Fethiye

Fethiye's otogar (bus station) is central, with frequent buses to Antalya (4 hours), Marmaris (3 hours), and Istanbul (14 hours). Minibuses (dolmuş) run to Ölüdeniz (45 min), Kayaköy, and coastal villages. The nearest airport is Dalaman, 55 km north, with shuttle buses and taxis meeting arriving flights. Ferries run to Rhodes (Greece) in summer, with the terminal near the marina.

Dolmuş minibuses run throughout town until around 23:00, with routes to Karagözler (west), Çalış (north), and Ölüdeniz (south). Taxis are available later; always agree on a price before boarding. Car and motor scooter rental is available from Avis, Abalı, Fetcar, Europcar, Atlantic, and Eskol. The town is walkable, with the central bazaar and marina within easy reach.

Summers are hot and dry, averaging 30-35°C with days over 40°C. September-October offers cooler air (around 24°C) with the sea still warm at 24°C. Winters are mild but rainy, and many tourist facilities close from November to March. Spring returns in March. The farmers market runs Tuesday and Friday 09:00-21:00 at the square near the football stadium.

Budget options include pansiyons (guesthouses) in Karagözler on the hillside west of town, camping at Aksazlar or along Çalış Beach. Midrange hotels cluster near the marina on Fevzi Çakmak Cd. Luxury resorts sit on headlands and private bays north and west of town, accessible by water taxi. The Nefis Hotel City near the bus station offers basic B&B doubles from 800 TL, while Club Letoonia and Yacht Classic Hotel charge around 3500 TL B&B.

The fish market (Balık Pazarı) between 96th and 97th Sk is open daily 08:00-00:00; buy fish and have it cooked at surrounding restaurants. Kar şerbeti (snow sorbet) is a local specialty, a slushy of snow and grape molasses from the Taurus Mountains. Keçi Coffee Roastery on 504th Sk is open M-Sa 08:00-00:00, Su 10:00-23:00. Paşa Kebap on Çarşı Cd 42 (Tu-Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 13:30-23:00) is a popular restaurant with higher prices. Ayran, a yogurt drink, is widely available. Bars include 4Corner, Buzz Bar Downtown, Kum Saati, Deep Blue Bar, Ördek Bar, and Boğa Pub.

The Amyntas Tomb (117th Sk 3, adult 40 TL, daily 08:30-17:30) is the centerpiece of the Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs. The Lycian sarcophaguses are scattered through town, with good examples on the lane from the Post Office to the seafront and at the foot of Kaya Cd. The Roman amphitheatre by the marina has been poorly restored. Merkez Eski Cami (old mosque, built 1801) is off Çarşı Cd. Çalış Plajı beach is north of town, though shingle and sometimes trash-strewn. Boat trips to twelve islands cost around 800 TL adults, 500 TL children, with lunch included. Fethiyespor football team plays at İlçe Stadium (capacity 8400).

Fethiye is generally a safe town with standard tourist precautions. The area around the castle ruins is temporarily closed as of 2023 and has become a trash dump. Afternoon waves at Çalış Beach can be rough. The main hazards are typical of a Mediterranean resort town.

Fethiye and its approach highways have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of May 2023, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. SIM cards and tourist packages are available from Turkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom.

Budget travelers can manage on 800-1000 TL per day including dorm beds or budget pensions (200-400 TL), simple meals at the fish market or kebab shops (100-200 TL per meal), and dolmuş rides (10-20 TL). Midrange travelers should budget 1500-2500 TL per day for hotel doubles, restaurant meals, and activities. Boat trips run 800 TL, and the Amyntas tomb entry is 40 TL.

Ölüdeniz is 14 km south with the tranquil Blue Lagoon inlet. Kayaköy is an abandoned Greek village reachable by 9 km hike from Fethiye or by road via Ölüdeniz. Saklıkent Gorge is 40 km southeast, an impressive canyon requiring stout shoes. Tlos is an off-the-beaten-track hilltop archaeological site with Lycian and Roman ruins. Faralya and Kabak are laid-back villages near Butterfly Valley and another canyon, accessible via the Lycian Way.

The D400 coastal highway runs west to Marmaris and east to Antalya. The Lycian Way hiking trail continues east from Fethiye toward Antalya via Kayaköy, Faralya, and Kabak. Ferry service to Rhodes (Greece) operates in summer from the marina. Dolmuş connections run to Ölüdeniz, Kayaköy, and coastal villages.