ABOUT REGION

ÖLÜDENIZ
"It is one of the spots most favoured by the world tourism of today.It is located at a distance of 15 kms from the center of the town.It is surrounded in the east by Kidrak and the Valley of Butterflies and, in the west, by Gemile and coves at the mouth of the valleys descending from the foot of Babadag The sand and pebbles of the vast coastline of the Belcegiz beach, carried in the direction of northwest by the waves and the wind, create a barrier between the open sea and the calm lagoon. That is why the region is called Ölüdeniz, meaning still as a cadaver. The lagoon reaches a depth of approximately 40 meters towards the north, while it becomes shallow, down to 5 to 1 meters, in the southern part.

The Kumburnu Strait, at the entrance of the lagoon from the open sea, is narrow and shallow, with a width of about 50 meters and a depth of 8-9 meters. Climbing up thehigh, green slopes around Ölüdeniz, one can see the chrystal-clear waters, allowing for the perception of the sea-floor especially at the Kumburnu beach displaying transformation from torquise to green and to various shade of blue.Due to its extraordinary natural beauty, the pearl-white sandy beach and the crystal-clear sea water in azure colour, Ölüdeniz and the neighbouring little coves like Ovacik, Belcegiz and Kidrak, are renowned all over the world as a tourism center.At present Ovacık, Hisarönü and Ölüdeniz has a total bedding capacity of 20.000 in all standards, ranging from first-class holiday villages to small boarding houses and campsites.The temperature of the sea water does not get below 19 c even in winter months and the average day-and-night difference is around 12 c,which makes this region an ideal spot for winter tourism.

BELCEGIZ

Past the Ovacık village, which has achieved a great potential for tourism in recent years, there is the road sloping down to the Belcegiz Bay with sharp bends.After a few turnings, the bay faces us with its panorama.With the greenery of forests of black pines at the slopes of Babadag and the Ovacik plateau reaching down to the sea-level where there are different shades of the Mediterranean blue; the Belcegiz sandy beach, lying there like a pearly necklace created by Mother nature, is beautiful beyond words.Belcegiz is renowned all over the world with its incomparable bay where one can swim throughout the year.

The Ölüdeniz Lagoon may be reached by a footwalk along the shore as well as by a road passing through the campsites, hotels and the holiday villages set in beautifully tended gardens.The whole region;surrounded by forests of myrtle and pine trees, is officially decreed to be under protection.Along the shore you may come across starfish, sea urchins and even oysters containing pearls.

VALLEY OF BUTTERFLIES

The Valley of Butterflies is one of the most beatiful bays of Fethiye, located on a flat level of ten hectares at the foot of a steep and deep valley.Like an open-air museum,exhibiting all species of butterflies living at sea level around the Mediterranean, one can follow the life-span of 30 different daytime butterflies as well as 40 night-flying moths, for nine to ten months of the year, starting with the spring.The Valley of Butterflies may be rached by service boats from Ölüdeniz, as well as by flying with parapante from the 1975 meter-high Babadag.There is no overnight accommodation in the valley since construction is not permitted, but it is possible to stay in tents or in wooden sheds covered with shrubs and leaves.After enjoying a swim in the turquise waters of the tiny cove, a surprise awaits those taking a walk among the rich flora.

Two small waterfalls at the end of steep and high cliffs seem like a delightful heaven.In recent years, this region has been included in the trekking route along the Lycian road.A small resturant in the valley provides food and beverage.The fauna in the Valley of Butterflies at Fethiye is similar to that in Rhodes.It is a great pleasure to watch the Jersey Tiger Butterflies, which are of special interest for lovers of nature, as well as for researchers of flora and fauna, in this paradise right along the torquise-colored sea water.A project is under way to protect the site and present this beauty to researchers and tourists in better conditions.With the establishment of a butterfly museum as well as a research institute, laying the foundations of echo-tourism, the Valley of Butterflies will be an immortal natural heaven.In the "Valley of Butterflies" you can re-discover Fethiye,which is the shining light of the echo-world.

