Destination · Lycian coast
A lagoon so blue it looks retouched, a mountain you can fly from, a ghost village of five hundred stone houses and temple-fronted tombs carved into the cliff above the harbour. Fethiye packs more into one corner of the Mediterranean than most regions manage in a whole coastline.
Plan your Fethiye tripAbout Fethiye
Ancient Telmessos was famous across the Greek world for its soothsayers; Alexander the Great is said to have consulted them. Earthquakes flattened the town in 1856 and 1957, and it was rebuilt as the easy-going harbour town you see today, named in 1934 after Fethi Bey, one of the first Ottoman aviators. Behind it rise the Taurus Mountains, and in every direction there is something to do: boat days among the Twelve Islands, canyons, ancient cities, the start of the Lycian Way. Spend the days out, and come back each evening to the fish market and the harbour lights.
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Ölüdeniz & the coast
South of the town, the coast is at its most dramatic: a lagoon, a mountain, a hidden valley and bays reached by boat or by footpath.
Ölüdeniz means 'dead sea', for the calm of its sheltered lagoon, a protected nature park whose water shades from milky blue to deep turquoise. Next to it, the long sweep of Belcekız Beach faces the open sea. Swim, paddle, take a boat to the coves along the coast, or simply sit under the pines and look. Half a day to a full day.
Babadağ rises almost two kilometres straight above the lagoon, and it is one of the world's great paragliding launch sites. Fly tandem with an experienced pilot and float down for 30 to 40 minutes over the coast, landing on the beach. Or ride the cable car to the viewing terraces for the same breathtaking view with your feet on the ground. Flights depend on the weather.
Walled in by cliffs hundreds of metres high, Butterfly Valley opens onto a small beach of pebbles and crystal water. In summer it is home to the Jersey tiger moth and many other butterflies, and a waterfall hides at the back of the valley. Arrive by boat; the steep cliff path down from Faralya is only for experienced, well-equipped walkers.
At the end of a winding mountain road, Kabak is a green valley that tumbles down to a quiet beach, with yoga retreats, tree-house camps and small guesthouses instead of hotels. Reaching the shore means a steep walk or a local transfer, and that is exactly why it stays so peaceful.
The Lycian Way, Turkey's most famous long-distance trail, begins just outside Fethiye and climbs past the village of Faralya on cliff paths with the sea far below. Walk a few hours with a guide, or set off on a multi-day trek with luggage transfers. The views back over Ölüdeniz alone are worth the effort.
Often called St Nicholas Island, Gemiler is covered with the ruins of churches built between the 4th and 6th centuries, joined by a long covered processional way where pilgrims once walked. Climb to the top for a view over the bay and the anchored boats. Bring good shoes and sun protection.
Town, history & the hinterland
Inland from the coast lie ghost villages, canyons and some of the finest Lycian cities. Combine two or three of them for a full day.
Carved into the cliff in the 4th century BC, the Tomb of Amyntas looks like a small Ionic temple, with columns and a pediment cut straight from the rock. An inscription names Amyntas, son of Hermagios. Climb the steps at sunset for the best light and a view over the harbour, then walk down into the old town. Allow 45 to 90 minutes.
Until 1923 this was Levissi, a busy Greek village of some 500 houses. After the population exchange, its people left and the village was never resettled. Today you walk through roofless stone houses, chapels and two large churches on a silent hillside, the setting of Louis de Bernières' novel Birds Without Wings. Allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
A long, relaxed beach of shingle and sand with a seafront promenade, Çalış is the place to watch the sun go down over the bay, with windsurfers out on the water and the restaurants filling up behind you. Pair it with dinner at Fethiye's fish market, where you choose your fish and have it cooked at a table next door.
Saklıkent, 'the hidden city', is a canyon around 18 km long and up to 300 metres deep, carved by an icy mountain river. Walk the boardwalk into the gorge, then wade upstream through the cold water between towering walls; it is a wonderful escape on a hot summer day. Wear shoes that can get wet.
One of the oldest cities of Lycia, Tlos sits on a rocky hill with rock-cut tombs on its face, an Ottoman fortress on top and a large Roman theatre facing the mountains. Legend links it with the hero Bellerophon and his winged horse Pegasus. It pairs perfectly with Saklıkent. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Pınara's cliff is pitted with hundreds of small rock-cut tombs, high on a sheer rock face, and the ruins of the city lie quietly among pine trees below. It sees few visitors, so you may have its theatre and its tombs to yourself. Allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours, plus the drive.
Experiences
Every private Fethiye tour can mix these experiences in any order, at your own pace.
The Gulf of Fethiye is scattered with islands and coves, and the famous Twelve Islands route is one of the loveliest boat days in Turkey. Charter a private boat or a traditional gulet for your group and make it your own: swim in quiet bays, lunch on deck, visit Gemiler Island or anchor below the cliffs of Butterfly Valley. You choose the stops; the crew finds the calmest water.
Fly from Babadağ over Ölüdeniz with an experienced pilot, weather permitting.
A day walk or a multi-day trek with guiding, rooms and luggage transfers.
Saklıkent Gorge, scenic mountain drives and canyons combined with ancient sites.
The old town, Tuesday market, the fish market, mezes and regional dishes.
Lycian tombs, ancient cities and the layered story of Kayaköy.
Trip length
Plan at least two or three days for Ölüdeniz, Kayaköy, the town and a boat trip. With four or five you can add Saklıkent, Tlos and paragliding, and with a week, the Lycian Way.
The old town and Amyntas tombs, then the harbour or Çalış at sunset; or a boat day instead.
Ölüdeniz and its coast, Kayaköy, the town and a boat trip, without rushing.
Add Saklıkent, Tlos or Pınara, and choose paragliding, walks or more time on the water.
Start a multi-day Lycian Way trek, or link the coast, ancient sites and nearby destinations.
Good to know
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are best for hiking, ancient sites and paragliding, and the sea stays warm into October. July and August are perfect for beaches and boats but hot and busy, so start walks early. Winter is quiet, with some boats and services reduced.
Dalaman Airport is about 45 minutes to an hour by car, with flights from across Europe in season. From Fethiye, Ölüdeniz is about 25 minutes away, Kayaköy 15 minutes, Saklıkent 45 minutes and Kaş around 1.5 hours along the coast.
Paragliding and boat trips depend on the weather, so keep a spare day if they matter to you. Wear sturdy shoes for Kayaköy and the ancient sites, and shoes that can get wet for Saklıkent.
Tailor-made for you
Every tour is built around your interests, your dates and your pace. These are some of the journeys our travellers love; each one can be shaped to suit you.
Let's plan your holiday
Sailing the coast, exploring Lycian cities, walking the Lycian Way or seeing Ölüdeniz from the sky: tell us your dates, what you would like to do and your pace. We will plan a private itinerary and email it with a price.
Choose the places you would love to see, how many of you are travelling and for how long.
We write a private programme just for you and email it with a personal price.
Change anything you like. We refine the programme with you until it feels just right.
From history and faith to hidden villages and the coast, find the journey that suits you. Every one can include Fethiye.
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Culture, nature, adventure and long days by the sea, combined in one personal itinerary and planned around your interests, your dates and your pace.
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