12 Amazing Things to do near Fethiye: Türkiye’s (Turkey’s) Turquoise Coast itinerary
By Ling and Jace
home / back to Türkiye
Butterfly Valley, Türkiye (Turkey)
After some time in Cappadocia, we travelled down to Türkiye’s (Turkey’s) Turquoise Coast and made a base in Fethiye. It’s also called the Turkish Riviera and follows a beautiful route along the ocean in the regions of Antalya and Muğla.
This guide has everything that you need to know about how to get to the Turquoise Coast from Fethiye, and the best places to visit nearby. It includes where to stay, how to hire a car, and the best tour, as well as options to get there from Istanbul, Izmir and Denizli.
We loved capturing this trip and if you like any of the photos, you can find us on Instagram @ling.and.jace.
Contents
Tips for planning a trip to Fethiye
How to get to Fethiye and the Turquoise Coast
Hiring a car in Fethiye
When to visit Fethiye and the Turquoise Coast
Sailing trips from Fethiye
Where to stay on the Turquoise Coast
The best Türkiye (Turkey) tours to Fethiye
Making payments in Türkiye (Turkey)
Mobile and data plans in Türkiye (Turkey) (with discount)
Note: we paid for all of our experiences in Türkiye (Turkey), but this post contains some affiliate links. If you decide to book a similar experience, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for planning a trip to Fethiye
HOW TO GET TO Fethiye and the Turquoise Coast
Fethiye and the Turquoise Coast is in the Muğla province. The closest airports are Bodrum (BJV) and Dalaman International Airport (DLM). You can book an airport transfer from Dalaman Airport to Fethiye, Calis Beach or Oloudeniz in advance here.
It is also possible to fly into Antalya Airport (ASR) and take a driving tour along the coast to Fethiye. Another option is to stay in Mamaris and visit the coast near Fethiye on this day trip to the Blue Lagoon.
We visited the Turquoise Coast as part of a roadtrip from Denizli. We flew into Denizli Çardak Airport to visit Pamukkale, and then hired a car to drive down to Fethiye.
Hiring a car in Fethiye
We booked a car for one week through Rentalcars.com which let us compare prices across the major hire companies.
Driving in Türkiye (Turkey) was at times a bit chaotic (with goats always appearing on narrow roads), but it gave us the freedom to explore the coast at our own pace.
When to visit Fethiye and the Turquoise Coast
The best time to visit Türkiye’s (Turkey’s) Turquoise Coast and Fethiye is in summer between June and September. That’s when you’ll get the warmest weather and clearest skies, but it’s also when the region will be at its busiest.
We visited in the off peak season in October. We found it was still warm enough to swim and much less crowded. It made the trip more comfortable and affordable, however, there were also less boats running to the islands and lagoons. Most boat tours eventually stop running for a few months over the winter period (between November to April).
Sailing trips from Fethiye
Gulet cruises are the perfect way to explore the Turquoise Coast. If you would like to start and return to Fethiye, we’d recommend this eight day gulet cruise which includes all meals on board. We have more information below about booking a sailing trip in Türkiye’s (Turkey’s) Turquoise Coast.
WHERE TO STAY on the Turquoise Coast
If you are planning to take day tours (listed below) or hire a car in Türkiye’s (Turkey’s) Turquoise Coast, the most convenient places to stay are Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, or Kas.
We booked our accommodation through Agoda and stayed in the Yacht Boheme Boutique hotel (adults only) in Fethiye. Some of the highest rated hotels closer to the beach in Ölüdeniz are the Akdeniz Beach Hotel, the Ecclesia Hotel (adult only) and the Tonoz Beach Hotel.
The best Türkiye (Turkey) tours to Fethiye
On our two week trip to Türkiye (Turkey), we decided to visit the areas around Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Fethiye. If you want to reach all of these places by tour, we’d recommend joining this 12 day tour that includes accommodation and transport.
All of the day tours that we’ve included in this post are with either GetYourGuide or Viator, which we have used in every country that we’ve visited. We have compared every option for what is included (such as flights, accommodation and meals) and found the best prices across the platforms.
Making payments in Türkiye (Turkey)
We used our Wise card that was loaded with Turkish lira to make payments and withdraw cash throughout Türkiye (Turkey) with no issue. Card is accepted virtually everywhere in Türkiye (Turkey), but it also helps to carry cash in the off chance that you might need it.
