Village Driving Routes - Make Holidays Greener

Explore Fethiye with
Village Driving Routes
Photography by
Vicky Erdogan and Jane Atakay
Printed by
Land of Lights
2012 ©
Ancient ruins, stunning beaches and fantastic local food
...... discover the best this region has to offer.
Explore the Fethiye region by car...
Throughout the year there are many local food
and culture festivals (exact dates do vary from
year to year), and here are some of the most
popular:
April (2nd week)
Mushroom Festival in
April (4 week)
Yesil
. Üzümlü.
Children's festival.
May (1st week)
Cultural week in Fethiye.
th
May (4th week)
Çalis Carnival.
June (3rd week)
Ölüdeniz Cultural Festival.
June (4th week)
Cherry Festival in
Arpacik/Nif.
August (2nd week) Oil wrestling and Nomadic
Festival in Seki.
Each self drive route in this booklet will guide you through rural Fethiye… helping you to explore and get to
know the 'real' Turkey by getting off the beaten track and experiencing the culture and hospitality this region
has to offer.
From ancient sites to secluded beaches and turtle nesting locations, each of the routes tells a tale of Turkey's
culture and stunning scenery. You'll notice that one theme that runs through all of the routes is the fantastic
fresh local food available in the region, from cherry picking in Arpacik to vineyards in Pinara and specialty
barbequed lamb in Kaya.
With each of the five routes you'll find advice on the length of time you'll need, and the sites you'll come across
along the way. Where applicable entry fees to sites have been included, these can of course change through
the season but should not vary too much.
Driving in the region is fairly simple. For most of the routes you will first need to get onto the main Dalaman
road. Your joining point will of course vary depending on where you are staying. The airport is well signed in
one direction (Dalaman), and Antalya in the other.
In Turkey, village signs are white with the name in blue, and brown signs indicate a site of archaeological
interest or natural beauty.
If the opportunity arises, please can you mention you are using the Travel Foundation driving routes when
stopping at each location? This will assist with our feedback for the design of future routes.
Happy exploring… enjoy the wonderful scenery and hospitality along the way.
Yk. Dereköy
Arpacýk
Karacaören
Söðütlü
DALYAN
Kertmeç
Söðütlüdere
Gökçeovacýk Kovançukuru
Kýzýlbel
Çenger
Belenpýnar
Ýnlice
Çayan
Koru
Keserali
Çaltýlý
Kýzýlbel
Ýncirköy
Village breakfast and farm museum drive
Paþalý
ÖrenSet
YEÞÝLÜZÜMLÜ
Yürek
Ortaköy
out for this half day trip in the morning to enjoy a traditional Turkish village breakfast, and take in the
farming community villages of Çiflik, Kargi and Yaniklar along the way.
Yanýklar
Take the main Dalaman road out of Fethiye in the direction of the airport. After leaving Fethiye it is
approximately 10 mins to Çiflik where you will need to turn right off the main road at the roundabout at the
Çiflik sign. Look carefully you will also see a sign for the Yörük Musee (museum) which is located at Yalçin
Apts. Once off the main road you will drive through the Çiflik main street. There are 2 turnings on the right
which are marked for the apts and museum. If you miss the first one don't worry as there is a second one as
you approach Kargi. Look carefully as they are small signs. This is a small single road which winds through
the farms which after 5 mins drive will get you to the Breakfast stop (Yörük Musee Yalcin Apts) next to a small
irrigation canal. At the fork in the road you can go either direction as both routes will lead you there.
First stop:
Kargý
CADIANDA
ÇÝFTLÝK
Eldirek
Atlýdere
Yakacýk
Karaçulha
Seydiler
ÇAMKÖY
KARAÇULHA
FETHÝYE
OVACIK
KEMER
Uðurlu
ÇALIÞ
Esenköy
Zorlar
Bozyer
Girmeler
Breakfast
Çobanlar
Keçiler
Kýnalý
Gökben
HÝSARÖNÜ
KAYAKÖY
Gemiler
Çaltýözü
Güneþli
Belceðiz
ÖLÜDENÝZ
Çamurköy
Kabaaðaç
Dip
Kýrme
Çaykenarý
PINARA
Uzunyurt
(FARALYA)
Kabak
Yakabað
KADIKÖY
Alaçalý
Minare
Arifler
Korubükü
Karaaðaç
EÞEN
Demirler
Ýzzettinköy
Boðaziçi
SIDYMA
Gölbent
Yediburunlar
Dodurga
Çukurincir
Head back onto the main road towards Dalaman (right as you meet the main road) and head to Yaniklar and
visit an ecofriendly homestead. Just before the bridge you will see a slip road on the right and a small sign for
Pastoral Vadi. Here the owner has created a relaxing arts and crafts retreat where local farmers have the
opportunity to sell their produce both to the homestead and to its visitors.
