Things to Do in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz in Turkey (Türkiye)

Fethiye and Ölüdeniz are popular holiday destinations along the Turkish Riviera, or the Turquoise Coast of Türkiye. Most people come here to soak up the Mediterranean sun and relax on the beach. However, there are plenty of things to do in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz to attract people who enjoy being a bit more active on their holiday’s as well.

From paragliding to hiking through a gorge, and visiting a ghost town to seeing some historical sites, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz definitely offer up a wide variety of activities. In this guide, you can read about some of the top things to do in this beautiful corner of the country. We’ve also included some useful information on how to get to Fethiye, how to get around, where to stay and where to eat.

About Fethiye and Ölüdeniz

Located about 200km south of Denizli, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz are popular holiday destinations on the Turquoise Coast of Türkiye.

Fethiye was once known as Telmessos, and was an important city in the ancient Lycian civilization. However, the town’s history dates back even further, to prehistoric times. Over the centuries, many civilizations have left their mark on Fethiye, including the ancient Greeks, the Romans and the Ottomans.

Although Fethiye has a long history, the town has had to be rebuilt multiple times over the years, as a result of some devastating earthquakes.

Did you know? – Fethiye is also the starting point of the Lycian Way. It’s a long-distance trekking route between Fethiye and Antalya, that follows an ancient Lycian trade route.

Things to Do in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz

1. Wander Around Paspatur, Fethiye’s Old Town

One of the best places to explore in Fethiye is its Old Town, also known as Paspatur. This part of the town is filled with narrow streets, many of which are decorated with umbrellas, lanterns and other colourful banners.

There are also plenty of small cafes and restaurants, where you can relax with some traditional Turkish coffee or tea. At night the streets are bathed in warm fairy lights, setting an inviting atmosphere to wander around in.

Within Paspatur there are a ton of different shops and bazaars you can browse through. You’ll find plenty of souvenir shops selling typical Turkish trinkets, carpets, and ceramics. There are also many jewellery and clothes shops, selling a ton of ‘genuine fake’ goods. If you’re more into gastronomy, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s no shortage of bazaars selling herbs, spices, teas and, of course, Turkish Delight.

You can also visit Fethiye Museum if you want to learn a bit about the town’s history. Don’t forget to stop by Merkez Eski Camii, a small old mosque squeezed between all the souvenir shops and cafes.

2. Walk Along Fethiye’s Promenade

There is a lovely pedestrianised route running along Fethiye’s harbour, providing a great area for an evening stroll. One side of the promenade is lined with cafes and restaurants. The other side is the harbour, filled with boats offering day tours and other water excursions. Between the boats, you can also appreciate the views of the bay and the surrounding mountainous landscape.

The best time to walk along the promenade is either in the early morning or in the evening. That way, you can either enjoy the peace of the early morning hours, or witness a beautiful sunset in the evening before heading out for dinner.

3. Climb Up to the Tombs of Amyntas (Lycian Rock Tombs)

The powerful Lycian civilization once existed in southwestern Turkey, in the area around modern-day Fethiye. Lycian cities were well-known for their impressive architecture, especially their monumental tombs carved into rock faces.

These tombs were symbols of a persons status and power, and were designed to house important individuals and their families. From the outside, they often look like beautiful entrances to ancient temples. Although the entryways are adorned with elaborate carvings, the interiors are much more simply designed.

The Tombs of Amyntas in Fethiye are a fabulous example of these ancient Lycian burial sites. From the top, you’ll also be rewarded with a great view out across the bay.

Opening time and entry fees. The site is open every day between 8:30AM and 5:30PM. The entry fee is 3EUR, however you can use your Türkiye Museum Pass to enter for free.

4. Go on a Boat Trip

You’re in the Mediterranean, so why not go on a boat trip on one of your days there. One of the most popular boat trips from either Fethiye harbour or Ölüdeniz Beach is the 12 Island Day Tour. The Gulf of Fethiye is dotted with small and large islands that you can sail around. During your trip, you can admire the beautiful landscape as well as swim in the inviting sea. You can either pre-book your trip, or just sign up at the harbour from one of the many kiosks.

You can also go on a boat trip to the Butterfly Valley and Gemiler (Saint Nicholas) Island from Ölüdeniz. Sunset cruises are also very popular, and we saw some themed excursions as well, such as scuba diving and snorkeling trips, or even a pirate party boat tour.

