Here is a list of the best beaches of Fethiye, Turkey; there are, of course, many more Fethiye beaches, but these are the favorites we suggest you start with.
Who doesn’t love a good beach? If you’re heading to the Fethiye area of southern Turkey this coming summer season, you’re in for a treat when it comes to beaches!
Fethiye is part of the Dalaman region of Türkiye, and it’s around 2 hours away from Marmaris and 1 hour from Dalaman Airport, close to the turquoise waters of the Turkish coastline. Fethiye is a town in itself, but it also has neighboring Ölüdeniz attached to it, which is about 20 minutes away by road, and Hisaronu, which is around the same distance.
In the peak summer months, when temperatures soar, the beaches around this area are packed with people trying to cool down. However, even in the shoulder months, you can easily swim until the end of October. Ölüdeniz is world-famous as a spot for paragliding, but the whole area is blindingly beautiful.
So, which of these best Fethiye beaches should you visit?
Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!
1. Blue Lagoon, Ölüdeniz
Let’s start with the most famous beaches in Fethiye. If you’ve ever seen an advertisement for Ölüdeniz, in fact, for Turkey’s beach resorts in general, you’ve seen this beach. It’s also the most famous spot for paragliding.
The Blue Lagoon is undoubtedly one of the best Fethiye beaches, with its calm turquoise waters.
It is also one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, and if you only visit one beach in Fethiye, you should make it to this one.
The only downside is that you have to pay to get in, as it’s a nature reserve, but it’s a nominal fee, and it’s more than worth it!
The sand is bright white, and the sea? Blindingly blue with a hint of green. The lagoon is also protected from the wind, so it’s calm and chilled out, perfect for swimming. If you want to head into the open sea, you go around the other side of the spit of land, and you can chill out there, too.
There are many facilities on-site, including a Starbucks! It does get hectic, so make sure you arrive as early as possible.
How To Get To The Blue Lagoon
From Ölüdeniz center, you can walk down to the Blue Lagoon in around 15 minutes. However, there is no shade, so make sure you wear a hat – that sun is HOT in summer!
2. Şövalye Island
You can see this island from Çalış Beach, and it looks pretty inviting. This is a very chilled-out space, and there are no cars allowed, so it’s very easy to walk up and down the streets in your flip-flops without having to avoid traffic. There are also some Byzantine ruins just off the beach area.
The beach itself is a mixture of sand and shingle, and the sea is super-clear. As with most of Fethiye’s beaches, it can get a little wavy from time to time. There are hammocks placed over the water and lots of trees for shade. You can also find a few small restaurants to grab lunch and refreshments.
How to Get to Şövalye Island
Water taxis leave Fethiye Harbour regularly throughout the summer, and the journey only takes 15 minutes.
3. Belcekiz Beach, Ölüdeniz
Another Ölüdeniz option is Belcekiz Beach, located next to the Blue Lagoon. The sea here isn’t protected from the wind, so it does get quite choppy – however, it’s pretty fun to sit on the shore and have the sea lap at you! The water is just as blue here, but there’s a bit more to do than simply chilling out, as you can try watersports.
This beach is fine for families, but remember that the water becomes quite deep quite quickly, so keep an eye on the little ones. This is a sandy beach with parasols and sun loungers for rent. There are also beach restaurants where you can get refreshments.
It’s great fun to sit on the beach and look up at the paragliders overhead – in peak season, it seems like there are hundreds of them.
How To Get To Belcekiz Beach
This beach is located right in the center of Ölüdeniz, two minutes from the main street.
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4. Günlüklü Beach
Günlüklü is a protected area due to its famous trees. The only way to reach this beach is by private car or taxi, and you’ll pay a small fee to get inside. The beach itself is a mixture of sand and shingle, and the waters are clear and extremely calm. This is an excellent spot for enjoying total R&R in the most natural spot possible.
You can go to the nearby Bay Beach Club Hotel for food and refreshments when you visit the beach, and there is also a campsite if you want to stay overnight. The plus point about this beach is the plentiful trees, which give shade during the hottest months.
