ABOUT FETHİYE

Fethiye is a Mediterranean town of unique beauty with its climate, natural attractions, cultural heritage and fertile soil. As you get better acquainted with the town and its environs with numerous bays of various sizes, the coast line, islands, mountains, ruins of antique cities, interesting cultural mosaics and warm-hearted people, you will feel yourself transported to another world of fascinating colours.
 

Some define Fethiye as an agricultural centre due to its fertile soil, fruit and vegetable cultivation in hot-houses, production of grains and industrial plants. Some others name the town as a prospering centre of tourism with accommodation facilities, beaches, islands and bays. Actually, Fethiye deserves to be considered as a “place to live” with its 9.000 kinds of flora, its historical background from antique Lycian period to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, many-collared cultures living in peace and brotherhood over centuries, the ever-present sun in 300 days of a year and the fundamental facilities for a modern life-style.
 

Agriculture is the largest source of income in the economy of Fethiye as the climatic conditions are ideal in the region. In green houses and on the farms, tomatoes are the major agricultural product. Tourism is the second major economical source. Considering the indirect contribution of this field to other sectors, it is feasible to state that tourism plays just as important a role as agriculture. The town is abundant with opportunities for new investments and projects in the fields of popular mass tourism and alternative eco - tourism activities, which is the major factor in the continuous development of this sector. Other prominent sources of income in Fethiye, besides tourism, commerce and agriculture, can be listed as follows: forestry, cattle-raising, fishing, bee-raising and mining. The chromium veins around Göcek are considered as the fourth largest reserve in the world.

Throughout history, Fethiye has been a growing city, enriched by traces of settlements around this port of call. At present, while projects are drawn up to protect the historical and cultural heritage, renovation efforts are carried out, in line with the development of a modern city, in infrastructure, transportation, education, health and other social services. Fethiye is proud to have acquired almost all the fundamental facilities of a modern city, continuously endeavouring to improve and attain even more.

Geography & Climate

The south-western end of the Taurus Mountains covered by pine trees surrounds Fethiye. The altitude of these mountains reaches 2.000 meters. Even in summer months, it is possible to see snow on high hilltops beyond the pine forests. However, the Fethiye Plain and the settlement are subject to typical Mediterranean climate. In hot summer days the temperature averages at 30 degrees centigrade. During warm and rather rainy winter days it is around 12 degrees centigrade. The seawater is never below 17 degrees centigrade. The average temperature of seawater in summer months is 23 degrees centigrade.

In addition to pine trees, the rich flora along the slopes ranging from thyme to sage, from citrus fruits to liquidiamber oriantalis / incense trees add to the beauty of Fethiye... The incense trees covering approximately an area of 100 hectares also give rise to camping and picnic sites. The resinous oil of the incense trees is used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products while the dried barks have served as incense since the Ancient Period.

Ölüdeniz
The Ölüdeniz Lagoon and the Belcekız Beach are known as “the blue paradise” all over the world due to their natural beauty. Ölüdeniz is 14 km. far from the center of Fethiye and has a significant status in national tourism with its modern and colourful holiday villages, hotels, boarding houses and camping sites.

Babadağ, rising immediately behind Ölüdeniz is included in the list of “World Heritage” of UNESCO with its rich flora. Recently one of the most popular activities is paragliding from Babadağ to Ölüdeniz. Babadağ is recognized all over the world as one of the few places most suited for this sport as far as the take-off and landing facilities are concerned.

Ovacık Village: Ovacik is a delightful holiday centre located 4 kilometres from Ölüdeniz on the Fethiye road. Cool breezes and beautiful mountain views enchant guests staying at hotels, boarding houses and holiday villages. Located at the foot of Babadag Mountain, there is always a refreshing offshore breeze, even during the hottest days of summer.  

Hisarönü Village: Hisarönü Resort is between Ovacik and Ölüdeniz. Hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping centres and the other activities offer tourists a very busy, exciting and colourful time. Easy transportation to Fethiye and Ölüdeniz is provided by a minibus (dolmus). It takes only 5 minutes to Ölüdeniz and 20 minutes to Fethiye from Hisarönü and Ovacik.

Çalış Beach: The Çalis Beach, which is at a distance of 5 km. from the centre of Fethiye, is one of the prominent regions of accommodation and entertainment. It is opposite the Sövalye Island, which may be deemed as the entrance to the Port of Fethiye. In addition to Municipality buses and dolmus, Çalis Beach can be reached with small dolmus boats by sea, which offer great facilities to holidaymakers. The cool evenings of hot summer days is a privilege of those choosing to spend their holidays at Çalis.

The shoreline of Çalis, which is 6 km. long, is also a significant reproduction area for Caretta-Carettas existing in the Mediterranean for 95 million years. The eggs laid by Carettas into the sandy beach at nights in the months of May through September are continuously watched and protected by volunteers of nature and other organizations concerned.