Fethiye Museum (Fethiye Muzesi)
Don’t be put off by its small size—Fethiye Museum is crammed with ancient treasures. Findings from Telmessos (the ancient Lycian city over whose remains Fethiye was founded and several nearby sites, including Tlos and Kaunos, form the basis of the collection, which includes statues, mosaics, and other artifacts.
The basics
Plan around an hour to explore the museum’s permanent exhibitions. Notable finds include a trilingual stele from Letoön that is inscribed in Lycian, Greek, and Aramaic and was a key finding for archaeologists in deciphering the Lycian language. There’s also a well-preserved mosaic from Letoön; artifacts including ceramics, jewelry, and grave stelae; and statues of Roman emperors Hadrian and Antonius Pius, and the goddess Isis, that were unearthed in the 2011 excavations at Tlos.
Don’t miss out on the museum garden, which houses an assortment of ancient statuary, architectural fragments, and amphorae from the Lycian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
Things to know before you go
- Fethiye Museum is a must for history buffs and those interested in Turkey’s ancient Lycian history.
- Admission to the museum is free. Museum information is displayed in English and Turkish.
- The museum and garden are accessible for wheelchairs.
How to get there
The Fethiye Museum is located in the center of town, a short walk from Ataturk Cad or the waterfront. It’s easiest to arrive on foot, but taxis can also drop you off right outside.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The museum is open daily, although opening times vary throughout the year. Although small, it rarely gets crowded and the air-conditioned interiors are a good spot to cool off from the summer heat.
Exploring Fethiye’s Ancient Ruins
A visit to the Fethiye Museum is the ideal precursor to exploring the city’s ancient ruins and traces of Fethiye’s past are dotted around the modern town. Visit the Roman Amphitheater, which dates back to the 2nd century BC; climb up to the Tomb of Amyntas, one of a series of Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff sides; or hunt down the Lycian Stone Sarcophagi, one of which stands right outside City Hall.
- Fethiye Old Town (Paspatur)
- Fethiye Lycian Stone Sarcophagi
- Gulf of Fethiye (Fethiye Körfezi)
- Fethiye Roman Theater (Telmessos Theatre)
- Calis Beach (Calis Plaji)
- Kayakoy
- Ölüdeniz Beach and Blue Lagoon
- Gemiler Island (Gemiler Adasi)
- Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi)
- Tlos
- Saklikent National Park (Saklikent Milli Parki)
- Patara Beach (Patara Plaji)
- Fethiye Lycian Rock Tombs (Tomb of Amyntas)
- Dalyan Mud Bath