Gemiler Island: There are the remains of churches, chapels and civilian buildings of Byzantium Period built between 5th and 11th century BC on the island reached by boats from Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) and Gemiler Bay. The island is important due to having been one of the first centres where Christianity began to spread. The island also known as the St. Nicholas Island is one of the ports of call for the blue cruise boats.
Araxa: At a distance of 40 km from Fethiye, Araxa was founded on the place where the Ancient Xanthos Brook flows. This wonderful natural water spring has been the subject of many mythological stories. In the ancient city within the borders of today’s Ören village, rampart ruins, a public bath and the water canals of Byzantine Period, have survived up to the present day.
Tlos: At a distance of 45 km from Fethiye, Tlos is one of the six big cities of the Lycian Federation. The sport centre of the federation is also Tlos. It is known as the city where mythological hero Bellerophon and his winged flying horse Pegasus lived. Determined as the oldest city of Lycian Region by the archaeological excavations, Tlos dates back to the time before 2000 B.C. The graveyard on the natural rocks of the city acropolis was filled with most elaborate house-type tombs of Lycia. It is known that the king-type tomb in the necropolis is dedicated to Bellerophon.
Letoon: Situated 55 km far from Fethiye, Letoon was the religious centre of the Lycian Federation. It is well known for three temples dedicated to the Goddess Leto, Goddess Artemis and God Apollo. Archaeological excavations have been carried on since 1962 in Letoon and the churches of the early Christianity period are uncovered.
Pınara (Minare Village): It is on the foothills of Mount Akdağ, 55 km from Fethiye. One of the biggest cities of Lycian Federation, Pınara is known as the city where the first beauty contest is held. The temple, dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite, also draws attention in the city as it was built in an unusual architectural style. Hundreds of public tombs in the shape of pigeon holes make necropolis unique.
Cadianda: It is at a distance of 25 km from Fethiye within the borders of Üzümlü village. It is known as the last city joined to the Lycian Federation. The city was quite destroyed due to natural reasons owing to its interesting geography. The city with its theatre, agora, complex of stadium-public bath and monumental tombs, which were unearthed after the excavations carried out by Fethiye Museum, has become a cynosure in recent years.
Kayaköy: Kayaköy was a settlement region of Rums (Greeks of Turkish Nationality, also known as the Anatolian Greeks) in the 14th century. It was founded on the lands of ancient city Karmillassos which had been demolished almost completely excluding a few home-type tombs due to earthquakes. Its ancient name in the Greek period was Levissi. Becoming united with the people of the surrounding five Turkish villages and teaching humanity on the concepts of friendship, brotherhood, and peace throughout its history, Kayaköy is one of the most important regions to be proud of. According to the agreement of population exchange signed between Turkish and Greek governments in 1922, Rums living in Kayaköy were exchanged by Turks living in the western Thrace.
Telmessos Antique Theatre: As mentioned in the ancient sources, there was a big theatre in Telmessos. During the drill excavations carried on by the Directorate General of Fethiye Museum in 1993, seats of the theatre were found 3-4 meters under the soil layers accumulated because of erosion. After the excavations concluded in 1995, all the extant remains of the theatre were re-surfaced. Built in the early Roman Period and repaired in 2000 AD, it is known that the theatre with a capacity of 5000 seats was used as an arena. The reconstruction project for the restoration of the Telmessos Theatre, which has a seating capacity of 1500 people at present, has been completed.
