Fethiye is one of the resort towns on the southern coast of Turkey, which seems to be created for a leisurely summer holiday. Tourists love it for its golden sandy beaches, clear sea with bright turquoise water and abundance of greenery. Fethiye’s hinterland is home to lush valleys and beautiful plains, while the coastline is lined with pine forests and cliffs. There are also historical monuments, ruins of ancient cities and rock tombs, nature reserves, famous restaurants and boutiques of popular brands.
Despite its status as one of the most popular resorts in Turkey, at heart Fethiye still remains a sleepy port town. Even during the season, there is a leisurely and measured rhythm of life here, which sometimes we need so much to slow down and relax.
Entry rules
Russians will only need a foreign passport to enter Turkey. Without a residence permit, you can stay in the country for up to 60 days within six months. The local currency is the Turkish lira, 1 TRY is equal to approximately four rubles.
How to get there
The closest airport to Fethiye is located in Dalaman, where there are direct flights from Moscow. The cheapest tickets are offered by Pegasus Airlines – for a 4.5-hour flight you will pay from 17,000 rubles*. It is more expensive and takes an hour longer to travel by Aeroflot – a one-way ticket costs from 26,000 rubles*. You can get from Dalaman to Fethiye by taxi or bus. A taxi costs from 150 TYR (about 600 rubles*) – depending on how you negotiate with the driver, and a bus ticket costs 30 TRY (120 rubles*). The journey will take approximately 40 minutes.
Where to stay
Diana Residence (rating 9.4) – apart-hotel with two swimming pools and a sauna. Each room has a small kitchen and a balcony. A night in a standard room costs from 22,000 rubles*.
Casa Margot Hotel – Adults Only (rating 9.4) – Boho-style hotel with a private pool and harbor views. A night in a Deluxe room with breakfast will cost 33,000 rubles*.
Yacht Classic Hotel – Boutique Class (rating 9.4) – new hotel with harbor views, spa and several pools. Standard room with breakfast costs from 33,850 rubles* per night.
What to see
Old Town
This is a small shopping area near the main harbor with winding streets and many shops. It is quite small, but you still want to stay here and wander along the famous Umbrella Street – street number 95 with boutiques of popular brands.
Fethiye is a port city famous for its shopping arcades. They sell spices, local products, carpets and Turkish textiles, and at the fish market you can choose fish that will be prepared for you in a local restaurant.
The harbor around Fethiye is what this small port city is all about. Here you can rent a boat, sign up for a boat trip or excursion and just stroll along the docks, watch the fishermen and be impressed by the size of the yachts that are moored here.
Saklikent Gorge Canyon
This is one of the deepest canyons in the world. There are two routes for tourists here: the first four km of the trail are fully equipped and will be comfortable for travelers with any level of training, and the remaining 14 km are suitable only for professionals with their own climbing equipment. The first route ends in front of the waterfall, and the second begins in the same place – you need to cross the water stream, so you won’t be able to accidentally get to a difficult level.
Here real adventures will await you: you will have to climb rocks (with the equipment that will be given at the entrance, it is safe) or walk along an ankle-deep river. Depending on the time of year, the current may be different, so for convenience there is a rope stretched across the river. During the rainy season (especially in the wettest months, January and December), visiting the canyon is dangerous: the water level may rise, and then the route will be closed.
In the gorge along the trail there are several natural mud pools where you can get a free face mask or even take a mud bath.
Near the park there is a cafe, a toilet and a tourist center where rubber boots are available for rent. Entrance costs about 20 TYR (about 80 rubles*) per person.
Lycian tombs in Tlos
They were carved in 350 BC high on the cliffs above Fethiye, but can be seen directly from the city and its surroundings. Getting to the tombs is easy: opposite the entrance to The Kings Garden restaurant is the entrance to the trail. If you climb 200 degrees, you can visit holy places and enjoy panoramic views of Fethiye. The entrance ticket costs 5 TYR (about 200 rubles*).
Ancient Ruins
Kayakoy
Fethiye has a very rich history, so historical monuments are found here at every step. For example, the ruins of Kayaköy are located 8 km east of the resort and are not like the others – it is a real ghost town. The entire population left it for more than 100 years. For so many years, Kayakoy has hardly lost its ancient appearance: here you can wander the streets and learn about the life of the local residents, as well as look at the abandoned church.
