Fethiye in Turkey is a popular area for tourism and expat living. With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, locals have adapted to the influx of foreigners by providing the facilities and amenities that help expats enjoy living abroad while still having home comforts.
Exploring reveals charming sites that deserve full appreciation, including surrounding villages, historic ruins, and beautiful natural landmarks. To get around, a regular public bus network exists, but most people prefer to drive. Sold locally in daily or weekly packages, hiring a car provides flexibility and avoids the need to stick to a fixed schedule.
Quick Summary About Fethiye in Turkey
- The region includes Çaliş Beach, Ölüdeniz, Fethiye Old Town, Ovacık, Hisarönü, Kayaköy Ghost Village, and the city centre. Mount Babadağ backs the area and is popular for paragliding.
- Antalya, a neighbouring region and beach tourism area, sits next door on the Turkish Mediterranean coast. The two regions form the start and end points of the Lycian Way.
- Fethiye sits on the Turquoise Coast, and places like Gemiler Island are top sailing spots. Budget backpackers arrive for 3-night, 4-day shared-cabin charter cruises to Olympos in Antalya.
- Main attractions include Saklıkent Gorge, Kabak Beach, Lycian tombs, the ferry to Rhodes, Telmessos ancient ruins, Amyntas rock tombs, Fethiye Marina, Letoon, and Xanthos.
Surrounding Coastal Resorts to Visit
1: Uzumlu Village
Delightful Uzumlu, set in mountainous terrain, is growing from a small, traditional village into a destination for luxury holiday villas. An unspoilt ambience, scenic views, and friendly locals are the main attractions. Because of its popularity, the famous annual “Mushroom Festival” is a local folklore event. The local Friday market is where to glimpse village life. Here, vendors sell cheap, organic fruit and vegetables with market banter, and local women sell traditional Turkish fast food such as Gozleme. This area also includes the small but impressive ruins of Cadianda.
2: Classy Gocek
This chic yachting town attracts affluent international visitors as well as Turks from the big cities, who dock expensive yachts and traditional gulet boats into the six fully equipped marinas dotting the coastline. Despite its luxurious vibes, the old town revolves around the back streets. Lifelong locals who own establishments there recall tales of traditional times and emphasise Gocek's agricultural importance. The town is 32 kilometres or 55 minutes away.
3: Oludeniz and the Blue Lagoon
Often marketed as a budget option, Oludeniz easily attracts British tourists. The resort offers British food and entertainment, but its appeal lies in its beautiful landscapes. A long sandy government-protected beach leads to the famous Blue Lagoon, which features in most mainstream travel publications. Every morning, a water taxi sails from the beach to the hippy-inspired, artistic ambience of Butterfly Valley, an ideal place for snorkelling and trekking.
4: Charismatic Kas
In this town, whitewashed houses with wooden window shutters, pink bougainvillaea, and seaside restaurants attract many nationalities. Well-known for scuba diving and paragliding, a small but intact amphitheatre also evokes images of ancient times. Exploration and sports are attractions, too, as Kas offers a laid-back ambience of wandering cobbled streets, browsing souvenir shops, and people-watching while sipping frappe coffee.
5: Luxurious Kalkan
As a luxurious, hillside town on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, and sitting next to Kas, Turkish artists flock to Kalkan, seeking inspiration and vibes. The cobbled streets house small boutique shops, an art gallery, and cosmopolitan seaside cafes. This town is known for the large, luxury villas that boast of sea views and private infinity pools. There is also a huge British expat population.
6: Rustic Dalyan
Dalyan stands apart from other places. Despite its popularity, it remains a rustic village. Nearby attractions include the sulphur mud baths, sandy Iztuzu beach, Lycian rock tombs, and the ruins of Kaunos. The drive is 63 kilometres, or 1 hour 30 minutes. This place is like nowhere else, and while it can be explored on a day trip, we recommend staying overnight and eating delicious food in the riverside restaurants.
7: Other Nearby Attractions
Ten minutes away is the Ghost village of Kayakoy (formerly known as Karmylassos). Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this small village housed Turks and Greeks, living side by side with no conflict. After the Turkish War of Independence, an official treaty forced Greeks to return to their homeland and Turks to do the same. Eventually, locals abandoned the village, but houses, churches, and schools are still intact.