5. Relax on Calis Beach in Fethiye (Çaliş Beach)

It wouldn’t be a holiday along the Turquoise Coast of Türkiye without spending some time on the beach. Although it’s not a sandy beach, Calis Beach is a nice place to escape the summer heat. On a clear day, you can even see the highest point on the Greek Island of Rhodes from here.

If you don’t want to sunbath all day, then you can just take a walk along the beach, enjoying the cool breeze and a quick dip. Calis Beach Bird Sanctuary is located at the southern end of the beach, where you can do some birdwatching if you like. Of course, there are also plenty of beach bars and restaurants along the promenade, where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat.

Top Tip. Arrive a bit later in the day if you want to spend some time relaxing on the beach as well as watching the sun go down. Thanks to the location of Calis Beach, you can witness some pretty incredible sunsets there.

6. Swim in the Blue Lagoon in Ölüdeniz

Probably one of the most beautiful spots to go swimming in Ölüdeniz is at the Blue Lagoon. The name Ölüdeniz, or Olu Deniz, actually translates to ‘dead sea’, which refers to the super calm waters of the lagoon. However, thanks to the clear water with its varying shades of blue, it’s most commonly known as the Blue Lagoon.

Separated from the sea by a sand bar and a narrow channel, it can be a great place to relax, especially in the shoulder season. Luckily, no boats are allowed into the lagoon, so you can enjoy a peaceful swim here. You can also rent some paddle-boards and canoes for a slightly different activity to swimming.

It’s worth noting that the small beach area facing the lagoon does get busy, especially during the high season.

7. Go Paragliding (Best Thing to Do in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz)

To really appreciate the beauty of the Blue Lagoon and the surrounding landscape, you should consider signing up for a paragliding experience. Ölüdeniz is actually considered to be one of the best places to paraglide in the world. So, whether you’ve had a similar experience before, or want to try it for the first time, you really cannot go wrong by doing it in Ölüdeniz.

The launching pad for paragliders is close to the top of Babadag Mountain. Once you’ve booked your adventure, you’ll get transported up the mountain. The minivan ride can be a bit nerve-wracking, but the views and the experience will be worth the crazy ride. Once in the air, you can enjoy 360 degree views of the incredible landscape, and appreciate why Ölüdeniz is one of the most beautiful places in the world to do this extreme sport.

You can either pre-book a paragliding experience, or just choose from one of the many companies lined up along Ölüdeniz Beach. Two great companies to go with are Sky Sports Paragliding and Gravity, although others, like Reaction and Focus, are also good options.

Note. You’ll need to wear closed-toed shoes. Most companies will offer to take different sports cameras to capture your experience. This, of course, will be at an additional cost, but in our opinion it’s something that’s worth paying for.

8. Relax on Ölüdeniz Beach

After landing somewhere along Ölüdeniz Beach, you definitely deserve some downtime. Even if you don’t want to paraglide, you can just enjoy the view of hundreds of them filling the sky.

Ölüdeniz Beach is huge, so you won’t have much trouble finding a spot there. This is where many boat trips depart from, so we recommend walking a bit further from the hustle and bustle if you want a slightly more peaceful experience. There are also many places where you can rent a beach bed and umbrella if you’re planning on spending more than a few hours there.

9. Go on a Cable Car Ride up to Babadag Mountain

If you don’t want to paraglide, but still want to enjoy the views of the Blue Lagoon and the surrounding landscape from above, then make sure to go on a cable car ride at Babadağ Teleferik. From the main station, the cable car will zip you up to the top of Babadag Mountain.

You can get off at a few different points though. The first is Station 1200 which, as you can probably guess, is located at 1,200 m above sea level. Then, the next stop is Station 1700, at 1,700m above sea level. This is where the paragliders normally start their adventure from, before landing at the beach. You can spend some time here, watching them prepping and taking off.

You can go even higher, to Station 1800, with the option to either walk up or take a chairlift. The final destination is Babadag Peak, about 1,900 m above sea level.

Note. The first section of your ride up the cable car will give you the best views of the Blue Lagoon. After that, it won’t be as visible. It’s also slightly chillier on the top because of the higher elevation.

Opening times and entry fee. A return ticket for adults is 340 TL. The cable car has a seasonal opening time, which you can check on their website. The chairlift to Station 1800 is only open during the summer months.

10. Check Out the View at Butterfly Valley Viewpoint

A truly beautiful place, located about 15km south of Ölüdeniz, is the Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi). This 4km long valley runs along the foot of Babadag Mountain, before opening onto the Mediterranean Sea. At the end of the valley is a lovely sandy beach called Butterfly Beach, or Kelebekler Vadisi Beach.

