Things to Do in Fethiye: Day Trips from the Centre (Kayaköy, Saklıkent, Tlos)

One practical advantage of staying in Fethiye town centre is that you can visit the historic and natural sites around it on day trips and come back to the same apartment in the evening. This guide covers three classic routes from the centre (Kayaköy, Saklıkent Gorge and the ancient city of Tlos) plus a few places you can see in town. Entrance fees, opening hours and travel times change by season, so we have left them out; please check the official sources before you go.

Start in town: history on your doorstep

Fethiye is built on top of ancient Telmessos, one of the largest cities of Lycia. Traces of that past are still part of everyday life:

• Tomb of Amyntas: This temple-fronted tomb carved into the rock face dates to the 4th century BC. The inscription on its eastern wall reads "Amyntas, son of Hermapias".
• Telmessos Ancient Theatre: The ancient theatre in the town centre reopened to visitors after a long restoration and is also used for cultural events today.

If you are staying in the centre, you can fit these into a morning or late-afternoon walk. We describe what the centre offers in more detail in our guide to staying in Fethiye town centre.

Where is Kayaköy and what can you see?

Kayaköy is a neighbourhood of Fethiye district, south of the town centre, and an archaeological site of the same name. Known as Karmylassos in antiquity, the settlement was called Livisi by its Greek inhabitants. All of the stone houses leaning against the hillside were built by the Greek community that lived here in the late Ottoman period. After the 1923 Greek-Turkish population exchange, the Greek population left and the village gradually emptied.

The site contains small two-storey stone houses whose ground floors were used for storage, many chapels, two large churches, a school and a customs building. With the wooden doors, windows and roofs gone over time, the village took on its current "ghost town" look; the 1957 Fethiye earthquake also damaged the buildings. The site is managed by the Fethiye Museum Directorate of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

A few tips for your visit:

• You will walk on stony hillside paths, so wear closed, non-slip shoes.
• In summer, go in the morning or late afternoon rather than in the midday heat.
• Carry enough water.

Where is Saklıkent Gorge?

Contrary to what many assume, Saklıkent is not in Fethiye district but in Seydikemer district of Muğla; it is nevertheless one of the most popular day trips from Fethiye town. The gorge was formed by the Karaçay, a tributary of the Eşen River, which marks the border between Antalya and Muğla, and it was declared a national park by Council of Ministers decision on 6 June 1996. You walk between narrow, high walls of limestone shaped by water; the water in the gorge is cold and fast-flowing.

The safety advice given for the national park, in short:

• Watch out for slippery surfaces and wear suitable shoes.
• Do not enter the gorge when the water flow is high, and follow the staff's instructions.
• Stay on marked trails and do not climb steep rocks.
• Children should always be supervised by their parents.

Bringing a change of clothes and a towel is a good idea in case you get wet.

The ancient city of Tlos

Tlos is also in Seydikemer district, within the boundaries of Yakaköy. Mentioned as "Dalawa" in Hittite texts and "Tlawa" in Lycian inscriptions, it is one of the oldest settlements in the Lycian region, with traces of continuous habitation from the Neolithic period onwards. In Roman times it was one of the major cities of the Lycian League with three votes.

Among the temple-fronted rock tombs on the slopes of the acropolis, the most striking shows Bellerophon riding the winged horse Pegasus and fighting the Chimera. You can also see the remains of a stadium, a theatre, baths and a church. The ancient cities of the Lycian civilisation were added to UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List in 2009. As Saklıkent and Tlos are in the same district, you can plan both for the same day; still, allow plenty of time so you do not have to rush.

Briefly: Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Babadağ

• Ölüdeniz: The lagoon lies within Ölüdeniz Nature Park, Turkey's first nature park. Our guide to beaches from Fethiye by dolmuş explains how to get to the beaches from the centre.
• Butterfly Valley: A valley within Ölüdeniz, surrounded by high cliffs and protected as a first-degree natural site. It is reached by boat from Ölüdeniz or by a steep path down from Faralya; the path requires experience.
• Babadağ: The mountain above Ölüdeniz is known for paragliding flights with experienced pilots. Ask the operator about conditions and safety in advance.

Practical notes

• For current entrance fees, Museum Pass validity and opening hours, check the official museum pages of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism; for Saklıkent, check the Nature Conservation and National Parks pages of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
• Check the current options for day tours, public transport or a car before you set off. If you are planning a holiday without a car, our guide to Fethiye without a car will help.
• If you are out all day, snacks and water prepared in the apartment kitchen are handy on the road.

Staying in the centre

Yes Apart Hotel Fethiye has 5 apartments with fully equipped kitchens in Tuzla, in the centre of Fethiye. If you want to head out on day trips and return to town in the evening, you can browse the apartments, see the location page and pick your dates to book.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kayaköy?

In Fethiye district of Muğla, south of the town centre. The site is managed by the Fethiye Museum Directorate.

Is Saklıkent Gorge in Fethiye?

No. Saklıkent National Park is in Seydikemer district of Muğla; it is one of the places you can visit on a day trip from Fethiye town.

How much is the entrance fee for Kayaköy, Saklıkent and Tlos?

Fees and hours change by season. Check the Ministry of Culture and Tourism museum pages for Kayaköy and Tlos, and the national parks page for Saklıkent.