Xanth
These ruins of the old city, which stands on a hill near the Xanthos River, are also well preserved. Here you can find a 1,000-year-old but still smooth main road, mosaic elements, ancient aqueducts, Roman baths, shops, tombs and a huge amphitheater. Xanthus is one of the few cities where bas-reliefs and inscriptions in the Lycian language have survived. You can also find large land turtles on the territory of the ancient ruins.
The cost of the entrance ticket is 25 TYR (about 100 rubles*). Getting to these ruins is already more difficult – they are located about 60 km from Fethiye.
Tlos
30 km from the ancient city of Xanthos are the rock tombs of Tlos. This is an unusual complex of ruins, which contain a well-preserved acropolis, an Ottoman fortress, a stable, a necropolis, a stadium, a huge amphitheater, a basilica, a Christian era temple, many school complexes and an agora. All this is carved into the rocks or stands on a mountain, from where an excellent panorama of the Turkish coast opens.
Mount Babadag: paragliding from a height of 1,960 m
If you love the wind and are up for adventure, paragliding should be on your list of things to do in Fethiye. The Blue Lagoon is considered one of the best places for paragliding in the world. Paragliding does not require special training; before you start, you will have a short introductory flight. And then you will climb to the top of Mount Babadag and spend about 30 minutes in the air. During this time, fly over Ölüdeniz beach, the blue lagoon and have the opportunity to explore Fethiye.
Beach holiday
Oludeniz Beach
This is one of the most famous beaches in Fethiye. It is located 10 km south of the city and can be reached by public transport. The pebble beach is famous for its crystal clear water, which looks spectacular against the backdrop of green mountains. The extraordinary landscape of the beach combines green hills covered with forests, golden sand and turquoise water. The Lycian Way also passes through Oludeniz, along which there are many quiet bays and secret beaches.
Kabak Beach
A truly untouched piece of paradise without developed tourist infrastructure. However, Kabak Beach cannot be called wild: there is a small cafe, a restroom and a shower, but there are no sun loungers, umbrellas or an equipped descent from the city. But thanks to this, it is always sparsely populated and quiet here. If you get here by car, it is better to leave it near the beach and walk: the road is dirt, rocky and uneven, and there is no parking near the beach.
This is a very picturesque place surrounded by cliffs covered with fluffy pine trees. If you look at it from the sea, you get the feeling that the mountains seem to hang over you. There is a campsite, cafes and small shops nearby where you can buy food and drinks. The beach itself and the bottom are pebbly and rocky, so it is better to take special shoes.
Akvaryum Bay
On one side it is surrounded by a high mountain slope, on the other – hills planted with pine trees. The water here is crystal clear and transparent – an ideal place for snorkeling. The bay got its name because of the variety of fish that live here. The water temperature here is a little lower than on other beaches, and there is a current, so you need to be careful. You won’t be bored on the shore: in addition to the pine forest, wild olives and poppies grow here. It’s especially beautiful to come here at the beginning of summer, during the flowering season.
Lagoon «Valley of the Butterflies»
This is a picturesque valley with a beach, a bar-restaurant and places to relax, accessible by boat. The lagoon is hidden at the foot of the cliffs, it is not possible to get here “from above”, but there is a “boat taxi” from the harbor of Fethiye and Oludeniz. But near the road there is an observation deck with stunning views of the coast. The name was given to the lagoon for a reason: more than a hundred species of butterflies actually live here, which can be observed in any season.
Orka World Thema Park
The water park has two children’s playgrounds, eight “big” slides, a pool with an artificial wave, a lazy river, areas with sun loungers and bar complexes. And soon another part with a large number of water attractions will open.
The entrance ticket costs 380 TYR for an adult and 300 TYR for a child (about 1,500 and 1,200 rubles* respectively). All things at the entrance must be put in a locker: you won’t even be able to take food and water with you. You can only pay within the park with a special card, which is topped up upon entry. But be careful: if you top up your account with a card and don’t spend the entire amount, the balance will be burned out. You can return it only if you topped up the card with cash.
Gemile Island
Gemiler Island or St. Nicholas Island is located off the coast of Turkey. There are several incredibly beautiful coves and ancient ruins of historical churches and religious buildings. It is believed that on this island there is the grave of St. Nicholas, who is considered the very first Santa Claus. Boats go to the island – you can take a tour at any office or right in Fethiye harbor. There are several cafes serving national cuisine on the island.
For a beach holiday, it is also worth noting Gemile Bay, where tourist yachts usually moor. The crystal clear water is perfect for snorkeling and exploring ancient ruins that are now hidden underwater.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