To complete your morning outing why not enjoy a relaxing swim in the river. Parking and a resting area can
be found at the end of a track. Drive carefully as this is a gravel track!
To find this local beauty spot, head back onto the main road. Once you have crossed the bridge, turn sharply
right at the large sign – Yesil
. Vadi (Green Valley). This road follows the river and turns into an unmade track.
After approx 15mins (past a trout farm) turn right at the Yesil
. Vadi sign, which will lead you to the river. There is
a large parking area and a little wooden bridge over to the eating and resting area. Wooden platforms
(known as kösks)
have been built up in the trees and over the water's edge. The river is lovely and cool, a
.
welcome relief, especially if you are visiting in the height of summer.
Half Day.
. 20 mins
Allow approx
from
to the first stop
.
Fethiye
rm
Local food, fa
beauty
er
riv
,
m
eu
mus
e.
lif
ge
la
spot, vil
KARADERE
EÞEN RIVER
MAIN ROAD
DALAMAN TO
ANTALYA ROAD
at the Yörük Musee Yalçin Apartments. This is a family run business offering all morning
breakfasts using local homemade produce. For a set price (20TL at the time of going to press) your table will
be filled with local breads, homemade jams, salad from the farm, free range eggs, olives, fruit with plenty of
TLOS
local Turkish tea and freshly squeezed fruits in season. This is a traditional style of breakfast for the locals and
it is expected to take up most of the morning.
After breakfast, visit the little museum in the garden where the owner has accumulated farming and village
artefacts, and photos of local life.
Gavuraðýlý
KUMLUOVA
Patara
Cherry Drive
Arpacik & Nif
Enjoy a half or full day exploring the cherry groves of Arpacik, the ancient site of Cadianda and the Ottoman
style villages houses in Üzümlü. Whilst June is the main cherry picking month, May and July still see some
harvesting.
Üzümlü Village (Yesil
. Üzümlü) & Cadianda
Directions to Üzümlü: Join the main Dalaman road in the direction
to the airport and as you leave Fethiye take the turn off right to
Üzümlü (signposted). This is a large smooth road taking you out
into the countryside. From the turnoff, Üzümlü is approx. 15 mins.
The main road dips into a stunning valley surrounded by
mountains; on your right you will see a turning for Yesil Üzümlü. It
is well worth a stop here to not only see the village, but also to visit
the ancient site of Cadianda. At the centre of the village at the old
cafe is a large Plane tree, if you want to visit the ancient ruins of
Cadianda, turn left here and follow the road to Cadianda.
Alternatively park the car and you can walk (it's a round trip of 10
kms so only for enthusiastic walkers).
y
Full or half da
drive
s
in
m
30
Allow
from Fethiye
to 1st stop.
er y.
Stunning scen
,
al
iv
st
Fe
y
Cherr
stival,
Fe
m
oo
hr
us
M
Ancient site
Directions from Üzümlü to Arpacik and Nif: Head back onto the main road, turn right and head up into
the mountains towards Nif. Arpacik is situated before Nif, about 15 mins from Üzümlü. Look out for a turning
on the left with a cherry sign – this road will lead to Arpacik.
You will know you've arrived in Arpacik because, if here in cherry season, you'll see hundreds of cherry trees.
Known locally as the Napoleon cherry, this is the king of all cherries.......a dark rich red and much larger than
the normal cherries. There is a local cafe in the centre of the village where you can stop for a drink. Here is a
good place to ask if you can pick some cherries. There are no organised cherry picking farms (yet), but many
owners will happily let you pick your own.
In June, the cherry festival takes centre stage. Streets are lined with crates of fruit for sale, and you can enjoy
traditional dancing and performances.
