BLOG Family friendly things to do in Fethiye

Five things to do in Fethiye

Fethiye on Turkey's South West coast has plenty to offer the family traveller. If you're planning a holiday with young kids or teenagers in tow, Fethiye's enticing mix of action packed activities, historic sites, fabulous food and modern facilities really is hard to beat.

Five family friendly things to do in Fethiye

1. Visit the famed 'Blue Lagoon' in Oludeniz You can't head off on a holiday to Fethiye without visiting its famous Blue Lagoon at least once. This stunning sandbank has been voted one of the best beaches in the world and has lured travellers to the area since the sixties. Bands of turquoise waters resonate from the sand and shingle bank separating Oludeniz bay and resort from its inner lagoon. The main stretch is a national park with a small entrance fee for those wanting to lie on its sundrenched shores. For families with younger children, the shallow waters to the rear are most suitable. These private beaches, the likes of Paradise, Sugar, Sea Horse or Billy's, all have restaurants and bars on site with most running free transfers to and from your hotel or property in Turkey. Here you can while away a day perfecting the tan while the kids splash in waters so shallow in places that it almost appears they are walking on water. Play spot the turtle or watch them giggle as shoals of fish tickle their feet - a great day out and one that should certainly be at the top of any family to do list in Fethiye.

2. Explore the area on a Jeep Safari Head off on an action packed adventure with a local jeep safari. Visit the likes of the ancient city of Tlos, stroke the fish and enjoy a trout lunch at Yakapark, trudge through icy waters to reach Saklikent Gorge, and feel 10 years younger wallowing in a local mud bath. There are many companies running jeep safaris in Fethiye, all with different itineraries. Some head through rural villages where local kids eagerly shoot you with water guns, others visit the wonderful sandy beach of Patara letting you explore the ruins of Letoon en-route. Speak to your holiday rep or book with a local excursion shop.

3. Bob about on a 12 Islands boat trip The pretty coves, islands and bays around Fethiye serve up some of the best sailing along the Turkish coast. One of the best ways to explore the coastline is on a 12 Islands boat trip from Fethiye harbour. Visit Red Island, Flat Island and the stunning Cleopatra Bay stopping off for regular dips in the area’s crystal clear waters. Kids will enjoy Rabbit Island with its remarkably tame wild rabbits leaping around, and everyone will love the BBQ and meze lunch that's normally included. Boat trips differ in price and routes but are easily arranged locally - stroll along the harbour front in Fethiye or ask your travel agent for details. 

4. Spend a day at a water park Kids of all ages love splashing about and a day at a water park is something sure to bring smiles to young faces. There are a number of water parks around Fethiye; Sultans in Calis is the oldest with good slides, a restaurant and bar. There is a smaller one in central Hisaronu too, but by far the most impressive is Oludeniz Water World. The largest aquapark in Mulga, it boasts a heap of high-octane slides as well as a wave pool and two modern smaller pools with mini-slides and fountains for the little ones. There's a restaurant and bar on site and a cashless payment system ensures valuables can be safely locked away. Book via a local agent or direct and head along for a great day out.

5. Visit the 'Ghost Town' of Kayakoy (Levissi). Tucked away in a deep valley between Fethiye and Oludeniz is the fascinating former Greek town of Kayakoy. Once home to a thriving Greek Orthodox community, a forced population exchange in 1923 left the village abandoned. The little stone cottages, schools, churches and chapels now lie roofless and in ruins leading it to be referred to by many as the 'Ghost Town'. Today the village is protected. A small entrance fee lets you wander freely around the little cobbled streets and take photos. The entire area feels a world away from the noisy local resorts and gives you the opportunity to swat up on a little history, enjoy a traditional breakfast, a tasty village pancake or simply relax in one of rustic cafes and bars found at the foot of the ruins. For the kids there's the excitement of visiting a 'Ghost Town' plus there's normally a couple of camels running short treks around the centre. Getting to Kayakoy is easy via local bus from Fethiye, Oludeniz or Hisaronu, failing that agents run regular excursions.

Fethiye, the ideal family destination

Fethiye is a great choice for a family holiday and this list of things to do in Fethiye with kids could simply carry on and on! Go ape at Fethiye Adventure Park and swing through the trees like a monkey, potter across the bay on the Calis water taxi, enjoy some traditional food and belly dancing on a Turkish night, or play in one of the many free local parks scattered throughout the town and resorts - all options sure to keep kids of any age entertained.