Fethiye, on Turkey's South West coast, has attracted a steady stream of tourists since the 1960's. Initially, it was the hippies and travellers that were lured to the area to escape. They wanted to bask in the crystal-clear waters of the Oludeniz blue lagoon, at that time simply a beach with a few tents and ramshackle buildings only accessible by a steep old donkey road. How times have changed!

Today, Fethiye and its resorts of Calis, Hisaronu, Ovacik and Oludeniz, are full of life. They are the tourist and family travellers’ choice, a Brits home from home with no end of restaurants, bars, boutiques and activities to keep guests occupied. Spring traditionally sees the first foreign faces arrive, the tourists looking to escape the high summer temperatures and the Turkey property owners keen to spend time in their Turkish holiday homes before flight prices rise or they rent out their villas and apartments for the season. From July onwards, the kids are off school, and the resorts are packed. The streets fill with families, inflatables fill the pools, and the main beaches are full of holidaymakers trying to perfect the all-important tan.

Fethiye is one of the most diverse coastal regions in Turkey. Although it's unlikely you will avoid all signs of tourist life, there are a few locations you can go to find a little peace and tranquility:

Faralya near Oludeniz

Escape from the hustle and bustle of life in Faralya just a 30-minutes drive along the coastal road from Oludeniz. Relax and rejuvenate in this rural setting boasting outstanding sea views. Faralya is perhaps best known for the Lycian Way (Likya Yolu), a famed way-marked hiking trail stretching 509km from Fethiye to Antalya. The route, a combination of trails once used by the Lycians, heads along the coastal road through the village. The area itself, backed by mountains, pine forest and facing the sea, boasts little more than a handful of boutique hotels, a few select yoga retreats and some glorious Turkish homes, most custom made to make the most of the wonderful surroundings. Faralya is the ideal escape for those looking to simply get back to basics, listen to the sounds of nature and enjoy organic meals under a star-filled sky.

Kabak

A little further on from Faralya is Kabak. This area homes one of the most beautiful bays along the coast. Again, Kabak attracts the escapists, the walkers and non-traditional tourists. The area falls under strict building regulations therefore the accommodation tends to be less traditional. Most hotels and retreats have a main building/restaurant and a selection of stilted cabins, some luxurious, others far more basic - a term that springs to mind is 'shabby-chic'. Like Faralya, Kabak is a great location for those seeking a rural escape in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Kayakoy 'Ghost Town'

Also known as Karmylassos in Greek, Kayakoy is tucked away in a deep valley a 15 minutes drive from Fethiye and Oludeniz. The village is more commercial than the likes of Faralya and Kabak, but still retains a traditional charm making it feel a world away from neighbouring resorts. Kayakoy has a fascinating history, one that has inspired artisans and authors, most notably Louis de Bernieres novel, 'Birds Without Wings'. Why is the area special? Because its 350 or so original stone cottages once homed more than 20,000 Greeks but today lie roofless, crumbling and abandoned. A compulsory population exchange in 1923 saw the former Greek Orthodox residents expelled from the area. The government did try to repopulate the town on a couple of occasions, but to no avail. The village is now widely referred to as a 'ghost town'. Although Kayakoy does attract tourists, the feel of the area is very different. There are just a couple of hotels, camps and a handful of private Turkish villas available for rent in the village. There is a selection of traditional restaurants and good transport links to Hisaronu, Oludeniz and Fethiye.

Yesil Uzumlu

Yesil Uzumlu, meaning 'with green grapes' in Turkish, is a traditional mountain village 20 minutes inland from Fethiye. It has grown significantly over the last 10 years yet still retains an olde-worlde charm. This pretty village is backed by mountains that are gloriously snow-capped during the winter months giving the area an almost alpine feel. It is also a few degrees cooler during the summer meaning the long hot days are manageable. The village centre with its warren of cobbled streets, traditional white-washed cottages and handful of tea-houses, daily shops and restaurants, is focused around the mosque and central square. A wander through the centre and you still see the village men gathering for an afternoon playing backgammon and drinking cay on rickety wooden tables, the village women making lace or selling organic fruit and vegetables at the weekly market. Although Uzumlu now has an expat community, those that choose to buy a property in Uzumlu or holiday in the area are those looking to escape traditional tourist life. Uzumlu is the ideal location for those seeking a country escape that's still within easy reach of Fethiye town with its vast array of attractions and facilities.

If you are looking for a holiday destination away from the tourist crowds, Faralya, Kabak, Kayakoy and Uzumlu are all locations well worth considering. For more information, or to arrange to view a selection of Turkish property in Fethiye, please email vie the contact link below.  

This blog was originally posted on Turkey Homes.