Budget Travel to Fethiye 2024
Welcome to Fethiye!
Fethiye is a lovely coastal town and a popular holiday destination that is located on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. It is a place with natural beauty, a rich history, a laid-back friendly atmosphere.
It is an affordable destination with great beaches, beautiful nearby islands and tasty food and offers travellers an unforgettable holiday experience.
In this Fethiye Travel guide, we’ll explore the best ways to make the most of your trip to this lovely town, while helping you to keep your expenses in check.
Key Takeaways
- You can explore impressive ancient ruins and the charming Old Town of Fethiye to experience for yourself in its fascinating past.
- There is a wonderful beach in nearby Çalış as a lovely harbour that offers lots of inexpensive sea trips around the beautiful 12 islands.
- Adventures can discover the awe-inspiring Saklıkent Gorge or even try paragliding.
- There are plenty of affordable day trips to Oludeniz and Butterfly Valley.
- Hikers will love the nearby Lycian way, with lots of historical gems along the path.
- There both inexpensive accommodation and dining options available.
- It´s a resort that is smaller and calmer than other towns such as Antalya and Alanya, but still has a lot of interesting things to see and do .
Where is Fethiye?
Fethiye is a Mediterranean coastal town located in the province of Muğla in southwestern Turkey. It is situated more or less where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean,
The distance from Fethiye to Istanbul is approximately 750 kilometres by road and it´s 200 kilometres north of Antalya.
Many travellers who are touring this part of Turkey, also visit the hidden gems or Kalan and Kaş, which are located about 80 km by road south of Fethiye.
The nearest Airport is about 50 kilometres from the nearest airport in the city of Dalaman.
Map of Fethiye
What to Do in Fethiye
Fethiye has plenty of things to see and do, including many free and low-cost attractions and activities. There are natural wonders, ancient history as well as nearby golden beaches, so you will definitely find something you like.
It isn´t a big and busy tourist destination, like Antalya, and the atmosphere is generally very relaxed when compared to other towns such as Bodrum and Marmaris. Visiting Fethiye is more about having a relaxing, laid-back holiday experience.
The Historical Ruins of Fethiye
The town of Fethiye was founded by the Lycians in the 5th century BC. Over the years, the town was conquered by many empires, including the Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans. There are still some remains of some of these ancient civilizations today.
Tomb of Amyntas
You can start exploring the history of Fethiye by visiting the Rock Tombs, which are impressive burial sites carved into the cliffs. They are located at the back of the town and are an easy 15-minute walk from the town centre. If you have a Turkish SIM card, you can use your GPS to guide you there.
As you walk up the steep hill, you can see many of the tombs of Lycia from the roadside below for free. However, if you want to climb up to the top and go inside the Tomb of Amyntas, which is the main tomb, you need to pay. You`ll find a small ticket office located at the foot of the hill, and the price to climb up to the tomb is just a few euros, making it definitely worth a visit.
Ancient City of Telmessos
The ruins of the ancient city of Telmessos date back to around the 2nd century BC. There is an amphitheatre that originally accommodated about 6,000 people. Unfortunately, the site is in bad condition and is in the process of restoration.
It is easy to get to the ruins, as they are located near the back of Fethiye Marina. However, they are currently closed to the public, so you cannot go inside. However, you can easily see the site from nearby and take some nice photos.
The Fethiye Museum
The Fethiye Museum is a small and simple museum that is set in a quiet garden. Inside there is a selection of coins, pottery, and statues that range from around 3000 BC to the Ottoman era.
It is open from 8.30 to 19.30 during the summer months and costs just a few euros to enter. It takes only about thirty minutes to see the entire museum.
Compared to other museums in the region, this museum doesn´t have a large display of items and I would probably only go there if, I was spending a week or so in the town and was looking for things to do.
Fethiye Old Town
The Old Town of Fethiye is called Paspatur, and it is one of the nicest places to visit in Fethiye. It is a charming area of the town that offers visitors a chance to experience the town’s rich history.
There are narrow cobblestone streets, a lively bazaar, and many traditional Ottoman houses.The neighbourhood is just a short walk from the marina and has an authentic and friendly atmosphere, with many shops selling typical Turkish handicrafts, textiles, and spices.
There are also many restaurants and bars located there. It is especially lovely to walk around the area after sunset and soak up the local Turkish charm.
Beaches near to Fethiey
Calış Beach
Fethiye town centre doesn´t have any beaches; instead, there is a deep blue lagoon that is surrounded by lush green hills. If you want to sunbath, you need to travel a little further out of town.