Rejoin the main road and head toward the mountains to reach Nif. Even in June snow still covers the highest
peaks far off into the distance, some nearly 3050 m high. In winter, Nif is a popular spot for the locals to have
snow BBQs families with parking by the roadside to grill the local spicy sausage, known as sucuk, washed
down with a glass of snow drizzled in grape molasses ( pekmez).
In summer the cooler temperature makes this a welcome spot to cool down and enjoy the beautiful views.
In Cadianda, you will find the ancient ruins of tombs dotted
around, as well as the remains of temples, the agora, a cistern, stadium and several statues. At 915 metres
above sea level, Cadianda is also a stunning view point.
The village of Üzümlü is also well known for its home made wine (Üzüm is grape in Turkish) and for its
mushrooms. If you are here in April then head to the mushroom festival usually held in the second week of
April. The Morel mushroom is definitely the star of the show with guided walks and lectures on the subject.
Some cherry facts
Turkey produces more cherries than any other country in the world.
Cherries were first introduced to Europe by the Romans in 70 BC from the Black Sea region in Turkey (Asia
Minor). Giresun province in the north of Turkey is the original home of the cherry (Cerasus), after which the
province is named.
Iztuzu Beach, Turtles and Pomegranates
An alternative to the Classic Dalyan River and Caunos Tombs route
Enjoy a day out at the stunning Iztuzu beach, a nesting site for
loggerhead turtles, drive through pomegranate orchards and take in
the ruins of Caunos tombs.
Directions: You will need to get onto the main Dalaman road and
- and Dalaman.
head out of the Fethiye area, following signs for Mugla
Pass through the Göcek tunnel (3TL charge), approx half an hour from
Fethiye. Continue and go straight over the roundabout at Dalaman
Airport junction.
After about 5 mins drive you will need to take the left turn to Dalyan
which is well signed for Iztuzu.
You will pass through Ortaca , a busy little town with plenty of shops,
banks and businesses. Once out the other side of the town you will be
back to farmland. Look out for stork nests generally seen from May to
July.
Allow 2
Driving Time
thiye to
hours from Fe
destination,
e- Nature,
Full day rout
egranates,
beach, pom
day out.
great family
Iztuzu Beach
Iztuzu Beach is a 4.5km long beach and is one of the main breeding grounds for loggerhead turtles (Caretta
caretta) in the Mediterranean, and is often referred to as "Turtle Beach". The loggerhead turtle is on the IUCN
Red list of endangered animals. The beach has had a protected status since 1988 and is part of the Dalyan
protection program.
There is an entry fee to the beach which is 7.5 TL for the vehicle. There are good parking facilities, beach cafe
and showers. There is also a rehabilitation centre for the turtles. In the summer the centre is open for visitors
from 10am to 6pm. There is no charge but donations are welcome.
The Sea Turtle Centre (DEKAMER) has been established on Iztuzu Beach since 2009, for the research, rescue
and rehabilitation of sea turtles. This centre has been set up for year-round activity and to help educate
issues of conservation.
Dalyan & Caunos tombs
On your route back, visit the town of Dalyan and the visit the ruins of Caunos. Just follow the signs for
Centrum as you head back past the pomegranates and into the town.
Dalyan is a popular tourist resort with a good array of restaurants and shops and it has an enviable position
right on the Dalyan River with amazing views of the ancient site of Caunos, with its cliff carved rock tombs.
Pass through Okçular village and take the left turn for Iztuzu Plage (blue sign). Follow these Iztuzu signs as
this is the way to the beach. You will be passing around the back of Dalyan resort. On the Iztuzu road you will
pass through fields of pomegranate orchards. Look out for a small cafe on the left with a large model
pomegranate; refresh yourself here with some freshly squeezed juice.
Along this stretch of road are several local family run cafes serving pancakes (gözleme), toasts and village
breakfasts and are well worth a stop. Next you will pass a lake like area (sea inlet), and as you climb up you
will get great views of the Dalyan Delta to your right.
As the road dips down you will see the long expanse of Iztuzu beach below....a truly stunning sight.
