Saklikent

High in the mountains above Fethiye, rushing torrents of icy cold water cut a narrow gorge through the mountains over thousands of years, creating Saklikent Gorge. A natural wonder, the resulting canyon is 300 meters deep and 18 kilometers long and offers visitors one of the most breathtaking excursions in all of Turkey. Saklikent Gorge has walls reaching a height of 300 meters and is navigateable for the first 18 kilometers. Saklikent in Turkish means "Hidden City".. The walls are so high that they cut out most of the sunlight and the fresh spring waters that flow through are freezing cold!. A cool refuge on hot summer days, Saklikent Gorge is a favorite picnic spot where rustic restaurants overhanging the river serve delicious fresh trout and other local delicacies. You may reach Saklikent, 31 miles (50 km) to Fethiye, by car or with one of the tours organized from Oludeniz- Fethiye.

Kayaköy

A few kilometers from Fethiye, climbing past the ancient fortress and rock tomb of King Amyntas, the pine trees give way to the bucolic landscape of the Kaya Village. Here a dwindling number of local families work the land and tend their animals. Some old Greek stone houses have been carefully restored to provide atmospheric and peaceful holiday homes. Visitors can walk, cycle or even horse-ride around the pathways and lanes of the valley pausing at the simple teahouses, restaurants and general stores or continuing the few kilometers down to the Gemiler Beach. Perhaps everyone's most vivid memory of Kaya Valley is the haunting choreography of the houses, shops and churches of the once thriving Greek town of Levissii

Marmaris

The abundance and richness of the coastlines of the Aegean and Mediterranean has constantly allured the new coming settlers. This settlement was and still is an important link to the Aegean Islands and Rhodes, thus in  time Marmaris was ruled by numerous civilizations the likes of Carian, Egyptian, Syrian, Roman, Byzantian, Seljukian and Ottoman where conspicuous traces are still found among the lands that surround the city. Remnants can be found of the city of Physkos, the first settlement of Marmaris, in the vicinity of Asartepe. According to Heredotus records, the name originated from Marmarissos. Correspondingly named Mermeris from the records of the famous Turkish sailor Piri Reis, known to have derived from the marble furnaces of Bozburun. Also Evliya Celebi's famous book of  travels given an account of Suleyman the Magnificents' voyage to Rhodes when the Sultan found the castle to bee too small and ordered his architect to enlarge it before he returned from his journey. Following his arrival the Sultan discovered the newly expanded castle still unsatisfactory in size. Upon his anger, the Sultan Ordered his men to "mimari" as literally meaning "hang the architec". This form of phrase subsequently originated to what is now known today as Marmaris. Renowned for its natural and historical wonders, Marmaris is the place to experience the joys of shopping centers, bazaars and markets, arts and crafts and Mediterranean neon nights. A sea that posses the most beautiful tones of blue with an abundance of flower covered bays. A city where the sun never seems to lose its smile.

HISTORICAL PLACES IN MARMARIS

Located within the Castle walls, and first opened to the public on 18 May 1991. Seven Galleries are found within its walls. The first Gallery holds awards and gifts bestowed to Kenan Evren, the 7th President of Turkey. The second Gallery holds archeological artifacts. The third Gallery has been ethnographically designed into the likeness of a traditional Turkish House. The fourth Gallery is the actual room of the Castles Commander in Chief. Together with an existing Exhibition Hall.

THE TOMB OF SARIANA
Situated on the Northeastern slopes of the city behind the neighboring Sariana rests a newly built Mosque which stands next to a tomb. Renowned for its oracular powers, the tomb was visited by Suleyman the Magnificent during his journey to Rhodes. Following satisfactory news from the Oracle, the Sultan decided to lay siege to the Island. It was known that the breakfast of the Ottoman Legions consisted of fresh milk, milked from Sariana's famed cow.

PHYSKOS ASARKALE
Pertaining to the Helienistic Period, this settlement is perched on top of a hill to the north of Marmaris The ruins are known to this day as Asartepe.

THE KERVANSARAY
Surrounded by arches, this structure is built of stone and is in Ottoman style. Built in 1545, the Kervansaray contains 1 large and 7  small rooms. Today it is used as a shopping center for souvenirs

THE TASHAN (STONE INN) & THE AQUEDUCT
Structured by Suleyman the Magnificent in 1522 near the Iskelebasi, distanced 10km. from Marmaris along the MUgla highway.

BEDESTEN
Shopping is done in a historical atmosphere where you can breath in the mystical air that surrounds you here.

