THINGS TO DO IN HISARONU WITH KIDS

Romantic meals in atmospheric restaurants, strolling leisurely around the shops and soaking up the history at a local site is easy when in the company of adults. But mix kids into the equation and these luxuries can quickly develop a chorus of “I’m not going there!”, “Mummy, do we have to?’, or “I’m not eating that!”. So, without plugging your kids into their iPads or depositing them at the kids club, is it really possible to enjoy what’s on offer in the area with children? Can you really ‘do’ Hisaronu with kids?

The majority of us at Angel Homes have kids and we have all heard all the moans before. That’s why we thought we would put together a few pointers on places to go within easy reach of Hisaronu that the whole family can enjoy.

THINGS TO DO IN HISARONU WITH KIDS

Hit the beach.

Hisaronu doesn’t have a beach but it’s only a few minutes bus ride from Oludeniz, the most famous beach in Turkey.

Most of us that visit the area were initially lured by pictures of the blue lagoon, its white sandbank surrounded by bands of turquoise and blue really is spectacular. Oludeniz is indeed beautiful, and the resort of Hisaronu only really grew up as a result of its proximity to this famous bay. But taking young kids to the beach can be a worry, especially if they can’t swim. Luckily Oludeniz is home to many beaches including a number ideal for babies and toddlers.

Belcekiz Beach is the main beach in Oludeniz and a long pebbly stretch backed by restaurants and bars. Belcekiz is a great option for more proficient swimmers and those that enjoy a spot of wave-jumping. For those with younger kids or in search of calmer waters, the inner lagoon is where to head. Here you find private sandy beaches where the water is shallow – in fact, so shallow in places that it appears you are walking on water!

Hire a pedalo, snorkel or simply take an occasional paddle, it’s easy to enjoy a family day out on the lagoon. Many of the private beaches run free pick-up services from hotels and properties in Hisaronu and Ovacik, simply look online and book a day in advance. Failing that, the Oludeniz dolmus (bus) runs regular services from Hisaronu and Ovacik that drop you off at all the popular beach club haunts.

Make a splash at a waterpark.

If zooming down slides, jumping around in wave pools and meandering down a lazy river on an inflatable ring is called for, head along to a local aqua park. There are a number of water parks around Fethiye including two in Ovacik, near Hisaronu. The most popular choice over recent years has been Oludeniz Waterworld with its impressive array of slides, kid and toddler pools, restaurant and bar.

A newcomer for 2020 will be the New World Theme Park set to open its doors this summer. This is a grand-scale waterpark and will be the biggest in the region. Located right next door to Oludeniz Waterworld, it will feature water slides running through man-made mountains, a variety of themed pools suiting all ages, restaurants, bars and also a range of shows and entertainment.

Start the day with a traditional Turkish breakfast.

Food lovers will adore a Serpme Turkish breakfast, it’s a ‘must-try”. More like lunch, a good Turkish breakfast consists of an array of many little dishes laid out in front of you that everyone shares. Eggs, cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, preserves, olives, fruit, nuts, and a selection of bread and pastries are the norm. The idea is to leisurely graze over the offerings in the company of family and friends – but keeping the kids occupied over any lazy meal can prove challenging. There are many places to enjoy a Turkish breakfast but perhaps the most kiddy-friendly is Nefes,  Angel Homes very own breakfast haunt in Ovacik and home to our head office. Here adults can dine in the garden whilst the kids enjoy playing in a modern adventure playground with swings, slides, climbing frames, garden chess and other activities all within view of your table. Start the day the Turkish way and see the Nefes Facebook Page for details.

Go Ape at Fethiye Adventure Park

Most parents will be familiar with Go Ape in the UK and Europe, Fethiye Adventure Park in Ovacik is similar. The idea is to test your limits by swinging through the trees like monkeys, zip-lining across the treetops, and overcoming lofty walkways and obstacles. There are 5 tracks in total ranging in difficulty and catering to all ages and levels of fitness. For the 3 to 6-year-olds, there is a track near the ground that allows young kids to test their motor skills by navigating simple obstacles whilst parents walk at their side. For the 6 to 12-year-olds, there’s a moderate track a few meters up, and for adults and teenagers, there are a number of high tree-top walks and hair-raising zip-lines. For any adventure seeker, Fethiye Adventure Park is a great option.

Visit the Ghost Town for Gozleme 

Turkish pancakes, otherwise known as ‘gozleme’, are a cheap and tasty local dish the whole family can enjoy. Don’t think French crepes or American pancakes, these are sugar-free and savoury. They are made with a simple flour and water dough that’s rolled very thinly, filled, then grilled over a special circular hotplate. You can choose any sort of filling, from traditional cheese and herbs or mincemeat and onion, through to chocolate sauce and banana, or lemon and sugar. You can find gozleme in local cafes, markets and restaurants all over Fethiye. Perhaps the best place to sample some is in Kayakoy, referred to as the “Ghost Town,” a village just a 15-minute bus ride from Hisaronu. Here you can combine a walk around the roofless ruins of this former Greek town with a stop-off at one of the many gozleme cafes. It’s a lovely, cheap and traditional way to spend the afternoon in a setting that feels a world away from the action of Hisaronu.

Bob about on a boat.

Boat trips are easily arranged in Hisaronu and are a day out most of the family will enjoy. There are plenty of options from fun and frantic pirate boats with music pumping and Jack Sparrow like captains at the helm, to smaller and more sedate trips stopping at little bays and coves around the area. Boat trips are a great opportunity to see a little of the coastline and normally include a delicious BBQ lunch.

Tip for those with toddlers: If you have young kids and think 6 hours at sea may be a little much, head into Fethiye and catch the Calis Water Taxi across the bay. Costing just a few Lira, it’s a 30 minutes little boat trip offering just enough time to try and spot a turtle as you gently chug across the bay. Enjoy a couple of hours in Calis, then bob your way back towards Fethiye.

Sehit Fethiye Bey Park.

Fethiye is just a 20 minutes drive or bus ride from Hisaronu and a great place to explore with plenty of things to do and see.

For kids, Sehit Fethiye Bey Park is a highlight for kids and found at the very far end of the seafront promenade towards Calis. The park, opened in 2018, is a fabulous landscaped open space with a wonderful kid’s playground in the centre. Tall climbing frames with twisty-twirly slides, swings hanging from the hands of Bugs Bunny, trampolines, and all manner of bike lanes and walking tracks should keep kids of all ages entertained. For teenagers, there’s a skate park with ramps and a basketball court. Adults are also catered for with outdoor libraries, bridges, statues and seating spread throughout the park.

One of the best ways to get to the park is by hiring a bike from the centre of Fethiye and cycling along the seafront. This costs just a few Lira and is a great and healthy way to get around the area which is flat with blue bike lanes and extremely easy to navigate.

For more information on what to do in Hisaronu, or for details on villas and apartments for rent in Hisaronu or Ovacik, please CONTACT ANGEL HOMES.