Pomegranate facts
Pomegranates are native to Turkey and Iran, and are believed to have been first domesticated around 3500
BC. Turkey is the world second largest producer of pomegranates. Pomegranates are not only used for
juices, dressings and eating fresh but the root, bark and rind are used for medicinal purposes. Pomegranate
molasses, known as Nar Eksisi,
. is widely used in Turkey as a salad dressing and as a meat marinade.
Pinara and Patara – ancients sites, a glorious
beach, a vineyard and rural farmland.
There is so much to see on this full day route you could easily spend a
few days leisurely exploring the area!
Directions: You will need to get onto the main Antalya and Dalaman
road and head in the Antalya direction (south). Approx 20mins outside
of Fethiye, take the right turn signed to Antalya and Kas. Take this
turning to the right (this is the main road to the resort of Kalkan – a
harbour town with a good selection of restaurants and shops). Please
note Antalya is also signed for straight on and this road heads up over
the mountains to Antalya (a 2.5 hour drive). For the purpose of this
driving route please turn right.
Full day.
iye to
45 mins Feth
first stop
Ancient sites,
ach,
vineyard, be
ture.
farmland, na
Patara
Head back and turn right onto the main road to carry on to the beach and ancient site of Patara..., approx
another 30 mins drive. Along this route are also the ancient sites of Xanthos and Letoon which you may also
want to stop and explore.
Patara boasts the longest stretch of sandy beach in Turkey at 18km long and 300 m wide. It is a protected
area for the loggerhead turtle. There is one restaurant on the beach. Not only is Patara a great beach, it is
also an important archaeological site. Patara was one of the six cities of the Lycian Union and probably the
most important one. The entry fee of 5TL is helping to preserve and reconstruct some of the sites. The main
points of interest are the Roman tombs, the Arch of Triumph, Roman baths, the Byzantium fortress and
church and Roman theatre.
Also in the area...20 mins drive further on from Patara is Kalkan, a popular harbour town with pretty cobbled
streets and boutique shops and restaurants.
After approx. 15 mins, look out for the sign for the Pinara Vineyard on
the left (the sign is a corkscrew design). A little further on the main road
you'll also see the sign for Pinara's ancient site (on the right). This will
lead you onto a track to the ancient site, please drive carefully!
An alternative route home.
For an alternative to the main highway, why not travel back through the farming communities? As you head
back on the main road look on your right for the sign for Saklikent and Tlos. There are two roads both signed,
you can take either one as they both lead back to Fethiye.
Both Saklikent Gorge and the site of Tlos are on the major touristic trail and in themselves worthy of another
day trip and if you feel you have the time then just follow the signs to them.
.
Pinara vineyard & ancient site
Pinara vineyard is the only one in the Fethiye region, and produces a good local red wine. If visiting in
September you'll see the grapes on the vine. The wine is not made on site but they do have a wine cellar with
the opportunity to purchase some bottles.
Pinara is a little known archaeological site set, amongst stunning scenery. There is an 8TL entry fee . Allow at
least an hour to explore this site. Pinara dates back to the Trojan wars and was one of the six cities in the
Lycian Union. The main ruins to see are the pigeon rock tombs cut into the rock face, Lycian Sarcophagus,
and amphitheatre. When walking around the site keep an eye open for tortoises, a huge array of wild
flowers and plants and some extremely old olives trees.
You will pass through many small farming villages, with small stalls selling local produce, a great place to
buy local fruit and veg. Depending on what time of year you are visiting you will see fields of sweetcorn,
aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, sesame seed wigwams, oranges, lemons, pomegranates, peaches and
apricots.
- the highest
During this drive you will follow the Esen
River and you will see the majestic mountains of Akdag,
.
point being an altitude of 3024 metres. This mountain range forms a natural boundary between the Fethiye
region and Antalya and during spring (and often into June) is still covered in snow.
By keeping the mountain range on your right and following the river you will head back onto the main road.
You will need to cross the river at some point at any of the bridges.
- signs and this road will take you back to your
Once back on the main road just follow the Fethiye/Mugla
resort.
Kaya Village and Gemiler Beach
Within easy access from all the Fethiye resorts, Kaya Köy and Gemiler
Beach make an excellent choice for a half day drive. This can also be
combined with a trip to Ölüdeniz and the Blue Lagoon, if you are
staying in Çalis and Fethiye.