Calis is a small town where the nearest beach to Fethiye town is located. There is a lovely golden beach and a wonderful promenade with lots of good places to eat at reasonable prices. There are also many bars with reasonably priced beer; Turkish beer brands are always slightly cheaper than international brands.
Calıs Beach is a public beach and a popular destination for sun-lovers. It is free to visit the beach, but you will need to pay a small fee for the use of sunbeds and beach umbrellas that belong to the adjacent beach bars. Many of them will allow you to use their sunbeds if you consume drinks and snacks from their bar.
The beach has golden sand and is very clean. it is a family-friendly beach and offers water sports such as paddle boarding and windsurfing.. Additionally, it has one of the best sunsets you will find along the Mediterranean Coast in Turkey.
Oludeniz & Butterfly Valley
There are several over lovely beaches around Fethiye. Perhaps one of the most famous is Oludeniz. Oludeniz and Butterfly Valley are two must-visit destinations near Fethiye that can be enjoyed on a budget.
Start your day trip by catching a local bus to Oludeniz, a stunning beach resort known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque surroundings.
Spend the day relaxing on the beach or take a dip in the turquoise sea. For those seeking adventure, paragliding is a popular activity in Oludeniz, offering breath-taking views of the coastline.
From Oludeniz, take a boat to Butterfly Valley, a hidden gem nestled between towering cliffs. This secluded paradise is home to over 80 butterfly species and offers hiking trails, a pristine beach, and a refreshing waterfall. Entrance to Butterfly Valley is free, making it a budget-friendly day trip from Fethiye.
You can there from Fethiye by bus (Dolmus) for just a few euros each way, Once you are arrive Oudeniz the Butterfly Valley is accessibly by boat. The water shuttle costs just a few euros and sail regularly between the two points.
Fethiye Harbour
The harbour area is a really nice place to take a walk and see all the boats and yachts. There are many coffee shops, ice-cream parlours and restaurants running parallel to the harbour walk way where you can stop and drink a Turkish coffee or if you have a bigger budget enjoy a fish in one of the fancy restaurants.
There is a really relaxing atmosphere in marina area and it is also wheelchair friendly for those with mobility issues.
There is a promenade that takes you several kilometres from the harbour area all the way to the town of Calis, where the beach is located. It is an absolutely delightful walk but will take you about an hour to complete it. The scenery is beautiful of the lagoon and the green mountains in the background. There is a bus and water taxi if you don´t fancy walking.
Boat Trips from Fethiye
12 Island Boat Trip
There are various boat tours available that allow you to visit multiple islands, including Gemiler Island, St. Nicholas Island, and Tersane Island. During the day trip, you can swim in secluded bays, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and soak up the sun on pristine beaches, all while enjoying the stunning coastal views.
Prices start at about 30 euros for the full-day and includes lunch and stop-offs at several islands. However, if you are not the type of person who likes loud music for 8 hours on board a crowded boat, you need to choose one of the boats that doesn´t play music. Make sure you double check before you buy your ticket.
Rhodes Day Trip
If you would like to visit the beautiful Greek Island of Rhodes, you can take a ferry across the 53 mile stretch of the Mediterranean from Fethiye harbour.
There are regular departures (6 times per week) from Fethiye Marina, you can easily hop on a ferry and enjoy a day trip from Fethiye or a longer stay on the nearby islands. The crossing takes around 1h.30 minutes and costs around 65 euros for the day. Sky
Although it isn´t as cheap as sailing to the Greek island of Kos and Symi from the the town of Bodrum, a trip to Rhodes could still be a memorable holiday day trip, if you have a bigger budget.
Remember to check if you need a visa for the EU before buying your ticket and also you shouldn´t forget that there is a one hour time difference between Turkey and Greece.
Water Taxi to Calis
If you would like to have the wonderful experience of a boat trip across the Fethiye bay, but don´t want to have the budget to stretch to a day trip on one of the large schooner ships, (which can be pretty noisy, with load music) then thıs may be the perfect option for you.
The water taxi is a cheap and inexpensive way to get there, for around 1 euro each way. You can catch the sea taxi in Fethiye marina, the ticket office is located on the walkway just opposite. They will give you a special coin instead of a ticket and you will have to give the coin to the captain.
The trip to Calis Beach takes only about 20 minutes and offers a fantastic view of the marina and lagoon from the sea on the cheap.
Paragliding in Fethiye
As Fethiye is located near the mountains, it offers thrill-seeking travellers the opportunity to practice Tandem paragliding.
If you want to experience this breath-taking activity you you will be in safe hands. A highly experience professional. It will give you the chance to get a panoramic view of the sea, and mountains below.
