Fethiye sits in a broad bay sheltered by pine-covered islands, its harbour market the social centre of a region that offers some of the most varied scenery on the Turkish coast. Within an hour’s drive you can be at the most photographed lagoon in the Mediterranean, a gorge of cold mountain water or a village abandoned in the 1920s that has since been reclaimed by the forest.
Here are the places worth building your visit around.
- Region
- Aegean · Lycian coast
- Best seasons
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Known for
- Paragliding, gulet trips
- Don't miss
- Ölüdeniz
Ölüdeniz — the Blue Lagoon
A 15-minute drive from Fethiye, Ölüdeniz(Dead Sea) is one of Turkey’s most photographed spots — a shelterd lagoon of startlingly turquoise water, backed by forested mountains. The lagoon itself is part of a national park; swim in the crystal water or watch the paragliders launching from Babadağ(1969m) above and landing on the beach. Tandem paragliding from Babadağ is one of the world’s best sites.
Lycian rock tombs
The cliffs above Fethiye harbour are carved with Lycian rock tombs — monumental tomb facades cut into the rock face, modelled on wooden temples, dating from the 4th century BCE. The largest, the Tomb of Amyntas, is visible from across the harbour. The old quarter below is worth wandering for its Lycian and Ottoman ruins.
Butterfly Valley & Kabak
Only reachable by boat (from Ölüdeniz) or a steep path, Butterfly Valleyis a narrow gorge opening onto a small beach, home in summer to hundreds of Jersey tiger moths. A few basic camps operate at the bottom. Continuing along the coast, Kabakis another car-free beach reached by trail or boat — wilder and quieter than Ölüdeniz.
Saklıkent Gorge
Inland from Fethiye, the Saklıkent Gorge is one of the longest in Turkey — an 18km slot canyon of ice-cold mountain water where you wade through the torrent between walls of rock. The walk accessible to most visitors is the first 4km; beyond that requires more commitment. The wooded picnic area at the mouth of the gorge is a cool escape from the summer heat.
Fethiye in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Fethiye
3Swim in Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon, see the Lycian rock tombs above Fethiye harbour, take a boat to Butterfly Valley, walk into Saklıkent Gorge, and visit the ghost village of Kayaköy.
Yes — Babadağ is consistently rated one of the world's best tandem paragliding sites. The 45-minute flight from 1969m gives extraordinary views of the Blue Lagoon and the coast. No experience required.
May–June and September–October offer warm sea, light crowds and lower prices than peak summer. July–August is hot and very busy. The area is mild enough to visit year-round.