Two-day trip from Rhodes to Fethiye: what to do in 2 days
48 hours to remember on the Turkish coast
Fethiye is a beautiful town by the sea on the southwestern Turkish coast. With a quaint old town, large markets, nature parks, and monuments, Fethiye is a must-visit destination for its authentic experiences, many activity options and great food!
If you are on holiday in Rhodes, why don’t you spend a couple of days in the peaceful Fethiye in the Aegean region of Turkey? Here, you can find all the information you need for your Rhodes - Fethiye ferry trip, as well as our suggestions on what to see and do there in 48 hours.
- Ride the ferry from Rhodes to Fethiye
- Explore the Fethiye old town
- Visit the ancient rock tombs
- Get lunch at the Fethiye fish market
- Nights in Fethiye
- Head back to Rhodes by ferry
Incredible view from the Castle of Fethiye
1. Ride the ferry from Rhodes to Fethiye
Take the afternoon ferry to Fethiye from the port of Rhodes. Ferries from Rhodes to Fethiye depart every day at 16:30 and 17:00, with the ride lasting around 1.5 hours. One-way ferry tickets cost around €45 per passenger.
Tip: check all necessary documents for Greece - Turkey ferries and the two countries’ Covid-19 measures in our complete guide for ferries between Greece and Turkey.
Useful information: visitors over 6 years of age need to complete the online entry form to Turkey 72 hours before traveling.
Boats at the picturesque port of Fethiye town
2. Explore the Fethiye old town
Once you arrive at the port of Fethiye, walk to Paspatur, the old town of Fethiye, and stroll the town’s historic alleys and streets. In the shaded Paspatur market, you will find souvenirs and goods of all kinds: from spices and herbs to traditional Turkish carpets and pottery, jewelry, clothes, and sunglasses.
In Paspatur, you will find many places to have some coffee and a snack. For an energizing sugar rush, try some lokum (Turkish delight) at “Ossy Baklava & Lokum”. We also recommend the peaceful garden of Cafe Oranje, with its original and quirky decoration.
After you quench your thirst, head to the famous “Umbrella Street”, with a ceiling full of colorful umbrellas, to take dozens of pictures!
Tip: when you are shopping at the market, you shouldn’t agree to the merchants’ offered prices. You can always bargain and get much better deals! Check out our shopping guide for the Turkish coast for more tips!
Authentic carpet shop at the Fethiye market
3. Visit the ancient Lycian rock tombs
Ready for a 20-minute hike? From Paspatur, walk above the town and climb the stairs to reach the 4th-century Lycian rock tombs, the most famous archaeological site in Fethiye. It might take a little bit of effort, but the site and views are definitely rewarding!
The impressive Lycian rock tombs are carved into the cliff face. Apart from the other tombs, you will find the Tomb of Amyntas, which is the most important and impressive one and has the same volume as a full-sized temple! Take your time to admire the smaller and lesser-known tombs too, as well as the wonderful panoramic views of the sea and Fethiye. It looks like the Lycians wanted to offer their dead a magnificent view for eternity!
Tip: if you don’t feel like climbing and visiting the tombs, you can always visit Fethiye’s Şehit Fethi Bey Parkı, the largest recreation area in the region, which is also ideal for families with small kids.
The amazing rock-hewn tombs and the imposing isolated Tomb of Amyntas
4. Get lunch at the Fethiye fish market
Whenever you feel like taking a break from sightseeing or other activities, the renowned fish market of Fethiye town is your go-to option. What is special about this market is that you can pick the fish of your preference yourself from the traders’ stalls and have it cooked and served with drinks and meze (appetizers) at one of the surrounding restaurants!
If you are lucky, at the fish stalls you might find some local seasonal treats, such as hamsi and red snapper (barbun), or a rare catch!
Fresh fish at the fish market of Fethiye
5. Nights in Fethiye
Now, as you will be spending two nights in Fethiye, it’s important to get familiar with the city’s nightlife. There are plenty of seaside options for hitting the dance floor, like 4Corner, or places with live music, such as Deep Blue Bar.
To fully immerse yourself in Fethiye’s nocturnal traditions, you can check out one of the city’s countless hookah bars. And for more romantic moments under the stars, you can instead dine at Fethiye’s picturesque rooftop restaurants that reward you with beautiful panoramic views!
6. Head back to Rhodes by ferry
After spending 2 nights in Fethiye, it’ll be time to catch the morning ferry back to Rhodes, usually around 08:30. By 10:25 at the latest, you will have reached the port of Rhodes, with unique souvenirs and blue-and-green memories from the quaint Fethiye town!
Sweet nostalgic spot at the port of Rhodes
Jump from Rhodes to the southwestern Turkish coast for some fresh images in only 1.5 hours! Book ferry tickets from Rhodes to Fethiyeon on Ferryhopper easily and quickly, without any hidden fees.