HISARÖNÜ

After Ovacik, Hisarönü is on the way to Kayaköyü, a vivacious spot with colourful shops offering all kinds of souveniers, sparkling centers of entertainment and restaurants serving food from all over the world. On the other hand, the accommodations located on the slopes surrounded by pine trees provide a haven for a peaceful holiday.

OVACIK

Located at the foot of Babadag,Ovacik is 6 kms from Fethiye.Away from noisy crowds, with varied accommodation facilities, it is a delightful holiday center, where we can feel the refreshing offshore breeze even during the hot summer days.

KAYAKÖYÜ

From Hisarönü, following the road leading to the west among the forests of pine trees, we reach Kayaköyü, about 3 kms from Hisarönü. There is also a direct shortcut in the south of Fethiye.In the years of 1900 Kayaköyü was an important settlement center with a population of 20.000.It was vacated in line with an exchange agreement signed between Turkey and Greece in 1924.Today Kayaköy looks like a "Ghost Town" where two churches and a school are in the process of restoration with the aim of establishing a village of peace in the region.On the slopes, there are stone houses built in typical Mediterranean style, not overshadowing one another, schools, churches, chapels, workshops and other buildings, as well as intercrossing narrow streets, all of which are reminiscent of an architectural laboratory .Kayaköyü is under protection as a prominent sample of the Anatolian cultural mosaic andwill become a village of friendship, peace, science and arts in the near future, when the restoration and plannning efforts are completed

SAKLIKENT

The Saklikent Canyon, at 50 kms from Fethiye, is a natural wonder.The Canyon is 300 meters deep and 18 kms long, resulting from the abrasion of the roks by flowing waters over thousands of years.As the level of water rises during winter months, visitors can enter the canyon only in the summer.If taking photographs is among your hobbies, you can snap extraordinary sights of unspoiled, natural beauty at Saklikent On the platforms erected over the water flowing in great speed inside and out of the Canyon, visitors are served trout and traditional pastries, which enrich and enhance a holiday.It is possible to reach Saklikent by minibuses or daily tours organized by travel agencies.

During a 45-minute trip, as you pass trough small villages, you can witness the authentic rural life-style and see the plantations of tobacco, cotton, anaseed, sesame and wheat, as well as greenhouse for growing vegetables.There is a secure service bridge for entrance to the Canyon.From the very beginning, the visitors are fascinated by the spring water crashing in white foams and the heavenly greenery of the surroundings.Saklikent is a haven in the suffocating summer days, and the 3-km walk, wading in the cool water, is an ideal sport for everyone. The story of how Saklikent was discovered is quite interesting.During the reseach in connection with the venture of a shepherd to establish a trout farm in the region, a service bridge had to be constructed here, thus opening the doors of this secret paradise to the visitors.At first the Canyon was considered only for trout farms, but plans had to be extended to meet the requirements of the visitors due to ever-increasing popularity of the area.Saklikent is also a focal point for geologists and speleologists.3 kms of the 18 km.Canyon may be covered by wading into the water and stepping over roks. If you are an adventurer and wish to go further, you must have the necessary professional rigging and suitable clothing for this hard task.

GEMILE BAY

Both the Gemile Bay and the island are located behind the hill where the Kayaköyü houses stand.The Afkule monastery on the road to the Gemile Bay carved into the roks by a monk during the 19th century, is probably the most significant construction.Going down to the shore from Kayaköyü through the evergreen pine trees, we come to a totally unspoiled beautiful bay which has been declared as a site.It is an ideal spot for having a picnic.

ÇALIS
This is one of the primary accommodation and entertainment centers within the bundaries of the Municipality.There are various popular hearsays in connection with the name Çaliþ. In one tale, it is related that when Ahmet Ghazi was fighting with the enemy on the coast, an soldier heartened an old warrior, saying, " Come on, Father, strive a little longer, we are about to cast the enemy off to the sea!"Another story alleges that the name of the person was Çaliþ (strive).Çaliþ is a very nice holiday center with a shore of many kilometers, the glittering sea opening up to the outer bay and with stunningly beautiful sun-sets.The Çaliþ beach is 6 kms extending as far as the Kargi River. The road along the coast is closed to traffic to facilitate swimming and water sports activities.It is very easy to reach Çalis.