It is hardly surprising that the area is popular with British visitors with its abundance of history, walking, Para -sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, paragliding, boat trips and
other water sports, shops, restaurants and bars which cater extensively for the needs of all age groups.
Fethiye balances the attractions of a bustling resort town with the functionality of a working regional centre. Arrival at the bus station may give you the impression that you've come to the wrong place with no evidence of the sea, hotels, restaurants or any
trappings of the tourist industry but a 5 minute taxi or dolmus ride into town will begin to reveal the place to you in it's true colours. Fethiye's strength is in it's role as a base for exploring the 
surrounding coastline and countryside. You'll find a good range of shops, eating places and accommodation and excellent transport services to surrounding attractions. The harbour area makes a pleasant place to spend the evening and the pedestrianised old town is appealing and a
reasonable place to shop for souvenirs.
If you're there early enough in the day you might want to consider the 12 islands boat trip, a nice way to see the bay and an opportunity to seek out the quieter beaches and coves only accessible from the sea. As usual with boat trips, the smaller the group the better your day and the more flexible your itinerary.
Oludeniz is a stunning bay, with a laid-back atmosphere, one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. It's lagoon, now a protected area, has understandably adorned a million picture postcards. Oludeniz's main beach is bordered by an attractive promenade lined with small shops, cafes and restaurants making it ideal for a classic beach holiday. However the surrounding area has much more to offer an adventurous visitor. Paragliding from the heights of Babadag Mountain , trekking along the Lycian Way, a boat trip to the Butterfly Gorge, visiting some of the sites such as Xanthos, Tlos and Letoon are among the many possibilities.
Situated on a high plateau 4km from the coast and surrounded by stunning mountains, the once sleepy villages of Hisarönü and Ovaçik have combined to create a lively resort which has a distinctly British atmosphere. The nearest beaches are the
famous lagoon of Ölüdeniz or the pebble and sand beach of Belçekiz. A dolmus leaves every five or ten minutes.
The village is full of bars, restaurants and shops. This is certainly the place to haggle for any imitation designer gear. The cool mountain air can be quite a relief after a day in the sun and there is plenty to do in the evening. Some of the many late-night bars have a family bar and satellite TV showing most top matches and videos.
Hisarönü caters for its tourist clientele and restaurants have an international flavour. Favourites include Shine Indian Restaurant, Dragonara Chinese and Chilli Doctors Mexican, all on the
main street. Bella Mama’s Italian at the Lycian Hotel is rated as the best Italian eatery in Hisarönü, and The Olive Tree Restaurant near the dolmus terminal offers Turkish and other specialities in a relaxed setting.
Famous for its magnificent beach and clear blue waters, the lagoon of Ölüdeniz is in a conservation area and new development is strictly controlled. A small entry fee is charged to the lagoon beach itself, which is well suited to children and has shaded areas, pedaloes,
cafés and showers. On the other side of the sandbar, Belçekiz beach is a crescent-shaped stretch of pebbles and sand backed by beautiful pine-clad mountains. Access is unrestricted and the seafront is full of shops, bars and restaurants, many with roof-top terraces.
This resort appeals to young people. A favourite with trendsetters and backpackers is Help Bar (Sugar Shack) on the beach front, which stays open until late and offers lots of fun. Cloud 9 and Buzz Bar are popular haunts, which stay open throughout the day and well into the night.
Fethiye is an ancient Lycian town with relics dating back to the 4th
century BC and is reputed to have been visited by Alexander the Great. Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Taurus Mountains and surrounded by a beautiful, island-strewn bay, the town is now a vibrant holiday destination.
The picturesque old quarter is packed with bazaar-style shops, restaurants and bars. A wide range of boat trips are available at the nearby waterfront.
Last updated Tuesday June 13, 2006 Copyright2005©Designed by Chris