Fethiye

Where to stay

Hostels cluster in and around Paspatur, the old bazaar quarter, which keeps you a short walk from the harbor, the boat-trip docks, and a string of cheap restaurants on Hamam Sokak. Staying here beats the strip along Atatürk Caddesi if you want character over convenience, though Caddesi puts you closer to the dolmuş stop for Ölüdeniz.

Getting around

• Take the dolmuş from Atatürk Caddesi to Ölüdeniz rather than a taxi. It leaves frequently in summer, costs a fraction of the price, and drops you at the beach entrance.
• Book the Babadağ paraglide directly with operators at Ölüdeniz rather than through your hostel desk. The activity desks add a markup and the walk-in price at the launch site is usually lower.
• The Tuesday street market in the Çarşı district sells produce and basics to locals. Hit the food section early and skip the tourist stalls near the marina, where the same scarves cost twice as much.

When to go

Beds are cheapest and easy to find from November through March. July and August fill quickly, especially around Paspatur and Ölüdeniz, so book at least a week out if you're arriving then.