Tours to Fethiye from Chisinau — Last-Minute Deals
Fethiye is a large bay in south-west Turkey, on the Lycian shore: pine-covered mountains drop here to the turquoise Ölüdeniz lagoon, and dozens of paragliders take off above it every day from the top of Babadağ. The charter from Chisinau lands in Dalaman after about two hours, and 50–70 minutes later you are at your hotel. People come here for nature and experiences rather than huge resort complexes: ancient tombs are carved into the cliffs above the town, boats run to Butterfly Valley, and in Saklıkent Canyon you wade through an icy mountain river.
The package includes air tickets, transfers by shared coach, a room with your preferred board and health cover; everything except getting to Chisinau is taken care of. Ukrainians need no visa, just an international passport. The tour search helps you compare tour operators' offers, and if you are not sure where to stay, by the lagoon, in quiet Çalış or near the harbour, ask a manager.
Flying to Dalaman and the Transfer
In season, flights from Chisinau touch down in Dalaman (DLM), the same airport used for Marmaris. The Gulf of Fethiye is about 50 km away along a mountain road, and how long it takes depends on where you stay.
| Area | From the airport | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|
| Göcek | 20–30 min | Yacht marinas and boutique hotels, the quietest spot on the bay |
| Çalış | 45–50 min | A long sand-and-shingle beach, sunsets over the sea, a water taxi into town |
| Fethiye town | 45–60 min | The harbour, the fish market and boats for sea trips |
| Hisarönü and Ovacık | about 1 h | Hotels with pools and bars on the hillside, 10 minutes to the sea by minibus |
| Ölüdeniz | 1–1¼ h | The Blue Lagoon, Belcekız beach and the paragliders' landing area |
Our tours to Turkey from Chisinau page explains the rail and bus options for Chisinau and where to park.
Things to Do in Fethiye
- Ölüdeniz lagoon. A shallow, warm bay cut off from the sea by a sand spit; it is a nature reserve with an entrance fee. Come in the morning, before the beach fills up.
- Babadağ. A mountain almost 2,000 m high: a cable car runs to the top, and from there you can glide down to Ölüdeniz beach in tandem with an instructor, no experience needed.
- Butterfly Valley and Kayaköy. A secluded beach between sheer cliffs reached by boat, and, 15 minutes' drive from town, an abandoned Greek village on a hillside.
- Lycian antiquities. The 4th-century BC Tomb of Amyntas right above the town, Xanthos and Letoon on the UNESCO list, and the 18-km sandy beach of Patara, where sea turtles lay their eggs.
- The "12 Islands" boat trip around the Gulf of Fethiye, with swimming stops in coves that cannot be reached by road.
- Saklıkent Canyon, about 18 km long: visitors wade through its cold water even in the July heat.
The Lycian Way, a walking route of more than 500 km along the coast, also starts here. For more ideas across the country, read sights of Turkey.
Weather by Month
Swimming in Fethiye lasts from May to October. Summer in town is very hot, especially in July and August, while the water in the Ölüdeniz lagoon warms up earlier than the open sea. May, early June and October are better for trekking and excursions.
| Month | Sea and air | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| May | sea +21, daytime +26 °C | The Lycian Way, excursions, first swims |
| June | sea +24, daytime +31 °C | The beach and paragliding |
| July – August | sea +26…+27, daytime up to +34 °C | Boat trips and swimming; stay in the shade at midday |
| September | sea +26, daytime +31 °C | The most comfortable sea for families with children |
| October | sea +23, daytime +26 °C | Canyons, hikes and quiet beaches |
Approximate averages for the Gulf of Fethiye.
Hotels and Prices
There are fewer large resort complexes here than around Antalya: small hotels, apart-hotels and boutique guesthouses dominate, and all-inclusive is offered mainly in Ölüdeniz, Hisarönü and Çalış. That is why seven all-inclusive nights for two start at roughly 45,000 UAH, more than on the Antalya coast. Many people choose breakfast only and eat out in town: at the fish market you can buy fresh fish and have it cooked straight away in a restaurant next door. How to catch a good price is explained in when are the cheapest tours to Turkey.
Entering Turkey
- International passport whose expiry date is no earlier than six months after your arrival; a visa-free stay in Turkey is capped at 90 days per 180.
- An ID card works only for Moldova; Turkey requires your passport.
- Voucher, air tickets and policy reach your inbox when a few days are left before departure.
- Leaving the country. Martial-law departure rules differ for draft-age men and for minors; read them before you pay for a tour.
Fethiye from Chisinau: Travellers' Questions
Which airport do flights from Chisinau use for Fethiye?
Dalaman: the flight is roughly two hours, then a transfer of 20 minutes to Göcek and up to 75 minutes to Ölüdeniz.
Is it better to stay in Ölüdeniz or Çalış?
Ölüdeniz is chosen for the lagoon and paragliding, Çalış for its quiet long beach and closeness to town. If you want nightlife, Hisarönü is the place.
Can I go paragliding with no experience?
Yes, flights from Babadağ are tandem flights with an instructor and last 20 to 40 minutes. There are weight and health limits, which are checked when you book.
When should I go to Fethiye?
For the beach, June and September, when the heat is milder; for hikes and canyons, May or October. Midsummer is the hottest time.
How much does a Fethiye tour from Chisinau cost?
All-inclusive packages for two start at about 45,000 UAH per week, and breakfast-only options are cheaper, plus travel to Chisinau; for exact dates, use the search on our site.
From the same Dalaman airport you can fly to Marmaris with its yacht marina, or, for the Aegean Sea, choose Bodrum from Chisinau.
