Fethiye

Fethiye is a stunning coastal city in Turkey renowned for its breathtaking beaches, crystal-clear waters and rich history. Settlement in this region dates back to ancient times when Telmessus was founded during the Lycian period, a city later renamed Anastasiopolis in honour of the Byzantine emperor Anastasius II. By the late 13th century, the city had been conquered by the Turks and became part of the Ottoman Empire under the name Meğri. Only in 1914 did the town adopt its current name to commemorate Fethi Bey, one of Turkey’s first pilots who died in an aviation accident in the Golan region.

Fethiye’s beaches

In recent years, Fethiye has become a sought-after seaside destination brimming with well-equipped beaches and facilities offering excellent amenities, along with a promenade known as Fethiye Sahil that’s lined with restaurants, bars and cafés. The city is home to the expansive Çalış Plaji, a fully serviced beach surrounded by numerous resort hotels, where the sea boasts clear, crystalline waters perfect for a refreshing swim. Not far away lies Karataş Plajı (Karataş Beach), a wilder stretch of pebbled shoreline framed by verdant hills that offer stunning vistas. Akmaz Plajı, meanwhile, is better suited to families with children, offering all necessary amenities, gently sloping sandy shallows and calm, clear waters.

Another unmissable highlight, renowned throughout Turkey, is Oludeniz beach, an azure lagoon situated 15 km south of Fethiye and connected to the sea by a narrow strait. Regarded by many as the country’s finest beach, this stretch features fine pebbled sand and refreshingly clear waters. There are both free and paid facilities here; the latter nestles within a nature reserve and is thus surrounded by lush greenery.

All around are scattered other small bays and tranquil inlets, some quite wild, many accessible only by challenging hiking routes or by boat. The Fethiye coastline and surrounding areas are dotted with coves and small beaches to be discovered on boat cruises that offer opportunities to anchor in secluded bays, snorkel and swim in crystalline waters.

Things to do in Fethiye

Fethiye’s old town is called Paspatur and sits a short distance from the marina, an area where you can soak up the city’s authentic atmosphere with its traditional houses, local shops and small cafés serving excellent coffee. The quarter has unfortunately suffered repeated earthquakes, so some of the oldest buildings have been destroyed while others have been rebuilt in a more contemporary style. The neighbourhood is also home to Fethiye’s Archaeological Museum, which, despite its modest size, tells the story of this territory and displays impressive artefacts such as Lycian-era funeral stelae, well-preserved Roman statues and other everyday objects.

Don’t miss a visit to Fethiye’s Bazaar, which offers a wide selection of local products, including spices, textiles, local handicrafts, souvenirs and much more. From Fethiye, you can also set out along the Lycian Way, a celebrated historic and cultural trail that stretches nearly 500 km between Fethiye and Antalya, following the ancient territories of the Lycian League in the 5th century.

Where to stay in Fethiye

Fethiye, compared with other coastal towns, boasts a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere, though recent years have seen considerable urban development and growth in accommodation facilities. Numerous large hotels, resorts and all-inclusive properties with private beaches have sprung up along the coast, whilst the old town area features more B&Bs, family-run guesthouses and a handful of small boutique hotels.

Recommended hotels in Fethiye

We offer a selection of hotels at Fethiye to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Fethiye, sorted by number of reviews.

Apartments and vacation homes in Fethiye

If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Fethiye. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Fethiye are in high demand.

How to reach Fethiye

Fethiye is easily accessible by air from Turkey’s major cities, as the nearest airport is Dalaman, situated approximately 45 km away and served by both full-service and budget airlines. From the airport, you can take the D400 to reach Fethiye’s city centre in under an hour. An alternative for those preferring not to fly is the coach service from Antalya, which reaches Fethiye in less than three hours.

Fethiye Weather