Ancient City of Telmessos
Ancient City of Telmessos
Ancient City of Telmessos
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4.0
33 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
10
Average
7
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Terrible
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JamesW17
RUSHDEN89 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Fethiye, I love this city having wandered its streets for a few years now. as an English tourist. To me, it has the dual role of being home to 25,000 + Turks but with added attraction of much to see that is different for the visitor. It has much history, it being named Telmessos in 400BC and has remains of sarcophagi around the town but its most famous landmark which sits high above the town is the Tomb of Amyntas dating from 350BC which one can visit- bit of a climb though, for TL5. There is also the remains of a Roman theatre near the harbour. There is much life here also, as Fethiye, with its natural harbour is often used as a point of arrival or departure for the numerous gulets which ply the surrounding islands; the most relaxing sort of holiday one could possibly imagine as long as you have compatible companions on board.; we have never yet been disappointed. One can also take a 'Lazy day at Sea as we did 2 weeks ago, just bobbing about the islands diving overboard for a swim /snorkel, with a really superb lunch courtesy of JERRY'S BOATS thrown in. A visit to Fethiye Market held every Tuesday is an absolute must when one experiences the real life of the city, the freshest of fresh fruit & veg. .together with the many stalls selling the very best fake clothing & shoes, watches, perfumes, sunglasses & much more, honing your bargaining skills amid much good-natured banter as you seal the deal. Another must, although it took us a few years to discover it as it not well signed, is the Fish & Veg Market which is open everyday. The system here is that one selects your fresh fish for which you pay the fishmonger, then take it over to a nearby restaurant who will cook it for you, together with bread & salad. It is a wonderful experience not to be taken hastily but lingered over to enjoy the atmosphere of the hustle & bustle around. We struck lucky this year as ambling through the market in the morning looking to sit with an iced coffee, a restaurateur introduced himself to say that if you return in the evening, he will guide us around the various stalls selecting the best fish of our requirements & then cook it for us. We are a 3-generation family of 6 fish-lovers so we did just that & had thoroughly enjoyable evening. The name of the restaurant is OZTOKLU, & has the bonus of being sited just outside the main area of the market, where it is less noisy & hectic. Not a lot more I can say only to go & experience Fethiye for yourself. You won't regret it. JW
Written 2 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen572
Wickford, UK184 contributions
Fethiye is just a truly lovely town with it's old and new happily merging. The old amphitheatre at the far end of the harbour is worth a little visit as are the rock tombs at the back of the town.
Written 14 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean-Traveller
Mugla, Türkiye1,181 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
Telmessos dates from around 400BC but much of it is now buried beneath the modern buildings of Fethiye, some of which themselves date back to Ottoman days. The tourist brochures often show pictures of the tombs of Amyntas (350BC) which can be seen in the cliffs high above the city. They look better from a distance and the entrance fee is not worthwhile, in my opinion, as graffiti and other damage degrades the spectacle.
Lycian rock tombs can be seen at several spots in town. On one of the roads climbing to the rock tombs keep right signs direct traffic around tombs in the road.
A Roman auditorium is being restored so there is no entry at present. The view from a distance and from the path going above it is better than a close look anyway. The restoration means one will have a look as to how it probably was rather than the ruin it has become, a process which will divide opinion. The auditorium is near the city marina on the edge of the "old town".
Lycian rock tombs can be seen at several spots in town. On one of the roads climbing to the rock tombs keep right signs direct traffic around tombs in the road.
A Roman auditorium is being restored so there is no entry at present. The view from a distance and from the path going above it is better than a close look anyway. The restoration means one will have a look as to how it probably was rather than the ruin it has become, a process which will divide opinion. The auditorium is near the city marina on the edge of the "old town".
Written 28 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M H
Darlington1,181 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Telmessos is the ancient name for Fethiye and, therefore, this review relates to the Lycian / Roman remains that can be found dotted throughout the town. The most famous artifact is the Tombs of Amyntas (350 BC) which is in the cliff face behind the town (and on all of the tourist posters for the area).
However, if you walk from the tomb towards the Crusader Fortress (no entrance fee, the remains of the tower - on which flies the Turkish flag - can be seen from the the marina) then you'll find more minor tombs dotted around the area. We climbed to the Fortress (from behind it, near the Kale Park restaurant) and had fantastic views around Fethiye harbour and the mountains in the distance.
We understand that there are also remains of a Roman theatre behind the harbour (near Liman Cadessi) but unfortunately we ran out of time to visit it.
We really enjoyed walking around Fethiye / Telmessos where modern meets ancient beautifully.
However, if you walk from the tomb towards the Crusader Fortress (no entrance fee, the remains of the tower - on which flies the Turkish flag - can be seen from the the marina) then you'll find more minor tombs dotted around the area. We climbed to the Fortress (from behind it, near the Kale Park restaurant) and had fantastic views around Fethiye harbour and the mountains in the distance.
We understand that there are also remains of a Roman theatre behind the harbour (near Liman Cadessi) but unfortunately we ran out of time to visit it.
We really enjoyed walking around Fethiye / Telmessos where modern meets ancient beautifully.
Written 8 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamsin H Y
Dolton, UK55 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
Disappointing. Unfortunately the Turkish restoration works has mainly involved building almost completely over the amphitheatre and reconstructing it in modern materials - ok so it looks like it possibly did when it was first build thousands of years ago, but it seems to have taken away much of the atmosphere and ambiance.
Written 17 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Escape-overseas
Stevenage, UK1,710 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
The old town of Fethiya has grown up on the ancient city of Telmessos, although few sites remain. Most prominent is the rock hewn tombs overlooking the town in the mountain that shadows the old town, and of those the most prominent is the tomb of Amyntas. For a fee of 5 lr one is able to walk up the steps to the entrance, but it is more impressive from afar, since the numerous gravity 'artists' have taken its toll on the front and indeed inside the walls of the small enclosure - is nothing sacred to these idiots! Along the lower pathway are further tombs, but access is not available.
Within the harbour area, close to the old town is the ruins of a Roman auditorium, however current restoration works prevent access and have served to mask much of the original structure from view. A cab from the old town to the tomb ruins avoids the walk up steep hills and for 25 lr is a real bargain.
Within the harbour area, close to the old town is the ruins of a Roman auditorium, however current restoration works prevent access and have served to mask much of the original structure from view. A cab from the old town to the tomb ruins avoids the walk up steep hills and for 25 lr is a real bargain.
Written 28 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan L
Glasgow, UK12 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Visited here as part of an overly packed all day trip. To be honest I'd rather just have visited here and avoided the rest of the day trip.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leah
Golbasi, Türkiye10 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
If you love ruins and historical sites, Ancient City of Telmessos is a must see. The view from the top is amazing as well.
Be sure to wear comfy shoes coz it's an up hill climb. Entrance fee is 7 TL.
Be sure to wear comfy shoes coz it's an up hill climb. Entrance fee is 7 TL.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vivalacelts
Mid Calder, UK1,007 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Well worth a visit if you are in the Fethiye area. The whole area is steeped in History if you make the effort to explore a little
Written 4 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hadi S
Moscow, Russia44 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
If you like ancient things and old ruins, you must visit it. Very nice walk up to the tombs. Ticket 8 lira which is a very reasonable price. When you arrive at the top of the stairs you will find a good view over Fethiye. You can seat and watched the city for an hour. Of course no good for disabled, but you can go for the ride out or the view of the mountains. The only problem is that nobody has bothered to clean off the graffiti covering the walls of this historical sight!!!
Written 5 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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