Yakapark, a quirky restaurant in the mountains, operates a nearby trout farm and regularly serves BBQ fish for lunch. Although far away, the scenic drive is worthwhile.
At Saklikent National Park, traditional restaurants near the gorge serve tasty Gozleme, a Turkish crepe served sweet or savoury. Experienced trekkers can walk along Saklikent Gorge, but for novices and sightseers, the entrance view is enough to grasp Mother Nature's power.
The historical ruins of Tlos date to the Lycian Empire, which occupied the coastline until roughly 500BC. Restored Roman baths and an agora offer interesting sights, but the real prize is majestic Lycian ruins near the old castle. Overlooking Xanthos Valley, they are marvellously intact.
Within a two-hour drive is Marmaris, a port city between the Aegean and Mediterranean. The busy city is known more for its nightlife than its beaches.
Car Hire Tips and Driving Rules
- Turkey has high petrol prices, but many car rental suppliers offer diesel cars to cut travel costs.
- By law, suppliers should provide a contract. You will need your passport and international driving licence when signing it. The legal driving age is 18.
- Inspect the vehicle for damage before signing paperwork and write any existing damage on the contract. When leaving the car hire centre, remember to drive on the right.
- The traffic police number is 155 / 154, but in case of accidents, also ring the contractor. The boot should contain two warning triangles to place at the front and rear of your vehicle until the police arrive.
- Occasionally, local gendarmes stop vehicles at village and town entrances. They will ask to see your passport, driving licence, and car documentation. These are routine stops but have those papers in the car wherever you drive.
- On most major roads, speed control is in operation. Cars parked by the roadside have speed radars installed to record drivers' speed. If you are over the limit, another patrol roughly 300 to 500 metres further along the road will stop you and issue a fine. They will give instructions on how to pay.
- Speed limits are in kilometres per hour; within towns it is 50 km/h, 90 km/h on major roads, and 120 km/h on motorways. Seat belts are mandatory.
- The drink-driving limit is 0.05%, but it is best to refrain from drinking alcohol completely. Police use breathalysers, and penalties are severe.
- Traffic on roundabouts does not have the right of way. In certain towns, you may even have to stop twice to let oncoming traffic in front of you. In busy areas, most roundabouts have traffic lights.
FAQs: Travel and Care Hire in Fethiye
Q: Which part of Turkey is Fethiye?
A: Fethiye is on the southern coast and belongs to the Muğla region. This area is a famous tourist region and home to many foreign expats who have purchased property there.
Q: Which airport is near Fethiye, Turkey?
A: The nearest airport to Fethiye is Dalaman (Code: DLM), roughly a 60-minute drive away. Dalaman Airport is one of three tourist airports serving Turkey's coastal holiday resorts.
Q: Is it worth visiting Fethiye, Turkey?
A: Yes, Fethiye is worth visiting. Çalış Beach is known for its long promenade and amazing sunsets. You can get there by water taxi from Fethiye harbour. Gizlikent Waterfall has risen in popularity in recent years. Reach Babadağ Mountain via the Skywalk Fethiye cable car, or take a jeep safari to explore nearby villages. Trips include Kekova's sunken ruins and the ancient city of Myra. For history, visit the Fethiye Museum, then explore the Fethiye Ancient Theatre and Paspatur Çarşısı. Kelebekler Vadisi, otherwise known as Butterfly Valley, has a stone pebble beach and many people walk to the back of the canyon. Also take a Blue Cruise along the scenic Turkish Riviera.
More About Fethiye
We are Property Turkey, and when we are not selling apartments and villas in Fethiye, we share our local knowledge in this blog. From the Blue Lagoon and Ölüdeniz to Çalış Beach and more, this is an amazing region to explore, whether you see it on a road trip or descend for a two-week holiday. Our blog covers the culture, traditions, history, and things to do when visiting Fethiye in Turkey.
Nezir Can 
Operations Manager
Nezir 'Nez' Can is Operations Manager at Property Turkey and a contributor on Turkish culture, lifestyle, and everyday life across the country. Since joining the company, he has helped international readers better understand what it is like to live, work, and settle in Turkey.
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