- Gocek
Göcek 
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The Gulf of Göcek, with well-equipped marinas set in a beautiful pine forest, is one of the Mediterrariean's best sailing spots. Dotted with islands and intented with many, coves, its land and seascapes are irresistible. The ruins of Arymaxa, an ancient city the southern tip of the gulf, lie at the edge of the azure waters. Opposite on Tersane Island stand Byzantine ruins including those of the ancient shipyards.
Göcek is popular with yacthing types who come here for its excellent marina. It is a charming resort with a range of sophisticated hotels and upmarket restaurants and boutiques.
Fethiye
Fethiye is a traditional market town set around a beatiful natural harbour. It is a big centre for scuba diving and boats leave from here for day trips around the stunning coastline. The most popular is the 12 islands boat trip, a relaxing way to spend the day, touring the beatiful coves and islands of the Gulf of Fethiye, with breaks for lunch and swimming. Life here continues all year around, and recentlu, many British nationals have chosen to make this relaxed area their home. There are a number of hotels in the town itself, which mostly attract older couples, who enjoy the traditional lifestyle and also like the fact that it is flat and easy to get around. There is a greater variety of shops in the narrow streets of the bazaar area, Paspatour, offering more competitive prices than those in any of the resorts. In the evenings head for this lively area for live music and Turkish bars. There is no beach in Fethiye itself although there are hotels which have access to the sea for swimming. Once the site of the ancient city of Telmessos, all that remains are the Lycian rock tombs, which overlook the modern town, a couple of Lycian sarcophagi and a small Roman theatre.
Ölüdeniz
Ölüdeniz is the archetypal picture-postcard beach, backed by dramatic pine-clad hills, and is the view that you see on many a brochure cover. Literally translated as 'dead sea', the stunning lagoon is a protected area, ensuring that its natural beauty is preserved. There is a small entrance charge to use the lagoon beach and only non-motorised watersports are allowed on the lagoon itself. The main resort beach, which is free entry, is the long stretch of coarse sand and shingle, known as BelceÄŸiz beach. Most of the accommodation, built in the traditional local MuÄŸla style, is set back from the beachfront and in the streets behind. There is a strip alongside the seafront promenade with a number of relaxed bars, restaurants serving local and international cuisine and shops, which stay open well into the night. It is a perfect family resort, great for a laid-back beach holiday, with plenty of facilities but not too much development. Boats leave from the bay for trips around the surrounding coast and paragliding is a big draw with the descent from the BabadaÄŸ mountains to land on BelceÄŸiz beach, rating as one of the best in the world.
Hisarönü
Fifteen years ago there were only a few houses here but now it is a lively resort in its own right. Due to the planning restrictions and lack of space to expand in Ölüdeniz itself, many holidaymakers now stay in this lively village. It is in a stunning location, surrounded by stunning pine-clad mountains, and hotels are all built in the local style, low rise, mostly with rooms set in villa-style blocks and decorative wooden balconies. The beach of Ölüdeniz is just a short dolmuÅŸ ride away (approx. 15 minutes), and the town of Fethiye is also easily reached, approximately the same distance away in the opposite direction. You can, however, easily spend your time in Hisarönü itself, lazing by the pool, and venturing out at the night to sample international or local fare in one of the many restaurants, and visit its lively bars playing music well into the early hours. There are plenty of shops here too, with a wider range on offer than in Ölüdeniz itself.
Ovacık
Just a short distance from Hisarönü, is the newer resort area of Ovacık, which is essentially a collection of hotels and apartment buildings, blending in with the stunning mountain scenery. It is more peaceful than its neighbour, and all facilities are in the centre of Hisarönü just a short walk or dolmuş ride away. Ovacık makes a good base for those who want to walk in the surrounding countryside.
Çalış Beach
The nearest beach to Fethiye is Çalış beach, a pebble and coarse sand beach in a beatiful setting, which can be reached by boat or dolmuş from the town center. The seafront promenade with its hotels and restaurants is closed to traffic during the summer, making it safe for children. The resort has expanded around the beach, and has a relaxed feel popular with families and older couples.
Kayaköy
One of the highlights of a stay in this area is a visit to the eerie ghost town of Kayaköy, literally 'stone village'. Once the Greek town of Karmylassos, it was abandoned in the 1920's. It has recently been the subject of renewed interest as it features as the setting for Louis de Bernières novel, 'Birds without Wings' which provides a fascinating insight into life here and the period of dramatic social change which took place in the time leading up to the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. There are around 400 houses here together with churches and other public buildings. It can be visited by dolmuÅŸ, on foot from Hisarönü or even on horse-back.
Saklıkent Gorge
Known in Turkish as the 'hidden city' Saklıkent is a stunning mountain gorde some 44 kms from Fethiye, a narrow opening stretching an incredible 18 kms into the rockface of Mount Akdağ. A wooden walkway has been constructed above the icy cold waters of the mountain springs of Gökçesu and Ulupınar. If you are feeling particularly brave you can take a dip here, but otherwise the waterside cafes provide a relaxing break and a chance to enjoy the spectacular setting.
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