The valley got its name from the high concentration of butterflies that used to live there. Unfortunately, over the years the butterfly population declined, and there aren’t any living in the valley today.

You can either go on a Butterfly Valley boat trip to enjoy the beach, or take a local minibus from Ölüdeniz to the viewpoint.

Note. Please be careful and don’t walk too close to the edge of the cliff. The rocks can be slippery and loose, and you really don’t want to slip or fall down. For this reason, we suggest you wear proper shoes, not just flip-flops, at the viewpoint.

11. Visit the Ghost Town of Kayaköy

If you’d like to do a half-day trip to an interesting place, then definitely visit the ghost town of Kayaköy. Located to the southwest of Fethiye, you can easily access it by local bus (dolmus).

The town is close to where a Lycian city called Karmilassos was once located. Then, the ancient Greeks founded a town here named Levissi. In 1923, after the Greco-Turkish war ended, thousands of Greeks who lived in the village were forced to move out. After the Greeks left, the town was renamed Kayaköy, and was occupied by Muslims. They didn’t stay for long and, since then, the village has been completely abandoned.

Today, you can walk around this open-air museum, which has about 500 preserved homes, as well as small chapels, two schools, two large churches and a customs building. The site is massive, and is definitely an interesting place to walk around.

There are many ghost towns in the world, but the abandoned village of Kayaköy was included in an article by National Geographic as being one of the best.

Entrance fee and opening times. The site is open every day between 8:30AM and 6:30PM. Entry fee is 3 EUR but you can use your Türkiye Museum Pass.

12. Take a Day Trip to Saklikent Gorge

Possibly one of the most popular day trips you can take from Fethiye is to the beautiful Saklikent Gorge. The gorge is located in Saklikent National Park, about 45 km southeast of Fethiye.

With a length of 18km, and a depth of 300m, it is the longest and deepest gorge in the country. It was formed millions of years ago by the melt waters of the Taurus Mountains. The gorge reminded us of Samaria Gorge in Crete, Greece which is another stunning place you can hike in Europe.

You can visit Saklikent Gorge independently by bus (dolmus), or with a hire car. Alternatively, you can also join an organised day tour that usually includes a trip to Tlos Ruins and YakaPark as well.

13. Visit Tlos Ruins

If you’d like to see more Lycian ruins, then you can also visit the ancient city of Tlos. Located about 35km southeast of Fethiye, to the north of Saklikent Gorge, Tlos was one of the oldest and largest Lycian settlements. However, thanks to the site’s long history, you’ll also see some ruins from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras.

Some of the most important landmarks within the site are the Necropolis, with its Lycian rock tombs, a 14th century Ottoman castle, a huge stable, a public bath, an agora, and a theater.

Opening Times and Entry Fees. The site is open every day between 8:30AM and 6:30PM. Entry fee is 3 EUR, however you can also use your Türkiye Museum Pass.

You can visit Tlos Ruins independently by bus (dolmus), or with a hire car. Alternatively, you can also join an organised day tour. Note that many of the jeep tours usually only include a short stop at the ruins, with the main focus being on Saklikent Gorge and YakaPark.

14. Visit YakaPark

We didn’t know anything about this place before our day trip to Saklikent Gorge, but apparently it’s a very popular place to stop at for lunch, normally combined with a visit to Saklikent Gorge and the Tlos Ruins.

YakaPark is a nature park located close to Tlos Ruins. There are a few restaurants built around the waterfalls and pools, where you can relax, have some food, or even swim in a few of the man-made pools. The water comes from the mountains though, so it’s normally ice-cold. The place reminded us of the waterfall village of Argyroupoli​ in Crete, Greece.

You can visit YakaPark with a hire car, or join an organised day tour that includes a lunch stop here en-route to Tlos and the Saklikent Gorge.

15. Day Trip to Pamukkale and Hierapolis Ancient City

Another great day trip you can take if you’re in Fethiye for longer is to Pamukkale and Hierapolis Ancient City. The town of Pamukkale is located about 200km north of Fethiye, not too far from Denizli.

Pamukkale’s travertine pools were discovered by the ancient Greeks around the 2nd century BC. They built a city around them, known as Hierapolis. This ancient city was rebuilt multiple times over the centuries, but was eventually abandoned in the 14th century. Today, both Pamukkale and the Ancient City of Hierapolis are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a very popular place to visit in the country.

