Fethiye, Turkey Guide

1. Shopping in Paspatur Çarşısı

Within the town of Fethiye, there are a few attractions, such as Fethiye Old Town, in which you’ll find Paspatur Çarşısı (Market). This special district is made up of many specialty shops, selling jewelry, clothing, souvenirs, handcrafts, and shoes, as well as local outlets of major Turkish fashion brands.

Nearby, you can also find some seafood restaurants and pastry shops with amazing options.

2. Historical Sites

While you're in Fethiye Old Town, just a walking distance away is the Amyntas Rock Tombs (Amintas Kaya Mezarları), carved into the sheer rock cliff high above the town. With a museum pass or a ticket, you can even go up the cliff for a closer look at the tombs and the breathtaking view stretching across the entirety of Fethiye.

And while you're heading to the rock tombs, be sure to make a quick stop at the nearby Fethiye Ancient Theatre.

3. Çalış Beach

Çaliş Beach is several kilometers long and is 5 km (3 miles) northeast of Fethiye. There are a number of beach clubs located on the peninsula next to Fethiye, such as Sea Me Beach and Help Beach & Yacht Club, which have a private beach, lounge chairs and umbrellas, and other amenities on site. Perfect if you want to go for a swim or sunbathe.

4. Ölüdeniz, Blue Lagoon and Water Sports

Ölüdeniz district is 8.5 km (5.3 miles) south of Fethiye, over the hills. It is the hub for most of Fethiye's key attractions and activities. It is also home to perhaps Turkey's most beautifully-situated beach; Blue Lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon has crystal-clear and calm waters, making it ideal for a variety of water sports, including jet skiing, diving, and snorkeling. There are also amazing cafes, bars and restaurants along the beach.

5. Butterfly Valley

Many of Fethiye’s biggest attractions are in the surrounding areas, including Butterfly Valley in Ölüdeniz. Named after the large number of butterfly population in the area, this beautiful valley is the perfect spot for camping and observing butterflies between June and September.

You can reach Butterfly Valley either by land, using minibuses, taxis, or a rental car, or by taking a private or group shuttle boat directly to the valley and back to save time.

6. Paragliding

And for thrill-seekers, you can take a cable car to the summit of Mount Babadağ and paraglide in Ölüdeniz and capture the best view of Butterfly Valley from above the sky! If you have never paraglided before don’t worry! tandem paragliding is a popular and safe option in Fethiye, allowing you to experience the thrill with a certified paraglider.

You can take the main Fethiye-Ölüdeniz minibus route to get to Mount Babadağ cable car, or your paragliding tour operator might provide transportation.

7. The Lycian Way

Fethiye is also the starting point of the Lycian Way, one of Turkey's finest long-distance hiking trails. This multi-day trial path extends all the way to Antalya, and an annual Lycian Way Ultramarathon even takes place along its route.

8. Excursions from Fethiye: Yacht Cruises, Boats, Kayaköy Village and Greek Islands

Besides the beach, travelers like visiting the ruins of ancient Telmessos scattered throughout the city and the day-long 12-Island yacht cruise of the bay. Especially with a stop at Gemile Island, covered in unrestored Byzantine ruins.

Boats depart from Fethiye’s busy harbor on the cruise every day in the warm months. There is also the village of Kayaköy, formerly known as Karmylassos, which is a ghost town full of stone houses. There are hundreds of abandoned homes and other structures, such as churches and schools, which maintain the status of a protected archeological site. Does visiting another country sound exciting to you? Check out the Greek islands! From mid-June through August, there is a direct ferry service between Fethiye and the popular island of Rhodes, Greece.

Transportation

The main transportation methods in Fethiye are rental cars, taxis, and minibuses. Most people come to Fethiye by bus or car after arriving at the nearest airport, 50 km (31 miles) west of Dalaman.

There are also buses that leave from other major destinations that travel directly to Fethiye:

• From Kaş, 105km (65 miles) east, there are multiple buses leaving daily from the bus station that travel two hours and arrive in Fethiye.
• From Antalya, 194 km (120 miles) east, there are buses every four hours that travel to Fethiye from Antalya’s bus station. It takes approximately 2-4 hours, depending on the bus route.

Find more detailed information on Transportation in Fethiye. 

Lodging

There are a number of lodging options, ranging from high-end luxury resorts with views of the marina to budget stays in pensions. There are also a number of “apart hotels” and Airbnbs which have kitchenettes and a pool, making them a great option for families.

Short History of Fethiye

Some 2400 years ago, Fethiye was the prominent town of Telmessos, but earthquakes have left only a few Lycian stone sarcophagi from the old town. Fethiye is the starting point of the Lycian Way, a 500-km (311-mile) footpath through the rugged mountains of the Tekke Peninsula to Antalya.

- by Tom Brosnaham, photos by Sonia Anand, Updated by  İsmail Can Turan