in the early 1960’s the castle became the home to the award winning Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology. It has collections of ancient glass, bronze, clay and iron artifacts. Two ancient shipwrecks have been reconstructed and a garden is home to most species of plants and trees found in the Mediterranean region.
Babadag Mountain
Babadag Mountain represents one of Turkey’s most popular paragliding spots. It has stunning scenery and views over Oludeniz and the Blue Lagoon. Babadag is part of the Taurus Mountain and translates to ‘Father Mountain’.
Babadag is made up of two peaks that have a flood valley between them. The highest peak is 1969 meters tall whilst the other is 1400 meters.
The mountain slopes are covered with thick Pine and Cedar forests. Rural villages sit at its feet and an ancient Lycian road curves round its side.
Babadag Mountain has a couple of restaurants and viewpoints.
The drive up the mountain can be challenging or you can take the new cable car that has recently opened in June 2021, for a more relaxing ride to the top.
It can get quite chilly at the summit so a sweater or jacket is recommended.
Sedir Island
Sedir Island is located in Marmaris, and legend has it that the island was a meeting place for the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and her lover.
This island has silky white sand that is said to have been a gift from Eygpt to Cleopatra from her lover.
The sand is made from tiny seashells and took millions of years to form. The beach has become a conservation site. The shore is covered with Pine trees and you will find ancient ruins such as an amphitheatre, Byzantine city walls and a temple.
Butterfly Valley
Butterfly Valley is located in Fethiye and is a natural and peaceful oasis. The valley is hidden between the ocean and Babadag Mountain and surrounded by steep cliffs.
This nature spot is untouched and is home to hundreds of species of butterflies. There are a couple of small waterfalls to be found nearby and the only way to the valley is by boat. The location has become popular for swimming and scuba diving. This beautiful location is rich in flora and fauna and is a place of ecotourism.
Gemiler Island in Gocek
This island is covered with ancient Lycian Ruins that still contain some mosaics and leftovers of four Byzantian churches.
This island is also known as St Nicholas Island and is one of the locations that Christianity started from.
The terrain can be very rocky and with steep inclines so walking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. If you brave it to the top, the views are spectacular so don’t forget your camera.
The Letoon Ancient Theatre
Letoon was dedicated to the three national dailies of Lycia-Leto, Apollo and Artemis.
Letoon is found between Kas and Fethiye, about 4km south of Xanthos and was a very important religious centre of the Lycian region. This theatre belonged to the early Christian era and archeological studies also found leftover ruins of churches.
Kayakoy
This village is located in Fethiye and consists of a collection of Greek-style homes and churches that cover the mountainside.
It was built in the 1700’s and abandoned after a population exchange in 1923.
Many come to hike or explore the ruins left behind and there are restaurants nearby offering fantastic views of the ghost town. This location is simply breathtaking yet has an eerie feel. It is deserted and lifeless with the houses crumbling and the streets empty, but there is an overwhelming presence here of the life that once was.
Nowadays Kayakoy is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Fethiye with UNESCO naming Kayakoy a world friendship and peace village.
Xanthos Ancient Theatre
Xanthos is located in the hills above Esen Ovasi just southeast of Fethiye. This magnificent site contains over 900 rick tombs and monolithic house tombs.
Pinara is known as the first place beauty contests were held and it gained much importance due to a sanctuary that was built and devoted to the goddess Aphrodite.
Iztuzu Beach
This beach is located in the Ortaca district of Mugla and is a 4.5km long beach.
The beach itself is narrow and forms a barrier between the fresh water delta of the Dalyan River and the Mediterranean. It is also one of the main breeding grounds for the Caretta Caretta loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean so it is often referred to as ‘Turtle Beach’.
This beach has a protected status that was announced in 1988 and is a part of the Koyceyiz- Dalyan Special Environment Protection Area.
Kabak Bay
This beautiful bay is located 16km east of Oludeniz/ Fethiye. There are many hidden paradises around this area. Kabak Bay is on the Lycian Way and boasts untouched nature and magnificent views.
The bay itself has vast history and a canyon shaped valley that’s 800 meters high and has a small pebble beach between the steep slopes.
There are waterfalls formed by springs emerging at an altitude of 300 meters.
The blue of the sky and ocean, and the green lush color from the land is a rare beauty and has become the center of attention for locals and foreigners.
Saklikent Gorge
Saklikent Gorge or Canyon is next to Karacay, 50 km away from Fethiye and in the border between Antalya and Mugla.
This canyon is hidden in the mountains and is a natural place of beauty. It is 18km long and the height of the canyon is 600m.
This location has plenty to do including places for picnics, restaurants and plenty of photo opportunities. It’s also a great place to escape to on a hot summer’s day.
Oludeniz
Oludeniz is located in Fethiye and this particular area is known as ‘a haven gifted from God’ and after you visit you will understand why.
The beach in Oludeniz is 3km long and the crystal clear waters have the most stunning turquoise blue color. The waters here are perfect for swimming and snorkeling and are pretty much always calm.
The name Oludeniz means ‘Dead sea’ and the temperatures of the water are mild for 10 months of the year. Oludeniz is a very popular tourist hotspot with thousands visiting each year.
Oludeniz separates Belcekiz beach from Kumburnu.
Lycian Rock Tombs These tombs are located in Fethiye and are a magical sight to see. They are carved into the rock face, high above the town.
The highest tomb is the Amynthes tomb and this dates back to the 4th century BC. The carvings are pretty spectacular and well worth the climb, up quite a few steps.