How to Get to Günlüklü Beach
It is a 20-minute drive from Fethiye to this beach, and your best bet is either to drive or take a taxi.
5. Butterfly Valley, Fethiye
You’ve probably seen an aerial photograph of Butterfly Valley before; it’s a famous sight in this part of Turkey. However, you can only really get to the valley by boat, so take a boat trip and swim the remaining few meters to the shoreline of this top beach in Fethiye. If you want to park up, you can walk through the forest, but the walk down to the beach is rocky and very steep. It’s much safer to go by boat.
Butterfly Valley is famous for the huge number of colorful butterflies that live in this area. The beach itself is pebbly in a bay that’s sheltered from the wind and gives some shade. The sea is also unbelievably clear, and a day here is very well spent.
How To Get To Butterfly Valley
There are daily boat trips from Ölüdeniz or Fethiye.
6. Kidrak Beach
Kıdrak Bay Beach is situated in Kıdrak Nature Park, only 15 kilometers away from the bustling center of Fethiye and 2 kilometers away from the famous oOudeniz Beach. Its crystal-clear waters are a stunning shade of blue, but because this beach is rocky, you best wear protective footwear when swimming.
You can quickly get to Kıdrak Bay by car via the road that leads to Oludeniz, or you can catch a bus from Fethiye city center.
7. Kabak Beach
Kabak Beach is a popular choice if you want to avoid most of the crowds on the beaches in Fethiye. Located around 45 minutes away from the center of Fethiye and about 30 minutes from Ölüdeniz, this beach has a calm and chilled-out vibe.
The beach itself is pebbly, and it’s backed by pine trees. The bright green of the trees and the blue of the sea is a beautiful blend. The water is usually calm, so it’s a good spot for families too. There are very few facilities on this beach, but there is a café where you can order refreshments with toilets on-site.
How To Get To Kabak Beach
Take a boat trip from Fethiye or Ölüdeniz. Alternatively, take the bus from Fethiye center directly to Kabak.
8. Katranci Beach, Katranci National Park
Katranci Bay, located within Katranci National Park, regularly draws crowds, notably during the summer when it’s accessible via frequent buses and boat excursions.
Residents pack Katranci Bay on the weekends, enjoying picnics and barbecues under the shade of local eucalyptus and sweet gum trees.
9. Akmaz Beach
If you’re looking for a hidden gem, it has to be Akmaz Beach. This is the ideal place to go to get away from it all, and you’re never going to find a crowd. That doesn’t mean the beach isn’t a beautiful spot – it is, it’s just a beautiful secret!
The sand is golden, and the sea is extremely clear. It can get wavy at times, but it’s not particularly rough. There are a few sun loungers and parasols, but you can just put your towel down on the sand and enjoy plenty of space, too. It’s a good idea to take your own refreshments with you; there is a market but not a whole lot of choice. There is a small picnic area where you can enjoy your food in the welcome shade.
How to Get to Akmaz Beach
There is a minibus that runs every hour from Fethiye town center, or you can take a taxi. It is only a 15-minute drive either way. If you’re feeling energetic, you can walk the 4.5km path from Çalış Beach.
10. Gemiler Beach, Ölüdeniz
A short distance away from Ölüdeniz, you will find our next Fethiye beach – Gemiler Beach. Directly across from St Nicholas Island, you can easily spot the ancient ruins of the Church of St Nicholas.
The beach is calm and quiet, ideal for a family day on the beach. This is a good spot for snorkeling, as the calm seas are rich in colorful marine life. The beach is pebbly, but the water is shallow, and facilities are on site.
How To Get To Gemiler Beach
Take a taxi from Ölüdeniz, or you can take a boat trip, which usually stops at St Nicholas’ Island, too.
11. Kumburnu Public Beach
The spectacular Kumburnu Beach, situated in Ölüdeniz Nature Park, has blue flag status as it is close to the center of Fethiye. The turquoise sea is warm and very family-friendly.