Most of the hand gliding activities are located in the Oludeniz area which is situated nearby Fethiye town.
However, this isn´t exactly a budget activity costing around 100 euros. One of the cheapest agencies to book with is called excursionmania.com
Saklikent Gorge
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly outdoor adventure near Fethiye, you might want to consider an excursion to the Saklikent Gorge. This natural wonder is located just 50 kilometres from Fethiye and offers wonderful scenery and thrilling hiking opportunities.
Once inside the gorge, you’ll be surrounded by towering cliffs and crystal-clear water. Take a leisurely stroll along the wooden walkways, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, wade through the icy waters of the gorge. The Saklikent Gorge is a must visit destination for adventure lovers.
It´s difficult to get there using public transport, so you´ll need to go there from Fethiye by car or go on an affordable excursion.
Kayakoy and the Lycian Way
If you stay in Fethiye for more than a few days, there are other fascinating destinations you can visit on a day trip. One of them is Kayakoy which is also known as the “Ghost Town,” and is a historical site located near Fethiye.
It was once a bustling Greek village, it now stands as a haunting reminder of the past when the entire Greel population of the village were force to return to live in Greece.
You can explore the abandoned houses, churches, and streets to get an idea of its rich history.
Entrance to Kayakoy is less than a euro, making it an ideal day trip for budget travellers. However, it is not advisable to do the three-hour walk alone, as it is a little isolated.
To get there, you can catch one of the regular dolmus mini buses that leave from bus station to Karagozler village, it will cost just a few euros. If you are feeling very energetic you can always hike there from Oludeniz along the ancient roman path called the Lycian Way.
This is route is a hiker´s dream, it takes several hours to complete and the route is steep and sometimes rocky. You´ll need to take plenty of water with you, as well as some good walking boots. Try to avoid the midday summer sun.
Where to Stay
If you want to spend time in a place with a nice beach, plenty of restaurants and bars and a good atmosphere, then perhaps Calis is the best place for you to stay. There are plenty of apartments for rent as well as a few budget hotels in Calis.
If you are more into excursions and Turkish traditional culture and a laid back atmosphere, but with all the facilities you need, then you would probably prefer staying in Fethiye town centre.
For those travellers who are looking for more nature and adventures in nature, then Oludeniz is perhaps a good choice, but the amount of accommodation is more limited and prices tend to be higher.
Hostels in Fethiye
Hostels offer dormitory-style rooms with shared facilities, making them a budget-friendly choice for backpackers, especially for solo travellers. However, some hostels in Fethiye also offer private rooms at a slightly higher cost, making it a good alternative to cheap hotels.
- Hostel Chılı Steps – Çiftlik district (further out from Calis beach, but with a nearby bus service that can take you into Fethiye.
- Adventurous Local Calis Hostel – Calis Beach District (nearer to the centre of Çalis with more transport options.
- El Camino Pub / Hostel – ideally located in Fethiye old town near the marina. Great location, especially for those who prefer the town to the beach.
Budget Hotels & Guesthouses
Hotels in the city of Fethiye also cater to budget-conscious travellers, with options ranging from small, family-run guesthouses to larger hotels. These hotels usually offer comfortable rooms with basic amenities at affordable prices and allow travellers to have a pleasant stay without overspending.
- Tugay Hotel – Calis Beach. Clean, convenient for the beach and it even has a pool.
- Dove Apart Hotel – Calis beach, a nice pool and about 10 minutes from the beach.
- Ece Marine Suit – Basic but good, and very near to the Fethiye Marina.
Room & Apartment Rental
If you’re travelling with a group or want a more independent experience, renting apartments in Fethiye can be a cost-effective option. Many locals in Fethiye rent out their apartments to travellers, providing a homely environment.
If you are on tighter budget, then sharing accommodations with a Turkish host is another option and they will be able to give you a lot of useful information about things to do in Fethiye.
Accommodation-sharing platforms such as Airbnb offer a range of options, that will help you stay within your budget.
Shopping in Fethiye
When it comes to shopping for souvenirs and essentials in Fethiye, nothing beats the affordability of shopping in the local bazaar or street market.
If you enter the winding streets of the old town, you’ll discover boutique shops, family-run businesses, and hidden plenty inexpensive items on sale that can make great gifts or souvenirs.
In the street market that is held on Tuesdays and Fridays at the back of the town you’ll find everything from locally produced olive oil and traditional Turkish spices. Fridays are more for food items and Tuesday tend to sell a lot more items that are good for gifts, including handmade textiles and authentic pottery.
