Fethiye Turkey is a beautiful and lively town set on the famous Turquoise Coast. Massive mountains tower above the city rich in culture and longstanding traditions. This is a great area to spend a few days in as there are so many things to do in Fethiye Turkey and the surrounding area. Join us as we take you to Fethiye Old Town, the unique fish market, and to one of the best beaches in Turkey!
10 Things to do in Fethiye Turkey
1. Explore Fethiye Old Town
First of all, you should probably know that Fethiye is actually massive! Old Town is the charming center for all the best things to do in Fethiye Turkey. When you see it from above (as we’ll discuss next) you’ll understand how large it truly is.
Also known as Paspatur, the sprawling Old Town is filled with great bars, cafes, souvenir shops, and unique architecture under the mountains. You’ll also find the Fethiye Fish Market here. This is an amazing place for a traditional Turkish meal in addition to all the delicious restaurants.
Its location set just back from the marina makes it easy to explore all the areas of this fantastic town. We recommend staying in or as close to Fethiye Old Town as possible during your stay.
Where to Stay in Fethiye Turkey
Ultra Luxury – Harbour Suites – Upscale hotel overlooking the boats and ocean of Fethiye. Enjoy the spacious rooms, some of which even come with private pools.
Harbor View – Casa Margot Hotel – With its close proximity to the marina and sea view balconies, Case Margot hotel is a great place to base yourself from in Fethiye.
Boutique Hotel – Hotel Unique – The fun decor and swimming pool are sure to be a hit at Hotel Unique. Book a room with a jacuzzi and take advantage of being next door to the ancient Lycian ruins.
Hostel With a View – El Camino Hostel & Pub – El Camino is a great place to stay for both couples and solo travelers. Its location atop a hill on Fethiye gives you an awesome view of the ocean and mountains in the distance. You can also grab a drink for sunset at the rooftop pub!
2. Hike Up to the Fethiye Castle
Sitting high above the city is the ruins of the Fethiye Castle. Originally built in the 11th century, over time this ancient fortress has lost much of its structure. However, what’s left is marked by a giant Turkish flag that can be seen from almost everywhere in Fethiye.
Even though not much remains of the castle, it’s still one of the best views you can get of town and the mountains in the distance. It’s an especially fun place to visit for sunrise or sunset to watch the colors change in the sky.
3. Walk the Fethiye Turkey Scenic Road
Instead of walking right back down to town from the Fethiye Castle, we highly recommend walking on the road above for more amazing views. If you’re standing on the rock face of Fethiye Castle, you can put El Camino Hostel & Pub into your GPS and it will put you on this road.
Once you see the 2nd century Fethiye amphitheater it’s just a short downhill jaunt until you are back at the Fethiye Marina. Also, make sure to stop into El Camino Hostel & Pub for a drink as it has one of the best views in town!
4. Explore the Fethiye Tuesday Market
Every Tuesday, hundreds of vendors set up shop at the massive Fethiye Turkey market. Here they sell everything from knock-off designer handbags to traditional Turkish goods, and endless food.
This is not to be missed when looking for the best things to do in Fethiye. Honestly, if you can plan your trip around this market you should! The stalls go on forever and you’re sure to get some yummy treats for later.
We highly recommend fresh juices and fruit. The pomegranate and orange mix tasted so refreshing on a hot day. Spicy nuts, local candies, cherries, and other snacks are also plentiful.
As you can tell, you should come to the Fethiye market hungry. Our favorite part was visiting the section that is purely Turkish pancake stands. Grab a seat to try “Gozlome” and utilize the huge jars of garnish on your table.
→ Fethiye Tuesday Market: What to Eat, Shopping, & More Fun!
5. Boat From Fethiye to Calis Beach
Just past cafe Geniş along the Fethiye harbor is a sign for a water taxi to Calis Beach. One important thing to know about Fethiye is that there aren’t any beaches in the town center. That means you’ll have to take a taxi, rent a car, or jump on the bus to find the best places to swim.
Thankfully, there are several amazing beaches just a short drive away. The boat taxis run every half hour and give you a unique perspective of Fethiye from the water. Enjoy the 20 minute ride with a soda or beer which they serve on board.
Calis Beach is a long pebbly stretch with a boardwalk filled with bars and restaurants. If you have time, rent a couple of the sun loungers for a relaxing afternoon.
To us, Oludeniz was the more beautiful of the two beaches in the Fethiye area. However, we liked the chill vibe of Calis and the prices for food and drinks were inexpensive.
→ Turquoise Coast in Turkey: 12 Best Tips For Visiting the Turkish Riviera
6. Stroll Along the Fethiye Turkey Marina
Once you’re back in town be sure to spend some time walking along the natural harbour of Fethiye. We loved taking a stroll through the marina on a sunny day and checking out the traditional Gulet boats.
The path is perfectly flat which makes it great for bicycle riding as well. You can easily rent bicycles from Fethiye Old Town or near the water. This is also where the ferries from Rhodes Greece come in. So if you’re visiting on a day trip you’ll be arriving in the middle of all the action.
The best part of the Fethiye Marina is the endless restaurant scene that seems to go on forever. In fact, the further you get away from the main section, the more waterfront bars and eateries you’ll find.
One of our favorite mornings here was having our first full Turkish breakfast. The small plates seemed to be never-ending, as the waiter kept bringing out more tasty treats to try.
