Fethiye is the ancient Telmessos located on the Lycian and Carian border. The ancient remains are generally the rock tombs on cliff facades, Amyntas tomb with its splendour is the most striking, Lycian sarcophagai, fortress and the Roman Theatre.
The theatre is a Roman one from 2C AD built on an earlier Greek Theatre. Local archeological museum exhibit Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman artifacts found locally.
The ancient Lycians were the native Anatolians mentioned in Hommer's Iliad and the Kadesh Treaty.
Among the natural wonders is the Blue Lagoon (Ölüdeniz) where crystal blue water is ideal for swimming. The mountain peak (Babadag) is the next most important highlight for those seeking paragliding adventure.
In the surrounds; Xanthos, Pinara, Cadianda, Letoon are prominent antique cities while Saklikent Gorge, Butterfly valley and Kayakoy are other important highlights of their kind.
In the last decade Fethiye has become one of the most visited resort towns especially among the British people. The Times and The Guardian newspapers in 2007chose Fethiye as the best tourism centre.
