Fethiye is a pretty town lying at the hillside of Mount Mendos, which is part of the Tourus Mountain chain. The high mountain range rises and falls and hundreds of bays lying at the mountainside seem to embrace each other along the Fethiye shore line. Fethiye is set on a wide bay, strewn with many islands.
Dry, long, hot summers and short, warm, rainy winters are climatic characteristics of Fethiye. The temperature which is around 30-40 C during the summer, is usually above 10 C in the winter. Considering the fact that in these turquoise coloured seas that no season falls below 16 C swimming is possible for nine months of the year, we might as well conclude that there are only two seasons in Fethiye: Spring and Summer!
The naturally protected harbour is a drop-by place for all yacht crews. Fethiye is 135km's southwest of Marmaris and has an outstanding and busy marina. The ancient name of the city is Telmessos and you will see a fortress on the hill overlooking the city which was built by the Knights of Rhodes. Fethiye is known for its rock tombs carved into the faces of the cliffs by the Lycians. These are elaborately carved and an especially remarkable; one is the tomb of Amnytas dating from the 4th century BC built-in Doric architectural style. It is well worth visiting. Other historical places in the city are the Sarcopaghi and the Fethiye Tower.
The Beach and Sovalye Island are the destinations for those who like to enjoy the most beautiful sea. Belcegiz Bay is also good for such a visit and provides natural mountain scenery. The bay forms the dreamlike Belcegiz - Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) known as "a paradise that God granted to Earth", a very fine place with 3km's of natural beach and crystal blue waters in enchanting surroundings.
At Koturumsu, a heaven like beauty awaits you, where you may reach only by boat. There are waterfalls flowing across valleys where thousands of butterflies, exhibiting tremendous shades of colours, fly amongst the pine forest bordering on the lovely beach. Some of the other natural attractions are Katranci Bay, Gunluk (Kusuk Kargi) Bay, Oyuktepe and Göcek with its harbour and marina.
