Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
March Held in Fethiye to Mark International Women’s Day
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A march was organised in Fethiye as part of events marking International Women’s Day, bringing together many local residents to raise awareness about violence against women.
Participants gathered at the Özgecan Monument before walking together to Beşkaza Square. The march aimed to highlight the importance of standing against violence and supporting women’s rights, with citizens showing their solidarity throughout the event.
The demonstration formed part of wider International Women’s Day activities taking place across the region.
Meanwhile, the official opening ceremony of the Özgecan Monument, built by Fethiye Municipality in memory of Özgecan Aslan, will take place on Tuesday, March 8 at 3:00 PM.
The monument is located on the 2nd Stage coastal strip and has been created as a lasting tribute to Özgecan Aslan, whose death in 2015 sparked nationwide protests and renewed calls across Turkey for stronger action against violence towards women.
Sources: Fethiye Haber Bülteni/Fefsad Fethiye
Tree Planting Event Held with Students in Fethiye
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A tree planting event was held in Fethiye with the participation of local students, organised through cooperation between Fethiye Municipality, the Local Seed Association, the Fethiye Chamber of Agriculture and the Koru Neighborhood Headman’s Office.
Veli Uysal, Deputy Mayor of Fethiye, also took part in the event and planted saplings together with the students.
The initiative was organised to give nature a breath of fresh air while helping to increase environmental awareness among young people. During the event, students spent time outdoors, planting trees and learning about the importance of protecting nature and leaving a greener legacy for future generations.
Organisers thanked the institutions and volunteers who supported the initiative and emphasised that similar activities will continue as part of efforts to build a greener and more sustainable future for the region.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-ogrencilerle-agac-dikim-etkinligi-gerceklestirildi
Roadside Trees Pruned on Sakar Pass as Authorities Prepare for Summer Fire Risk
MUĞLA – Precautionary measures have been taken along the Sakar Pass on the Muğla road as authorities prepare for the increased risk of wildfires during the warmer months.
Teams from the Muğla Governorship and the General Directorate of Forestry carried out pruning work on trees along the roadside at Sakar Pass.
The maintenance work was undertaken as temperatures begin to rise, with officials aiming to reduce potential fire hazards before the arrival of the summer season. By trimming trees and clearing vegetation near the road, authorities hope to help limit the spread of possible fires and improve safety for both the surrounding forests and motorists using the route.
Officials stated that such preventative measures are an important part of protecting the region’s natural environment, particularly during the dry summer months when the risk of forest fires increases.
Source: Fethiye Haber Bülteni
Muğla Fire Department Responds to 621 Calls in February
MUĞLA – The Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department has released its activity statistics for February 2026, revealing a busy month of emergency responses across the province.
Fire crews operating throughout Muğla Province worked intensively to ensure the safety of citizens’ lives and property, responding rapidly to fires, rescue operations and various emergencies during the month.
The department currently operates with 519 personnel, 160 vehicles and 40 stations across the province, supported by 1,936 hydrants located throughout the city. During February, a total of 621 calls were received, with active intervention carried out in 424 incidents. The average response time to a call was recorded at 8.18 minutes.
According to the released statistics, incidents in February included 14 workplace fires, 33 residential fires and 18 vehicle fires. Crews also responded to 89 grass, stubble and forest fires, 51 traffic accident rescue operations, 34 animal rescue cases and 154 flood and water inundation incidents.
Officials noted that interventions related to flooding and water inundation tend to increase during periods of heavy rainfall and reminded citizens to make use of emergency hotlines when necessary.
In a statement, fire department teams emphasised their ongoing readiness, saying they remain on duty around the clock to ensure public safety.
“As the Muğla Fire Department, we are ready for duty at any moment,” officials said, highlighting their 24/7 commitment to protecting residents across the province.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/mugla-itfaiyesi-subat-ayinda-621-ihbarda-gorev-basindaydi
Karaçulha Tops List of Fethiye’s Most Populous Neighbourhoods
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Newly released population data shows that Karaçulha is the most densely populated neighbourhood in Fethiye, with a population of 17,372 residents.
Karaçulha is followed by Tuzla with 16,239 people and Patlangıç with 15,853 residents. Other neighbourhoods with notably large populations include Taşyaka, Foça and Çamköy.
Officials say the figures highlight the continuing growth of residential areas across the district as Fethiye remains one of the most popular places to live in Muğla Province.
Population of Fethiye’s 41 Neighbourhoods
- Karaçulha – 17,372
- Tuzla – 16,239
- Patlangıç – 15,853
- Taşyaka – 13,645
- Foça – 11,082
- Çamköy – 9,539
- Esenköy – 8,781
- Pazaryeri – 8,624
- Babataşı – 7,162
- Akarca – 7,130
- Menteşeoğlu – 7,044
- Yeni – 6,817
- Ölüdeniz – 6,364
- Göcek – 5,149
- Çatalarık – 4,708
- Çiftlik – 4,431
- Karagedik – 3,428
- Cami – 3,413
- Eldirek – 3,347
- Yeşilüzümlü – 2,937
- Yanıklar – 2,840
- Kesikkapı – 2,720
- Kargı – 2,651
- Cumhuriyet – 2,605
- Karagözler – 2,266
- Bozyer – 1,623
- İnlice – 1,601
- Nif – 1,441
- İncirköy – 1,208
- Kayaköy – 1,081
- Faralya – 700
- Gökben – 686
- Yakacık – 488
- Gökçeovacık – 399
- Koruköy – 351
- Söğütlü – 347
- Karaağaç – 343
- Karakeçililer – 324
- Kızılbel – 290
- Karacaören – 176
- Çenger – 127
The figures demonstrate the wide variation in population across the district, from the busy urban neighbourhoods near the town centre to the smaller rural communities scattered across the wider Fethiye area.
