A ruined antique theatre and some carved tombs survive here from the ancient city of Telmessos, but modern Fethiye is a pleasant, relaxed town with a shady promenade. Every sort of boat from fine yachts to fishing boats and traditional gulets, are moored in its harbour and marina, where some excellent restaurants and shops are also to be found. The area itself is endowed with some of the richest and most beautiful sights in Turkey.
The magnificent and atmospheric ancient cities of Xanthos and Pinara are all accessible from Fethiye, as are the pools and ruined temples of Letoon. For the walker and wildlife lover, spring and autumn provide ideal weather to enjoy dramatic trails through mountainous scenery, often full of wonderful wild flowers. The gorges that cut from the mountains to the sea are home to unique flora and fauna: at Saklikent, water cascades from the heights cooling the gorge and the little restaurants that perch over its waters. At Butterfly Valley, the trees and shrubs seem in constant motion from the myriad different species of butterfly and moth which thrive in a gorge fed by a mill stream.
The beach and lagoon at Ölüdeniz are world famous, and this is a marvellous coastline for scuba divers and watersports enthusiasts; while the brave can pursue more vigorous activities, such as paragliding. Perhaps best of all is the exploration of the coastline with its numerous islets by boat; stopping to picnic in a deserted cove, to clamber over forgotten fragments of mosaic, or simply to swim in one of numerous bays of clear turquoise water before returning to harbour as the sun sinks in the sky.
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