THE CASTLE
According to Heredotus' records, the Castle was first constructed by the lonians in 3000 B.C. In 1522, during Alexander the Greats' voyage to Rhodes, Suleyman the Magnificent constructed the Castle to a larger scale. It was finally nationalized in 1979 and restored within the following 10 years.

IBRAHIM MOSQUE
Built 1789 in the neighborhood of Kemeralti, the large dome holds architectural significance.

Rocky Tombs

4th century B. C. monuments from Lycia period within city, These are the tombs excavated to natural rocks, which became the symbol of the city. Amintas, most beautiful and most magnificent one of the tombs, can be reached via lots of stairs. This tomb can also be seen from the plains below , and when you come near, the wonder of its greatness increases. In the middle part of the left column, "Herparnias's son Amintas" wrote  with 4th century B. C. alphabet. Identification of this person is not clearly known. There are lots of tombs to be seen, within the province. Most important one of these is the one which belongs to Lycian period. There is a strange appearance of the tomb ascending to the sea. There is a rectangular, wooden chords reminding embcaves and a gothic style cover arc on the two layered front side.  How to get there: Take a dolmus to Fethiye, once you get off ask for directions

Dalyan

Dalyan, which is about 1 hour from Fethiye.  It is near the pretty Dalyan River (the ancient Calbis River), which connects the Koycegiz lake to the sea.  Most of the people don't know the name of Dalyan, even if they come to Fethiye for their Holiday. But Dalyan has a very pretty atmosphere with its ancient and natural beauties. As soon as you reach Dalyan, don't waste time and bargain with one of the local fishing boat captains to take you to places to see. First stop is the mud-bath which is said to be very healthful for your skin because of the minerals and the elements it contains like Calcium, Magnesium and Sulphur. It will take only 10 minutes from Dalyan by the boat which will take you there among the marvelous landscape of the ancient Calbis river. After that, you can go back to town center and have a good lunch including the famous fish which was caught in Dalyan river. After lunch, you take your boat to take you to the Iztuzu Beach (The Turtle Beach) after a 30 minutes boat trip among the plants, birds (and maybe the turtles!) of the famous Dalyan river. 

This beach is one of the rare beaches on the world where the Marine Turtles come and nest. Because of that, the beaches is seriously protected by the Turkish Association of Protection of the Natural Life. As you reach the beach, please obey the rules to use the beach which are written on big plaques on the beach, to protect the Sea Turtles. The one side of this beach is the river (fresh water), and the other side is the Sea (salty water). So you can decide where to swim as you entered the beach. You can also visit the ancient city of Caunos on the way back to Dalyan town center. The place to see on this hill (10 mins walk) are,  the Ancient Theatre, the Roman Bath, the Temple of Apollon, and the Acropolis up the hill. Also the Carian Rock Tombs which welcomes you as you enter the town, are really amazing

Bodrum

Bodrum or ancient Halicarnassus is situated on a peninsula facing the island of Kos, and is the hometown of Heredutus, known to some as the "Father of History" but to other as the "Father of Lies" because of his fanciful travel accounts. Another label for him might be the "Father of Quotations," due to the plethora of pithy observations of area frequented by recent travel writers.

Bodrum itself is a good starting point for a journey along the Carian coast which offers a panorama of mythology and history, and spectacular scenery outlined by sandy beaches, rocky coves and inlets resembling small fjords.

Halicarnassos
We know that the native people, namely the Lelegs and the Carians had lived on the hills in the Peninsula of Bodrum. In the year 1000 B.C., those who came here along with the Doric migrations settled in the locality where the fortress stands today and mixed with the native people here. So, the city of Halicarnassos was founded.

The city which was captured by the Lydians in the first half of the 6th century B.C., and by the Persians in the year 546 B.C., was joined with the Satrapy of Saird and later in the year 377 B.C. Maussollos got hold of the Western Anatolia, had many cities constructed in the region of Caria, and had the capital of Caria removed from Milas to Halicarnassos. With the aim of enlarging the city, he had 6 of the 9 Leleg cities removed to this region, and he had the city surrounded with walls and had many palaces, theaters and temples built in the city. The most important one of these, is the monumental tomb constructed for Maussollos and his wife Artemisia II. The construction had started in the year 355 B.C. and at the time of its completion in 340 B.C., it was one of the 7 wonders of the world. According to the information supplied by the historian Pilinius, the tomb consisted of 4 parts; there was a high base at the lowest level, a gallery of 36 columns upon it, and a roof of 24 steps upon which the statues of Maussollos and his wife were placed.

