Fethiye Travelers Recommend

As well as exploring the Old Town, three days in Fethiye give you plenty of time to cruise the Mediterranean, go hiking in the Saklıkent Gorge, and visit ancient Lycian tombs in Kaunos. Here’s how best to spend three days in Fethiye. 

Day 1: Fethiye and Oulendiz

Fethiye’s Old Town can easily be explored in a morning, which leaves you free to explore the surrounding sights in the afternoon. Discover the remains of ancient Telmessos at the amphitheater; learn more about the city’s history at the Fethiye Museum; and shop for traditional handicrafts and Turkish foods at Fethiye Market, which takes place every Tuesday.

Just south of the city, the small village of Oludeniz is home to a sandy beach that backs onto the Blue Lagoon. Join a stress-free tour to skip the hassle of organizing a rental car; most tours also include a stop at the ghost village of Karakoy, a Greek-Christian village that was abandoned in the 20th century.

Adrenaline junkies won’t be able to resist trying the region’s most daring pursuit—a tandem paragliding flight. Alternatively, watch the paragliders while enjoying a sunset drink at the mountaintop Zirve bar.

Day 2: Cruise the Mediterranean

A cruise around the Bay of Fethiye is a must for travelers in Fethiye for the first time. Cruises give you the chance to escape the crowds on land and most include lunch on board. Opt to sail to Butterfly Valley, a bay surrounded by rugged sea cliffs and so-called for its abundant butterflies, among them the rare tiger butterfly. Alternatively, island-hopping cruises visit up to 12 islands in one day and feature plenty of stops to swim and snorkel in the Mediterranean. If you’re an adventurous travelers, try scuba diving—the Turquoise Coast is home to some of the most popular dive sites in Turkey.

Back in Fethiye, head down to the waterfront where bars, restaurants, and nightclubs keep you entertained until the early hours. 

Day 3: Take a Day Trip

Fethiye is well-placed for exploring Turkey’s Turquoise Coast; day trip options include hiking in the Saklikent Gorge, visiting the coastal resorts of Kas and Kalkan, or catching the ferry to the Greek island of Rhodes.

For a tour that combines history, wildlife, and outdoor adventures, head to the Dalyan River for a river cruise or rafting excursion. Most Dalyan River tours include a visit to nearby Kaunos, famous for the ancient Lycian tombs that are carved into the high cliff-sides. Be sure to visit İztuzu Beach, a sandy spit located at the mouth of the Dalyan River, where you can spot loggerhead (caretta caretta) turtles in their natural environment.

Situated on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, Fethiye promises spectacular coastal panoramas. The nearby 6,460-foot (1,969-meter) mountain of Babadag provides a near-perfect launching point for paragliders, who come from all over to free fly over the Mediterranean. Here’s what you can expect from a paragliding experience in Fethiye.

Highlights

• Take off from the mountain summit using a smooth, paved launch platform.

• Enjoy the freeing sensation of flying and the sound of the wind whistling through the paraglider wings, as you soar through the air for a half-hour or more.

• Take in bird’s-eye views of the toy-size villages, white-sand beaches, and boat-dotted harbors below.

• Spot glittering Blue Lagoon, island-dotted Gulf of Fethiye, and—on a clear day—the Greek island of Rhodes in the distance.

• Feel safe and secure during a tandem flight with an experienced, certified pilot, and get an extra thrill as your pilot performers twists, turns, and other tricks.

• After landing directly on the beach, stick around to watch other paragliders putting on a display in the skies above.

• Attend the annual Ölüdeniz Air Games, held every October, to see skilled paragliders as well as skydivers, BASE jumpers, and other air sports practitioners, at work.

With two days in Fethiye, your time is best-spent enjoying day trips to the region’s highlights. You’ll find everything from beautiful beaches and hidden bays, to exotic wildlife and ancient ruins—with time left over to sample the port city’s nightlife. Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours in Fethiye.