Cafes and Nightlife
Nightlife in Fethiye is calm compared to Antalya and Bodrum. There are bars and cafes that cater to different tastes and preferences.
Fethiye Old Town and Calis Beach seem to be the areas with the most options for nightlife. For a younger crowd, there is Deep Blue Bar. Cafe Park Terrace Bar is a great rooftop bar with lovely views and a good atmosphere that is suitable for an older crowd.
There is also a Turkish show in Hisaronu for people who are looking for an authentic 5-hour Turkish night out. The venue offers some food and normally costs about 20 euros per person.
What and Where to Eat
If you are on a budget, finding somewhere good to eat in Fethiye isn´t difficult. The town restaurants and lokantas (budget restaurants) that cater to budget-conscious travellers without compromising on taste and quality.
Pide Restaurants are known for their delicious Turkish-style pizzas, they are very affordable and filling meals. The following restaurants are all located near Fethiye harbour.
- Meşhur Samsun Pidecisi
- Tokgöz Pide Fırın
- Elbistan Usta Eller Pide and Lahmacun Saloon. (Lahmacun is like a small crispy pizza base with minced meat on top).
Kebab houses offer you a delicious and filling meal which are also inexpensive. Two of the best places for kebab that are also situated near the harbour are:
- Konya Etli Ekmek Kebap Dunyas Lokanta-
- Big Seçkin Restaurant
Fish restaurants tend to be more expensive than other alternatives, so unfortunately fish is probably not the most budget-friendly type of cuisine in Fethiye. You will find most of the fish restaurants located near the harbour. The further you walk from the centre, the cheaper the fish restaurants tend to be.
Probably the best option for eating fish on a budget is to go to the Fethiye fish market, where there are lots of economic fish restaurants where the locals like to eat. Choose any restaurant that is full of Turkish people, and you are sure to eat well without overspending.
Getting to Fethiye
Most international travellers in Europe will choose to fly directly to the nearest airport which is located in the town of Dalaman which is located about 50 kilometres away from Fethiye.
Travellers coming from outside Europe will usually need to get a domestic flight from either Istanbul or may Ankara to Dalaman.
If you are touring around Turkey, then don´t worry because there are plenty of intercity buses that will help you to get to Fethiye, comfortably and economically.
Flights to Dalaman
Domestic Flights to Dalaman
There are plenty of domestic flights to Dalaman Airport, most of them originate in Istanbul.
Istanbul to Dalaman (1h.10m–1h.25m)
The flight time depends on which airport you fly from. Turkish Airlines will fly from Istanbul´s main airport, which will take slightly longer, while the budget airline Pegasus will fly from Istanbul Sabiha Göçken Airport, which is located on the Asian side of the city. Check out our air travel guide to Turkey.
Ankara (1h.10m) with Turkish Airlines. There are regular flights every day throughout the year.
International Flights
When planning a budget-friendly trip to Fethiye, finding affordable flights is a key consideration and knowing which low-cost airlines fly to Dalaman airport is also important to know.
London to Dalman (4h.15m): EasyJet, Jet2, and British Airways.
There are Jet2 and EasyJet flights to Dalaman from many cities across the UK.
Berlin (3h.20m) Sun Express.
Sun Express and Tui fly to Dalaman from many Airports across Germany
Getting to Fethiye from Dalaman Airport
https://havas.net/There are several ways that you can travel to Fethiye after arriving at Dalaman Airport.
The most popular way is to take a luxury airport shuttle bus (Havaş). The trip takes about an hour, and a ticket will cost you just a few euros per person. You can pay onboard using Turkish lira or a cash card.
These shuttle buses leave the airport on a regular basis throughout the day until late in the evening. They make a couple stop-offs on the way before dropping you off at Fethiye Bus Station. (Havas website).
Taxis are another, but much more expensive, option and are available throughout the day. The journey takes about 60 minutes, and the price will depend on the time of day you travel. Taxis in Turkey are cheaper than in most Western countries, and if you are travelling in a group and arriving late at night, it is definitely the best option.
There are also many private car transfer services that you can book in advance online that will take you to Fethiye.
The cheapest, but slowest, option is to take a bus to Fethiye. The MUTTAS Public bus leaves from Dalaman bus terminal and goes to the Fethiye bus terminal. and takes about 75 minutes to get to Fethiye. It is more basic than the airport shuttle bus, but it gets the job done on the cheap.
Intercity Buses to Fethiye
If you want an affordable way to get to Fethiye from other parts of Turkey, then taking an intercity bus is a good option. It is also very convenient because the bus station is located so close to the centre.
