Guide

Calis Beach Guide

Calis Beach and Fethiye, Turkey – Local area

“Situated on the wonderful turquoise coast in the south west corner of Turkey”

Calis Beach

In contrast to the surrounding countryside, the resort is very flat and so is ideal for those with mobility restrictions. It is a relaxed holiday resort in which you can either take in the stunning views while sipping a cool beer or take a stroll along the 4km long beach. On the other hand, make use of its handy position close to many activities; excursions and Turkish culture.
The block-paved promenade has a wide selection of bars, restaurants and shops. There is a gentle breeze to keep you cool on those hot summer days. Enjoy all manner of water-sports, and at the end of day, the famous sunset as the sun drops below the crystal blue waters. Spend £1 on a great 30 min water taxi trip through the reeds of the canal, close to the bird sanctuary and into Fethiye harbour, every half hour, every day right up to midnight. The Dolmus mini bus also runs regularly until midnight (almost to your door) most useful after those exhausting days on the beach/on your feet or evenings in the bar!

Fethiye Turkey

Once the Lycian settlement of Telmessos, Fethiye is now a bustling market town which perfectly combines traditional Turkish life with that of a welcoming holiday resort. English is widely spoken with 10% of the residents being British. Fethiye has a beautiful harbour where you can get water taxis (to and from Calis Beach), and is the centre for a wide range of attractively priced excursions, including island boat trips on traditional Gullets, motor launches or fishing boats. It has a great selection of shops and the large open-air market selling vegetables, herbs, fruit, fish, meat, dairy products and local handicrafts must be visited. There are many historical attractions in the town and nearby, including rock tombs; ancient castle and artefacts museum. Also, as you would expect, here you can relax in a traditional Turkish bath.

Olu Deniz Beach

Surely one of the best beaches in the world, and certainly the most photographed in Turkey. This is the location of the blue lagoon. Clean, warm turquoise coloured water in varying shades of blue. Sit on the beach facing the incoming waves and peer into the blue. No need to dream of paradise here – you’re there! The waters edge contrasts stunningly with the white shingle sandy beach. Very attractive and safe spot to visit for families with lots to do. Many sports and water activities can be found here including paragliding.

Gocek

Very pretty and exclusive fishing village. Very important yachting centre from which to explore the many bays and islands and surrounded by pine-clad hills. Superb fish restaurants. Charming!

Hisaronu & Ovacik

Set high up in the hills above Olu Deniz, these resorts are cooler during the day, however they turn on the heat in the evenings due to a lively nightlife with lots of popular music bars and discos.

Dalyan

See the loggerhead turtles nest on the beach during the summer. And there’s no better way to do this than to take the African Queen boat down the Dalyan River through the nature reserve. Dalyan village is at the centre of a broad delta meeting the sea at the fine sand of Iztuzu Beach (”Turtle Beach”). Described as “one of the last corners of paradise”, Dalyan is surrounded by bulrushes; cotton fields and pine-clad hills. At night this pretty riverside village comes alive with laughter and music in its many waterside bars and restaurants. The mud baths in this area (see things to do).

Caunos & Llica

Caunos is where you can get really messed up by taking a luxurious, cooling sulphur mud bath. Is also the site of impressive Lycian rock tombs. Follow up with a cleansing dip in the hot thermal waters at Llica. You’ll never feel better – or younger!

Dalaman, Location of nearest airport – 45 minutes by car. The Dalaman river is the best in Turkey for rafting with grade 4 rapids.

Things to Do

Sunbath on the balcony or by the Pool at the Apartment – with your favourite drink.

Before you do everything else below, prepare yourself by doing this – for as long as you like!

Get Out and meet the Locals

It is the warmth and friendliness of the people here that really turns a great holiday into one that you will want to repeat again and again.

Sakikent Gorge (see things to Do – a must Do and See!)

This is the place for that day when you feel energetic but need to cool down. Rushing torrents of icy cold water cascade through this narrow gorge in the mountains high above Fethiye, where the sunlight is mostly cut out. At 18km long and 300 metres deep, it’s one of the most breathtaking sights in Turkey. Take a picnic or stop by at one of the rustic restaurants which overhang the river

Calis Sunday Market

Haggle for bargains every Sunday. Combines great bargains with the excotic and unusual.

12 Island Boat Tour

Fantastic day out cruising around islands off the Fethiye coast. All for just £8 including lunch (cooked and served on board) and transfers (children £4).the boat stops at various islands and bays including “Cleopatra’s Bay”. Plenty of stops to swim and snorkel or explore. If you are lucky you may see some dolphins or flying fish.

