Fethiye sits on Turkey’s south-western coast, served by Dalaman Airport (DLM) approximately 50 kilometres to the east — a transfer of around 45–60 minutes. The town itself is a working Turkish harbour town as much as a resort — a fish market, a covered bazaar, Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff face above the town centre, a marina full of gulets and a waterfront lined with restaurants that serve both tourists and locals. It is a more authentic and varied environment than many of Turkey’s purpose-built resort areas.
Ölüdeniz, approximately 15 kilometres south of Fethiye town, is the image most people associate with this part of Turkey — the Blue Lagoon, a sheltered bay of impossibly turquoise water behind a narrow sand spit, with the Babädağ mountain rising dramatically behind it. It is one of the most photographed beaches in the Mediterranean and, on a clear day in early summer before the peak crowds arrive, one of the most beautiful. The beach at Ölüdeniz is the main resort area, with hotels, restaurants and beach clubs clustered along the shore in front of the lagoon.
Ölüdeniz is also one of the world’s premier paragliding destinations — the thermals rising from Babädağ mountain provide near-perfect conditions, and tandem flights with experienced pilots depart throughout the day in season. It is not something every guest does, but it is the kind of activity that defines a holiday for those who try it. Thomas has heard more guests describe their Fethiye paragliding experience than almost any other single activity at any destination he covers.
The area around Fethiye rewards exploration beyond the beach. The Butterfly Valley — a remote beach accessible only by boat — is one of Turkey’s most extraordinary natural locations. The ghost town of Kayaköy, an abandoned Greek village left empty after the 1923 population exchange, is a haunting and fascinating historical site within easy reach of Fethiye. The Twelve Islands boat trip, departing from Fethiye marina, is one of the most popular day excursions on the Turkish coast — a full day on the water visiting coves, swimming spots and small islands with lunch included.
The all inclusive hotel offer in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz is more limited than in Belek or Lara — this is an honest point worth making. Fethiye has good hotels, including some genuinely impressive properties at the top end, but guests who specifically want the largest possible all inclusive resort with the most extensive facilities will find more choice on the Antalya coast. What Fethiye offers instead is a natural environment and a variety of experiences outside the hotel that the Antalya coast cannot match. It is a different type of Turkey holiday — and for the right guest, a considerably more memorable one.
For all inclusive holidays in Fethiye, luxury Fethiye hotels or Fethiye holidays from the UK — book through GotoBeach with full ATOL protection under licence #11211, low deposits from £30 per person and the honest advice of a team that knows this destination properly.
