Fethiye vs. Ölüdeniz: Which Should You Choose for Your Holiday?

Key Takeaways

Fethiye or Oludeniz: Which is Right for You?

Imagine you’re going on a super fun trip to Turkey! You have two amazing choices: Fethiye and Oludeniz. They’re both near each other, but they’re like two different flavors of ice cream.

Fethiye is like a chocolate ice cream with lots of sprinkles – it’s busy, exciting, and has lots to see and do. Oludeniz is like a smooth vanilla ice cream – it’s calm, relaxing, and perfect for chilling out by the beautiful blue sea. Which one would you choose? Let’s find out!

Fethiye: The Bustling Town

Fethiye is a town that’s always buzzing with activity! It’s like a beehive, but instead of bees, there are people shopping, eating, and exploring.

There’s a big harbor where boats bob up and down, a colorful market where you can find all sorts of treasures, and even ancient ruins to discover.

It feels more like a “real” Turkish town, where you can see how the local people live. You can also experience the true turkish culture at the local Fethiye Markets.

Oludeniz: The Beach Paradise

Oludeniz is all about the beach! Imagine a postcard with perfect white sand and unbelievably blue water.

That’s Oludeniz! The most famous part is the Blue Lagoon, a sheltered bay where the water is so calm and clear, it’s like swimming in a giant swimming pool.

Oludeniz is more of a holiday resort, so it’s mostly focused on making sure tourists have a great time. The main beach in the area is called Belcekiz Beach, but is more comonly refered to as Oludeniz Beach.

Things to Do in Fethiye

Fethiye is like a treasure chest full of fun things to do! You can:

• Explore the Harbor: Watch the boats, maybe even take a boat trip!
• Wander through the Old Town (Paspatur): Find cute shops and cafes, buy souvenirs, spices, and Turkish delight!
• See the Lycian Rock Tombs: Ancient tombs carved into the cliffs – it’s like something out of a history book!
• Visit Fethiye Museum: Learn about the history of the area.
• Go on a boat trip: see the surrounding area from the sea.
• Find out all the Things to do in Fethiye

Things to Do in Oludeniz

Oludeniz is all about fun in the sun and sea! You can:

• Relax on the Beach: Build sandcastles, swim, and sunbathe.
• Go Paragliding in Oludeniz: Fly through the air like a bird and see the amazing views – it’s a super popular activity in Oludeniz!
• Take a Boat Trip: Explore hidden coves and beaches.
• Try Water Sports: Go kayaking, paddleboarding, or even scuba diving.
• Take the Babadag Cable Car to the top of the mountain, and maybe see some paragliders!

Food and Drink: Fethiye vs. Oludeniz

Both Fethiye and Oludeniz have lots of places to eat, but they’re a bit different:

• Fethiye: Has more variety. You can find everything from traditional Turkish Traditional Food restaurants to international food. It’s also generally cheaper to eat in Fethiye.
• Oludeniz: Has mostly restaurants aimed at tourists. The food is still good, but it might be a bit more expensive. You’ll find lots of places with amazing views of the sea.

If you are near to either place, it is always worth visiting Calis Beach for some food, check out the Best Restaurants at Calis.

Accommodation: Where to Stay

Where you sleep depends on what you like:

• Fethiye: Has a wider range of places to stay, from cheap and cheerful hostels to fancy hotels. You can find something to suit your budget. You can even treat yourself to staying in one of the Five Star Hotels in Fethiye.
• Oludeniz: Mostly has hotels, and some of them are quite luxurious. There are also some smaller, “boutique” hotels that are very stylish.

Getting Around: Transport in Fethiye and Oludeniz

Getting around is easy! You can use:

• Dolmus: These are shared minibuses that are a cheap and fun way to travel. They run regularly between Fethiye and Oludeniz. 
• Taxi: Taxis are more expensive, but they’re quicker and more private.
• Walking: Fethiye town is quite walkable, and you can walk along the beach in Oludeniz.

Day Trips from Fethiye and Oludeniz

If you want to explore even more, you can take day trips to:

• Saklikent Gorge: A huge canyon where you can walk through the river – it’s an amazing adventure!
• Butterfly Valley: A beautiful valley full of butterflies (but you might not see many butterflies if it’s not the right season).
• Kayakoy: An abandoned village that’s like a ghost town – it’s very interesting to explore.
• Hisaronu: A lively resort town.

The Vibe: City vs. Beach

To sum it up:

• Fethiye: Is like a busy city with a relaxed vibe. It’s great for exploring, shopping, and experiencing Turkish culture.
• Oludeniz: Is like a perfect beach holiday. It’s great for relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

My Personal Recommendation

I’ve been to both Fethiye and Oludeniz many times, and I love them both! But if I had to choose just one, it would depend on what I wanted from my holiday. If I wanted to explore and experience the “real” Turkey, I’d choose Fethiye. If I wanted a relaxing beach holiday with amazing views, I’d choose Oludeniz.

Expert Tip: If you have time, I recommend visiting both! They’re so close to each other that you can easily spend a few days in each place. You could stay in Fethiye and take a day trip to Oludeniz, or vice versa.