Fethiye Old Town (Paspatur): A Visitor's Guide

What and where is Paspatur?

Paspatur is Fethiye's old bazaar and the part of town that keeps its oldest streetscape. It sits in the town centre, just behind the harbour and marina, as a small web of narrow lanes. Most of it is closed to traffic, and you explore on foot under vines and awnings.

The atmosphere comes from the stone buildings. Once homes and grain stores, most are now shops, cafés and restaurants. The ancient theatre stands at the entrance and the fish market is right next door, so in one walk you see both ancient and present-day Fethiye.

A short history: Telmessos, Makri, Fethiye

In ancient times the site of today's Fethiye was Telmessos, one of the important cities of Lycia. In the Middle Ages and under the Ottomans the town was known as Meğri (Makri in Greek). In 1934 it was renamed Fethiye in memory of Fethi Bey, one of the first Ottoman pilots.

Two strong earthquakes on 24 and 25 April 1957 destroyed much of the town, and Fethiye was rebuilt. The streets of Paspatur were among the least affected, which is why the bazaar is one of the few places that still shows how the old town looked.

Things to do in Paspatur

Shopping: The lanes are lined with shops selling carpets and kilims, fabrics and clothing, leather goods, jewellery, ceramics, mosaic lamps and souvenirs. You will also find local honey, grape molasses (pekmez) and pollen.

The old Turkish bath: Inside the bazaar, a historic hamam said to date back to the 16th century is still in use. It is a good stop for a classic scrub, foam and massage; ask about opening hours and prices at the door.

Food and drink: Courtyard restaurants, pide bakeries, coffee shops and ice-cream cafés fill every corner. By day it is a place for a long lunch; in the evening the bars, some with live music, keep it busy until late.

The fish market: At the covered fish market next to the bazaar you choose your fish at the stalls and buy it by weight, and the restaurants around the square cook it for you. They charge a cooking fee per person, which at most places includes salad and bread. It is a fun dinner that is very much a Fethiye thing.

Sights near Paspatur

The ancient theatre: At the entrance to Paspatur, opposite the harbour, stands the Roman-era theatre of ancient Telmessos. Give it a few minutes on your way in or out.

The Tomb of Amyntas: The largest of the Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff above the town, dating from the 4th century BC. The temple-fronted tomb bears a Greek inscription reading "of Amyntas, son of Hermagios". You can walk there from the centre, with steps for the last stretch, and the view over the town and bay at sunset is superb.

Fethiye Castle: From the rock tombs you can walk up through the residential streets to the castle ruins on the hill, with the harbour and bay spread out below.

Fethiye Museum: A small museum of Lycian finds from Telmessos, Tlos and Kaunos. It holds the famous trilingual stele from the Letoon, which helped scholars read the Lycian script, and its garden is full of Lycian sarcophagi and Roman gravestones.

More nearby: For the ghost village of Kayaköy and the other ancient cities around town, see our guide to historical sites near Fethiye. If you are in town on a Tuesday, add the big weekly market too; read more in our Tuesday market guide.

How to get to Paspatur

If you are staying in Fethiye centre, you can walk. Coming from Karagözler, follow the seafront past the marina and the ancient theatre to the bazaar entrance.

Dolmuş minibuses run frequently from Ölüdeniz, Hisarönü and Ovacık into Fethiye centre; get off in town and the bazaar is a few minutes' walk away. In summer a water taxi runs from Çalış to Fethiye harbour.

If you would rather go straight from the airport to a hotel in Fethiye centre, our Dalaman to Fethiye transfer takes you door to door.

When to go

Paspatur is lived in all year round; Fethiye is a real town rather than a resort, so life goes on quietly in winter too. In summer it is much busier and livelier.

In July and August the middle of the day is very hot, and although the vines give shade, the bazaar is nicer in the morning or early evening. It is at its liveliest after sunset. For what to expect in each month, see our Fethiye weather by month guide.

A good day out: Join the 12 Islands boat trip in the morning, rest after you get back in the late afternoon, then have dinner at the fish market in Paspatur.

Tips for your visit

Wear comfortable shoes: The lanes are cobbled and the path up to the rock tombs has steps.

Asking prices is normal: Where items have no price tag, look around a few shops and compare.

At the fish market, check the cooking fee first: Before buying your fish, ask the restaurant where you will eat what it charges per person and what is included.

If you visit the mosque, cover your shoulders and knees, and women should bring a headscarf; avoid prayer times.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for Paspatur? No. The bazaar is an open neighbourhood and walking its streets is free. The hamam and the museum charge separately.

How long do you need for Paspatur? An hour is enough for the bazaar itself. Allow half a day if you add dinner at the fish market, the ancient theatre and the rock tombs.

Is Paspatur open in the evening? Yes. Restaurants and bars stay open until late, and the bazaar is at its liveliest after sunset.

How do you get from Ölüdeniz to Paspatur? Take one of the frequent dolmuş minibuses or a taxi from Ölüdeniz to Fethiye centre; from there the bazaar is a few minutes' walk.