THINGS TO DO
There are so many things to do, you will be lost for choice. Whether you wish to laze in the sun at the beautiful lagoon at Oludeniz beach or go paragliding from the top of the Babadag mountain, you will not be disappointed. Here are a few of the many activities on offer.
Oludeniz Beach
The beach at Oludeniz is stunning and is a very popular coastal resort in Turkey. The far end of the beach, also known as the Blue Lagoon is a nature reserve and you will need to pay a small fee to enter. There is an abundance of restaurants and bars serving a variety of cuisine. Many boat trips are available to the surrounding islands. Oludeniz is also well known for its excellent Paragliding. An annual Air Games is hosted here in October where Paragliders from all over the world gather to exhibit their skills.
Butterfly Valley
Butterfly Valley Beach can only be reached from Oludeniz by boat - there is basic accommodation on the beach - tents and tepees - and a small restaurant. Butterfly Valley with it`s untouched nature, most amazing beach and basic facilities (no electricity, tv or any earthly possessions) - only a small restaurant and simple beach huts - is a total relaxation destination. You can visit on one of the numerous boat trips that leave from Oludeniz or you can use the official Butterfly Valley boat taxi which leaves from Oludeniz twice daily.
Calis Beach
Calis Beach has a long sweeping beach with promenade. It attracts families and couples who come here to dine and watch the sunset from seafront venues. It has a fairly quiet relaxing atmosphere with several bars and restaurants along the promenade. It's approximately a 10-minute drive from Fethiye - Dolmus buses are plentiful and you can also catch the water taxi Fethiye - Calis. A cycle path also links Fethiye to Calis, which takes you through a new superb children's activity play area 'Åžehit Fethiye Bey Parki'.
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Saklikent Gorge
Saklikent National Park is a beautiful national park in southwestern Turkey. The national park is a canyon, and is located in Mugla, 50 km away from Fethiye. With a depth of 300 m, Saklikent is among the deepest canyons in the world. Saklikent (Hidden City), which is a unique natural wonder to visit, is one of the most beautiful national parks in Turkey. You can drive here if you have a hire car or you can choose to visit it as part of a daytrip offered by many tourist agents. At certain times of the year, you can also cool off under the waterfalls.
Lycian Way
The Lycian Way walk starts from Ovacik which travels 540km along the stunning coastline all the way to Antalya. The start of the walk begins at the Montana Pine Hotel and travels along the hillside overlooking Oludeniz this beginning part of the walk gives some great views over Oludeniz and is well worth a look - the road is a little rocky and unmade in parts. You will know when to turn back as the road ends and the real walk then starts.
Kayakoy
Kayaköy, anciently known as Lebessos and Lebessus and later pronounced as Livissi is presently a village 8 km south of Fethiye in southwestern Turkey in the old Lycia province. Both Anatolian Muslims and Greek Orthodox Christians had lived here in harmony since its origins in the 14th Century until the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922 culminated in the emptying of its 6,500 Christian inhabitants: both Turkey’s Christian citizens and Greece’s Muslims were expulsed from their homes in a population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The townspeople were subsequently barred from returning by 1923. The ghost town, now preserved as a museum village, consists of hundreds of run down but still mostly standing Greek-style houses and churches which cover a small mountainside and serve as a stopping place for tourists visiting Fethiye and nearby Ölüdeniz.
Jeep Safari
Various Jeep safaris are available – enquire with Orka or visit the tour agencies in Oludeniz. A ride will usually include the following: using open top jeeps that will drive you in safety and comfort to one of the most beautiful and remarkable places near Fethiye – Tlos (ruins - home of Bellerophon and his horse Pegasus) – visit a trout farm and restaurant Yakapark, walk through Saklikent Gorge, take a mudbath and visit waterfalls. Saklikent gorge will strike you with its greatness – it is the second largest gorge in the Europe and the longest and deepest in Turkey. Open buffet lunch is usually included. (Check details with the tour agency).
Fethiye
Fethiye is a buzzing and vibrant tourist destination. It was hit by an earthquake in 1958, but it rose again to become a popular holiday spot. Fethiye has a traditional market, atmospheric old town and a marina filled with yachts, along with plenty of bars and restaurants. At the back of the town, overlooking Fethiye are the Lycian Rock Tombs, carved into the side of the mountains. Looking up at them, they appear to be ornate entrances leading into the mountain, which of course they are as it is where the Lycian people buried their honoured dead. There are many boat trips on offer from the Marina and if you're lucky you may see one of the Sea Turtles that often swim near the promenade. For the more energetic, there is now a cycle path all the way from Fethiye to Calis Beach - bikes can be hired in both resorts.
Kalkan
A small peaceful Mediterranean resort and fishing town on the beautiful Turquoise Coast of Turkey - approx. 50 km from Ovacik. Kalkan curls snuggly around a historic harbour sheltered at the foot of the towering Taurus Mountains. The town overlooks a beautiful bay in which islands seem to magically float upon the shimmering sea.
Narrow streets twist down to the harbour, lined with old whitewashed villas with shuttered windows situated alongside small local specialty shops and restaurants in historic buildings. Overhead hang original carved Ottoman Greek timber balconies garlanded with thick masses of brilliantly coloured bougainvillea cascading to the streets below. It is a very special place with a unique atmosphere.
Kas
KaÅŸ is a small fishing, diving, yachting and tourist town, and a district of Antalya Province of Turkey, approx. 75 min drive from Ovacik. As a tourist resort, it is relatively unspoilt. The road from Kalkan to Kas follows the coast and is a great scenic drive.
Yaka Park Trout Farm
This is a trout farm built on a small mountain and is a relief from the hot sun. You can see the trout ponds, relax in hammocks and if you dare jump into the plunge pool, a truly relaxing place.
This park and adjoining restaurant contain an old watermill and stream where you can play with the fish, then select the one you want cooked for dinner.
It's a pretty place with waterfalls, treehouses, souvenir stands and bars. If you plan to hang out here, come with your own car; if not, the most inexpensive way to see and enjoy this place is by a jeep tour
Boat Trips
There are two places that the boat trips depart from - Oludeniz main beach and Fethiye Harbour.
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Oludeniz - boats leave from the actual beach front itself (take note though, as the boat is in a wave situation - there is no harbour side - it can be awkward to get on and off, not a problem if you are fit and well, but can be a problem if not fully fit or have walking difficulties etc. Some days are better than others, obviously weather dependent, so it’s about negotiating the boat boarding ramp. Don’t get me wrong sometimes the sea is completely flat and very safe but just for your info. There are around 8 boats of different sizes which all leave around the same time being around 1100 hrs (boarding at 1030 hrs) and returning around 1800 hrs. Check prices with the tour agents – A meal is usually included. Some of the larger boats also have water slides. The route will usually head out to the sea and the islands facing and adjacent to the Oludeniz beach. Several stops include St Nicholas island, Aquarium bay, Cold water springs bay, camel bay plus some others. Don’t expect sandy beaches there are not many in this part of Turkey. Beaches in the main are pebbly so wear beach shoes. But expect fantastic scenery and a mountain backdrop with crystal clear water.
Fethiye - the boats are in harbour situation, so although it’s still a boarding ramp, it’s completely still as it’s from dry land. The sea is also very still at the harbour. The downside is there is some travel involved as regards to being picked up at your hotel by bus/taxi. The cruise will usually cover some of the 12 islands off Fethiye. It tends to be more like a cruise as there’s more sailing involved travelling from island to island. There’s also the backdrop of the harbour and marina which is an attraction in itself.
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