Many other boat and gullet trips are also available including to the Dalyan Delta and Butterfly Valley.

Water Taxi from Calis Beach to Fethiye

(board 7 mins walk from apartment). Spend £1 on a great 30 min water taxi trip through the reeds of the canal, close to the bird sanctuary across the bay and into Fethiye harbour, every ½ hour, every day, up to midnight.

Bike Hire

Available locally to explore the resort and nearby Fethiye. For more serious bikers, either cycle in the hills above Calis and Gunlukbasi, or for the even more adventurous – hire a bike at Black Tree village (1 hours drive away), 1000m above sea level. Ride on forest tracks past tobacco valleys and friendly villagers on their donkeys. A favourite track is a one and a half hour all downhill ride to Patara beach, one of the best beaches in the world. If you wish, like us, take the minibus provided, back to base.

Sultans Aqua City Water Park (2 mins walk from Apartment)

A firm family favourite. Plenty of big and small slides to suit all ages. Facilities include changing rooms, bar and snack bar.

Shopping

Calis Beach has a great block-paved shop lined promenade and it’s lively Sunday market.

Fethiye; Hisaronu and Olu Deniz have several pedestrian only streets lined by shops selling jewellery; carpets; leather; clothes and, of course, Turkish delight!

Nightlife

Enjoy the quieter but delightful atmosphere of Calis Beach or warm things up a little in Fethiye. For a really hot night out visit nearby Hisaronu or Ovacik.

Restaurants

Everywhere you go, the restaurants and snack bars cater for every taste. From traditional Turkish and world cuisine, to English food, including baked beans on toast for that feeling when you’ve over-dosed on everything else that’s on offer.

Paragliding/Microlighting

The paragliding at Olu Deniz is probably the best in the world. Just imagine it – 2000 metres above the stunning “blue lagoon” and beach. Take a camera and enhance its reputation as Turkey’s most photographed attraction. Beginners are taken up in-tandem with a professional pilot. An experience you will never forget! Microlighting can also be enjoyed in the area.

Scuba Diving

Superb diving for both beginners and experienced alike. First timers will appreciate the calm, clear and warm waters. The more adventurous can explore the numerous caves and underwater archaeological sites.

Mud Baths

Combine a day in the Dalyan nature reserve or visiting the rock tombs at Caunos with taking a relaxing mud bath. Pamper yourself in the mud and sulphur pools, and feel 10 years younger.

Turkish Baths

Enjoy a steamy soak followed by a massage in Fethiye.

Tuesday Market at Fethiye

The large open-air market selling vegetables, herbs, fruit, fish, meat, dairy products and local handicrafts must be visited. Grab a bargain and don’t forget to haggle!

Horseback Riding

Just £14 will get you a 3 hour excursion, including 2 hours riding through valleys and mountains, with breathtaking views, through olive groves and ancient sites, with a break in a neighbouring village. Perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike, astride calm and safe ponies.

Mountain Biking

In the hills above Calis and Gunlukbasi

White Water Rafting

There are plenty of spots in which to undertake rafting; kayaking; canoeing etc, in which you can pass through breathtaking canyons and rapids. Costs +/- £50. the Dalaman River is the best in Turkey for rafting, with grade 4 rapids.

Walking

There are lots of spots for short or medium length walks in the surrounding hills and coastal areas, all of which have the same thing in common – great views and scenery. Organised walks can be taken, which enable you to look at the scenery, instead of the map!

But for the more adventurous – walk the LYCIAN WAY which extends all the way from Olu Deniz to Antalya (50kms of footpaths and mule tracks). Along its length you will encounter history and ruins from the Lycian age and their conqueror’s from the dynasty of Alexander the Great, followed by Arabs; Crusaders and Genoese.

Truck or Jeep Safari

Several companies offer excursions into the mountains; Xanthos; Saklikent hidden canyons and Patara Beach

Explore Turkey!!

Hire a car and just go. Or take an air-conditioned bus to everywhere from the large bus station (Otogar) in Fethiye

Ski-ing

New resort for 2005 at Seki, just 1¼ hours by car on road to Antalya. Long season. Excellent facilities; hotels; stunning scenery and of course, friendly people.

Donkey Trekking

Under the guidance of a long-term local, John Laughland, and his donkey porter, take to the shepherd’s paths that cross the Kaya valley. Alternatively, take in part of the Lycian Way – all the way to Antalya if you have plenty of time!

Kaya Croquet Club

Pure, eccentricity exported from England.

Fishing

Hire a boat for your own private fishing trip or fish from the many vantage points close-by

Water Sports.