Directions: There are two routes into Kaya Köy. One from the resort
of Hisarönü and through the forest following the signs. Alternatively,
from Fethiye drive past the Lycian tombs at the back of the town, and
follow the signs.
Half Day
,
Historical site
h,
ac
be
l
Walking, loca
Q
BB
e,
lif
village
.
h.
lunc
Kaya Village
Kaya is often called the ghost village due to the deserted ruins on the hillside, left empty since the 1920s
when the Greek population of the valley was relocated to what are now the Greek Islands. The population
exchange happened both ways with the Turkish people who were living on the Islands moved to mainland
Turkey.
Today, Kaya is a protected area of historical importance, as well as natural beauty, and is best admired on
foot. There are plenty of areas to park next to the many local BBQ restaurants.....lamb being a speciality of
the valley.
There is an entrance fee to the ruins on the hillside, approx 7TL. Both the upper and lower churches are well
worth a visit, and if you walk up the stone steps to the little white look-out post you will get great views across
the valley, and to the sea over the other side.
The beach is pebbly and a great place to people watch and to admire the great views out to St Nicholas
Island. Picnic tables are located up in the pine forest just behind the beach where you will mingle with the
locals under the shade of the trees.
On your way back...
Head back up the hill to Kaya and take a left in between the two cafes. This road will take you to the back of
the valley, take the last right turn to some little known Lycian tombs.
Also located here is the Kaya Wine House, a great little stop. This little restaurant is in a traditional old Kaya
house which has been sympathetically renovated, with a great terrace overlooking the valley. All the mezes
(starters) are handmade, as is the bread and butter. You can sample Turkish fruit wines here.
There is also another wine house near the ruins, overlooking the old houses. on the road coming down from
Hisaronu. This is also very popular and has a cellar full of character.
The village has a good selection of local restaurants run by Kaya families, many using home grown produce.
Some of the restaurants also have live music in the evenings.
For nature lovers, throughout the year there are many wonderful things to see from the wildflower
meadows in April/May, butterflies and bees in June right through to Figs and Pomegranates at the end of
summer. In October the farmers are busy drying all their produce for winter...chilli, peppers and tomatoes all
air-dried out in the fields or on top of the flat roofs. You may notice some of the farmers in this area still work
their land by hand, the horse and plough can still be seen tilling the fields.
Gemiler beach
Back in the car, take the Gemiler road down to the beach ( left at the cafes at the village crossroads). This road
takes you out of the village and down through the pine forest. The view of the coastline and the islands is
quite spectacular. A 10 minute drive will get you to the beach. There is a small entry fee of 3TL which supports
the village, and parking is on the left. The cafe here is also run by the village and has the best spot on the
beach.
If you want to return without the car ......
Kaya is on the Lycian Way – part of an extensive route over the mountains to Antalya. Keen walkers can walk
to Kaya from Fethiye, following the Lycian way signs from behind the old castle ruins in Fethiye up through
the forest on the original cobbled roads.
From the resort of Hisaronu you can follow a track beside the road through the pine forest.
From the top of the ruins there is also a marked path over the top of the hill, down to the beach at Ölüdeniz.
Allow a couple of hours for each of these walks.
Taste of Fethiye Project
Launched in 2010, the Taste of Fethiye project is a five year project that sees collaboration between the Travel
Foundation, Co-operative Travel, Tui UK & Ireland (Thomson, First Choice) and Thomas Cook.
The project aims to:
* promote the fantastic local produce available in the Fethiye region.
* assist farmers in the region to improve the benefits they gain from tourism and to encourage good farming
practice.
* highlight the benefits of buying local produce to hotels and encourage them to buy produce from local
farmers.
What difference will this make to my holiday?
By helping hotels and farmers to recognise the benefits of buying and selling locally, holidaymakers will get
to taste the 'real' Turkey, and enjoy fresh produce at its best.
Also, if hotels buy locally, farmers in the region can earn a living from tourism that is happening on their
doorstep, rather than having to export.
Each of these routes have been designed to help you explore the area you are visiting, and try local
delicacies along the way.
Enjoying local food whilst you are on holiday is a great experience, and it also helps to make a difference to
the destination you are visiting, as it supports the local community.
To find out how else you can make a difference on holiday, please visit
www.makeholidaysgreener.org.uk
If you have any comments about this booklet, please email them to [email protected].