Day 1: Beaches, butterflies, and Babadağ

**Morning:**Start with one of the region’s most magnificent sights: the tranquil blue waters of the lagoon of Ölüdeniz, which are spliced in half by a spit of white sand, craggy Mount Babadağ in the background. Day tours from Fethiye often stop at the ghost town of Kayaköy along the way—a former Greek Christian village abandoned during the early-20th-century Greco-Turkish War.

**Afternoon:**Set sail from Ölüdeniz for Butterfly Valley, a hidden bay surrounded by dramatic sea cliffs that’s reachable only by boat. The valley takes its name from the abundance of different butterfly species that call the bay home. Most cruises include the chance to swim or snorkel in the Mediterranean Sea, and some visit islands such as St. Nicholas.

**Night:**Adrenaline junkies won’t be able to resist the region’s most daring pursuit—a tandem paragliding flight from the top of Mount Babadağ at sunset. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, grab a table at the Zirve Bar and Restaurant, and eat while watching paragliders float over the ocean. 

Day 2: Dalyan, Kaunos, and Turtle Beach

**Morning:**Possible day-trip destinations from Fethiye include the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus, the Saklikent Gorge, and even Rhodes Island in Greece. Or, stay closer to Fethiye and visit the small town of Dalyan—start with a cruise along the Dalyan River and stop by İztuzu Beach, a nesting site for loggerhead turtles.

**Afternoon:**Continue to nearby Kaunos, known for its ancient Lycian ruins high on the cliffside. Finish the day with a soak in the natural mud baths at Lake Köyceğiz before returning to Fethiye. 

**Night:**On your final evening, take a stroll around Fethiye’s atmospheric Old Town. Many shops stay open late, so pick up last-minute souvenirs before making your way to the harbor for a seafood dinner along the waterfront. Most of Fethiye’s nightlife is concentrated along the seafront, with plenty of bars, nightclubs, and live music venues to keep you occupied into the wee hours. 

With just one day in Fethiye, many travelers find themselves heading straight out of the city to explore the surrounding sights. With some planning, though, it’s possible to do it all—hit the city attractions, cruise the coast, and visit the beaches and lagoons of nearby Ölüdeniz. Here’s how.

Morning: Discover Telmessos

Fethiye is small enough to explore in a morning. Start by visiting the city’s well-preserved ruins, the remnants of ancient Telmessos. Just above the town, check out the series of Lycian tombs etched into the cliffs, as well as the remains of a Roman amphitheater close to the harbor. Artifacts excavated from the sites are on display at the Fethiye Museum.

If you’re lucky enough to be there on a Tuesday, be sure to stop by Fethiye market. A local favorite with dozens of stalls, it’s a great place to pick up traditional handicrafts and souvenirs, and sample some typical Turkish foods. For lunch, try gozleme, a savory pancake served with a variety of fillings.

Afternoon: Visit Ölüdeniz and Kayaköy

Just 20 minutes from Fethiye, the blue lagoon of Ölüdeniz is one of the region’s most impressive natural wonders. Catch a bus there from Fethiye—or join a tour that stops at other attractions along the way, such as the ghost town of Karaköy, a Greek Christian village that was abandoned during the 20th-century Greco-Turkish War.

Swim in the glittering waters, then summit nearby Babadağ Mountain for a sweeping view over the lagoon. The mountaintop is a popular site for paragliding, a must-do for adrenaline seekers. If you want something more low-key, enjoy a drink at the Zirve Bar and Restaurant while watching the paragliders take off over the cliffs.

Night: Cruise the Mediterranean

Get out on the water, setting sail on a sunset cruise and admiring the views of Fethiye. Dine on barbecue onboard as you listen to live music and watch the sun set over the Mediterranean.

For those who prefer to stay on land, Fethiye’s main nightlife is centered around the waterfront, where you’ll find plenty of bars, restaurants, and live music venues. Kick off the evening with a relaxing hammam and massage at a traditional Turkish bath, then head to one of the seafront restaurants for a seafood dinner with a view.