Fethiye Islands

In and around the beautiful town of Fethiye, ample little adventures and explorations await you. Since Fethiye sits just on the water, traveling to nearby islands could be just the perfect day trip for you. Three islands sit just near Fethiye, promising the perfect getaway.

1. Sövalye Adası

This idyllic island of Sövalye, just a short boat ride from Fethiye city centre, will grant you a tranquil experience spent in the peaceful noises of nature. On the island, there are no cars or scooters or any form of automobile so the only noises you will hear are those of nature, including humans. The island takes roughly 45 minutes to walk around or you may choose to rent a canoe and boat around the island, which takes about an hour. The island is home to about 80 structures, including boutique hotels if you wish to extend your stay. You could spend time on the beach, enjoying the quiet waters and gentle sounds of nature surrounding you or you could simply dangle your toes above the lapping water with the sea breeze on your face as you sit on the small harbour. If you get hungry, there is a restaurant with a beautiful patio shaded by the overhanging trees or a rooftop patio that provides astonishing views of Fethiye bay as you enjoy delicious food and drinks.

2. Kızılada

Kızılada, meaning red island, derives its descriptive name from its seemingly red appearance. In 2014 the land underwent reforestation and now houses several different types of trees native to Turkey including the Turkish pine, the laurel, the carob, and the Turkish sweetgum. Not only does Kızılada provide the beautiful forest and lovely beach, but it is also home to history; a lighthouse dating back to the 19th century that still shines its white light, guiding sailors home. During a stroll through the nature and exploration of history, you may also stop into the restaurant or extend your stay by staying in a hostel for the night.

3. Tersane Adası

The biggest of the islands in the Gulf of Fethiye, Tersane holds a rich history. The island’s antiquated name was Telandria until the Ottoman Empire used it as a dockyard during the First World War, thus giving it its name Tersane, which means dockyard. The remains of the Ottoman dockyard can still be found in the clear, shallow waters. Though the island is now uninhabited, it was once home to Greek families that were uprooted during the Greek/Turk population exchange of 1922 and migrated to Rhodes. Today, roughly 140 of their deserted homes still stand across the island. After you have immersed yourself in the fascinating history of the island, you can enjoy a swim in the crystal blue waters surrounding– but you might want to bring snorkeling gear because there remains much of the Ottoman shipyard to explore.