Fethiye: what to do, what to see, and where to swim

If Antalya seems too boring to you, and Istanbul too crowded and expensive, then the magical and very pleasant Fethiye is perfect for you. Here you can see historical sights and have a luxurious seaside vacation. In this article, we tell you how to get the most out of your holiday here, where to stay, eat, and what to see.

When to go

To answer this question, you first need to determine what is more important to you: going on interesting excursions or relaxing at a hotel on the beach. Or both?

If you only want to see the sights and enjoy the local beauty in the most comfortable climate, it's best to come in March-April. At this time, the sea is still quite cold for swimming, but these months are considered off-season here, so prices for hotels and entertainment are significantly lower. 

If you want to enjoy all-inclusive, then you can come in mid-May or early June. At this time, the weather is sunny, pleasant, but it's already starting to get a bit hot. 

September and October are considered the velvet season: at this time, the water warms up well, and the sun is no longer so scorching. Therefore, you can both relax at the hotel and visit local beauties. 

How to get there

If you are flying directly to Fethiye, you will land at Dalaman Airport. From there, there are several ways:

1. Take a bus and get to the city in about an hour. The trip will be relatively cheap, but we cannot give exact prices. Suitable for independent and experienced tourists. 
2. Order a taxi via Uber. You will need cash or a foreign bank card. 
3. Catch a taxi driver directly at the airport. This option is for the bravest, because Turkish taxi drivers are known worldwide for their meter scams and other tricks. From personal experience: in Turkey, only order taxis via Uber and preferably via card — this leaves less room for deception. 
4. Book a private transfer in advance through special services or directly with the hotel where you will be staying. You will be met at the airport and comfortably taken to your destination. 

If you are just planning a vacation, on our website you can find cheap flights to Dalaman and beyond. For example, there are very advantageous tickets to Antalya. 

Fethiye Sights

Tomb of Amyntas

One of the main attractions of Fethiye, which you absolutely must visit, is the majestic Tomb of Amyntas, carved into the rock in 350 BC. It is located south of the city center; it is best to visit it at sunset — that's when it's most beautiful. 

Crusader Castle

The ruined tower of the Crusader fortress is located on a hillside above Fethiye, on the way to Kayaköy. It was built by the Knights of St. John in the early 15th century on older foundations, possibly Lycian, Greek, or Roman.

Archaeological Museum

A small museum specializing in Lycian artifacts from Telmessos and the ancient settlements of Tlos and Kaunos. The exhibition includes pottery, jewelry, small statues, and votive stones. Particularly valuable is the Trilingual Stele from Letoon, which helped in deciphering the Lycian language.

Roman Amphitheater

A small amphitheater in Fethiye, built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It was originally designed for 6,000 spectators. From the upper tiers of seats, there is a magnificent view of the city and the sea. The park opposite the amphitheater is perfect for relaxing on a hot summer day.

Saklıkent Gorge

A deep gorge 30 kilometers from Fethiye attracts tourists with its wooden walkways running high above the river. In the gorge, you can go canyoning and rafting, and also enjoy a cup of tea in the tea houses.

Butterfly Valley

This is a picturesque beach, accessible from Faralya village or by boat from Ölüdeniz. It is also home to the Jersey tiger moth — a very beautiful and unique species. 

The beach itself is surrounded by a lush forested gorge and offers excellent opportunities for hiking or relaxing on the sand.

And it's probably the best place for photos in the entire resort. 

Ancient City of Xanthos

The capital of ancient Lycia, which is under UNESCO protection. The city has preserved beautiful mosaics, as well as an amphitheater, Agora, and Acropolis. In addition, you can see the remains of city walls dating back to the 3rd century BC.

Where to stay

Fethiye Old Town

Fethiye Old Town is located near the port, in the southern part of the city, and is separated from the modern city center by a canal. Its quarters are steeped in history: on one side they are surrounded by mountains, and on the other — by a picturesque promenade.

Along the latter are trendy restaurants and cafes, and in the very heart of the old town, a huge fish market holds a place of honor, where you can not only buy seafood delicacies but also taste dishes made from freshly caught fish.

Most of the accommodation is located along the promenade and the port, making this a convenient place to stay while traveling through the region. Here you will find many small hotels, apartments, and guesthouses, where guests can enjoy the authentic atmosphere of the old town and be within walking distance of its sights.

Fethiye Club Hotels

South of the port, on the coast, lies a peninsula almost entirely surrounded by mountains. In the isolated coves of this peninsula, you can find luxurious club hotels, such as Letoonia with its private beach, and Hillside Beach Club, which offer their guests a comfortable stay amidst magnificent nature and the endless blue sea.

Kalıtaş

Not far from the Old Town, there are small residential areas that gradually transition into the beautiful suburb of Kalıtaş. Prices here are usually lower than in the center. The area is perfect for those coming for a long vacation. If you are willing to rent a car (it's difficult to get to the center without one), you will have an excellent opportunity to explore the surroundings. 

Where to eat

Fethiye is a tourist resort, so there will definitely be no problems with restaurants, cafes, and eateries here. Here, without exaggeration, you can find the most popular cuisines in the world, even Mexican and Vietnamese. But still, we would focus on Turkish cuisine, because it's simply stellar here! 

Here are the top restaurants in the resort according to Tripadvisor:

1. Angora Restaurant.
2. Narlibahce -Pomegranate Garden Restaurant.
3. Ilkay’s Eat & Drink.
4. Nazilli Pide & Indian/Pakistani Restaurant.
5. Pepediz Steakhouse.
6. Teras Steakhouse.
7. Arty's Fish And Chips.
8. Ailem Cafe Restaurant.
9. Shiraz Eat and Drink.
10. Sandinos Indian & Thai Restaurant.

These establishments have detailed descriptions and excellent reviews. 

By the way, did you know that Turkey has amazing street food? In our blog, we tell you in detail what to try in Istanbul. 

Lifehacks

1. Install our app. In it, you will not only find cheap tickets but also be able to store them offline. Not all Turkish airports have free Wi-Fi, so it's much more convenient to have your tickets at hand at all times. 

2. Connect roaming. Again, there might not be Wi-Fi at the airport, and you need to get to your hotel somehow. Plus, traveling with internet is much more comfortable: you can always find your way around sights, restaurants, and other amenities. 

3. Prepare currency in advance. If you have a foreign card, it's easier for you: top it up in any convenient currency, and you can already pay with it in Turkey. If you only have cash, it's better to exchange a small part of the money at the airport, and the rest in the city, where the exchange rate is much more favorable. 

4. Choose your clothes. In Turkey, it's usually warm, and sometimes even hot, so you shouldn't bring your entire wardrobe. But what you will definitely need is a head covering to avoid sunstroke, and comfortable shoes. 

5. Study the local transport features. Let's just say this is one of the most important things to do before traveling to Turkey. Thanks to Uber, getting around the country has become much easier and safer. But it's better to know all possible modes of transport. 

6. Learn basic Turkish phrases, which will help you overcome the language barrier and even get good discounts at bazaars:

– Merhaba — Hello
– Teşekkür ederim — Thank you

– …nerede? — Where is…?

In our blog, there is an article with a detailed Russian-Turkish phrasebook that will definitely help you. 

7. Buy insurance. We understand that for many tourists, insurance seems like a useless purchase, but believe us, if something happens to you, you will be endlessly grateful to yourself for having spent money on it. There are different types of insurance: medical, for lost luggage, or trip cancellation. Each of them will be useful and make your trip safer.

Also, in our blog, we tell you where to go abroad for a seaside vacation. Read it and plan your most wonderful trip. Well, what are you waiting for, let's go on an adventure?