FethiyeTurkey · Ferry Destinations

All About Fethiye

An integral part of the Sunshine Coast of Turkey, Fethiye margins the Aegean Sea and lies in the southern part of the Muğla Province. Dating back to 5th-century BC, it was at one time an influential Lycian city known as Telmessos. However, over centuries, this beautiful land traded multiple hands, with the Persians, Byzantines, and the Ottomans taking control of Fethiye for long periods.

Rechristened in 1934, the town’s modern-day name commemorates Fethi Bey, the first pilot of the Turkish Airforce. Today, Fethiye is a city of 50,000 that is slowly becoming an international hotspot, attracting tourists searching for sparkling nightlife, natural wonders, sandy beaches, and an exotic ambiance where the East seamlessly meets the West.
 

Routes and Ferries to Fethiye

A 1 hour and 50-minute ferry from Rhodes connects Turkey with the Dodecanese Islands of Greece. Typically, there is one sailing a day on this route operated by Makri A.E. Many private catamarans sail from Rhodes to Fethiye during the tourist-heavy warmer months, but they are considerably pricey. Therefore, you must book your ferry to Fethiye from Ferryscanner well in advance.

Fethiye has excellent road connections with the rest of Turkey. Consequently, you can drive on your own or take a bus from several cities such as Izmir, Marmaris, Antaya, and Istanbul. Travelers who prefer to fly have a choice between landing at Dalaman or Antalya Airport. Dalaman is about 45 minutes away but only has seasonal flights from across Europe. Antalya Airport is 3 hours from Fethiye and welcomes summer and year-round flights from over 140 destinations. Regular shuttle services to Fethiye are available from both airports.
 

Port of Fethiye

The port of Fethiye is a small and sheltered harbor primarily dealing with yacht traffic, leisure gulets, ro-ro ferries, and tenders from bigger ships. Cruise liners typically dock in Fethiye Bay, whereas smaller boats can drop off passengers next to the town center. Vacationists arriving with ferry tickets to Fethiye will find a tourist information point, a car park, and a restaurant at the port. The bus station is an easy 15-minute walk from the harbor.
 

Best Beaches

For Fethiye to become a magnet among the international tourist circuit, it needed to have good beaches. Well, the city certainly doesn’t disappoint in that department. In fact, it goes a step ahead, offering beautiful nooks and shorelines that cast an alluring spell over unsuspecting visitors within seconds.

Ölüdeniz Beach

The beach at Ölüdeniz is among the most spectacular in the entire world. Although the beach’s name translates to ‘grounded sea’ because of its calm waters, Ölüdeniz is famously called the Blue Lagoon. Perfect for all ages, this beach, surrounded by lush rolling hills, has both shallow and deep areas. A 30-minute drive from Fethiye, the beach has a café, toilets, sunbeds for rent, and the option to indulge in watersports like paddleboarding. Situated inside a protected nature reserve, you pay €1 to enter and €2.75 if using the parking.

Çalış Beach

The 4km long Çalış Beach is a short 10-minute drive from the town center. Although the shoreline is black sand and stones, the beach remains permanently crowded with locals and tourists. Overlooking a group of islands, Çalış is an unmissable spot to view the sunset in Fethiye. Furthermore, this free beach is famous for two reasons. Not only does Çalış double-up as a breeding ground for Caretta turtles, but it was also the setting for a scene in the movie Skyfall. The water here is usually calm, but thanks to the beach’s somewhat windy disposition, it is also ideal for windsurfing.

Şövalye Island Beach

The small private beach on Şövalye Island is a quick 10-minute boat taxi ride from Çalış Beach. Stony in nature, the beach remains far less crowded than Çalış, resulting in a relaxed environment. Also known as Knight Island, do take some time to walk around this pedestrian-only islet, packed with natural beauty and a few Roman ruins. Also, plan your day to include a meal at the popular Ada Restaurant on Şövalye.

Büyük Boncuklu Koyu Beach

The beach and its surroundings at Büyük Boncuklu Koyu have a colorful bohemian vibe that reflects the free-spirited character of Fethiye. Roughly 30 minutes from the center, the beach is excellent for snorkeling with plentiful little fish to swim observe. Boncuklu has both paid and free sections along with amenities such as parking, toilets, and loungers you can rent for €1.50. To reach this tiny pebble beach, you can take a dolmuş from town.