There are hidden fees in any international exchange rate, but we always travel with a Wise travel card which can be used all over the world, including in Türkiye (Turkey). It operates like any other bank, but is much cheaper than exchanging money through a traditional bank (depending on the exchange, it can be up to eight times cheaper).
Mobile and data plans in Türkiye (turkey)
If you are looking for a data plan in Türkiye (Turkey), you can get 5% off Holafly’s Türkiye (Turkey) eSim with this link or by using our code ‘LINGANDJACE’.
We use Holafly’s eSIMs on all of our international trips because they can be set up easily with a QR code. Many other SIM companies have a cap on the amount of data that you purchase, but all of the Holafly plans come with unlimited data.
We had uninterrupted access to data and reception all across Türkiye (Turkey).
12 AMAZING THINGS TO DO NEAR FETHIYE
1. Sail to the butterfly Valley
The most beautiful and secluded part of the the Turquoise Coast is the Butterfly Valley, which can only be reached by boat from the town of Ölüdeniz.
The Butterfly Valley is surrounded by steep cliffs that are hundreds of metres tall and the beach is one of the most breathtaking places that we’ve ever visited. We were lucky enough to take the very last boat before the sailors in Ölüdeniz packed up for the colder months between November to April.
Boats to the Butterfly Valley
To get to the Butterfly Valley, we’d recommend booking this boat tour from Ölüdeniz.
Butterfly Valley, Türkiye (Turkey)
2. Stay on a Gulet cruise
One of the best ways to experience the Turquoise Coast is from the water on a gulet, which is the traditional wooden sailing ship in this region of Türkiye (Turkey).
Gulet cruises can be taken for multiple days around the most beautiful areas, and they are the perfect way to explore the coast, especially if you fancy a swim in the crystal waters along the way. If you would like to start and return to Fethiye, we’d recommend this eight day gulet cruise which includes all meals on board.
Alternatively, this gulet cruise runs from Fethiye to Olympos.
If you’re travelling with a larger group, you can also book a private yacht. This yacht has seven cabins and can be booked for anywhere up to 14 guests for a four day sailing tour. There are other variations of the gulet cruise available on Viator depending on your travel routes.
If you’re between 18-39 years old, you can also book a Sail Türkiye experience on a Gulet cruise for seven days. Their Blue Cruise option departs from Kuşadası.
Gulet cruise boat docked on the beach in the Butterfly Valley, Türkiye (Turkey)
3. Scuba dive at Ölüdeniz
Ölüdeniz has some of the best beaches and waters along the Turquoise Coast. While you’re in the area, you can also go scuba diving to experience the crystal clear water. The main dive spots are Aquarium Bay and the Blue Cave with schools of fish and turtles.
Scuba diving trips run from both Fethiye and Ölüdeniz include equipment training, dive instructors and underwater photography. They only depart twice a day, so we’d recommend booking your time slot in advance.
Beach in Fethiye, Türkiye (Turkey)
4. Swim in the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon of Ölüdeniz Tabiat Parkı is one of the main reasons that people visit Fethiye. If you’re staying in Mamaris, it is still possible to reach the Blue Lagoon on this day trip to Fethiye and the Saklikent Gorge, which includes time to swim in the bay. Otherwise, if you are in Ölüdeniz, this tour includes time at the Butterfly Valley and Aquarium Bay.
Butterfly Valley, Türkiye (Turkey)
5. Paraglide from Mount Babadag
The landscape surrounding the Butterfly Valley is so impressive because of its steep cliffs, with Mount Babadag looming in the background and Ölüdeniz nature reserve adding spectacular greens to the scenery.
This area is one of the most popular places in the world to go paragliding. The paragliding companies take you up the winding roads to Mount Babadag, where you’ll take off at nearly 2000 metres high. You’ll glide for around 30 minutes, and have unbelievable panoramic views of Ölüdeniz and the valleys around it the whole time.
If you’re interested in paragliding in the area, we’d recommend booking a tour through GetYourGuide on the first day of your trip so that you can reschedule it if the weather is bad. This paragliding tour includes pick up from Fethiye, Hisarönü, and Ovacik.
Boat cruise to the Butterfly Valley, Türkiye (Turkey)
6. Explore the Saklikent Gorge
The Saklikent Gorge is the second largest canyon in Europe. It stretches for 18 kilometres through steep cliffs and is filled with waterfalls and caves. One of the best ways to see the gorge is by hiking as there are wooden platforms along the base in some sections.
