Fethiye Kayakoy Hotels

Fethiye Kayakoy Hotels & Travel Guide: Boutique Stays, History & Things to Do

If you want to witness magnificent nature, beautifully crafted stone houses, and a breathtaking layout, you must definitely visit Fethiye Kayaköy. With its sea, forests, at least 5000 years of history, and significant modern-era events, Kayaköy will truly mesmerize you.In addition to its geographical beauty, Kayaköy stands out with its historical significance. It has a history dating back at least 5000 years and, according to research, it was once part of the ancient Lycian civilization. It has endured through the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, but it was the Greeks who settled here and created a beautiful civilization with their stone architecture.They lived here from the early 17th century until the early 1900s. After the Ottoman Empire dissolved and the Republic of Turkey was established, during the Turkish-Greek population exchange, the Greeks who lived here migrated to Greece. However, the Turks who were sent from Greece did not mostly settle in Kayaköy. The primary reason was that the Turks, who were mainly farmers, did not want to settle in the rocky terrain of the area.As a result, this once-thriving town, which had a population of approximately 25,000 people, was left abandoned. Today, apart from a few workers in the area, it has very little population. However, the area has been leased for 49 years and plans for restoration are underway. Interest in Kayaköy has been rising and is expected to grow further.If you're wondering what happened to the Greeks who migrated to Greece, they established a new Kayaköy there. Just as they had in Fethiye Kayaköy, they continued with the same livelihoods in their new home: fishing, olive farming, and viticulture.

When to Visit Kayaköy?

The best time to visit Kayaköy is during the spring and autumn months. During these seasons, the weather is usually mild and cool, making outdoor activities and nature walks more enjoyable.

 How to Get to Kayaköy?

To reach Kayaköy, your first step is to travel to Fethiye. From there, you have several options to reach Kayaköy. It is located in the southern part of Fethiye. Once you see the signs for Kayaköy or Kaya Street (Kaya Caddesi) and pass the natural road heading south from the castle, it's about 8 to 10 kilometers away.

Another route is through Hisarönü Neighborhood, where you can follow the Kayaköy signs along a scenic forest road; this route is about 5 to 6 kilometers long.

Places You Must Visit in Kayaköy

When talking about places to visit in Kayaköy, it's important to remember it's not like planning a trip in a big city. Kayaköy is a place of natural beauty, built upon an ancient city. In this sense, the entire village is a sight to see.

However, there are also nearby highlights like:

Af Kule Monastery: About 4 km from Kayaköy, reached via a forest trail. The view and fresh air at the end of the path are breathtaking. According to local stories, Jesus Christ once stayed here, and some monks spent time in seclusion seeking forgiveness for their sins. These stories are best heard from local guides.

Gemile Bay: A natural beauty that can be reached either by boat tours or hiking. It's about 5-6 km from Kayaköy. The area is filled with pine trees, olive trees, and bay leaves. It's a pristine, unspoiled area popular with both tourists and locals, some of whom come here for picnics.
Kayaköy has a rich and ancient civilization. At one time, around 25,000 people lived in this small village, and in the early 1900s, the population was about 7,000. The village had schools, libraries, churches, hospitals, pharmacies, and art workshops. Its stone streets are beautifully designed, with none blocking the sunlight from another.

Even though the village is now abandoned, it surrounds visitors with a mystical, mysterious aura. It’s one of those places that truly reflect how advanced and thoughtful the people of that civilization were.

Shopping Recommendations in Kayaköy

In the small shops in the village, you can find handmade souvenirs such as ceramics, jewelry, woven crafts, and wood carvings. The Aegean region is also famous for traditional weaving, and some shops sell local rugs and kilims great for decorating your home or as gifts.

The region is also known for high-quality olive oil and olives. You can find these local products in some stores in Kayaköy. They're great souvenirs or gifts. At local markets or shops, you’ll also find homemade jams, cheeses, honey, and wine perfect to take home or share with loved ones.

Entertainment in Kayaköy

For nightlife and entertainment, nearby Hisarönü is a lively spot. It's well known for its live music, bars, and restaurants, offering a fun evening out.

History of Kayaköy

Kayaköy has a fascinating history. Formerly known as Levissi or Karmylassos, it is a settlement in the Fethiye district in western Turkey. During the final years of the Ottoman Empire, in 1923, the population exchange between Greece and Turkey caused the Greeks and Turks to swap homes.

As a result, Kayaköy was abandoned and eventually fell into ruins. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a prosperous Greek village, but after the population exchange, it was deserted and decayed over time.

Today, it has preserved its historical character and is known as an open-air museum. With its unique history and stunning scenery, it continues to captivate visitors.

What is Kayaköy Famous For?

Kayaköy is known for its historical texture and architecture. Formerly called Levissi or Karmylassos, this village is located in Turkey’s western Aegean region. After being abandoned during the population exchange in the Ottoman period, it became famous for its ruined stone houses and mysterious atmosphere.

Where to Swim in Kayaköy?

Although Kayaköy is one of Fethiye’s popular tourist spots, it is not located directly on the coast. So, you can’t swim in the sea within Kayaköy itself.

Best Things to Do in Kayaköy

In Kayaköy, you can explore magnificent ancient ruins, hike through forests filled with pine and olive trees, and breathe in the fresh air. You can also swim in the nearby sea, go trekking, ride bikes, or have a picnic with beautiful views of the natural landscape.

Eating and Drinking Suggestions in Kayaköy

Kayaköy is a place that has become very important recently, so its importance has increased with the restoration. Of course, as in our important tourism regions, there are examples of Anatolian cuisine, Turkish cuisine, world cuisine and especially seafood and Greek cuisine. So we believe that when you come here you will get beautiful and special tastes. We could not visit all the places, but there are important places where you can eat here, and you should add Moroccan cuisine to this, you can also find examples of Moroccan cuisine here. Izela Restaurant, The Lebessos Wine House & Restaurant and Mavi Kelebek Restaurant can be preferred as one of the generally preferred places. Kayaköy may not have many options due to its location, but the places in Kayaköy are really exclusive. It is expected that the number of places will increase thanks to the restoration. But besides all these, the places in Hisarönü and Fethiye are also close to here and can be preferred. If you want to see the magnificent nature, wonderful looking houses in stone embroidery and magnificent arrangement, you should definitely come to Fethiye Kayaköy. Kayaköy will fascinate you with its sea, forest, at least 5000 years of history and important events that enlighten our recent period. In addition to its geographical beauties, Kayaköy also has historical features. It has at least 5000 years of history and according to researches, ancient