Source: Fethiye TV
Touristic Eastern Express Concludes Successful 2025–2026 Season
Ankara, TURKEY – The Touristic Eastern Express has successfully completed its 2025–2026 winter season, carrying 10,166 passengers along one of the world’s most scenic railway routes between Ankara and Kars.
The announcement was made by Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, who said the final journey of the season departed from Kars on March 3 and travelled to Ankara.
Operated by Turkish State Railways, the train has become one of the country’s most popular winter tourism experiences. “Operating on one of the most beautiful railway routes globally, the Tourist Eastern Express provided an unforgettable experience for 10,166 passengers this winter,” Uraloğlu said.
Since its launch in 2019, the service has attracted travellers of all ages from across Turkey and abroad, offering a unique way to experience Anatolia’s landscapes, culture and history. According to the minister, more than 91,000 passengers and photography enthusiasts have travelled on the line since the service began.
The 2025–2026 winter season started on December 22, 2025, with the train completing 60 journeys in total — 30 in each direction between Ankara and Kars. The train consists of eight sleeper cars and one dining car and includes extended sightseeing stops along the route.
On the Ankara–Kars journey, passengers were able to explore Erzincan during a two-and-a-half-hour stop and Erzurum for four hours. The return route from Kars to Ankara included stops in İliç for three hours, Divriği for two hours and 30 minutes, and Sivas for three hours, allowing travellers to explore local historical, cultural and natural attractions.
The programme also included a special initiative for young people. A total of 126 university students joined the journey through a lottery organised as part of the ministry’s U-FEST university programmes, giving them the chance to explore Anatolia while also learning more about the railway sector.
During the trip, students took part in workshops under the theme “Meeting the Tourist Eastern with UFEST Youth,” gaining hands-on insights into the rail industry. Officials said their feedback and suggestions regarding onboard services and station stops were carefully considered.
Uraloğlu emphasised that the service plays an important role in promoting Turkey’s cultural and natural heritage to both domestic and international visitors, while offering travellers a memorable winter journey across Anatolia.
Source: Daily Sabah
Unique Roman-Era Site in Fethiye Nominated for UNESCO Recognition
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The ancient site of Oenoanda in southwestern Turkey has taken a major step toward inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with the official nomination file now submitted to provincial authorities.
Located near the modern town of İncealiler in the mountainous interior of Fethiye district, Oenoanda was a significant settlement during the Roman period in the Lycian region. The site is internationally renowned for preserving the world’s only large-scale philosophical inscription, commissioned in the 2nd century A.D. by the Epicurean thinker Diogenes of Oenoanda.
Diogenes created a monumental wall stretching approximately 80 meters in length and four meters high, carved with teachings of Epicurus, the founder of Epicurean philosophy. Scholars describe it as the largest philosophical inscription ever discovered and the only example of a full philosophical treatise publicly displayed on such a scale in the ancient world.
Fragments of the inscription contain Epicurean guidance on happiness, the nature of the universe, freedom from fear, and the rejection of superstition. The text was intended to guide ordinary citizens toward a tranquil life, freeing them from fear of the gods and fear of death.
The nomination file was prepared by Professor Hatice Nur Beyaz Erkızan and Serdar Kayhan, who emphasized the broader significance of the site.
“Oenoanda is not merely an ancient city built of stones,” they stated. “It is the memory of humanity’s search for the ‘good life’ carved into stone. Including this unique philosophical and cultural heritage on the UNESCO World Heritage List would be of great importance both for Türkiye and for the history of humanity.”
If successful, the designation would highlight Oenoanda’s unparalleled contribution to global philosophical heritage and further strengthen Türkiye’s profile as a guardian of ancient cultural treasures
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Ziraat Turkish Cup
Fethiyespor played their final Group A match of the Ziraat Turkish Cup group stage in a midweek fixture, suffering a 2–0 defeat that brought their cup run to an end.
The match was the fourth and final game in the Group A stage. Despite their efforts throughout the campaign, Fethiyespor were unable to secure the points needed to progress. From the four matches played, the team collected just one point.
With those results, Fethiyespor finished bottom of Group A and are now eliminated from this season’s Ziraat Turkish Cup.
Attention now turns back to league action as the team looks to regroup and focus on the remainder of the season.
Match Result
Fethiyespor won their away match against Isparta Kırklarelispor Spor on Sunday. The final score was 1-2.
Following recent matches, Fethiyespor remains in 12th place in the league table.
League Matches
The team’s next league match is on Saturday 14 March, at home against Menemen FK. Kick-off will be at 15:30.
Stay connected with all things Fethiyespor — join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar Facebook group for breaking news, matchday updates, and community discussions.
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 59.07 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 59.22 TL.
The US Dollar bought 44.06 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 43.92 TL.
The Euro bought 51.21 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 51.90 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
Connect with us on social media for regular updates.
Follow us on UK Travel
UK Travel is part of Fethiye Times — connecting local life in Turkey with travel inspiration from the UK.
Follow UK Travel and let us take you on a journey across the nation — one story, one adventure, and one discovery at a time.
Start your journey now 
https://fethiyetimes.com/uk-travel/