12. Sea Me Beach
Sea Me Beach is a private beach area that you will need to get to early during the peak summer months if you want to secure a sun lounger and parasol. This beach gets very busy, but it’s a great space to enjoy a beach day with calm waters and golden sand. There are also plenty of facilities on site, including food and refreshments.
Food at this beach is quite reasonable, and there is plenty of choice. This is a good beach for families as it’s quite wide, and there is plenty of space for playing and building sandcastles.
How to get to Sea Me Beach
Sea Me Beach is around 20 minutes away from Fethiye itself, and a taxi is your best bet to get there and back quickly during the summer months. There are local buses, but they don’t go directly to the beach, and during the summer, these can get extremely busy.
13. Calis Beach, Fethiye
Calis Beach is the longest beach in Fethiye, running for around 2.5km, and it is the closest to the center of Fethiye town. As such, it is very busy during the summer months, but its size makes it easy to find a spot on the sand. This beach is also famous as a breeding ground for Caretta Carette turtles, and as such, it is protected.
The water is relatively shallow, but the beach is open to the wind so that it can be a little wavy from time to time. You’ll find kite surfing and windsurfing here, and there’s a surf school on the beach, too.
This beach is ideal for families, although be aware of the waves, so keep an eye on your little ones if the wind is a little stronger than usual.
How To Get To Calis Beach
Calis Beach is a 5-minute walk from the center of Fethiye.
14. Inlice Beach
Inlice Beach is located just outside of Fethiye town center, on the way to the small but extremely beautiful town of Göcek. This is a small beach, but it’s very beautiful and calm, with just a few small cafes for food and refreshments.
The beach itself is shale and calm waters, which is ideal for families who want a fun day splashing in the sea. There are a few sun loungers and parasols available, but it’s a good idea to take your own to avoid disappointment. This beach isn’t extremely busy, but during the school holidays and at weekends, it can get crowded.
15. Küçük Samanlık Beach
If you’re looking for a quiet beach that feels like it’s a million miles away from the hustle and bustle, this is a great choice. You’ll find many locals visiting this place but not so many tourists – probably because they don’t know about it!
The beach is sand, and the water is relatively calm. You’ll find that many boat trips and yachts stop here for an hour or so during the summer, and there are a few cafes around for refreshments and meals.
How to get to Küçük Samanlık Beach
This beach is around half an hour’s drive from Fethiye, so you can either drive or take a taxi.
Fethiye Beach FAQs
What are some of the best beaches to visit in Fethiye?
Fethiye boasts several stunning beaches, including Ölüdeniz Beach (Blue Lagoon), Calis Beach, and Gemiler Beach, known for their crystal clear waters and picturesque surroundings.
Is Ölüdeniz Beach suitable for families with children?
Yes, Oludeniz Beach is family-friendly and offers shallow waters near the shore, making it ideal for children to swim and play safely.
Are there water sports and activities available at Fethiye beaches?
Absolutely! Fethiye’s beaches offer a range of water sports and activities, including paragliding, snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat tours to nearby islands.
Which beach is more secluded and less crowded in Fethiye?
For a quieter experience, you may want to visit Kabak Beach or Butterfly Valley Beach, which are relatively less crowded compared to some other popular beaches.
Is Gemiler Beach accessible by public transportation?
Yes, you can reach Gemiler Beach by taking a dolmuş (shared minibus) from Fethiye or by boat from Ölüdeniz.
Are there nearby beachfront restaurants or cafes to enjoy in Fethiye?
Yes, many beaches in Fethiye have beachfront restaurants and cafes offering a variety of local and international cuisines, making it convenient to enjoy a meal with a view.
What are the best times to visit Fethiye’s beaches?
The best times to visit are during the spring and early autumn when the weather is pleasant and sunny, and the beaches are less crowded.
These are just a few of the beaches of Fethiye; there are, of course, many more waiting to be explored. All you have to do is decide which of these Fethiye beaches you’ll swim at first.
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