The ancient Lycian region that surrounds Fethiye is simply full of ancient ruins, dramatic scenery, and traditional villages so while you’re on holiday in Fethiye it would be a shame not to explore some of them!

 

There are countless journeys you could take from Fethiye in a hire car, but here’s just one suggestion for a driving tour that lets you see some of the ancient history and the stunning scenery, so you get two for the price of one, plus a good look at the Lycian Region of Southern Turkey.

 

This suggested driving tour covers a distance of around 60 miles (120 kilometres), taking you over both major roads and more minor mountainous roads. The drive itself shouldn’t take more than a few hours, but you’ll want to allow yourself time to explore Tlos and Saklikent, so although the drive is scenic don’t spend too much time dawdling!

 

Head out on Fethiye towards the main road, the D400, to the east. This road follows the Xanthos Valley so it’s fairly flat and quite a fast road. After 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) you’ll reach a roundabout where you go straight on, joining the D350. Less than a mile later you’ll turn right onto the Tlos Saklikent Road and from here you should pick up sign posts. It’s about another 8 kilometres (5 miles) on this road until you’ll see a sign posted minor road to the left, take this and Tlos should come into view shortly.

 

Tlos is reputed to be one of the most, if not the most, ancient city in the Lycian region and was one of the six major Lycian cities. Not an awful lot of its history is known, though a bronze hatchet was discovered here that dates back to 2000BC. The ruins here haven’t been largely restored as they have at some of Southern Turkey’s other famous archaeological sites, so don’t expect to see full buildings, but the ruined remains are good all the same and include the necropolis, rock cut house tombs, the agora (open place of assembly), and Roman baths. From later in Tlos’s history there’s the remains of a Byzantine basilica, while on top of the hill on which Tlos sits is a Turkish Fortress from Ottoman times, again in remains. The views from the fortress however are quite spectacular so worth the short hike.

 

After getting back onto the main road just outside Tlos you’ll continue in the same direction (south). Follow the road for about 9 kilometres (5.5 miles) then bear left and continue for another 3 kilometres (1.8 miles) to the mouth of the Saklikent Gorge.

 

If you worked up a sweat traipsing around Tlos you’ll find Saklikent Gorge to be a welcome break from the Turkish summer heat! The steep sides to this gorge, and the water flowing through, make Saklikent a cooling place to visit. You can enjoy a wade in the waters or if you fancy a hike, wade into the waters and start making your way along the gorge. It actually covers a total of 11 miles, but unless you’re an experienced rock climber you won’t make it more than a mile or so in.

 

If you brought a picnic with you this is a nice place to enjoy it, or buy fish or other food and drinks from the fairly rustic looking restaurants at the gorge.

 

To get back to Fethiye the quickest route is to take the road out to the D400 (the region’s major road) then head north. It’s about 30 miles from here, but being a major road should be plain sailing.