To get to Fethiye from Istanbul take between 13-16 hours, depending on the bus company and the number of stops they make on the way.
There are buses leaving Istanbul for Fethiye from both Esenler and Alibeyköy bus stations.
The one-way ticket costs about 30 euros. Flixbus and Pamukkale bus companies are the most popular options, and both offer comfortable luxury 2+1 buses.
You could, of course, break up the long bus journey from Istanbul and have a short stop over somewhere approximately halfway. For example Izmir which is a great place to visit for a day or two, even longer if you want to visit the amazing nearby attractions of Ephesus and the amazing beaches of Çesme.
- Antalya (about 6 hours)
- Izmir (about 6 hours)
- Ankara (about 9 hours)
You can either buy tickets at the bus station or online via an app such as Busbud. (check out our complete guide to travelling around Turkey on public transport.)
Shorter Distance City Buses
When travelling to nearby Marmaris or Bodrum, there are usually no direct buses, and you can´t buy or reserve tickets online. You will need to take two buses and change at a town somewhere along the way, usually Akyaya.
Sometimes larger companies operate along these routes, such as FlixBus/Kamil Koç, but more often than not, it will be a smaller local bus company. Kamil Koç offers larger and more comfortable buses, and you can purchase tickets from their ticket office in the bus terminal.
However, if it is a local minibus company, it will be a less comfortable minibus, and you will need to pay the bus driver directly in cash. As you can´t usually reserve a seat, the first people who arrive are guaranteed a place. So, in the summertime, make sure you arrive early.
- Bodrum to Fethiye (approximately 4-5 hours)
- Marmaris to Fethıye (approximately 3-4 hours)
The time it takes to get there all depends on how long you have to wait for your connecting bus.
Buses between Fethiye to Kalkan are operated by Flix Bus and the Pamukkale Bus Company. Buses only run a few times a day, and the trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The Kalkan bus station is located on the hill at the back of the town and you will probably need to get a taxi to get down to the lower part of the town with your luggage.
Fethiye to Kaş – (1h.45m-2h.15m) Even though Kas is located near to Kalkan it is more difficult to get to by bus. You could get the bus to kalkan and then get a taxi or the cheaper way is to get a local mini bus from Fethiye bus station that goes all the way to Kas. The minibuses are quite small and uncomfortable and you need to get there early to get a ticket. They don´t sell them online and they don´t sell them in advance. Kas bus station is located very centrally, and it is easy to get to most hotels from there on foot.
Getting around Fethiye
Getting around town is easier than you might think. The town has a well-connected transport system, so you can explore the city and its surroundings inexpensively. You can get to most places in the two centres can be easily on foot.
There are plenty of buses that can take you around the town, but you will need to buy a city travel card and top it up with cash before using it, as the buses do not except cash. Finding the cards to buy can be difficult and you never know how much money to put on your card. For that reason I usually avoid them if I am only staying in a town for a few days.
One of the most economical ways to travel within Fethiye is by using a dolmuş. These shared minibuses are a popular form of transport and they operate on fixed routes throughout the city. They run on frequent schedules and only cost about 50 cents per ride. Simply flag one down, hop aboard, and enjoy the ride to your destination.
As mentioned previously, if you want to go to Calis, then there is a cheap water taxi, which is one of my favourite ways to get there. There are also plenty of taxis, buses and minibuses.
It is also possible to rent a bike from many places in the town and it´s a lovely way to get to Calis along the wonderful pathway that runs along the lagoon and connects the two towns.
Of course, walking is also a great way to do the trip , especially if you are trying to burn off the calories and costs nothing.
When to Visit Fethiye
One of the best ways to save money on your trip to Fethiye is by visiting during the off-peak season.
This is typically during the spring and autumn months, when the weather is still pleasant but the crowds are significantly smaller compared to the peak summer season.
During the peak season (July and August), you can expect to find higher prices on flights, accommodation, and even activities. The weather can also be very hot during the middle of the summer, with temperatures in the high 30s.
Is Fethiye Worth Visiting?
Fethiye is a lovely, relaxing seaside resort that is not too big and not too small. It is ideal for people like me who are looking for the ideal place to relax, but at the same time the opportunity to experience history, see beautiful scenery and eat great food.
It is an economic place to visit when compared to some of the other destinations along the Turkish Riviera, like Kalkan and Kaş. There are a lot of British people here who come back every year and some who have even decided to settle down in the town and make it their home. This doesn´t surprise me. It is a lovely place and well worth a visiting.
I would recommend to stay for at least one week if it was my main holiday destination, if I were on a tour of Turkey I would try to stay for a minimum of two to three days.