10 cool things to do in Fethiye
1/8Walk through a Gorge
Saklikent Gorge is one of Turkey’s most spectacular natural sites, stretching for 20km, with naturally sculpted rock walls soaring upwards from the cool, shady canyon. From April onwards, the meltwater that flows from the mountain is low enough to make the gorge walkable, with local guides on hand to lead you through the canyon.
2/8Discover the past
Fethiye is part of the Lycian region, which is dotted with ancient cities, amphitheatres and Roman sites. One of the most atmospheric is Tlos, a ruined hilltop citadel that rises up above the plains stretching out from Fethiye. The Roman amphitheatre, which would have sat up to 20,000 spectators, and the dramatic tombs are the highlights of a visit.
3/8Watch a movie by the sea
When night falls, the beach at Hillside Beach Club turns into an alfresco cinema, with a screen suspended above the sea and sunloungers converted into movie seats. Grab some popcorn and settle in under starry skies to watch classic and contemporary movies, with a different film each week.
- Hiking in the Mountains
Fethiye’s coastline is backed by pine-clad mountains, criss-crossed with walking trails that offer the chance to escape the crowds and discover the beauty of Turkey’s lush countryside. The Lycian Way is a long-distance path that runs through Kaya and down to the beach at Olu Deniz, and there are plenty of waymarked shorter walks for wonderful sea views.
4/8Take to the water
Whether you want to snorkel, sail, wakeboard or water-ski, the calm waters in the Bay of Fethiye are brilliant for all sorts of aquatic activities. Hillside Beach Club has the first official Water Skiing and Wakeboarding School in Turkey, making it an ideal place for both beginners and those with more experience.
- Go Shopping on Market Day
Visitors and locals alike make a beeline for Fethiye’s vibrant Tuesday market, with stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, olives and cheeses along with clothes and locally made crafts. Be prepared to barter for everything from leather bags to handpainted ceramics, jewellery, pashminas and backgammon sets.
5/8Chill at the beach
Switch off the phone, leave the iPad in your room and head to the beach for some serious downtime. Serenity Beach – a shady stroll or boat hop from Hillside Beach Club - is an adults-only haven, with hammocks for lazing in.
6/8Explore a ghost town
Silent, deserted and eerily beautiful, Kayakoy was once a thriving Greek and Turkish village, set on a plateau in the mountains behind Fethiye. In 1923, as part of a population exchange with Greece, every single house was abandoned, and over the following decades, homes, shops, schools and churches have slowly crumbled, creating a spookily atmospheric place to wander.
7/8Mess around on a boat
The Bay of Fethiye is one of Turkey’s most glorious stretches of coastline, and there’s no better way to explore it than on a traditional wooden gulet. Fethiye harbour is lined with boats that can be taken out for day trips, with stops at unspoilt islands, the chance to swim and snorkel in tranquil bays – a Turkish lunch is included in the fare.
8/8Jump off a mountain
See Fethiye, the glorious beach at Oludeniz and the surrounding countryside from a whole-new perspective, with a tandem paraglide jump from the top of Babadag, the huge mountain that looms above the city. Jump from 1,960 metres, with an incredible 25–30 minutes in the air, before landing on the soft sands of Oludeniz Beach.
To see Instagram images from Fethiye and Hillside Beach Club, visit @hillsidebeachclub
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