Camel Beach

Camel Beach is a shallow, dark-sand, and pebble strand on the edge of a towering cliff.  You won’t find camels on this beach. Nevertheless, it is an exclusive coastal spot because the only way to reach here is by taking a boat from Ölüdeniz. Camel Beach is an idyllic location to snorkel and spend quality time with the family. For something more exotic, pick a boat tour that includes an evening bonfire.
 

Places to Visit

Fethiye’s enchantment does not end with its mesmerizing beaches. The city is a treasure chest packed with magical experiences. When in Fethiye, you’ll be able to discover historical sites, dine at gourmet restaurants, visit a ghost town, and take an unforgettable walk through the depths of its most gripping natural wonder.

Butterfly Valley

An excursion to Kelebekler Vadisi is a well-rounded package that includes a boat trip, interaction with nature, and time spent on the beach. Butterfly Valley, so-called because of various butterfly species found here, is a hidden gem of Fethiye. Experienced hikers can reach the valley by a land route, but taking a boat from Ölüdeniz is the best option for everyone else. Scheduled trips to the beach cost as little as €3. However, if you take a private boat, you can also stop and swim in the blue waters of the magical Mavi Mağara cave along the way.

Mount Babadağ

While many tourists visit the coastal cities of Muğla for their beaches, adventure sports enthusiasts book their ferry tickets to Fethiye for paragliding. The best place to partake in this thrill-seeking experience is from the jump-off point on Mount Babadağ. As one of the highest commercial paragliding sites globally, Mount Babadağ rises to 1960 meters and is very busy with jumpers on clear days. Several operators offer tandem jumps, each one lasting 30 minutes and costing around €85. Even if you are not interested in paragliding, do go up for a spectacular sunset and dinner at the mountain top restaurant.

Amyntas Rock Tombs

The rock-cut tombs of Amyntas are only 5km from the city. The wonderful part about visiting these architectural curiosities is that you can walk close to and touch some of these monuments. This is unlike the ones at Dalyan, which are visible only through a boat ride. Built by the Lycians, the Tombs of Amyntas date back to 350 BC and are carved beautifully into the cliff’s face. The climb is steep but not strenuous, and the views of the city from the top more than make-up for any trouble. The entry fee to visit the tombs is €0.50.

Saklıkent Gorge

Saklıkent National Park is a 50-minute drive from Fethiye and a must-do day trip. The 18km long gorge at Saklıkent, meaning ‘hidden city’, is one of the deepest in the world at 300m. An unmissable adventure, walking through the canyon is a surreal experience. Expect to get wet, and the water is cold, but you can go tubing here, and the entire setup is well-managed. Ideal for families, one of the best moments to have at Saklıkent is sitting on a table placed on top of flowing water and eating lunch.

Kayaköy

A thriving city up until 1923, Kayaköy is now famous as the ‘ghost town of Fethiye‘. Once the residence of over 6000 Greek Orthodox, its entire population had to vacate their homes during the exchange after the Grecco-Turkish War. Nowadays, Kayaköy lies in an eerie abandonment, remnants of its past still standing, albeit slowly disintegrating into the earth. Walking around what were once shops, schools, cafes, churches, and homes, it’s not hard to imagine the liveliness that would have once encapsulated the city. Sadly, it is now just a fascinating reminder of what was a tumultuous era throughout this region.
 

Transportation Around Fethiye

As is the case around most coastal cities of Turkey, minibusses are the ideal mode of public transportation to travel around Fethiye. Every dolmuş runs on a fixed route. These shared minibusses are cheap and convenient when visiting beaches and neighboring towns.

Several returning tourists prefer to rent a car or scooter over using a taxi or dolmuş for daily sightseeing. There is paid and free parking available throughout the region. With a car, you can truly explore the coastline, visiting some of its secret locations. However, if arriving with ferry tickets to Fethiye for a short period and planning on staying within the city, you can comfortably walk around without needing transportation.