The Island of Şövalye
Ten minutes across the water from the port of Fethiye lies the sleepy island of Şövalye. Şövalye is an entirely pedestrianised island with shady walkways through scented pine forests. No traffic means no roads: you cross the land by tracks, beaten or otherwise. A leisurely walk from end to end takes 45 minutes or so, along a coastline dotted with sand and shingle coves and overlooked by private residences. In the crystal-clear water you can make out the ruins of earlier settlements dating back to late Roman times.
Inland, hidden amid the pine and carob trees, are the remains of a crusader castle, built by the Knights of St John after they crossed over from nearby Rhodes. Legend has it that the island became a base in the Middle Ages for renegade knights-turned-pirates.
You can circumnavigate Şövalye by canoe in about an hour or swim in two. The experience is just unique – paddling or swimming over submerged houses, an old city wall, churches and a Roman cistern that was converted to a chapel during the Byzantine period. Elsewhere, old olive-oil pots and amphorae can be seen scattered across the seabed.
Eating on Şövalye
Whenever you prefer not to eat in, Şövalye boasts two restaurants: Ece on Şövalye and Sunset Café. It is also easy to venture across to Fethiye on the occasions you can tear yourself aware from this beautiful idyll!
Dining & Facilities at Ece on Şövalye
This delightful property is one of our most popular Select Boutique Hotels. The terrace restaurant is the focal point of Ece on Şövalye and provides the most romantic of settings. Exclusive Escapes guests are welcome to use the facilities of the hotel and dine in the terrace restaurant.
Pre-booked Evening Meal Supplement £16
This is a pre-booked rate only. Rates are inclusive of special evenings, can be booked for any number of days and applied on an entirely flexible basis. This rate constitutes a small but not significant saving. Drinks are not included.