Bodrum
Guarding the entrance to Bodrum's spectacular turquoise bay, where the Aegean Sea meets
the Mediterranean, is an imposing castle built by the Knights of Rhodes. While elegant
yachts fill the marina, the well known charming town attracts a widely varied population
of holidaymakers who promenade the long palm-lined waterfront.
You can swim in completely clear, warm, tideless waters not far from the town. These
waters are particularly popular among underwater divers who enjoy exploring the numerous
reefs, caves and rock formations. There are octopuses, multicoloured sponges of all
sizes and shapes, and an enormous variety of other marine life.
Bodrum has an ancient and reputable history of boat building, and even today craftsmen
still build traditional yachts: Tirhandil with a pointed bow and stern, and the Gullets
- which have a broad beam and rounded stern - are used today on excursions and pleasure
trips and the annual October cup race.
With its dynamic, sociable and Bohemian atmosphere and many small galleries, Bodrum has
won the standing as the centre of the Turkish art community, which has encouraged a
relaxed daytime life style and nights of excitement. Idly dining on fresh seafood and
other Aegean specialties are what the evenings are for, while the night brims with clubs
and discos to keep you going until dawn.
Fethiye
The beautiful and historical town of Fethiye is located in an exceptionally attractive
setting and is perfect for a holiday on Turkey's Mediterranean coast.
The town overlooks Fethiye Bay from the hillside of Mount Mendos. The bay is dotted with
twelve small islands that can be explored by boat trip from the enchanting Fethiye
Marina. The excursions are easily booked and have stops for sunbathing and swimming.
Souvenir shops can be found all through the cobbled streets of old Fethiye town and the
harbour area is packed with excellent restaurants. The nightlife in Fethiye revolves
around its numerous bars and restaurants, which provide a fun and relaxed
atmosphere.
The thriving town has a long and remarkable history with a fort built by the medieval
Knights of Rhodes and the far older rock tombs carved into nearby cliffs by the Lycians,
some dating back as far as the 4th century BC. Fethiye's closest airport is Dalaman
(70km), with transfers taking a little over 1 hour.
Fethiye is the perfect choice for family holidays with small children and beach lovers,
with more than three kilometres of natural beaches and Sovalye Island. Across the bay,
Calis Beach has a variety of waterfront restaurants and bars and water sports, including
windsurfing and kite-surfing. The beach is just a short dolmus (minibus) trip or lift
across the bay by water taxi. While in Fethiye, it's worth dropping in to Olu Deniz to
visit the famous Blue Lagoon, just 12 km away. Olu Deniz also has one of the most sandy
beautiful beaches on the turquoise coast.
Göcek
This idyllic yachting resort town is a short drive from Dalaman airport and sits where
crystal clear bays meet the foot of lush green mountains. The views across the turquoise
waters are absolutely stunning. This small Lycian settlement, named Kalimche in its
early history, can be found between Dalyan and Fethiye.
Göcek offers a variety of excellent bars, restaurants, and shops and is often
frequented
by world renown celebrities. However, the town and its surroundings are protected by
strict development laws so there are not too many hotels and it never over-crowded. It
is not only world-class sailing and its many marinas that make this town a unique place;
it is also the subtle blend of natural surroundings, culture and relaxed ambience that
make this a must on your list of places to visit in Turkey.
Kalkan
When imagining the perfect idyllic Mediterranean harbour, you will have Kalkan in your
mind. It has all the necessary ingredients; cobbled streets winding through the town,
waterfront restaurants, roof-terrace bars, and beautiful bougainvillea covered white
villas. An ideal place for your Premier
Villas holiday in Turkey. The town itself lies at the foot of the striking
Taurus Mountains and faces out on to crystal clear turquoise waters of the
Mediterranean. The views are breathtaking, and while you're eating your freshly caught
and cooked fish next to the harbour with your glass of local wine, you'll realise that
this is a place you'll never forget - and you'll know that you'll return as do others
time and time again.
Kalkan caters for the interests of all, whether they are historical, cultural, water
sports or just pure relaxation - you are sure to find what makes a holiday for you. In
just a few short years, Kalkan has grown from a small fishing village in to a harbour
town with its own modern marina, but still retains its own unique character and remains
unspoilt by mass tourism. Those who visit Kalkan for the first time will enjoy its
versatility, with the restaurants, hotels, and bars being owned by locals and Istanbul
Turks there is a varied and eclectic atmosphere and menus not usually found in these
places.
