A Walk Around Fethiye Peninsula – Panoramic Views And Beach Life

Let’s go for a walk around the Fethiye Peninsula…

Known to locals as Yarımada (Half Island), Fethiye Peninsula is a forested promontory dotted with bays offering stunning views and services ranging from the simple to the sophisticated.

It also happens to be blessed with an undulating road which circles the whole perimeter of the peninsula.

And that means we can do the whole Fethiye Peninsula walk…

A Walk Around The Fethiye Peninsula

We love the Fethiye Peninsula walk because it’s circular and there are almost uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean from high and at sea level.

Starting Points For The Fethiye Peninsula Walk

It’s up to you where you begin the walk.

Sometimes, we start from the centre of town, along the harbour by the entrances to Paspatur, and walk along the Karagözler.

Or we’ll take the local dolmuş as far as the Marina Boutique Hotel.

The hotel makes for a more natural starting point as it’s right at the beginning of our circular amble.

Here’s the route, taking in the anti-clockwise option starting and ending at the Marina Boutique Hotel, rather than from the centre of Fethiye.

But a stroll along the Karagözler beforehand means you can take in the marina views. Plus there are a few opportunities to grab some refreshments and foodie supplies for the walk ahead, if you like.

We also love that we can amble through the boatyard and watch the huge gülets and Fethiye daily boat trip vessels being built and maintained.

There’s a small roadside büfe – Paşa Büfe – at the roadside, catering to the tradesmen of the shipyard. They do a mean ekmek arası köfte (grilled köfte sandwich) amongst other dishes.

And, opposite, there’s also a coffee truck – where isn’t there a coffee opportunity in Fethiye, these days?

Clockwise or Anticlockwise?

Your next decision is whether to walk around the Fethiye Peninsula in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

There’s a bank of road signs at a fork in the road just ahead of the hotel you can choose to take the fork to the left or the right.

Having tried both in the past, we prefer to head to the right and do the anticlockwise route.

Fethiye Peninsula – Walking Distance

The distance around the Fethiye Peninsula is around 8 miles – or 13 kilometres for the metric people.

Although it’s a road walk, out of season, the road isn’t heavily used and you’ll only be passed by a few vehicles.

In the past, vehicles were more of a rarity but these days, the bays around here have been developed and are more popular. So expect more passing traffic in high season.

As a bonus, the tarmac makes it very easy underfoot so you can concentrate on enjoying – and taking photographs of – the beautiful scenery of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and the Gulf of Fethiye.

Panoramic Views & Vistas Of Fethiye

The road rises and falls, initially giving fantastic views back over the Karagözler and the rest of Fethiye.

After 15 minutes or so, you will pass the first of Fethiye’s small bays, Aksazlar Koyu.

These days, this area has been parcelled off for different wedding businesses and a seafood restaurant as well as the ‘beach.’

The road climbs up past this bay, passing a popular viewing point – a perfect excuse for a little breather – and on towards the all inclusive hotel, Club Letoonia.

There’s no doubt, passing this hotel and its grounds is the least interesting part of the walk – it’s walled off so there’s no scenery for the walker for a few minutes.

That’s one of the reasons we prefer the anticlockwise route around the peninsula.

We get this bit out of the way early.

Pit Stop

Once the boundary walls of the Club Letoonia Resort are out of the way, if you’re walking around Fethiye peninsula between mid May and mid October and you fancy a pit stop, you can take a break at Alesta Beach.

There’s no entrance fee to the beach and there’s a full bar and food menu.

We’ve stopped here a couple of times in the past for a burger and refreshments before pressing on.

Şövalye Island

And now you start another gradual ascent…

And before you know it, it’s back to enjoying the sea views again.

Once you’ve passed the Letoonia hotel resort, your views open out across the whole of the gulf.

The pine trees create photographic vistas like the one above where you can look out across to Şövalye Island.

Çal Dağı Mountain

And if you do the Fethiye Peninsula walk in later winter or early spring, the mountain tops offer snowy treats.

Çal Dağı stands majestic, climbing taller than surrounding hills and is snow-topped for much of the winter and early spring.

A beautiful backdrop for much of your walk.

A Steep Climb

Eventually, the road stretches and winds further away from the centre of Fethiye and it feels as though you are miles away from civilisation.

Just you, the pine forests and the sun glinting on the Mediterranean Sea, below.

The odd car, moped, cyclist – and even the odd runner, too – will remind you that you’re not too far away, however.

You can’t get lost on this walk because you’re just following the road and taking in the scenery.

And as you drop down and pass Kuleli Koyu, it’s a steep winding climb along the next stretch…but look at the views. Worth your effort!

Peninsula Beach Views

At around the 9km mark, at the top of the steep climb, you will round the bend. And here, the view is stunning.

The U-shaped bay of Büyük Boncuklu (currently operating as Sea Me Beach) and, just over the promontory, the curve and hills of the coastline and bays beyond.

A steep drop to sea level and you can take a break here and/or swim, depending on the weather.

The water around this side of the peninsula is pristine – perfect for a dip.

And there’s a small section of free, public beach, here, where you can do just that.

Last Pull

And, after dropping down to the bay, it’s one last pull back up the hill again.

As you reach the crest of the hill, you’ll be treated to more bay views.

This time, it’s Küçük Boncuklu Koyu. And yes, it’s operating as another beach club. This is So Beach.

At the top of the hill, you will (mercifully) reach a crossroads.

Turn right to head to the Küçük Boncuklu (So Beach) turnoff and the road to the all inclusive resort, Hillside Beach Club.

Head straight across to pick up the track to walk over to Kayaköy.

Or, on this occasion, we’re taking the road to the left and heading back downhill, along the winding road back to our starting point.

And this is yet another reason why we prefer the anticlockwise route. Still some amazing views to enjoy.

At each turn of the road, the views of Fethiye are constantly changing; each one breathtaking!

Walk around the Fethiye Peninsula on a crisp winter’s day, when the snow coats the mountaintops – spectacular!

The photo above is from our most recent walk – some early evening autumn sunlight over the Karagözler.

Fethiye Peninsula Walk: Useful Info

• You can get to Marina Boutique Hotel (centred on the map below) by jumping on the Karagözler dolmuş in Fethiye or you can walk along the Karagözler and marinas as part of your walk.
• Comfortable shoes will do the trick for this trek. Hiking boots are not necessary.
• Take water with you and wear protection in warmer months because it’s a good ‘leg stretch’ and there’s little shade.
• Should you decide to take a swim stop and then feel the need to laze around on the beach rather than continuing the walk, the Karagözler dolmuş does drop-offs and pick-ups at some of the bays in high season. Check the boards by the bay entrance for times.
• All the bays mentioned in the article feature on our mapped Fethiye Beaches page.
• You can find lots more strolls in this area of Turkey on our page of walks in and around the Fethiye area.
• If walking is not your forte, here are lots of other things you can see and do in Fethiye.

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