Ölüdeniz
Ölüdeniz is the archetypal picture-postcard beach,
backed by dramatic
pine-clad hills, and is the view that you see on many a brochure
cover.
Literally translated as ‘dead sea’, the stunning
lagoon is a protected area,
ensuring that its natural beauty is preserved. There is a
small entrance
charge to use the lagoon beach and only non-motorised watersports
are allowed on the lagoon itself. The main resort beach, which
is free
entry, is the long stretch of coarse sand and shingle, known
as Belcegğiz
beach.Most of the accommodation, built in the traditional
local Mugğla
style, is set back from the beachfront and in the streets
behind. There
is a strip alongside the seafront promenade with a number
of relaxed
bars, restaurants serving local and international cuisine
and shops,
which stay open well into the night. It is a perfect family
resort, great
for a laid-back beach holiday, with plenty of facilities but
not toomuch
development. Boats leave from the bay for trips around the
surrounding big draw with the descent
from the Babadagğ mountains to land on Belcegğiz beach, rating
as
one of the best in the world.
Hisarönü
Fifteen years ago there were only a few houses here but now
it is
a lively resort in its own right. Due to the planning restrictions
and
lack of space to expand in Ölüdeniz itself, many
holidaymakers now
stay in this lively village. It is in a stunning location,
surrounded
by stunning pine-clad mountains, and hotels are all built
in the
local style, low rise, mostly with rooms set in villa-style
blocks
and decorative wooden balconies. The beach of Ölüdeniz
is just
a short dolmus¸ ride away (approx. 15 minutes), and
the town of
Fethiye is also easily reached, approximately the same distance
away in the opposite direction. You can,
however, easily spend your time in Hisarönü
itself, lazing by the pool, and venturing out
at night to sample international or local fare
in one of the many restaurants, and visit its lively bars
playing
music well into the early hours. There are plenty of shops
here
too, with a wider range on offer than in Ölüdeniz
itself.
Ovacİk
Just a short distance from Hisarönü, is the newer
resort area of Ovacİk, which is essentially a
collection of hotels and apartment buildings,
blending in with the stunning mountain scenery.
It is more peaceful than its neighbour, and all
facilities are in the centre of Hisarönü just a
short walk or dolmus¸ ride away. Ovacİk makes
a good base for those who want to walk in the
surrounding countryside.
Fethiye
Fethiye is a traditional market town set around
a beautiful natural harbour. It is a big centre for
scuba diving and boats leave from here for day
trips around the stunning coastline. The most
popular is the 12 islands boat trip, a 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 round, 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, Paspatur,
offering more competitive prices than those
in any of the resorts. In the evenings head for
this lively area for live music and Turkish bars.
There is no beach in Fethiye itself although
there are hotels which have access to the sea
for swimming. Once the site of the ancient city
of Telmessos, all that remains are the Lycian
rock tombs, which overlook the modern town,
a couple of Lycian sarcophagi and a small
Roman theatre.
Çalİs¸ Beach
The nearest beach to Fethiye is Çalİs¸ beach,
a
pebble and coarse sand beach in a beautiful
setting, which can be reached by boat or dolmus¸
from the town centre. The seafront promenade
with its hotels and restaurants is closed to traffic
during the summer,making it safe for children.
The resort has expanded around the beach, and
has a relaxed feel popular with families and
older couples.
 Kayaköy
One of the highlights of a stay in this area
is a visit to the eerie ghost town of Kayaköy,
literally ‘stone village’. Once the Greek town
of Karmylassos, it was abandoned in the 1920’s.
It has recently been the subject of renewed
interest as it features as the setting for Louis de
Bernières novel, ‘Birds withoutWings’which
provides a fascinating insight into life here and
the period of dramatic social change which took
place in the time leading up to the foundation
of the Republic of Turkey. There are around
400 houses here together with churches and
other public buildings. It can be visited by
dolmus¸, on foot from Hisarönü or even on
horse-back.
Göcek
Göcek is popular with yachting types who come
here for its excellent marina. It is a charming
resort with a range of sophisticated hotels and
upmarket restaurants and boutiques.
 Saklİkent
Gorge
Known in Turkish as the ‘hidden city’,
Saklİkent is a stunning mountain gorge some
44 kms from Fethiye, a narrow opening stretching
an incredible 18 kms into the rockface of
Mount Akdagğ. A wooden walkway has been
constructed above the icy cold waters of the
mountain springs of Gökçesu and Ulupİnar. If
you are feeling particularly brave you can take
a dip here, but otherwise the waterside cafes
provide a relaxing break and a chance to enjoy
the spectacular setting. |