Kalkan is frequented mostly by British holiday makers who are drawn by its authenticity
mixed with its refined atmosphere. There are many ancient sites to visit in the area
such as Patara, Xanthos, Pinara, Letoon, and Tlos. During the day Kalkan is very quiet
with most of its visitors heading off to the beaches and beach clubs nearby. From the
town centre a dolmus (minibus) takes only ten minutes to get to the hidden Kaputas
beach, a small sandy cove beach set at the base of a striking mountain gorge. If you're
looking for something a little bigger, the world famous Patara beach is approximately 30
minutes away (by dolmus or car) and boasts an 18 kilometre stretch of white sand.
Kas
One of our favourites! The original town of Kas was founded on the remains of ancient
Antiphellos and, as with Kalkan, has the striking Taurus Mountains as a backdrop and
faces the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean. The little port town has developed
over the years and has become the region's main tourist attraction, boasting a brand new
state-of-the-art marina opened in 2011. The town itself is bigger than Kalkan but
retains its idyllic ambience, providing an eclectic mix of ancient history and
sophisticated refinement.
Historically, Kas was a small port located at the southern tip of Lycia. In ancient
times the town was known as Habesos, with it being renamed Antiphellos in later years.
It is said to be one of Lycia's oldest settlements and protected by a breakwater served
the ancient cities of Pinarbasi and Phellos.
Naturally, because of the town's historical location, there are many ancient treasures
to be explored. Right in the centre of the old town is a five-meter tall rock-carved
Lycian sarcophagus dating from the 4th century BC. There are Lycian tombs nearby, an
ancient shipwreck, the still used Greek amphitheatre, and more. One of the main
activities in Kas is scuba diving. Divers from all around the world visit this area to
explore the beautiful waters and visit the ancient sunken sites along with the varied
marine life.
Stroll around the town's attractions and charming shops during the day, and have
enjoyable nightlife after the sun goes down. A range of restaurants and bars are within
seconds of one another and the promenade by the old harbour is idyllic.
Marmaris
Marmaris remains one of Turkey's best known Mediterranean port town resorts, offering
great nightlife, excellent beaches and the renowned Dalyan mud baths.
The majority of nightlife in Marmaris is centred in and around the well-named Bar
Street, where there are clubs, restaurants, cafes, and bars with open doors until the
early hours of the morning. There are also plenty of places to go in the old town away
from the main nightlife; here you will also find good bars, shops, and restaurants.
As with most towns along the south west coast of Turkey, Marmaris has its roots deep in
history. Take some time to explore Marmaris Castle ruins. The castle was rebuilt in 1522
by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, with Marmaris being used as a base for
his navy. There is also a museum with many interesting artefacts.
There are some good shopping opportunities in Marmaris, where you can pick up some
bargains to take home with you, especially in the markets where bartering is the key to
getting the price down.
Marmaris' main beach is a long strip of dark sand which adjoins the nearby resort of
Icemeler. The sea is crystal clear, turquoise, and warm - absolutely perfect for
swimming and very safe. There are water taxis to take you further along the coastline to
neighbouring towns and resorts.
Olu Deniz
If you're looking for a mix of white sandy beaches, restaurants, bars, shops, but without
the hustle and bustle of a major resort, then Olu Deniz is the place. It is situated in
a breathtaking bay and is surrounded by tree lined mountains. The atmosphere in Olu
Deniz is relaxed and has a romantic air about it - a perfect holiday location for
couples and families.
While Olu Deniz has its own shops, local markets, waterfront restaurants, bars, and
discos, it is close to the larger towns of Hisaronu and Fethiye should you feel you're
missing the buzz of city life. The natural environment around Olu Deniz is great for
walking, horse riding, and cycling. For those extra thrills, you can also take part in
paragliding and hang-gliding.
There's no mistaking why people travel to Olu Deniz - it's the fantastic Belcekiz Beach;
an extended length of white sand which gently slopes into the warm crystal waters of the
Mediterranean. There are well tended gardens along the length of the waterfront
promenade. The beach is known as one of the best in Turkey. At the far end of the beach
is a protected beauty spot with a blue lagoon and many hidden beaches. The sand spit is
home to the indigenous loggerhead turtles and is a registered national park. Outside of
the protected areas Olu Deniz offers a wide array of water sports, including jet-ski
rental, scuba diving, and snorkelling.
