TRAVEL / Come with me to Fethiye, Oludeniz, Hisaronu, Ovacik

Merhaba , nasilsin ? Good day, how are you? Those are the first Turkish words I learned more than 20 years ago. When everybody thinks Turkey they always thinking on the seaside resorts of Antalya, Lara, Alanya, Bodrum, Kusadasi, an all-inclusive resort etc. But I hear a very little about Fethiye and Oludeniz. Do you know how beautiful this area is? I 've been there for years and I never get bored there because the nature is so beautiful . There's plenty to do and lots to see . Unfortunately I can not name all because it is too much.

Flight

From the Netherlands several companies fly to Dalaman where you can get the airportshuttle to Fethiye. The trip will take about an hour but it can be less. There where moments that I fly with Corendon, than with Transavia and the next trip with Onur Air and sometimes with Sunexpress or TUI. The prices are various because it depends from the time and periods you fly to Turkey. The cheapest return ticket which I bought until now is € 40,= with Arke ( now called TUI).

Entertainment

The Fish Market

When you are in Fethiye then you should absolutely go to the fish market. The fish market is a courtyard that has been created by restaurants. In the middle there are several vendors who offer fresh fish. The fresh fish is weighed and cleaned and then you give on which restaurant you sit down. They bring the cleaned fish at the restaurant so that it can prepare . And I must say .... you eat there for very cheap the best food in the Netherlands, you absolutely can not krijgen..tenminste ... I have the flavor not found in the Netherlands.

The Old Town

The fish market is situated right in the middle of the center of Fethiye. The center is quite small but you can get there anything that you can get as in Europe but the prices are three times cheaper even when you buy the European brands. The old town is very picturesque and very cozy and you can taste the typical Turkish atmosphere . The restaurants, souvenirshops and Turkish teahouses adorn the streets. Remember baklava or künefe at any Gaziantep pattisserie in the center. Eat only baklava which truly comes from Gaziantep because this is THE foodcity of Turkey. Don't forget to walk in the passage with the umbrella's. So nice to walk overthere. On the corner you will find a big store named Ramazan.

Friday Market

Every Friday there is a large market in the center where you can buy mostly vegetables, fruit, cheese and bread. There are a number of stalls shoes, bags, clothing and household items also. The market is covered with large pieces of canvas that bind the market traders with strong ropes and metal wires on the lantaarnpaals and rods. Also on the market is : Bargaining . Are you finished shopping than you can in a different part of the market , sit down and make a snack with a drink.

The Boulevard

Fethiye is a small port. At the harbor they build a long boulevard that stretches from downtown to the beach of Calis (about 5 km from Fethiye). How many kilometers this boulevard covers I do not know but as Calis is nearly 5 km from Fethiye, you actually can already imagine a little how long the strip is. Along the promenade they planned palmtrees which give the boulevard a romantic and tropical sight. You really feel like in a different world. Along the boulevard there came lotst of various restaurants, teahouses,grand cafes, etc. in the last few years. Making it very crowded in the summer but with a relaxed atmosphere. The majority of Turkish tourists stay up around the Boulevard, while the English and Dutch and German tourists moved around Oludeniz Beach and Calis Beach. Do not forget to eat a fish sandwich on the boat (name forgotten) at the promenade. The tastiest sandwich cod eat there.

Oludeniz

In the winter months Oludeniz and Hisaronu looks like ghost towns. Round about the 1st of May (when the tourist season begins) then the entrepreneurs start building and furnishing of the shops, the hotels are being refurbished and a lick of paint is given , the whole inner interior is refreshed and trucks from the wholesalers for food drive back and forth. The first tourists are pouring in and within a month , the conviviality turned in Oludeniz. Oludeniz has a very broad sand / pebble beach where you can easily spend hours on a sunbed can be without being interrupted each time by additional pass holders . Do you want a fancy sack , then walk to the restaurant just across your lounger. I always go to the Oyster Beach Restaurant. Shower and changing room are available, making it easy for sightseers to clean and fresh to eat after having lain in the sun.

Araxa, Saklikent , Kayakoy, Tlos , Telmessos

I don't have to say more but these places you really need to go. In this area there are the springs, waterfalls, ancient Greek village, ruins of arenas and other settlements . Google on the Internet and you will find all the information.

Paragliding, horseback riding , water sports and diving

Did you see the movies and videos on Youtube from the paragliders coming down from the high mountain Babadag? See below a video from the mountain. 

Horse riding from Hisaronu Kayakoy direction, swimming on the Oludeniz beach or from a boat. Everything is possible. And if you like snorkling or diving, try the diving lessons from the famous divingcenter in Fethiye...the European Diving Center Fethiye. Reed the reviews on Tripadvisor and I know you will agree with me. The owners are Alan and Jill and my first official dive was so scarry but Alan helped me by walking with me from the beach into the water and going down. I did not get out of the water after that because it was fun.

Cosmetics Brands

Last but not at least. Turkish cosmetic brands! In Fethiye they recently openend a shopping mall called Erasta. There are two drugstore Gratis TR and Watsons. You have to see it as Kruidvat and Etos with the remark that Watsons is a part of the Watsons Group which Kruidvat also be included. I have also seen products from Kruidvat in the store and it was quite funny actually. In these shops you will find brands such as Maybelline, L'Oreal, Max Factor, Essence, The Balm and Turkish cosmetics brands Flormar and Pastel. Brushes: strange enough I found the brand Real Techniques in the stores and just for a lower price than what I was paying for it in the Netherlands. In this drugstores you can find everything you need for skincare, face and body. I'm in love with the brands which Gratis TR and Watsons selling because the prices are just good and low. Do not forget to buy the real henna there because the stuff is very good for your hair 

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Are you previously ever been in Fethiye and do you know more places to go? Please leave a comment below this blogpost.

Greetings Paula