Top Things to Do in the Fethiye | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Fethiye

Places To Visit In Fethiye

Patara Beach

Patara Beach is one of Turkey's longest and widest beaches and is also considered one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The same sand from the beach forms into sand dunes in the desert through winds and erosion. Hence, the beach’s unique feature is that it looks like a desert. It has been marked as a specially protected area due to the breeding of loggerhead turtles, an endangered species. Apart from spotting turtles, the beach is famously known for its horseback riding tours which visit the Ancient City of Patara. The city withholds temples, baths, sarcophagi and ancient buildings. This tour can be booked on-site and also provides the opportunity to swim and experience a mud bath. It is located next to the Ancient City of Patara and is separated into two by the River Esen. Read More

Located on the Turquoise coast of Turkey, the Butterfly Valley is a hidden cove at the foothills of Mt. Babadag. This picturesque canyon is only accessible by boat. Boasting more than 100 species of butterfly, Butterfly Valley, or ‘Kelebekler Vadisi’, is home to the endangered Jersey Tiger butterfly. A museum is located within the area, giving interested visitors more information about the region's butterflies. This region is teeming with several species of flora as well, making it a government-protected national preservation area. No permanent establishments are allowed; visitors can stay in the community bungalows or rented tents. Meals are locally made, with regional fruits such as olives, peaches, apricots, walnuts, and freshly prepared seafood. Adrenaline junkies can scale the steep canyon surrounding Butterfly Valley and camp overnight at the cliff town of Faralya. There are two waterfalls on the cliffs surrounding the valley itself, giving one a bird’s eye view of the beautiful expanse. There are also opportunities to participate in water sports such as scuba diving and snorkelling along the Mediterranean sea. If one doesn’t wish to stay overnight, visitors can choose to see the Butterfly valley for a shorter duration and leave by the mid-afternoon boats to Oludeniz. Read More

Calis Beach is a 4-kilometre-long beach. It is known to be one of the best sunset points in the city. There are many restaurants, pubs, shops and hotels along the beach, and it is an area popularly known for windsurfing and kiting. It is located at the west entrance of the city, 45 kilometres away from the Dalaman Airport and 7 kilometres from the city centre.

Downtown Fethiye is the modernised and developed area of the port city of Fethiye. The most common tourist attraction is the boat tours that cruise across the bays and visit different destinations like Blue Lagoon and Butterfly Valley. There are also plenty of exorbitant restaurants and hotels in downtown Fethiye.

The Fethiye Market is the largest in the Fethiye region, hosted every Tuesday. There is a variety of fresh produce like fruits, vegetables, nuts, homemade cheeses and sweets, spices, rice, beans, cereals and luxurious olives, both pickled and smoked. Apart from food, textiles, bags, shoes, clothes and souvenirs are also sold in the market.

Fethiye Museum is the home to ancient Lycian history. Here lies different artefacts like ceramics, jewellery and grave stelae. There are also sculptures of Roman emperors like Hadrian and Antonius Pius and of the Goddess Isis, which were excavated from the ruins of Tlos. The displays exhibited in the halls follow a chronological order. Most of them are ceramic works. The museum’s garden is a beautiful place to visit as it contains old statuaries, architectural fragments and amphorae from the Lycian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine eras. Read More

Paspatur, also known as Fethiye’s Old Town, is situated towards the south of the city and attracts many tourists to its bazaars, old mosques, shops, cafes and beautiful seafront. The marina is a perfect spot to watch people fishing or catch a cruise around the Fethiye Bay. The markets are one of the most visited places here due to its rich produce and vast variety, especially the fish market. The streets are always filled with liveliness, as many restaurants have outdoor dining. The Fethiye Museum is also located in the old town area and contains its own history. Read More

Fethiye Turkish Bath & Hamam

Hammam or Turkish baths are the world-famous steam baths from Turkey. It is a must-try at Fethiye as many places in the city offering authentic Turkish baths. A few famous Hammam in Fethiye are Sultan and Hammam Spa Centre, Esilay Spa and Hammam, Serenity Spa and Mihrimah Hatun Bayanlar Hamami & Spa. The Tarihi Fethiye Hamami is an old Turkish Bath from the 16th century; although a bit touristy, it still acts as a place to have a bath. The first step is to sweat out in the sauna room, salt room or steam room. Then professionals freshen you up with a foam massage at the interior of the Hammam. After that, a calming oil massage and lastly a refreshing face massage with the addition of face masks. It is a rejuvenating, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the baths even offer drinks like apple tea. Read More

One of the best ways to spend time in Fethiye is through a yacht tour that cruises through different islands and destinations around the Mediterranean Sea. Visit the butterfly valley and Blue Cave, along with the Aquarium bay for scuba diving. The tour stops at St. Nicholas Island (island of boats), which is scattered with churches and religious buildings as it was once a Christian pilgrimage centre. The tours include an effusive lunch and allow swimming in the ocean's cold waters. The tour must be booked online since they usually get filled up quickly. Read More

St. Nicholas Island, also known as Gemiler Island was once a Christian pilgrimage stop to the Holy Land. Gemiler translates to Island of Boats since it was once the anchoring point for boats and ships due to its calm waters. Today the island can be found scattered with 5 churches and 40 different religious buildings. There are Byzantine remains that can be spotted on the island as well. The most common way St. Nicholas Island is visited through boat tours, since many of them tend to stop by at the island. Read More