I've been traversing the road from Marmaris to Fethiye for fifteen years. Sometimes as a day-tripper, leaving at six in the morning to swim in Katrancı and returning at noon; other times as someone who stays in Faralya for three days and forgets to come back. I know every bend in the road, at what time each bay is shaded, and which parking lot fills up after eleven o'clock.
The reason I'm writing this is because: on the internet Fethiye Most of what's written about the bays is a copy of each other, and much of it is inaccurate. Last year I read an article that said, "You can drive to Butterfly Valley." You can't. Every year, people who try to descend that path have to call a rescue team.
Below are fifteen bays. Information on which ones are accessible by land, which are only by boat, which ones are suitable for families with children, and which ones are best visited in the morning is provided separately. Prices and times vary depending on the season, so please don't take them as definitive figures.
When you think of Fethiye, a single coastline comes to mind, but in reality, there are two distinct geographical areas that are completely different from each other.
Make sure you understand this distinction clearly, because trying to visit both sides in the same day is the most common mistake people make in Fethiye. I made that mistake too; I spent the whole day traveling.
I know it's a cliché. But the lagoon of Ölüdeniz is still... TurkeyIt's one of the best views in [city name], and it would be snobbish to deny it.
There are two separate areas: the lagoon section (nature park, entrance fee required, shallow and calm sea) and Belcekız beach (public, wavy, livelier). The lagoon is more suitable for families with children, while Belcekız is better for those who want to swim.
Located just east of Ölüdeniz, within the Kumburnu Nature Park. It's a place where those overwhelmed by the crowds of Ölüdeniz can escape. You walk through the pine forest down to the beach; the shore is pebbly, the water is clear, and it deepens rapidly.
The real beauty of this place is the shade. While you might be fighting over umbrellas in Ölüdeniz, here you can lie down under a tree.
This is Fethiye's most talked-about bay, and it deserves to be. Likya way On it, beyond Faralya, is a strip of sand and gravel nestled at the foot of the mountain. From above, it seems impossible to descend, but you do.
The bay has bungalow campsites, perfect for those wanting to escape the hassles of electricity and internet. But let me be clear: in recent years, it has lost much of its old bohemian atmosphere. Nevertheless, the water and the view are undeniably great.
If you go by your own vehicle, the last part is a narrow and winding mountain road. Parking is limited at the bottom and can fill up during the season. Some campsites offer shuttle services from above, so check beforehand if you plan to stay overnight.
It's about twenty kilometers along the road from Fethiye to Göcek. It's a nature park in the middle of a forest, and in my opinion... Muğla One of the best value-for-money locations on the coast.
There are two separate coves here. The larger one at the entrance is crowded; you reach the second, smaller cove by following the rocky path to the right. Everyone crowds into the first one, leaving the second cove mostly deserted.
Katrancı's neighbor, and a lesser-known one. It gets its name from the sweetgum trees. These trees grow in a very limited area in Türkiye, and the climate here is truly different, humid and cool.
The sea is shallow, the bottom is sandy, safe for families with children. But the real highlight isn't the beach itself, but the sweetgum forest behind it. Walk inland for ten minutes, and the light filtering through the trees is like something out of a different place.
Located on the road to Göcek, just beyond Katrancı and Günlüklü. Small, quiet, unpretentious. There's not much to it besides a beach establishment and a few tables.
The reason I put this on the list is precisely this: there will come a day when you need a cove in Fethiye where there's nothing else to do. This is that day.
Located between Fethiye and Göcek, it gets its name from the bead-like pebbles at its bottom. The shade of water here is rare in the region, truly resembling a verbena green. Because it's a small bay, it gets crowded quickly. Avoid going in the afternoon during the peak season; it will be incredibly hard to find a spot.
One of the closest escape points to Fethiye center, just fifteen minutes away. There are a few businesses along the coast, shade from trees, and a calm sea. It's a place where locals come to cool off in the late afternoon, and it's not crowded with tourists.
Ideal for a family afternoon. A convenient solution for those wanting to get away from the city for a short time.
From here on, it's all about the boat. You can either go by day-trip boat, rent a boat, or take a shared boat (dolmuş).
I would have preferred to leave this for last, but I won't change the order. It's a place where a canyon, nestled between two cliffs at the foot of Babadağ mountain, opens to the sea. It was declared a first-degree natural protected area in 1995. It takes its name from the Jersey tiger butterfly that lives here.
Now, a very important warning. There's a path leading down from Faralya, and it's not a normal hiking trail. It's steep, with loose stones, and in places you have to descend using ropes. Accidents happen here every season. The "viewing platform" you see on social media isn't an official platform either; it's a rocky outcrop overlooking the cliff.
The decision is simple: take the boat if you want to go down, or the Faralya road if you want to look from above. Don't confuse the two.
Located below Kayaköy, on the coast between Ölüdeniz and Fethiye, the island has remnants of a Byzantine-era church and structures, accessible via trails to the top. Remains are also visible underwater.
One of the best spots in the area for sunset. Watching the sun set over the sea from the western slope of the island was one of the best half-hours I've ever spent in Fethiye.
It's not called that for nothing. The water is so clear that you can count the bottom when you look down from the boat. Located in Fethiye Bay, twelve Islands a permanent stop on the route.
One of the best spots in the area for snorkeling. The fish density is good, and the seabed is interesting.
Not a single island, but a group of islands. They are separated by shallow passages, allowing you to walk from one island to another. White rocks, low vegetation, and an incredible color of water.
Boat tours typically have their longest stop here, and rightly so. The shallow, warm passage between the islands is the most enjoyable swimming area in the region.
It gets its name from the reddish color of its rocks. There is a lighthouse on it. The water here is deeper and a darker blue, making it a popular spot for diving.
If you're hesitant to swim in deep water, you can choose to stay on the boat at this stop; nobody will say anything.
It got its name when painter Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu drew a fish figure on a rock in the 1970s. The bay itself is calm, as are its surroundings. Lycian rock tombs There are. You can reach the ancient ruins with a short walk.
It's more of a stop for sightseeing, exploring, and taking photos than for swimming.
It gets its name from the stone steps leading down to the beach. Small, sheltered, and calm. It's a place less frequented by tour boats, preferred by charter boats.
If you want to escape the crowds and have the opportunity to rent a boat someday, definitely include it in your itinerary.
There are two main departure points in Fethiye, and it's often confused.
Fethiye Central Port. The Dodecanese Islands tour departs from here. The route is within the bay: stops include Akvaryum, Yassıca, Kızıl Ada, and Tavşan Adası. The tour usually leaves at 10:30 and returns in the late afternoon, lasting approximately seven and a half to eight hours. Lunch is included in most packages.
Ölüdeniz Port. The Butterfly Valley route departs from here. Different boats go on the same route; the difference is the size and concept of the boats.
Tours departing from Göcek Meanwhile, he goes to quieter bays such as Cleopatra Island, Gübün Island, Bedri Rahmi Island, and Tersane Island.
Don't try to explore Fethiye in a single day. This coastline will tire anyone who tries to simply tick it off a list, and it won't offer much in return.
I suggest you choose three out of fifteen bays and visit those three at the right time, without rushing. A man who swims in the sea at six in the morning in Katrancı will have a much deeper memory than a man who visits ten bays that day.
There's always a next time for the rest. Fethiye is one of those places that makes you want to come back.
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