Marmaris & Fethiye
Pine-forested bays, turquoise lagoons, gulet cruises and the famous Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz — the most beautiful stretch of Turkish coastline
Explore Marmaris & Fethiye
The Blue Lagoon, gulet anchorages and the most beautiful bays on the Turquoise Coast.
Things To Do in Marmaris & Fethiye
Turquoise lagoons, ancient ruins, gulet cruises and dramatic gorges.
Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon
Ölüdeniz is one of the most photographed beaches in the world — a sheltered turquoise lagoon enclosed by a sand spit, with the pine-forested Babadağ mountain rising behind it. The lagoon is a national park and the water is extraordinarily clear and calm. The beach is also the world's most popular paragliding site — hundreds of paragliders launch from Babadağ (1,960m) every day and land on the beach.
Gulet Cruises — The Blue Voyage
The stretch of coast between Marmaris, Fethiye and Göcek is the classic Blue Voyage route — a week on a traditional wooden gulet, sailing between secluded coves, ancient ruins and fishing villages. The 12 Islands cruise from Fethiye is a popular day trip. The Göcek bays — a cluster of islands and inlets near Fethiye — are among the most beautiful anchorages in the Mediterranean.
Kayaköy Ghost Village
Kayaköy (Levissi) is one of the most haunting and beautiful places in Turkey — an abandoned Greek village of 3,500 stone houses, churches and schools, deserted in 1923 during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The ruins cover an entire hillside above Fethiye and have been left largely as they were found. It's a deeply atmospheric place — and a reminder of the complex history of this part of the world.
Saklıkent Gorge
Saklıkent Gorge, 50km from Fethiye, is one of Europe's longest and deepest gorges — 18km long and up to 300m deep, carved through the Taurus Mountains by the Eşen River. Visitors wade through the icy water at the entrance to reach the main gorge, where the walls narrow to just a few metres wide. It's one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in Turkey.
Marmaris Marina & Nightlife
Marmaris has one of the largest marinas in Turkey — a beautiful natural harbour surrounded by pine-forested hills. The town has a lively atmosphere, with a famous bar street (Bar Street), excellent restaurants along the waterfront and a well-preserved castle. Marmaris is also the main departure point for day trips to the Greek island of Rhodes (just 45 minutes by hydrofoil).
Fethiye Market & Old Town
Fethiye is a charming market town with a relaxed atmosphere and an excellent Tuesday market. The old town has Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff face above the town — the Tomb of Amyntas (4th century BC) is the most impressive. The harbour area has excellent fish restaurants. The Fethiye Museum has a good collection of Lycian artefacts.
Marmaris & Fethiye Travel Guide
The stretch of Turkish coastline between Marmaris and Fethiye is arguably the most beautiful in the country — a series of pine-forested bays, turquoise lagoons, ancient ruins and secluded coves that can only be reached by boat.
Marmaris is the main resort town — a lively, modern place with a beautiful natural harbour, a large marina, good beaches and a famous nightlife scene. It's popular with British tourists and has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. The castle and old town are worth exploring.
Fethiye, 80km east of Marmaris, has a completely different character — a charming market town with a relaxed atmosphere, Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff above the town, and excellent restaurants along the harbour. It's the gateway to Ölüdeniz and the Göcek bays.
Ölüdeniz is the jewel of this stretch of coast — a sheltered turquoise lagoon that is one of the most photographed beaches in the world. The combination of the blue lagoon, the white sand spit and the pine-forested mountain behind it is extraordinary. It's also the world's most popular paragliding site.
The Göcek bays — a cluster of islands and inlets near Fethiye — are among the most beautiful anchorages in the Mediterranean. They can only be reached by boat, which makes them feel genuinely remote and unspoiled. A gulet cruise through the Göcek bays is one of the great sailing experiences in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marmaris or Fethiye better for a holiday?
They suit different types of traveller. Marmaris is better for those who want a lively resort with good beaches, nightlife and easy access to watersports and boat trips. Fethiye is better for those who want a more relaxed, atmospheric base with access to Ölüdeniz, the Göcek bays and the Lycian Way walking trail.
Can I visit Rhodes from Marmaris?
Yes — Rhodes is just 45 minutes from Marmaris by hydrofoil. Day trips to Rhodes run regularly throughout the summer season. You'll need your passport. It's a great way to combine Turkey and Greece in one holiday.
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