Where to stay in Fethiye

This city was first recorded as Kuwalapašša by the Hittites around 1700 BC (or to be precise, as 𒆪𒉿𒆷𒉺𒀸𒊭 in their cuneiform script). A more lasting mark was left by the Lycians, who called it 𐊗𐊁𐊍𐊁𐊂𐊁𐊛𐊆, Telebehi, from maybe 500 BC - they occupied the heights above the modern marina, fortified it as a citadel, and carved tombs into the cliff-face. From around that time, Athens led a confederation of city-states (the Delian League) including Lycia that briefly repulsed the Persians, and Telebehi became the Hellenistic city of Telmessos.

Getting in

Dalaman Airport (DLM) is the usual point of arrival, one hour west on D400. Most visitors are on package flights from Europe, with onward transport included. Havaş bus runs from the airport via Göcek to Fethiye, taking one hour for a fare of 80 TL. It's timed to connect with domestic flights, which are every hour or two from Istanbul. Antalya Airport (AYT) is 3 hours drive east. Buses from Istanbul (several terminals) take 14 hours and may also stop at Gebze, Bursa, Izmir, Muğla and Dalaman. They run hourly round the clock and in 2023 the adult single fare is 800 TL.

Getting around

Dolmuş minibuses run throughout town; routes you might use are west to Karagözler, north to Çalış, and south to Ölüdeniz. They run frequently until around 23:00. Any later will probably involve a taxi, check the price before getting in. Car and motor scooter rental is available from Avis, Abalı, Fetcar, Europcar, Atlantic and Eskol.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.