You can visit Pamukkale independently by bus, or with a hire car. You can read our detailed guide on how to get to Pamukkale from popular destinations such as Fethiye. Alternatively, you can also join an organised day tour.

How to Get to Fethiye and Ölüdeniz

By Plane. Depending on where you’re coming from, you can fly to either Dalaman Airport (DLM), Antalya Airport or Bodrum Airport. Dalaman Airport is the closest to Fethiye, and you can fly directly there from many European and UK cities. During the summer season, they increase the number of flights significantly.

By Bus. If you’re travelling through Türkiye, then you can also opt to take a bus to Fethiye. There are plenty of bus services from major tourist destinations such as Istanbul, Selcuk, Antalya, and Cappadocia. To check timetables and bus companies, you can use either Busbud or Flixbus.

By Car. If you’re road tripping around the country, then you can also rent a car and drive to Fethiye from anywhere.

By Ferry. Lastly, during the summer season, there are also ferries going between Fethiye and the island of Rhodes in Greece.

How to Get Around Fethiye and Ölüdeniz

Fethiye and Ölüdeniz are located close to each other, so it’s easy to travel between the two locations.

The most common mode of transport you can use are minibuses (dolmus). They offer a frequent and affordable service. You can get on or off pretty much anywhere along their routes. The best part is that you can just tap your credit card to pay, so you don’t have to worry about having enough coins for the ride. The best place to catch a bus is from this bus stop in Fethiye or this stop at Ölüdeniz Beach. You can find timetable information on this website.

Of course, you can always use taxis to get to places. They’re more comfortable, but are also going to be way more expensive.

Lastly, if you have a rental car, then you can just use that to get around. The only downside is always having to find a parking spot, especially in the high season.

Where to Eat in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz

There are plenty of places to eat in both Fethiye and Ölüdeniz. You’ll find a lot of places serving both traditional Turkish food and other typical western cuisines. Below are a few places you could consider enjoying a meal:

• Lezzet Lokantasi. Located behind the harbour, this eatery was our favourite find in Fethiye. It serves some delicious and affordable Turkish food.
• Meşhur Fethiye Börekçisi. Located right next to Lezzet Lokantasi, it serves great börek with a variety of fillings. Börek is one of the best Turkish dishes to try during your visit.
• Fethiye Promenade. There are plenty of restaurants along the harbour you can dine at. They have a lovely atmosphere but, thanks to the location, their prices will normally be higher.
• Ottoman Restaurant Ölüdeniz. It’s a decent restaurant not too far from the beach area in Ölüdeniz, that serves traditional Turkish food.

Where to Stay in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz

Depending on the type of holiday you’re planning on having, you can either base yourself in Fethiye or Ölüdeniz.

Both have plenty of accommodations, restaurants, cafes and other amenities. Ölüdeniz is closer to the Blue Lagoon, and the landscape is definitely incredible. It has a lot of resort accommodations, which are great if you’re here for more of an all-inclusive type holiday. However, the town is quite small in comparison to Fethiye. Fethiye also has a lot more places of interest, including some historical sites.

In terms of restaurants, both offer plenty of choices, with Ölüdeniz being more tourist focused. You can even have a full English breakfast if you want, but we suggest experiencing a Turkish breakfast whilst you’re there. Fethiye also has a ton of touristy eateries, but you can more easily find smaller, local places to try some traditional Turkish food here.

In our opinion, Fethiye offers a more authentic stay, especially if you’re planning a rather active holiday.

Find your accommodation in Ölüdeniz or Fethiye.

How Long Do You Need in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz

A lot of people visit Fethiye on a week, or even two-week, long holiday. You can definitely do everything on our list in a week, and still have plenty of time for getting tanned on the beach. You can even do some day-trips to places located further afield, such as Antalya or Pamukkale.

However, if you’re just travelling across Türkiye, and are relatively short on time, then you could see the best of Fethiye in about 3 or 4 days.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz

Fethiye and Ölüdeniz were very busy at the time of our visit, which is understandable since we were there in September. We personally preferred Fethiye to Ölüdeniz, which was just way too touristy for us. However, going paragliding in Ölüdeniz and seeing the Blue Lagoon from above was an incredible experience.

Have you ever been to Fethiye and Ölüdeniz before? If so, how long did you spend there and what did you get up to? If not, would you add these places to your Türkiye itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.