Fethiye is a compact resort on Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast that you shouldn’t skip. It’s globally known for tandem paragliding from Mount Babadağ and makes a perfect base for beaches, history, and turkey sailing day trips. Here are ten reasons this seaside town belongs on your itinerary.
Butterfly Valley Viewpoint
Wild and unforgettable, Butterfly Valley is reached by day boats and many turkey sailing tours. Come for a swim on the pale-pebble shore and a short wander up the gorge to a petite waterfall. With a car or scooter, head to the ridge-top cafés above the valley to sip tea, sample hot gözleme and soak up the widescreen view—the turnoff is roughly a 15-minute ride from Ölüdeniz.
Paragliding from 1,960 Metres
Paragliding here is a rite of passage. After a safety briefing in Ölüdeniz, a transfer climbs to the summit of Babadağ (1,960 m). Then it’s you and your pilot soaring over pine slopes and the Blue Lagoon—one of the most photogenic glides anywhere on the Mediterranean.
Wander Around Fethiye Old Town
Dial down the adrenaline with a stroll through the old quarter. Browse Umbrella Street, choose your fish at the market for a cook-to-order dinner, then follow the music to Bar Street for late-night pubs and clubs.
Beaches in Fethiye
The peninsula hides several beach clubs on white sand within a short drive, while Ölüdeniz and the Blue Lagoon (around 20 minutes away) offer wide strands for swimming and sunbathing—and easy pick-ups for boat trips. Closer still is Çalış Beach, about ten minutes from the harbour, lined with cafés for an icy cocktail between dips.
Saklıkent Gorge
Saklıkent Gorge stretches for around 18 kilometres, hemmed in by limestone walls that climb close to 300 metres. Expect to wade; meltwater can reach knee-deep and it’s refreshingly cold. Bring a waterproof camera—the canyon’s narrow shafts of light make dramatic photos.
Lycian Rock Tombs
The rock-cut tombs etched into the cliff face above the town rank among Fethiye’s must-sees. Follow signs from the centre and climb roughly 200 steps to stand eye-to-eye with monumental façades and sweeping views over the bay.
Watch a Mighty Sunset
Çalış Beach is the place for golden-hour magic. Any spot along the promenade sets you up for dinner with a chilled drink while the sun sinks into the sea.
A Real Experience: Turkish Bath
Treat yourself to a classic hamam session—sauna, foam scrub and oil massage—in one of Fethiye’s traditional bathhouses. In two hours you’ll emerge relaxed and beach-ready.
Visit Kayaköy, the Ghost Town
A short hop from Fethiye, Kayakoy (Levissi) is a hillside of abandoned stone houses and chapels, haunting and beautiful. Wander the lanes, pause for lunch in a garden café, or follow waymarked paths toward a secluded cove for a swim.
Sail Away!
Fethiye’s deep harbour is the launchpad for turkey sailing tours along the Turquoise Coast. Step aboard a classic gulet cruise to drift between coves, swim in glass-clear bays and overnight under the stars. Whether you’re day-tripping or committing to a week at sea, turkey sailing from Fethiye is the quintessential way to explore this coastline.