The most popular excursion from Fethiye is the Blue Cruise — a multi-day gulet trip along the Turquoise Coast taking in secluded bays, Lycian ruins, and the sunken city of Kekova. Day trips by boat to Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley, and the Twelve Islands are also widely available from the harbour. Inland, the ancient Lycian rock tombs above the town and the ghost village of Kayaköy are easy half-day outings.
The Esen Valley south of Fethiye holds the heart of ancient Lycia. The federation's capital, Xanthos, sits on a bluff above the river with its pillar tombs and dramatic siege history, and the sacred sanctuary of Letoon lies just a few kilometres away — the two are usually combined into a single half-day. The crag-top ruins of Tlos, often paired with the Saklıkent gorge, make another rewarding inland trip. Most can be done by hire car or on an organised tour from the harbour.