→ What’s a Turkish Breakfast? Fun Guide to the 20+ Plate Spread
7. Grab Dinner at the Fethiye Fish Market
In the center of Fethiye Old Town is a fish market unlike anything you’ve probably seen before. This is a must-visit while in Fethiye Turkey and a dinner you certainly won’t forget.
The eating experience at the Fethiye Fish Market starts from the moment you enter the outdoor complex. The stand in the middle has local men selling fresh fish, shrimp, and calamari. This is surrounded by a ring of restaurants where you can grab a seat.
Start by picking your table and ordering some raki liquor and cold meze appetizers. Then once you get more hungry it’s time to head over and pick out your fish! You will buy your seafood directly from them and then bring it to your restaurant to cook and prepare for a small fee.
→ Beginners Guide to Food in Turkey: 25 Delicious Dishes & Drinks to Try
8. Jump on a 12 Island Boat Tour
Remember your walk around the marina? Well, taking these boats along the water offer one of the best things to do in Fethiye! Enjoy one of the best outdoor activities in town with a fun cruise out to 12 different islands off shore.
Leaving in the morning, they set sail to different bays and swimming spots. The all-day tours are perfect for hot summer days and lunch is usually included in the price.
The best part about the 12 island boat trips is there is literally one to fit every travel style. From laid-back family fun to wild party boats, Fethiye Turkey has it all.
9. Visit the Tomb of Amyntas Above Fethiye
If you look up from Fethiye Old Town, you may see some peculiar rock formations built into the hillside. Believe it or not, these are actually ancient Lycian tombs! The Lycians carved these tombs high into the rocks as they believed their dead would be carried off by mystical winged animals.
The most impressive of these near town is the Tomb of Amyntas built in 350 BC. While most of these historical sites are closed off to the public, this is one you can still get up close and personal with. By paying a small fee you’ll be able to climb the steps to the top to get a better view.
It’s easy to be distracted by the beautiful coastline of in this part of Turkey. However, the Tomb of Amyntas is a reminder of the great history of this region!
10. Spend the Afternoon at Oludeniz Beach
Oludeniz is a very popular day trip from Fethiye and one of the most well-known beaches in all of Turkey. And with its crystal clear waters and pebbly sands surrounded by tall green mountains, it’s easy to see why! Yet, that is not all Oludeniz is known for.
From the top of the tallest mountain, you will see tourists paragliding all throughout the day down to the beach. Even if you’re not up for this wild adventure sport, still consider taking the cable car to the top to take in the epic views.
To get to Oludeniz Beach you can hop on a minibus from Fethiye Old Town or take a taxi for around 150 Lira. The ride only takes about 20 minutes, but we do have a word of warning… This area gets very crowded during the summer!
Luckily there are beach clubs to check out up and down the Oludeniz strip offering sunbeds and cold drinks. For those traveling with children, the lagoon side offers calm waters that are fun for the whole family.
If you’d rather stay in this area there are plenty of beachfront hotels and more accommodations in Oludeniz Town above. There are also pirate-themed boat trips that leave from the beach if you’re looking to party out on the water.
→ Oludeniz Beach Turkey: 9 Fun Things to Know Before You Go!
Is Fethiye Turkey Worth Visiting?
Yes! This was one of our favorite stops on our trip to the Turquoise Coast. Fethiye has such an unbelievable mix of history, beaches, and food that we loved.
Hopefully, this guide gave you an idea of some of the best things to do in Fethiye Turkey. Be sure to wander around on your own and discover more local hidden gems of this coastal city.
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own favorite things to do in Fethiye Turkey? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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More Turkey Tips
- Kos to Bodrum Ferry: Our Boat From Greece to Turkey & Day Trip Advice
- Bodrum Turkey: Complete Travel Guide & 6 Things You Can’t Miss
- Kas Turkey: Why It’s the Best Town on the Turkish Riviera
- Kaputas Beach Guide: How to Visit the Best Beach in Turkey
- Using the Turkish Bus System: How Reliable are the Buses in Turkey?
Turkey Travel Planning
Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Thailand to Siem Reap Cambodia for under $50 USD!
Rental Car: Discover Cars is our company of choice when abroad. It is especially popular to rent a car and explore the famous Turquoise Coast.
To pre-book long distance buses check Omio for the best routes all over the country.
Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for fun activities all over Turkey. You can book everything from a Hot Air Balloon ride in Cappadocia to a Turkish Dance show in Istanbul and even take a Full-Day Jeep Safari in Kusadasi to the National Park!
Travel Insurance: Never travel internationally without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists! Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials.
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Hi Brigitte & Jake, thank you for sharing your travels with us! i’m planning a solo trip along the Turkish coast in September and I was a feeling a bit anxious about it but reading your content has put me at ease 🙂 I have 8 days in total and would love a relaxed vibe, beach and nature. What would you recommend? i’m starting from Antalya, so i was thinking to do Cirali/Olympos, Kas, Oludeniz and Fetiye – ( i’m flying back from Dalaman) what do you think? thank you🙏🏻
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Hi Pilar!
Glad that our articles are helping you plan your trip. That sounds like an amazing itinerary! You’ll have plenty of nature and beaches and it will definitely be more relaxing than the peak summer months in September. Kas was our absolute favorite. Enjoy! (-: