things to do in Fethiye Turkey

What to do in Fethiye, Turkey? 13 sights to discover during your holiday

In my opinion, Fethiye is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Turkey's Mediterranean region. It's not only the perfect starting point for exploring a stretch of lush coastline and multi-day yacht trips, but it's also a great base for a relaxing family holiday or a dose of culture. With beautiful beaches and ruins of ancient Lycian culture in the surrounding hills, there's always something surprising to discover. In this new guide, I've compiled 13 unmissable sights in Fethiye. These tips and a comfortable hotel are all you need for a wonderful holiday in this beautiful region of Turkey.

 | GOOD TO KNOW: For a holiday to Fethiye, you fly to Dalaman Airport. There are only direct flights from Amsterdam. Corendon en Tui So booking a package holiday is recommended in this case. During our trip to Fethiye, we first stayed one night in the beautiful Hilton Dalaman near the airport and traveled the next day to Hillside Beach Club in Fethiye, both can be booked via Corendon.

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

Ice cream date, anyone? One of the newest openings at Amstel1 is De Boule De Boule, an ice cream and pastry parlor just behind Waterlooplein. After trying it, I can confirm: the ice cream is really, really good. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 After seeing their Instagram, you might think of places like Folderol in Paris, the spot that became famous for pairing ice cream with wine. But De Boule De Boule feels different. Less destination wine bar, more day-time neighborhood café where you can stop by for homemade ice cream, a pastry, coffee and, yes, a glass of wine. Inside you'll find shelves filled with vinyl records, a display of freshly made ice cream and homemade pastries crafted by two in-house pastry chefs. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗗 Amstel1 is still being discovered by Amsterdam and it was a little quiet during our visit. I expect the vibe to only get better as more shops open and people find their way here. I'm especially curious to see how it feels this weekend with the market taking over the area for the first full weekend. This covered location with a courtyard feel is incredibly promising. 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗘 𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗 • Olive oil & basil ice cream with sea salt • Chocolate ice cream with hazelnut topping • Paired with a glass of Chardonnay and an orange wine. All of the ice cream is made in-house and completely vegan. If nobody had told me, I honestly wouldn't have guessed. 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 The ice cream is excellent, but what makes De Boule De Boule interesting is that it's more than an ice cream shop. It's a place for coffee, pastries, a glass of wine or drinks after a performance at the Stopera. And yes, I'm already planning to go back to try more flavors, but next time in the evening for a dessert after dinner elsewhere. Just to see how the space changes throughout the day. What would I order then? Very curious about the White Coffee ice cream! 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 📍 De Boule De Boule @debouledeboule Amstel1, Waterlooplein Would you go for olive oil & basil or keep it classic? ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Today marks 43 ☺️🎈 But when I look in the mirror, I still see that 28-year-old girl who, 15 years ago, had no idea she would turn her hobby into her job. Thanks for being there (perhaps for so long) to follow this adventure 🫶🏼❤️. ✖️✖️✖️ @anne_de_buck
Come with me to get breakfast in Taipei 🥢 Straight from the airport to this little spot to taste soup dumplings and so much more! That's what I call a soft landing 😉

13 Must-See Attractions in Fethiye

Rent a car and explore the region

Fethiye's beauty and many sights aren't limited to the town center or your hotel (however nice!). To admire the most beautiful beaches, nature reserves, and ancient ruins, I recommend renting a car for a day and exploring the region. Fethiye is situated on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Mediterranean. A good and reliable company for renting a car is Sunny Cars. There are no surprises, but an all-in price where you are also well insured. View Sunny Cars' offers for Fethiye here >>

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

Road tripping through the mountains near Fethiye

Join a boat trip

Fethiye is home to one of Turkey's most beautiful natural harbors and is a renowned base for sailing trips. Perhaps the most famous is the Blue Cruise, a four-day yacht trip along the coast from Fethiye to Olympos With stops along the way in Kas and Kekova Island. However, if you don't have time for these, there are daily boat trips by boat from Fethiye harbor. Definitely try the boat trip to the islands of Fethiye Bay! When booking your boat trip, make sure you choose a small-scale cruise. There are many pirate-style boats in the harbor ;-). View all cruises here >>

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

Sunset Cruise

Wander through the old town of Fethiye

Directly east of the marina lies Fethiye's old town, Paspatur. It's highly recommended, especially at night. You can wander through this network of narrow, walkable alleyways, and in the evening the town truly comes alive. Shops sell souvenirs, Turkish carpets, and tea sets. The scent of spices wafts through the air, and even at its zenith, Paspatur remains dark beneath a blanket of vines draped over pergolas or large awnings that cover the width of the alleyways. Throughout the old town, small cafes are dotted around serving authentic Turkish food, from breakfast to a lavish mezze dinner.

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

Old town of Fethiye

Discover the Amyntas Tombs near Fethiye

One of the most beautiful things I found was the rock tombs found throughout the region. A bit like Petra, but on a smaller scale. From Hillside Beach Club, where we stayed, it was only a fifteen-minute drive to the Tomb of Amyntas on the outskirts of town. What can you expect there? Fascinating traces of ancient Telmessos in the high limestone cliffs that form Fethiye's southern border. There, you can follow a steep footpath along the foot of the cliffs to admire the Lycian tombs. The most beautiful of all is at the highest point, from where you also have a magnificent view of Fethiye and the bay. This is the Tomb of Amyntas, carved around 350 BC and a must-see if you're on holiday in Fethiye.

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

tomb of Amyntas

Paragliding from Babadag Mountain

This tip is for the adventurous. Mount Baba (Baba Dağ) dominates the inland landscape, and the Blue Lagoon is a popular spot for paragliders. The aerial views of lush forested hills and turquoise water have made Ölüdeniz one of the world's most renowned tandem paragliding destinations. You can book various tours to go paragliding here. But climbing the mountain just for the view is also an option! View the paragliding tours here >>

Relax at the Blue Lagoon

Turkey's most famous beach is located 15 kilometers south of Fethiye. The calm turquoise water, with its white sand fringed by dense pine forests, is practically perfection. It's no wonder, then, that tourists have also found their way here. The beaches can get quite crowded, and this is also the harbor where many pirate ships depart for day trips. My tip? Drive a bit further past the main beach and head to Green Pine Beach. A low-key beach bar by the lagoon (and therefore perfect for kids, as the water is shallow). The staff is incredibly friendly and genuinely happy to have you as a guest. You can rent sunbeds, and the beers are cold. Not for a full meal, but tasty snacks for the beach. For food, go for the Turkish dishes. An oasis of tranquility just past the bustling Blue Lagoon. Nevertheless, it's a must-visit during a road trip through the region!

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

Green Pine Beach // Blue Lagoon

Visit the Fethiye Amphitheatre

With origins dating back to the 2nd century BC, the Fethiye Amphitheatre is considered a treasure of the region and is one of Fethiye's most visited attractions. The site was once a vast theater that could seat up to 6000 people, and ancient structures of Roman columns and crumbling stone seats can still be seen among the ruins.

Pamper yourself at Sanda's Nature Spa

Do you love to pamper yourself? Then the beautiful spa and wellness center Sanda's Nature Spa is a must. This lovely spa is located at Hillside Beach Club and can also be booked by guests from outside the hotel. Booking ahead is essential, as the spa is incredibly popular. I went twice during our stay at Hillside, so I can tell you from experience that it's well worth it.

 | TIP: Also read the extensive review of Hillside Beach Club here >>

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

Sanda Say Spa // Hillside Beach Club

Bring your snorkel to Fethiye

Fethiye is best known for its crystal-clear water, which changes from turquoise to blue and dark blue throughout the day. Its stunning location and beauty make it one of the best snorkeling spots in Turkey, where you can even spot beautiful fish from the beach. Prefer to go a bit further out on the water? Then book a snorkeling trip. snorkeling excursion and who knows, you might even see sea turtles in their natural habitat. Something I saw for the first time on Bonaire and that is truly magical!

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

Green Pine Beach // Blue Lagoon

Hiking in Saklikent National Park and Saklikent Gorge

Unfortunately, we didn't do this ourselves, as we were traveling with our son Manuel. Nevertheless, I want to share this tip with you. Saklikent Park and the eponymous gorge is a ravine, 30 kilometers southeast of Fethiye, carved deep into the Akdağlar Mountains. The landscape is popular for the steep cliffs you encounter while hiking in the gorge. The path to the gorge follows a wooden boardwalk along the cliff, high above the river. The last part of the path is reached by wading through the fast-flowing river itself and then walking through the narrow gorge to the waterfall at the end. Sounds quite adventurous to you? You can also... guided tour to books!

Go eat fish at the fish market in Fethiye

The fish market occupies a large part of a market square that once stood on the edge of the old town. Fethiye's fish market is not far from the harbor, but it's now embraced by the rest of the city. This is the place to eat in Fethiye, in my opinion. For the freshest catch of the day, head to the fishmongers in the center of the square. There, you choose everything you want to eat, and the restaurant where you're seated will then prepare it exactly to your liking. Most restaurants in the square also offer delicious mezze starters, so feel free to set aside an evening for it!

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

Fethiye fish market

Combine Fethiye with a trip to Rhodes

I personally love taking a trip within a trip and seeing as much as possible during a trip. Why not take a day trip to Greece? Or, if you're flexible and have booked individual hotels, combine a holiday in Fethiye with some island hopping? A ferry connects Fethiye, Turkey, with Rhodes, Greece. This way, you can easily plan your own excursion, but if you're looking for a more luxurious experience, you can also take a catamaran!

Take a road trip to the ruined city of Tlos

Are you, like us, renting a car during your trip to Fethiye? Then a visit to Tlos is a must. This ruined city is located 35 kilometers east of Fethiye. Situated so high in the mountains, it's one of the most interesting Lycian city ruins in the region. Tlos is best known for its abundance of Lycian rock tombs carved into the rock face of the Acropolis Hill, but it also boasts an agora, necropolis, baths, a restored theater, a Byzantine basilica, and the scattered ruins of houses and public buildings to explore. Near the parking lot, there are a few cafes where you'll definitely want to stop for a refreshing drink. Order some pomegranate juice, the local specialty!

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

ruined city of Tlos

things to do in Fethiye Turkey

restaurant at the ruined city of Tlos

more Turkey tips

Travel Essentials

view all 36 tips here

more travel tips on your little black book

Did you know that Your Little Black Book contains hundreds of travel and city guides for destinations all over the world? You'll also find tons of tips for truly fantastic hotels. Check them out using the links below:

All Travel Guides for countries and regions around the world >>

All City Guides for the coolest cities in the world >>

View all tips for the Netherlands per province here >>

Yourlbb approved hotels >>

YourLBB's latest lists

Tip the editors

Spotted something fun that's opening soon or just opened? Or just a great tip that shouldn't be missing from Your Little Black Book? Let us know via the TIP THE EDITORS button!

 Tip the editors

Train City Trips

view all 5 tips here

Are you following Your Little Black Book on Instagram yet?

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by { YourLittleBlackBook } (@yourlbb)

With love,

Anne

| PS: Do you know Your Little Black Book's Green PolicyHere you'll find my personal tips on how to travel and live greener, and I'll explain why and how I offset the CO2 emissions from all the trips #teamyourlbb makes.

New Hotels in the Netherlands

view all 4 tips here

Discover more tips in the
Turkey Little Black Book

Click here

Train City Trips

view all 5 tips here

Travel Essentials

view all 36 tips here