In history Fethiye was known as the "Untouched Virgin of the Lands Lights" and today it is as if all the magnificence of the entire Mediterranean was concentrated in the bay of Fethiye : Its islands ,coves, long sandy beaches, and the entire riches of its history and natural beauty are before yopu to explore .With its excellent seas, highly developed facilities, and entertainment beyond belief, it is a paradise that caters to your possible requirement for remarkable holiday. The most impressive ancients ruins, the best sites for pragliding and water sports, most magnificent bays and beaches come together at Fethiye, along with mouth watering gastronomy. Fethiye is a traditional market town set around a beautiful natural harbour. It is a large centre for scuba diving. Boats depart from here for day trips around the stunning coastline. The most popular boat trip is the twelve islands boat trip, which is an extremely relaxing way to spend the day, touring the beautiful coves and islands of the Gulf of Fethiye, with breaks for lunch and swimming. Life here continues all year around, and recently, many British nationals have chosen to make this relaxed area their home. There are a number of hotels in the town itself, which mostly attract older couples, who enjoy the traditional lifestyle and also like the fact that it is flat and easy to get around. There is a greater variety of shops in the narrow streets of the bazaar area, Paspatour, offering more competitive prices than those in any of the resorts. This area is also lively in the evening with a multitude of Turkish bars and live music. There is no beach in Fethiye itself although there are hotels which have access to the sea for swimming. Once the site of Telmessos, all that remains from this ancient city, are the Lycian rock tombs which overlook the modern town, a couple of Lycian sarcophagi and a small Roman theatre.

BEACHES

Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon)
Ölüdeniz, described as 'the Eden bestowed by God to the World', has a 3 km long beach. One can appreciate fully the beauty of swimming in a colour harmony of light and dark blue combined with light and dark green. Having an appearance of naturally lagoon with its tepid and standing water during ten months of the year, Ölüdeniz is one of the most preferred destinations by both local and foreign tourists.
Kumburnu separates Ölüdeniz from Belcekız Beach which is at the distance of 14 km from Fethiye. There are many boarding-houses, camps, motels and restaurants that are open during each season of the year.
Kıdrak
Kıdrak with its sandy beaches surrounded by pine trees and crystal clear water is at a distance of 3 km from Ölüdeniz and Belcekız Beach.
Faralya
Sweet coastal village at the end of Kıdrak road, is a resort place for wanderers with its wild nature, appropriate climate, friendly people and its attractiveness.
Kelebekler Valley (Butterfly Valley);
At a distance of 5-7 km from Ölüdeniz, this interesting canyon is surrounded by approximately 350 meter high mountains. It takes its name from the butterflies called as 'Jarsey Tiger' and seen between June and September. Transportation to the bay, being an Earth Eden with its waterfall flows both in summer and winter, large beach, clear water, brightly shining pebbles and oleanders decorating the environs, is provided by boats from Ölüdeniz.
Possibilities like a camping area with tent sites, restaurant, bar, shower cabinets, changing cubicles, etc. are offered in the valley which is the meeting place of world wanderers.
Saklıkent (Hidden City)
It is 50 km from Fethiye, next to the Karaçay Brook which forms the province borders of Muğla-Antalya. It is a unique natural wonder hiding within a 18 km long magnificent canyon of which height reaches to 600 meter in some places. With its steep rock cliffs, plane trees, clearly flowing spring waters, it is a unique tourism centre which offers possibilities for nature lovers such as mountaineering, trekking and swimming.
Yakapark
Yakapark, formed by the nature of human labour and creativity, is a unique recreation spot where you will experience memorable moments in a mysterious atmosphere with bird sings and sound of water. It can easily be accessed via 2 km road from Yaka Village.
Göcek
It is 30 km far from Fethiye on Fethiye-Muğla highway. Having an appearance of a small charming fisherman town, Göcek has recently become one of the important centres of yacht tourism. Besides its natural harbour, it is a unique tourism heaven with its numerous islands and bays, ruin places and pine forested hills. The town with its marina and increased number of modern facilities, is at a distance of 20 km from Dalaman Airport.
Islands
Because of being one the important resort places of Blue Voyagers, the region is named as 'Inside the Darkness' by fishermen. It is consisted of islands and Kapıdağı Peninsula adorned with numerous beautiful bays. Yassıca Islands, Hamam Bay, Kurşunlu Bay, Yavansu, Bedri RahmiBay, Tersane Island, Göbün Bay, Boynuzbükü, Göcek Island, Domuz Island, Zeytin Island, Kızıl Island, reached via daily tours from Fethiye and Göcek, are also named as "12 Islands" within the region.
Oyuktepe Bays
Besides two big holiday villages of the district, there are also natural bays namely Mempaşa, Küçük Samanlık, Boncuklu, Kuleli, Aksazlar, Akvaryum, Turunç Pınarı on the peninsula to where local people have daily tours.
Katrancı Bay
It is 17 km far from Fethiye on Muğla-Fethiye highway. With its frequent pine trees stretching to the sea, the bay displays a beautiful harmony of blue and green. In the bay, there is a forest resting area offering the services of car park, buffet, shower cabinet and toilet. It is an ideal excursion place and a camping area with tent sites.
Günlük (Küçük Kargı)
The bay is at a distance of 18 km from Fethiye on the Muğla highway, and is ornamented with rarely seen sweetgum trees having a nice smell. The daily excretion of sweetgum trees is used in the treatment of itchiness, asthma, bronchitis, ulcer and gastric diseases. It is also used in the industry of perfumery.
Çalış Beach
Being one of the popular places of the district in respect of tourism, Çalış Beach is 5 km from the district centre, opposite of the Şovalye Island. Along the 4 km long beach, there are hotels, boarding-houses, camp sites and restaurants. The Beach is well known as one of the incubation areas of the sea turtles, Caretta Carettas. It is also one of the favourite places to view the sunset and play water sports.
Hisarönü - Ovacık
These two typical Turkish villages in Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) have recently become shopping and entertainment centres providing accommodation. At present, these villages near draw the attention of especially foreign tourists.
 

GEOGRAPHY

Fethiye has the atmosphere of an open air museum created by the tombs cut in the steep rock face very high up, and tall sarcophagi with intricately carved reliefs standing above ground. The grave of Amyntas, which is accepted as the symbol of the city, is immediately noticeable on the rock face back drop of the city centre. The grave is believed to have been constructed in memory of King Amyntas who was the ruler of Telmessos. On the southern peak there are ruins of a fortress, which was built by the Knights of St. John's over the foundations of the acropolis of Telmessos. The fortress was renovated by the Knights of Rhodes in the 15th century.