Staying in Fethiye Town Centre: Tuzla and What to See in Town
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Where to stay in Fethiye depends on what you want from your holiday. Beach areas such as Ölüdeniz lie outside the town, while Çalış stretches along a long seafront promenade north of the centre. The town centre offers a different balance: ancient remains, the old bazaar, markets and the dolmuş lines to nearby beaches and villages are all in one place. This guide sums up what a guest staying in the centre, in the Tuzla neighbourhood, can use day to day and what there is to see in town.
Who is the town centre right for?
The centre makes sense as a base if you do not want to tie your holiday to a single beach. It suits travellers who want to see somewhere different each day, enjoy town life in the evening and do their own shopping.
- Day-trippers: dolmuş lines to Ölüdeniz, Çalış, Kayaköy, Göcek and Saklıkent are connected to Fethiye town.
- Self-caterers: the weekly market and the fish market are right in town.
- History lovers: traces of ancient Telmessos are in the town centre itself.
- Off-season visitors: unlike the resort areas, the centre is a town where people live all year round.
Tuzla and the Tuesday market
Tuzla is one of the central neighbourhoods of Fethiye. The town's best-known weekly market, the Tuesday market (Salı Pazarı), is held in this neighbourhood, around the town stadium. Alongside fruit, vegetables and local produce there is also a section for clothes and haberdashery. If you are staying in a self-catering apartment, this is a good place for your weekly shop. Layout and opening times can change, so check current details locally before you go. For more, see our guide to the Tuesday market and fish market.
What to see in the town centre
Amyntas rock tombs
The rock tombs, seen as the symbol of Fethiye, are the necropolis of ancient Telmessos and date from the 4th century BC. The most impressive is carved into the rock like the facade of an Ionic temple and bears the name of King Amyntas. A long stepped path leads up to the tombs, so bring comfortable shoes and water.
Telmessos ancient theatre
Built in the late Hellenistic period and enlarged in Roman times, the theatre stands in the town centre opposite the yacht harbour. It is an easy stop to add while you explore the centre.
Fethiye castle
The castle on the hill in the town centre was built by the Knights of St John (Knights of Rhodes) in the 15th century. Only fragments of its walls survive today; the main reward of the visit is its position above the bay.
Fethiye Museum
Open to visitors since 1987, the museum displays finds from Telmessos and from nearby ancient cities such as Tlos, Xanthos, Letoon and Kaunos. One of its best-known pieces is a stele from Letoon inscribed in three languages. For current opening hours and admission fees, check the museum page of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Paspatur and the fish market
Paspatur is the old bazaar quarter, dating back to Ottoman times. Among stone buildings, wooden bay windows and narrow lanes you will find carpet, leather and jewellery shops as well as cafés. At the fish market close by, you choose and pay for your fish at the central stalls and have it cooked at one of the surrounding restaurants.
Getting around by dolmuş from the centre
The route list of MUTTAŞ, the public transport company of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, includes many lines from Fethiye: Ölüdeniz (via Ovacık and Hisarönü), Çalış (two separate lines, along the coast and via Günlükbaşı), Kayaköy (two routes), Göcek, Faralya–Kabak and Şövalye Island are some of them. The line to Saklıkent is listed among the Seydikemer lines. There is also a line from Fethiye bus station to Dalaman Airport.
In summer you can also reach Çalış by the water dolmuş boats that leave from the Fethiye waterfront. Timetables and fares change with the season, so check the current schedule before you set off. We cover getting around without a hire car in detail in our guide to Fethiye without a car.
Town life from a self-catering apartment
Yes Apart Hotel Fethiye is in the town centre, in the Tuzla neighbourhood. It has five apartments: Yes1 and Yes2 sleep two, Yes3, Yes4 and Yes5 sleep five. All have a fully equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi, so you can make your own breakfast and dinner with what you buy at the market. See the apartments and their photos on the apartments page, and nightly prices in the calendar on the booking page.
For the map and directions, see our location page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Fethiye town or in Ölüdeniz?
If you want to spend your days on one beach, the beach areas may appeal. If you want to see a different place each day, be close to markets and the bazaar and use the dolmuş lines easily, the town centre is a more flexible base.
Where is the Fethiye Tuesday market held?
The Tuesday market is held in the Tuzla neighbourhood, around the town stadium. It is worth checking the opening times before you go.
Do I need a car if I stay in the centre?
The sights in the town centre are close to each other, and there are dolmuş lines to places such as Ölüdeniz, Çalış, Kayaköy and Göcek. For places without a dolmuş line you can consider a tour or a taxi.
What is the exact address of Yes Apart?
The address, map and directions are on the location page; you can also message us on WhatsApp with any questions.