Fethiye is a low key port on Turkey’s beautiful Turquoise Coast. It has an old quarter, a fish and vegetable market, good restaurants and a long waterfront looking out across the stunning bay. It’s one of the best place to base yourself in in Turkey. We’ve been many times, here’s our top 5 day trips:
Olu Deniz:
Olu Deniz (20 minutes from town) is the most famous beach in Turkey and the reason many people base themselves in Fethiye. At the end of a long curve of beach, a giant spur of sand juts into the ocean creating a vivid turquoise lagoon surrounded by pine clad mountains. Not only is the view stunning, but the beach has enough room for all the visitors – especially at the end furthest away from the lagoon.
Tip – the lagoon can be quite warm for a good swim and the best view is from Mount Babadag.
Twelve Islands:
We’re not huge fans of tours. We prefer smaller tours and less commercialised visits. But we really enjoyed our 12 Islands boat trip direct from the harbour in Fethiye. There are plenty of options on sale along the harbour front: from 2 decker boats taking a hundred or so, to traditional wooden gulets for 20 or so passengers. We chose the later. The trips all roughly follow the same itinerary and stop off at several deserted islands and the Baths Of Cleopatra (just a few underwater ruins). We loved the beautiful views of this island dotted bay and the multiple chances to swim and snorkel off the boat in clear azure water.
Tip – many boats charge hiked prices for water and snacks on board so plan ahead.
Saklikent Gorge:
Saklikent Gorge (50 minutes away) is often crammed with tourists, but, if you can visit early or late, it’s phenomenally beautiful and atmospheric. It’s 18 km long, 300m deep and one of the deepest canyons in the world. If you don’t mind wet feet, you can usually walk around 6 kilometres of it along the river bed. Or just paddle and then relax in a cafe suspended over the river.
Tip – try tubing the river, the water is shallow, fast and refreshing.
Tlos:
The ancient Lycian city of Tlos (an hour from Fethiye) dates back more than 4,000 years. The hill side ruins include an amphitheatre, agora, stadium, fortress and the unique Lycian rock tombs. It’s a small scale site, but one that you feel that you can fully explore compared to Turkey’s larger sites.
Tip – tie in your visit with a trip to Saklikent.
Dalyan:
Dalyan (an hour north by car) is set on the the historical Dalyan River – a the end of which lies Iztuzu Beach. Also, known as Turtle Beach, it’s a nesting place for the endangered loggerhead turtle and has a protected area. Iztuzu also has views of the nearby ruins of Kaunos. However, the best thing is the boat journey along the river which features views of the unique Lycian Tombs.
Tip – don’t miss the boat trip up the river to the natural mud baths and inland lake.