Nearby, you can also reach the ruins of Tlos, which was an ancient Lycian city. We’d recommend this tour from Fethiye to the Saklikent Gorge and the ancient city of Tlos so you can reach both sites in one day. The tour includes transport, lunch, and time at the gorge to go hiking or rafting (bring swimwear and shoes for this if you plan to go).
Goats wandering around the cliff faces of Fethiye, Türkiye (Turkey)
7. See the ancient Lycian Ruins of the Amyntas Rock Tombs
While you’re in Fethiye, we’d really recommend visiting the Amyntas Rock Tombs, which are ruins from the Lycian civilisation that were carved in 350BC. The Lycians believed that once they died, winged creatures would carry them into the afterlife, so they often built their tombs in high places.
Lycian ruins can also be found in many places near Fethiye. On a day trip to the Saklikent Gorge, this tour from Fethiye also includes time at the ancient city of Tlos, where you can see its agora and necropolis. There’s a small entrance fee to enter the grounds.
The ancient Lycian ruins of the Amyntas Rock Tombs in Fethiye, Türkiye (Turkey)
8. Kayak to St Nicholas Island (Gemiler Adas)
St Nicholas Island (Gemiler Adas) is another perfect half day trip from Fethiye or Ölüdeniz. We found that the best way to see the island was by kayaking around it, because you can stop at many coves with crystal water. Because the beaches are a little harder to get to, they are relatively secluded and very quiet.
This kayaking tour with Viator provides all of the equipment needed to explore the island and is suitable for any level of experience. It also includes pick up and transport to the starting point at Gemiler Beach.
Boat cruise to Butterfly Valley, Türkiye (Turkey)
9. Explore Kayaköy
Around half an hours’ drive from the centre of Fethiye is Kayaköy—an abandoned town built on the mountainside. Kayaköy was known in ancient times as Karmylessos, and eventually called Leivissi in Modern Greek. However, during the Greco-Turkish War at the start of the 20th Century, the town’s Greek Orthodox residents were exiled.
Kayaköy is now a historical monument with around 500 houses still remaining. It is an open museum and an important historical site to visit near Fethiye.
To get there, quad biking tours run from from Fethiye through the countryside and stop at Kayaköy.
The ruins of Kayaköy near Fethiye, Türkiye (Turkey)
10. Day trip to Pamukkale and Hierapolis
The travertines of Pamukkale are unlike any other landscape. They have pastel blue waters and huge walls of calcium that look like clouds. The travertines are thermal baths next to the ruins of Hierapolis that have been used for centuries. The water is naturally heated by volcanic lava. It flows up from underground then eventually runs down the travertines into many small pools.
Tours from Fethiye to Pamukkale
The easiest way to reach Pamukkale and Hierapolise from Fethiye is to join a tour that organises all transport. We’d recommend this day trip, which includes hotel pick up and drop off and lunch.
Driving from FEthiye to Pamukkale
We drove between Pamukkale and Fethiye in our rental car, which we booked online here. The drive is around 2 hours and 45 minutes. The south entrance car park is the closest entrance to the travertines and takes around 10-15 minutes to walk to the top of the pools. You can find information about the opening hours for each entry here.
Entry tickets are sold for both Pamukkale and Hierapolis together. The prices seem to change frequently, but recently seemed to be 30EUR per person. You can also include Pamukkale and Hierapolis in a Türkiye Museum Pass, which includes entry for multiple sites.
Pamukkale, Türkiye (Turkey)
11. Ride horses from Fethiye
One way to see more of the Turkish countryside near Fethiye is by horse riding. Horse riding groups run twice a day and can be booked here on GetYourGuide. The tour includes hotel pick up and drop off and training time with the horse (you don’t need any previous experience in horse riding to join).
Ride horses in Fethiye, Türkiye (Turkey)
12. Day trip to Dalyan and Turtle Beach
Dalyan is a beautiful town on the river that is around one hours’ drive from Fethiye. Turtle Beach is at the end of the river, and it’s possible to swim where the water meets the sea. On the way to these natural landscapes, there is also the ruins of the ancient city of Caunos. There are mud baths there that have long been used for their minerals, which have many benefits for the skin and muscles.
To reach Dalyan and Turtle Beach, you can join this day tour which includes transport to and from hotels in Fethiye.
Butterfly Valley, Türkiye (Turkey)
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