Current Time in Fethiye, Turkey

Fethiye is a coastal city and district in Muğla Province, southwestern Turkey, situated on the shores of Fethiye Bay in a region known as the Turquoise Coast or the Turkish Riviera. Surrounded by pine-covered mountains, ancient Lycian rock tombs, and one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the eastern Mediterranean, Fethiye is a major center for sailing and Blue Voyage cruises, a base for exploring some of Turkey's most spectacular archaeological sites, and a popular year-round destination for international visitors and expatriate residents.

With a population of approximately 85,000 in the city, Fethiye has grown significantly from its origins as a small fishing town into an established international resort center. The city has a large community of British and European long-term residents, attracted by the warm climate, the low cost of living, the natural beauty, and the pace of life. This international community has shaped the city's atmosphere and contributed to an unusually well-developed infrastructure of English-language services, medical facilities, and international restaurants alongside the traditional Turkish character of the old bazaar and waterfront.

Fethiye was built on the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos, and the visible traces of this ancient civilization are among the city's most evocative features. The Lycian rock tombs cut directly into the cliff face above the city — the most impressive being the Tomb of Amyntas (4th century BC), a monumental ionic temple-facade carved from living rock — are visible from throughout the city and are illuminated at night. The old city's streets contain ancient sarcophagi half-buried among modern buildings. The Fethiye Museum houses important collections of Lycian artifacts.

The region around Fethiye is home to some of the most spectacular natural and archaeological sites in Turkey. Ölüdeniz (Dead Sea or Blue Lagoon), about 15 kilometers south, is one of the most photographed beaches in the world — a narrow channel leading to a perfectly sheltered turquoise lagoon backed by forested mountains. The Lycian Way, a 540-kilometer marked long-distance walking trail along the coast, passes through Fethiye and is considered one of the world's great hiking routes. The ghost village of Kayaköy (Levissi), an abandoned Greek Orthodox village evacuated in the population exchange of 1923, is a hauntingly beautiful and historically significant site near Ölüdeniz.

Gulet sailing (Blue Voyage/Mavi Yolculuk), following the turquoise coastline through secluded bays, ancient ruins, and small fishing villages from Fethiye south to Marmaris or east to Antalya, is one of the great travel experiences of the Mediterranean world. Paragliding from the Babadağ mountain (1,960 meters) above Ölüdeniz is one of the world's most spectacular paragliding experiences, with a vertical descent of nearly 2,000 meters over the blue lagoon. The weekly Tuesday market in Fethiye is one of the best traditional markets in the Aegean region.

The nearest airport is Dalaman Airport (about 50 kilometers west), handling domestic and international flights particularly from the UK, Germany, and other European countries. Buses connect Fethiye to Dalaman, Marmaris, and Antalya. Local dolmuş minibuses serve Ölüdeniz and other nearby destinations.

Fethiye is a city of extraordinary natural beauty and archaeological richness, combining a lively modern resort atmosphere with an ancient landscape that continues to reveal its secrets and rewards those who take time to explore it.