Property for sale in Fethiye on the Aegean Coast, Turkey
Although detailed historical information on the the exact origins of Fethiye is shrouded in the mists of time, it is thought that the town has been in existence since the 5th Century BC. As legend has it, Fethiye's original name Telmessos ('The Land of Lights') is believed to have been from the name of the god Apollo's son, but the current name has been in use only since 1934, in honour of the famous pilot and Turkish national hero Fethi Bey. Regardless, Fethiye is a lovely town set in the breathtaking location of the hillsides and foot of Mount Mendos in the Taurus Mountains, clustered at the end of a gently curving bay of white sand beaches. 'Picturesque' is hardly a word that can do such an idyllic scene justice, as the beauty of Fethiye's setting just has to be witnessed first hand.
A charming town of atmospheric narrow streets, characterful plazas and a lively market place, Fethiye and it's immediate surroundings have a great deal to offer the visitor, and much of it is unique or very different to what may be expected of a visit to Turkey. For example, the blaze of living colour that is the self-explanatory Butterfly Valley should not be missed on visits during the Turkish spring and summer, and neither should relaxing exploration amongst the Silver and Scotch Firs and Norwegian Spruce trees that cover the awesome mountains providing natural shelter to the town. So, Fethiye is unique in many ways, this perhaps typified by the fact that this is only one of three locations on earth where the impossibly rare Frankincense Tree is cultivated for myrrh, used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
The sea around Fethiye is particularly excellent for scuba diving, when it is not uncommon to encounter dolphins and sea turtles, and to feed fish by hand amongst ancient shipwrecks and historical ruins long since consigned to the deep. Excursions into the wilds around Fethiye are also highly recommended, where the greatly varied wildlife of the region can be encountered close-up on jeep safaris, or when the adrenaline will flow on a white-water rafting expedition to the Dalaman River! Or what about the unforgettable experience of paragliding from the side of Mount Badadag for an incredible view of the mountains and the sparkling dark blue waters of the bay below?
No visit to any Turkish location could be fully appreciated without a good look at the important historical sites in and around your chosen destination: the mysterious medieval castle on a hill overlooking Fethiye, about which, it seems, next to nothing is known, is a good enough site at which to start - firing the imagination as it does. Be sure not to miss the amazing mountainside Amynthas Rock Tomb, a wonderfully preserved temple which actually pre-dates the founding of Fethiye by at least 100 years.