Fethiye, Turkey is the perfect blend of beautiful nature scenes, rich history, and incredible food that you’ll miss when traveling to the next city. This city is found on the Aegen coast and, while on the smaller side, presents a long list of activities to pursue.
From ancient ruins to bayside restaurants with stunning sunset views, adding Fethiye to your travel list is a must when you visit Turkey. Most people only know Fethiye for Paragliding but there's much more to it than just that. So let's get started...
FETHIYE ROCK TOMBS
The Lycian Rock Tombs combine temple-style tombs and one civil architecture-style tomb. These tombs sit on a rugged slope and are carved into the rocks that naturally occur in the area.
These tombs held royals as a final resting place. They have a Lycian origin and were built around 350 BC. Here, the Tomb of Amynthas can be found, named after the inscription next to the tomb.
Visiting the Fethiye Rock Tombs has been a popular activity since the 1700s and continues to be a significant draw for visitors in the area. You can expect to see impressive columns at the entrance to the tombs. You can see the Dalyan rock tombs about an hour drive from Fethiye. You can see Myra rock tombs on your way towards Antalya.
FETHIYE BOAT TRIPS
As Fethiye is located next to the Mediterranean you can choose to enjoy a boat trip. Most of the trips last anywhere from six hours to 10 hours, with some extended to a few days.
Cruising through the water, you’ll be able to see additional Fethiye attractions like Butterfly Valley, swim in the turquoise water, and enjoy meals aboard the boat. There are quite a few options for boat trips, so it’s easy to choose one that includes activities you and your family enjoy.
ÖLÜDENIZ AND BUTTERFLY VALLEY
Ölüdeniz is a tiny village on the coastline of southeastern Turkey, near the city center of Fethiye. It’s famous for tandem paragliding and is most often visited for its lovely beach and lagoon. Ölüdeniz Beach is a must-see for travelers in the area. This beach sits on a protected lagoon and offers views of Mt. Baba and the adjacent national park.
If you are looking for additional activity after spending time in Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley is accessible by boat or steep hike (recommended only for advanced hikers). Butterfly Valley is a rich, small green area between the Seven Capes. It’s home to Jersey Tiger butterflies, which give this valley its name.
CALIS BEACH
Calis Beach is one of the most highly visited spots in Fethiye Turkey. It features a long sandy beach with restaurants, bars, and hotels that stretch alongside it. Many people head to Calis Beach to see the sunset, which offers a pretty view with a backdrop of the nearby islands.
This beach is only a short distance from the center of Fethiye, making it an easy stop during a trip to this city. It’s also a great way to escape the hot weather during the day.
KAYAKÖY
You’ll need about half a day to explore Kayaköy, a nearby attraction that’s easily accessible from Ölüdeniz Beach. There are two versions of Kayaköy – the ancient city with interesting ruins to explore and the current Kayaköy.
The Kayaköy ruins sit on top of a hillside and feature crumbling churches and old houses. In the early 1900s, this was an Ottoman Greek village. Due to the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, the residents were required to move back to Greece, leaving the village behind. It’s a unique place to explore, allowing you to see into the past of what was once a thriving community.
Afterward, head to the updated village of Kayaköy at the bottom of the hill to shop, grab a bite to eat, and view the ruins from a different perspective.