The architect of the monumental tomb was Pytheos, and the relief engravings were made by sculptors such as Skopas, Leochares, Bryaxis and Timothes. The stones of the monumental tombwhich was ruined by an earthquake in the 14th century, were used by the Knights of Rhodes in the construction of the fortress that exists today. The tendrils found in the tomb and the statues at the top, are kept at the British Museum today.
When Artemisia II died in the year 351 B.C., she was succeeded by Idrius who was in turn succeeded by Ada, who was dethroned by her brother Pixodaros. Meanwhile Alexander the Great entered Anatolia and made Ada ascend the throne. The Queen’s tomb, discovered in recent years, is displayed at the museum today. The city which was captured by Lysimachos following the death of Alexander the Great, was later subjected to Rhodes and Pergamum, and still later Rome got hold of Anatolia totally. Owing to the fact that Bodrum was founded upon the ancient city of Halicarnassos, not much is left to our day from the ancient city. The theater, the stoa of Mars and Apollon situated within the gardens in the city, the theater on the hill belonging to the Hellenistic period have been restored today. Former sources of information state that, the temple of Mars and the stoa of Apollon were under the road in front of the theater, and the temples of Hermes and Afrodities were on the public square of today.

The fortress is the city symbol. The Knights of Rhodes had it constructed in the year 1402, and it was reinforced with the Italian, English, German and French towers. It was taken by the Turks in 1523, and it is used as an underwater museum today. The underwater section and the section of Princess Ada, are the sections which attract the greatest attention here.

There are not many Turkish works in Bodrum. The famous crafts called The Crafts of Bodrum today, were constructed here during the Ottoman period too

Gocek

The Gulf of Fethiye is thought by many sailors to be second only to the Indian Ocean in terms of the beautiful seascapes it offers. Until a few years ago the only land based option for those wanting to enjoy this magical corner of the world was the  tranquil, town of Fethiye. However, in recent years a small amount of accommodation has become available in the pretty village of Gocek. Set at the deepest point of the gulf of Fethiye, Gocek nestles at the foot of the pine clad mountains looking out over the '12 islands' of the bay.

With a large natural harbour Gocek has grown up to cater to the needs of yachtmen. One of the pleasures of a visit here is a stroll around the Marina to admire the array of boats of all shapes and sizes moored here. The waterfront is lined with bars and restaurants. Inland life revolves around the pretty market square which is lined with little shops selling antiques and crafts as well as the more usual carpets.

In the daytime it is possible to swim from the small town beach, but you will probably prefer to take a trip to one of the beaches in the local nature reserves or a boat to one of the lovely islands in the bay. Thought this area is called the 12 islands there are, in fact, far more than that and you could easily explore a different one each day of your holiday. On some you will find a simple restaurant, on others fragments of classical or Byzantine ruins, on others nothing but glorious peace and quiet.

If you are tired of exploring the immediate area Gocek is well sited for other parts of the coast. The bustling port of Fethiye, or the pretty town of Dalyan with its mud baths and the Carian city of Caunos can both be reached in under an hour. A little further a field you could visit the ancient sites of Letoon, Patara and Xanthos, or the spectacular gorge at Saklikent. 

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                                                                                                                                                      The ancient Lycian site of Xanthos lies a few kilometers south of Letoon, close to the village of Kinik. On the road from Fethiye to Kalkan there is a sign post - a track leads off left up to the ruins of Letoon
Letoon was the sacred cult center of Lycia and its most important sanctuary dedicated to the three national deities of Lycia - Leto and her twin children , Apollo and Artemis. Letoon was a shrine and not actually a city, though it did have a settlement surrounding it. This was the spiritual heart of Lycia, its federal sanctuary and the place of national festivals. The features of Letoon include the remains of three temples, dedicated to one of Leto and her twins Artemis and Apollo, an agora, a nymphaeum and an amphitheatre.Xanthos was the capital city of the Lycian Federation and its greatest city for most of Lycian history. It was made famous to the Western world in the 19th century by its British discoverer Charles Fellows. Xanthos is of great antiquity - finds date back to the 8th century B.C. but it is possible that the site may have existed during the Bronze Age or during the Iron Age.
Xanthos stands up atop an elevated area within Xanthos Valley with the Xanthos River flowing closely under the city's west side.
From this elevation one receives a supreme view of the valley surrounded by the spectacular Taurus mountains.

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