And just like that, we’re half way through 2025! Time for another monthly Fethiye news roundup – our news that is.
A little look back at goings on and what we’ve been up to over the last few weeks…
Early Hours Tremor
The early hours of 3rd June gave all of us in Fethiye, Marmaris and surrounds – including the Greek islands of Rhodes and Symi – a good shake as a 5.8 magnitude earth tremor hit the Turkish coast.
Turks know only too well about the horror and devastation of earthquakes, so when they do happen, the earthquakes naturally cause panic.
Thankfully, since then, we haven’t felt any more tremors and all is calm.
Friends
It’s always lovely when you get a message out of the blue asking if you’re around over the next couple of weeks.
Yes, we were around. And so our friends’ daughter and her other half flew over for a week’s holiday; staying along Çalış Beach.
Lovely to spend a few days with them. And it’s an excuse to go to places that we haven’t been to for a while, too, just to show them around.
They’ve been over on holiday before so we did some little extras, this time.
Kayaköy
Cin Bal barbecue restaurant in the village of Kayaköy is a treat, these days, just because the price of meat in Turkey is so expensive.
We went along and ordered a few meze plates (Antep ezmesi, atom yoghurt meze and our favourite super spicy pickled aubergine), a shepherd’s salad, lamb tandır, lamb chops and Adana Kebab.
Maybe prices everywhere are starting to even out. Because our final bill – with drinks – was very reasonable compared to other restaurants.
And, of course, it was completely delicious!
Kaş & Kalkan Double-Header
Another day trip with them was a hire car when we drove to Kaş and Kalkan for the day.
During one of my many online procrastination sessions (proof that they do prove to be useful, on occasion), I stumbled across a breakfast place in Bayındır – the village on the steep hill that backs onto Kaş – so we drove up there to start off the adventure.
After a long, leisurely – and rather large – yummy Turkish village breakfast – we headed off to Antiphellos ancient theatre and climbed to the top.
Not the easiest task in the summer heat but has to be done for the views.
We pointed out the Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo) to them – a trip for another day.
And then it was a circular drive around the peninsula before parking up and having a wander around pretty Kaş.
After a couple of short breaks there last year and our 2025 wanders, we’ve now brought our guide to Kaş, on the blog, right up to date.
So, check it out if you’re going there anytime. Hopefully some useful tips in there for you.
Out & About In Fethiye
June is always a month where we like to get out and about a bit during the first couple of weeks – before everything starts to get too hot and draining.
Kanat & Kokoreç
A walk to the Çalış Sunday market was preceded with a tasty kokoreç half bread at Lokum Kokoreç.
And then, the following week, it was another trip to Kantaçı Mert BBQ for their awesome chicken wings.
We’ve amended our article about Kanatçı Mert because they’re now also open on Sundays – which makes complete sense to us because they’re so close to Çalış Sunday market.
DJs & Sunsets
And a few new additions to the Fethiye bar and restaurant scene, this year, with Çalış Beach seemingly leading the way.
We’ve added a brand new article to the blog this month about our visits to Roof Bar.
Do go here for views, famous sunset scenes – and some drinks, snacks and a bit of a weekend DJ set.
And A Bit More
Lukka Bar at the end of Çalış Beach is always a good place to go to get some shade when the sun gets too much – and they’ve also planted some pretty flowers around the perimeter, too.
If you’re wanting to keep up with any sporting events, there’s a few screens and the inside is now also air-conditioned.
We also went to another new restaurant which was great – but one of the dishes we went in the there for wasn’t quite ready.
We’ll make another attempt soon and will be writing a review on that place soon…
And a lovely wander around Paspatur, earlier in June, also prompted us to update our article about Paspatur; Fethiye old town.
A must-visit if you’re in the area.
In The Kitchen
Oh, wow; we’re very much dictated to by the weather in Fethiye at the moment.
As is the case every summer.
Seasonal Food
So, we’re eating seasonally and one of our favourite dishes at this time of year is barbunya pilaki.
(Over)loaded with lemon juice, it’s a great meze or side dish at this time of year. And the barbunya (borlotti beans) are a good price on the local markets compared to previous years.
Melon salad and frozen yoghurt made with seasonal fruits and homemade ayran are also great for the hot weather.
Celebration Time
We love an International ______ Day.
It reminds us to make a dish that we might not have had for a while.
12th June was International Falafel Day.
We never need much excuse to enjoy some homemade falafel but this has to be the perfect reminder day.
And Recipes To Come…
I’m not known for multitasking abilities but the kitchen has helped to improve those abilities in June.
We’ve got the writing of two summer recipes on the go at the moment and they’ll be on the blog, soon.
The photos are good to go. We just need to write the words to accompany them.
Two new additions for our Turkish recipes collection.
Locally
Changes To A Familiar Scene
If you’ve ever sailed across the bay on the Çalış water taxi and looked up at the view of the Lycian rock tombs and the castle, the view will be slightly different, at least for now.
Excavations are ongoing at the castle. And recently, the local mayor, Alim Karaca, informed the people of Fethiye that the Museum Directorate had requested the removal of the image of Atatürk from the castle.
After sunset, you could see an outline of his image lit up above the castle.
This won’t be the case for a while.
Coffee, Croissants & Fethiyespor
Whilst Fethiyespor supporters are (rightly) complaining that the stadium is a state of disrepair, meanwhile, in town, the Fethiyespor Store has come up with an idea to pull in more customers.
And you never know, it might just work.
The whole area is awash with coffee shops, these days but at the Fethiyespor coffee shop, you can enjoy your very reasonably priced brew and then maybe buy some official Fethiyespor memorabilia – including jerseys – whilst you’re there.
There are also cold drinks, snacks and ice cream.
Every little helps – and it might even help improve the stadium…
Now called the Fethiyespor Store & Cafe, you can see it here on the map.
And Finally
And finally, just a word on the wildfires that have caused devastation; particularly around the west coast in Izmir Province and Aydın.
Villages have been destroyed, people evacuated and livelihoods lost.
It’s a hideous recurring issue at this time of year with fires also raging elsewhere; notably Hatay in the southeast.
Our thoughts are with those affected and with the brave firefighting teams both on the land and in the air.