What to see and do in Fethiye – a guide to notable attractions and landmarks

Although Fethiye is known as a summer paradise boasting turquoise beaches and sunshine, the city is also an ancient Lycian town with relics that date back to the 4^th century BC. From lazing on the sand to exploring one of the deepest canyons in the world, and flying over the Blue Lagoon to exploring an ancient rock tomb, Fethiye has a wealth of attractions to keep you busy.

Framed by the majestic Taurus Mountains and surrounded by a heavenly bay, Fethiye is a beautiful must-visit town. With its geological formations, crystal clear seawater and ancient history, the town’s attractions are rich and varied. Holidaymakers can relax in its paradisiac beaches, take to the sky from the high Mountain Barabag, shop in the city’s markets, scuba dive in tranquil coves, marvel at the Blue Lagoon or go rafting in the waters outside Saklikent Gorge.

 

Fethiye Rock Tombs

 

Carved into the hillside above the town are the Lycian rock tombs, Fethiye’s most famous landmarks. These impressive rock tombs that stare down on the town were once filled with treasures and gold from ancient kings. The tomb of Amyntas is the highest and most prominent, dating from around 350 BC. What makes this tomb unique is the fact that is it very large inside and its façade resembles that of a classic temple. If you are up for a challenging walk, climb up for an unforgettable view of the bay.

 

Ölüdeniz

 

Rated among the top five beaches in the world by travelers and tourism journals, Ölüdeniz is one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean and appears in most travel brochures advertising Turkey. The area features a secluded sandy bay known as The Blue Lagoon, a world-famous natural landmark that breaks from the main beach to form a small cove. It is a national nature reserve and there’s a small fee to visit, but it is worth seeing its marvelous turquoise waters. Given its coastal scenery and Mountain Barabag, Ölüdeniz is also one of the most popular places in Europe to paraglide.

 

Paspatur (Fethiye Old Town)

 

No visit to this Turkish city is complete without strolling around Paspatur, the old town of Fethiye. One of the most loved activities for an afternoon or an evening is to walk around this area, go shopping, grab a bite at the many international and Turkish restaurants, or find the most incredible souvenirs, ranging from antiques to Turkish textiles and carpets to gold and silver shops. As visitors wander the streets, they soak up the aroma of spice stands and Turkish Delight shops or treat themselves to a traditional Turkish Bath in the Haman Paspatur.

 

Saklikent Gorge

 

Sakilent Gorge is a travelers’ favorite daytime excursion in Fethiye. Translated into ‘Hidden City’, the canyon is 300 meters deep – one of the deepest in the world - and 18 kilometers long. Four kilometers of the gorge are open for keen hikers after April, once the water from the Taurus Mountains has melted and passed through the canyon on its way to the Xanthos River. With its sculpted walls soaring high above, the gorge is a majestic place to explore and delivers a unique adventure: climb up rocks, pass through waterfalls or go rafting on primitive rafts made of truck tiers.