Villa Manny is nestled just five minutes from Oludeniz, in the Ovacik district of Fethiye, on Turkey’s stunning Turquoise Coast. Oludeniz beach, a few minutes drive away, is known as being one of the region’s finest, for its clear azure waters and fine sands. Another option is Cold Water Bay (circa 5.5km) – a gorgeously remote family-friendly beach with glistening swimming waters and a soft, sandy shoreline.
Exploring the coves by boat (gulets are aplenty locally - the traditional wooden style boat), and stopping off for a golden gozleme (local flat breads) or visiting the islands around the turquoise coast makes for a wonderful day trip. Snorkelling and other water sports are easily accessible, as is bike hire or pony trekking. Fethiye Harbour is only a few minutes away, offering a charming old-town experience, brimming with artisan boutiques, as well as the main Lycian rock tombs (the tomb of Amyntas), while ending the day with the amazing views of Fethiye marina with a cool drink finishes the day off beautifully.
Kalkan, a circa fifteen-minute drive, is one of this region’s gems. Formerly a humble fishing village with a small harbour and cobbled lanes, Kalkan is a today a vibrant town full of quality seafood restaurants, cafés, bars and colourful textiles boutiques.
This cosmopolitan town is perfect for exploring the timeless beauty of ancient Lycia’s pine-clad shores. The rustic, yet pretty, the centre is a treasure trove of narrow streets and white-washed Ottoman-style houses. There is an attractive smattering of harbour sidebars and rooftop terraces, serving fresh seafood meals under the stars.
With the majestic Taurus mountain range as a backdrop, access to small-town life and sumptuous local cuisine, this part of Turkey has much to love, for water sports enthusiasts, history lovers or simply those in search of an authentic experience.
The Region
Situated on the ancient city of Telmessos, Fethiye is named after one of its most famous ‘sons’, the aviator Fethi Bey. An earthquake in 1957 damaged central Fethiye, so many of its buildings have been built since then.You can, however, see a Lycian theatre, Lycian tombs (including the rock tomb of Amyntas) and visit the Fethiye museum for more history and artefacts. The centre of Fethiye boasts a covered market area, half of which is given over to the local fish market where you can choose your catch from one of the centre stalls and then get it cooked in any of the surrounding restaurants. The whole of the area is shadowed by the mountain of Babadag where paragliders take to the skies, landing on the beach at Oludeniz.
Fethiye’s Tuesday market is worth a visit. Traders come from the outlying villages to sell the wares from their smallholdings. Furrowed browed men with cloth caps, and ladies in floral bloomers will sell their produce amongst the lads trying to get you to buy their designer fakes! It’s all in good humour. Try a little bartering and see if you can do some good business. Go to the spice stall and you will get some amazing spices. Look for the Kar Serbeti, like a cinnamon slush or Ayran, a salty yoghurt drink both guaranteed to cool you down.
Oludeniz & Calis are where people tend to flock for a beach but there are now a few private beach clubs along the coast between Oludeniz and Fethiye which are worth a visit. There are also beach clubs situated around the lagoon, all with sunbeds, restaurants and drinks service. Hisaronu is more commercialised and hosts a large selection of bars, restaurants and gift shops.
