Ultimate Fethiye Travel Guide: Turkish Riviera’s Hidden Gem

When most people think of Turkey, or Turkiye, they think of Istanbul, Cappadocia, or the all-inclusive resorts in Antalya. But the truth is that most of the Turkish Riviera and its charming towns, crystal-clear waters and sweeping coastlines remain unexplored, at least by most of the world. If you’re searching for those stunning spots on the Turkish Riviera, you simply cannot miss Fethiye, Turkey. Fethiye has all the charm of a bigger city tucked into a cove along the riviera, and it’s simply magic. For so many years, I dreamed of visiting Fethiye – and once we did, we had so many learnings. Here’s my ultimate Fethiye travel guide with all my tips and tricks! 

Where is Fethiye? 

Fethiye, Turkey is located on the Turkish Riviera, a beautiful stretch of coastline opposite the Greek islands. This laidback town, located in Southwest Turkey, can be reached by car or ferry (if you’re coming from Greece). It’s the perfect destination for visitors looking for a unique mix of history, culture and beautiful beach destinations. 

How to Get to Fethiye

If you’re visiting Fethiye, Turkey, the easiest way to get here is by car. It’s approximately a one hour drive from Dalaman Airport (near Gocek) – or three hours by car from the much larger Antalya Airport. Most routes will take you through Istanbul, which is an excellent city for a long layover on your way to Fethiye.

Alternatively, you can reach Fethiye by ferry from Rhodes. The ride takes about two and a half hours, and is often delayed. 

Best Time to Visit Fethiye 

When you’re visiting Turkey, it’s important to be mindful about the weather. During the summer months, Turkey can get extremely hot – up to 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re okay with this temperature, then summer is probably the best time to visit. 

Alternatively, to avoid the hottest time of the year, consider visiting Fethiye in September or October. During these months, the sea remains warm and inviting – but the outside temperatures aren’t nearly as hot. 

Where to Stay in Fethiye, Turkey 

Fethiye, Turkey is a much bigger town than most might suspect. There are numerous hotels throughout Fethiye, but not all are ideal for your stay. 

One of the reasons I wanted to make a Fethiye travel guide? To detail the hotel options and where to stay – because we learned so much during our trip. 

Ideally, when staying in Fethiye, look for a hotel close to the historic center. Staying directly in the center might be a bit noisy (due to the clubs); staying nearby ensures access to the best restaurants and the best things to do in Fethiye. 

These are the three hotels I always recommend to people visiting Fethiye: 

The boutique option: Yacht Boheme Hotel, located just out of Fethiye’s historic center. It’s much quieter than a stay downtown, but still has all the charm and peace you might want in a hotel. The actual hotel and view is beyond stunning, too. 

The mid-tier option: Alesta Yacht Hotel, located right outside the historic center and along the marina. This lovely option has many benefits, especially their private beach & beach club for hotel guests (accessible by hotel boat shuttle). Their Turkish Hamman is wonderful, too. It’s a bit pricier than the budget option, but truly worth the cost. 

The budget option: Infinity City Hotel, located directly in the center of Fethiye, in the middle of their sprawling markets. For the price (less than $100 a night!), you simply cannot beat this hotel. It’s a bit noisy at night, but the A/C is outstanding and the location is perfect. 

Where to Eat in Fethiye, Turkey

Fethiye, Turkey is FULL of outstanding food. I’ve visited Turkey several times now, and I maintain that Fethiye has some of the best food out of every city I’ve visited. There’s a huge variety and so many high quality, delicious options. You won’t be disappointed. 

These were some of our favorite restaurants we visited time and time again: 

• Fethiye Paşa Kebap, for excellent all-around Turkish food. Be prepared to wait – but trust me, it’s worth it. 
• Mozaik Bahçe Restaurant
• Nomades Cafe & Restaurant
• C.R.E.A.M. Coffee
• Dönerci İbrahim Usta (the best doner we had in all of Turkey!)
• Nazilli Pide & Appi’s Indian/Pakistani Restaurant 
• Ozsut, a great local chain for Turkish pastries

What to Do in Fethiye, Turkey 

There is so much to see and do in Fethiye, Turkey. No Fethiye travel guide is complete without a list of the best things to do in Fethiye! Here are the activities you simply cannot miss: 

• Boat trip to Butterfly Valley: Butterfly Valley is truly one of the most beautiful spots in all of Turkey – but driving there can be a real nightmare with traffic. Taking a boat to see the beautiful waters around Butterfly Valley is the best way to see the most stunning crystalline water!

• Visit the Fethiye Markets: If you’re walking through downtown Fethiye, you can’t miss them – winding streets filled with markets and boutiques! The markets in Fethiye were truly some of the best, with artisan jewelry makers, leather workers and so much more. 

• Paragliding in Oludeniz: Oludeniz is located close to Fethiye and offers some of the most dramatic views in the area. Think: steep, towering mountains and a stunning white sand beach and blue waters. You can’t skip paragliding – these views are insane. 
• Renting a Private Boat: Fethiye boat tours can be really crowded, with dozens of people on each boat. During our stay, we rented a private boat and we cannot recommend it enough! It really allows you to go off-the-beaten path and see the beautiful coves around Fethiye without anyone around. This is the one we picked, and it was awesome! Perfect size, great lunch and maximum flexibility!    
• Discover the ancient ruins: Turkey has so much history – the ruins, the ancient cities… It’s a paradise for history lovers! Taking a guided tour of the ruins around Fethiye is one way to see them. Alternatively, you can visit the ancient city of Telmessos yourself. 

• Visit Pamukkale: If you’re up for a bit of a drive, this one is iconic. Pamukkale has so much to offer – but they’re known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces. Taking a day trip might be the best option if you’re not interested in driving – or don’t have a car. We loved this one! 

What to Know Before You Visit

Here are some miscellaneous tips for visitors heading to Fethiye, Turkey: 

• Safety: As a woman, I always felt very safe in Turkey as a whole – and especially Fethiye! 
• The vibe: Unlike Istanbul, Fethiye is much more relaxed and less conservative. You won’t see people covering up as much, but there are absolutely still calls to prayer. Fethiye is very much a beach city, and that’s reflected in the way people dress and act. 
• Crowds: We visited in peak summer time and were shocked at the lack of crowds. When we were out and about on Saturday, it got a little busy – but otherwise, there really weren’t many people around. 

Safe travels!

Samantha Tatro

Samantha Tatro is a Czech-American third culture kid who grew up living and traveling abroad. Many years later, after living in California and working as a journalist, she decided to take the leap and move abroad again…this time to Prague, Czech Republic. Samantha started Undiscovered Path Home to help couples and solo female travelers find the courage to visit countries – and locations – off the beaten path. Her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, NBC News, The Adecco Group, and more.