Also Unspoilt & Rural Ottoman villages in Cadianda, Üzümlü & İncirköy

Fethiye & its environment offers many alternatives to holiday-makers as well as  to property investors nowdays,  with its beautiful & amazing landscape, scenery and traditional authentic Ottoman villages.

In the last two  years we have been wondering  why Turkey cannot develop in rural tourism as organised as in mainland of Spain, South of France, Toskana of Italy and our neighbous in Greece.

Yes, we do have some places and alternatives in this region starting with Kayaköy . But now there is a new area which  is  very close to Fethiye town , Çalış beach and Dalaman International Charter Airport.

This place is  called “Üzümlü”. It has authentic village houses, a traditional life style and local people. We believe this place will be one of the most popular spots  for rural & ecological tourism in the near future. It  is a big responsibility for local authorities to  regulate carefully and keep the style as it was in  Ottoman times.

There are old village houses to purchase , to renovate and  there are  new housing developments to invest in , or finally you can buy  land and build your own home in the  traditional Ottoman style.

There is the countryside  ,and  there is culture from ancient Cadianda and Ottoman Üzümlü to modern Yesil Üzümlü.

Ancient Lycian Cadianda is situated 18 kilometres north -east of Fethiye.

Setting off from Üzümlü,  you will not regret the climb about one and half hours by foot on the long steep track  through undiscovered terrain to this ancient Lycian city,  as you reach the top and are greeted with spectacular views and a chance to explore the ruins of a theatre, stadium, baths, temple and agora.

Cadyanda, 'Kadawanti' in Lycian, was never more than an obscure city. It is mentioned only once in ancient manuscripts, whereas its monuments and inscription go back to the 5th century B.C.

Perched on its hilltop 400 meters above Üzümlü and about 900 meters above the sea, Cadianda was certainly in a commanding situation.

Üzümlü village is located on a plateau, which it shares with neighbouring village of Incirkoy. Üzümlü literally translated means “ grape yard or place of grape”. As it’s name infers you will see grapevines scattered around all parts of the village and will find the locals will be happy to share their produce with you.

Incirköy means “fig village”. This village is located at the opposite side of the Üzümlü plateau.

The population of  Üzümlü and  İncirköy  are 1765 and 971 respectively. The locals are adept at utilising the land to make their living. Produces include wine, grape-juice, vinegar, olives, olive oil, tobacco, fig and fig products as well as weaving “Dastar – scarf”.

At an altitude of more than 500 metres Üzümlü and İncirköy villages enjoy very pleasant summer nightime temperatures in marked contrast to the coast where temperatures are much higher. During the winter months, a 20-minute journey will take you towards Cameli, the beginning of the snow line, which boasts snow-peaked mountains and incredible views and where you can find many fine slopes on which to toboggan or snowboard.

The attractive rural villages of Üzümlü & İncirköy are around 15 kilometres from the coastal market town of Fethiye. The nearest airport is Dalaman, 60 kilometres from Uzumlu or İncirköy approximately one hours travelling time. Dalaman airport is well served by tourist charter flights and by Turkish Airways.