Fethiye, winter edition
Some trips are carefully planned.This one absolutely wasn’t!
It started in Muğla, with grey skies, cold air, and the collective thought: “We need sun. Immediately.” So Dominika, Filip, and I jumped into a small bus and escaped south to Fethiye and somehow ended up in a completely different world. Blue sky, sunshine, sea waves, warmth. Same country. Totally different mood.
Friday ,,six hours of walking and zero regrets”.
We didn’t ease into this trip. Almost right after arriving, Dominika and I went for a walk.
Not a casual walk. A six-hour walk along the coastline. We followed the coast endlessly, with the sea right next to us the entire time. Winter waves were loud and dramatic, crashing against the shore like they had something important to say. No plan. No destination. Just walking, talking, stopping to stare at the water, and walking again. At some point, hunger appeared. Then disappeared. Then returned stronger. Time lost all meaning, which is usually a sign of a very good first day. We put our feet into the water. Lots of laughing and splashing.
Our Hotel, Basically a Private Place
Later, we finally checked into Nehir Apart Hotel, a pleasant, cozy hotel that immediately felt like home. Mostly because we were basically the only guests. Full hotel. Three people. Peak off-season luxury. The only constant presence was the cats, who appeared every day to supervise our movements, demand attention, and generally improve our mood.
Movie night and köfte to end the day
We ended the day in the best possible way, a cozy movie night, tired legs stretched out, zero plans for tomorrow, and the feeling that we had already lived a full week in one day. To make it perfect, we added delicious köfte in Dürümcü Usta. Warm, comforting, full of flavor, exactly what you need after six hours of walking. Friday couldn’t have ended better.
Saturday, russian coffee, road trips and local secrets
Saturday started slowly, exactly how it should. We began the day with coffee in a Russian café, Love Breakfast & Eatery. Travel logic completely abandoned us, but the coffee and tea was strong and the atmosphere oddly perfect. One of those moments that makes you smile and think: this trip is already worth it.
Exploring with a couchsurfing local
Later, we met a man from Couchsurfing, and this turned the day into a full adventure. We jumped into the car and spent hours driving around Fethiye and its surroundings, following his recommendations, the kind you only get from someone who actually lives there.
Places we visited (highly recommended):
- Faralya Viewpoints – dramatic cliffs, endless sea, and unreal winter light
- Kayaköy (Ghost Village) – silent stone houses, history everywhere, and a strangely peaceful feeling
- Butterfly Valley Viewpoint – breathtaking from above, especially without crowds
- Çalış Beach – long walks, empty shores, and calm winter sunsets
- Hidden coastal roads around Fethiye – no names, just views
- Ölüdeniz & Blue Lagoon – peaceful and stunning without summer crowds
- Saklıkent Gorge – impressive even if you don’t enter the water
Between stops, we talked about travel, life, different cultures, and stories that somehow only come out when you’re driving through beautiful places with people you’ve just met. Somewhere between viewpoints and conversations, we continued our very serious mission of testing local cuisine and desserts.
Fethiye in winter just works.
Empty hotels, quiet streets, and friendly people who actually have time to talk create a completely different rhythm of travel. The sea is dramatic, the light is soft, and cats are everywhere, which automatically improves everything. There’s no rush, no crowds, just space and calm.
If you have a car, winter is the perfect time to explore freely. Ölüdeniz and the Blue Lagoon are peaceful and stunning without summer crowds, Kayaköy invites slow walks through history and silence, and the viewpoints around Faralya and Butterfly Valley offer unforgettable cliff-side views. Çalış Beach is ideal for long winter walks and sunsets, Saklıkent Gorge is impressive even without stepping into the water.
Fethiye, winter edition, you were perfect. 💙
