Fethiye Weather by Month: Best Time to Visit
Fethiye has a typical Mediterranean climate: long, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The best time to visit depends largely on what you want from your trip: swimming and lying on the beach, walking the Lycian Way or sightseeing at an unhurried pace.
Below you will find average air and sea temperatures for every month, along with what each season is like and what to pack.
The Best Time to Visit Fethiye
September is the best single month to visit. Days are warm at around 30°C, the sea is close to its August peak at 27°C, and the beaches are far less crowded than they were in July. May, June and October are the next best choices.
These months avoid the worst of the midsummer heat and suit anyone who wants beach days and walking in the same trip. September and early October are particularly good for swimming, because the water is still warm while the afternoons are no longer punishing. That makes it easy to pair a morning at Çalış Beach with an afternoon at Kayaköy, where there is almost no shade and the walk is far easier once the heat has eased.
Fethiye Weather by Season
Spring (March–May)
Longer days, fresh growth on the hillsides and steadily rising temperatures. March can still feel cool in the evenings, with occasional showers, though April usually warms up quickly. By May, daytime temperatures average 25°C, which is about as pleasant as the year gets, and the sea climbs past 21°C towards the end of the month. Good conditions for the Lycian Way and the ancient sites, before the summer heat arrives.
Summer (June–August)
June brings long, dry days and the start of the main swimming season. July and August are hotter still, averaging 33°C by day, and this is the peak season for beach days, boat trips and visits to the Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon.
Plan sightseeing for the early morning or the evening. Breezier coastal spots such as Çalış Beach feel cooler than the town centre, and Ovacık, up in the hills behind Ölüdeniz, cools down more quickly after sunset. For a real break from the heat, the upper slopes of Babadağ are the surest bet: the top station of the cable car stands at 1700 m, where the air is usually around 10°C cooler than the coast. Saklıkent Gorge works differently: the shade of the canyon walls and the icy spring water running through it keep it cool even in August.
Autumn (September–November)
For many people this is the best time to be in Fethiye: the sea is still warm, the beaches have emptied out and the heat has eased. September still feels like summer, with daytime temperatures around 30°C, a few degrees below the August average, while October brings cooler evenings and easier walking conditions, though the sea stays warm enough for swimming. Boat trips and jeep safaris continue until the end of October.
Winter (December–February)
Winters here are mild compared with those in most of northern Europe, though this is the wettest and quietest part of the year. Daytime temperatures are typically 14–16°C, and the winter rain leaves the surrounding hills strikingly green. Frost and snow are very rare along the coast, though you may see snow on Babadağ during colder spells.
Sea Temperature in Fethiye
The sea warms far more slowly than the air, which is why two months with almost identical daytime temperatures can feel completely different in the water. May and October are only a degree apart by day, yet the sea is 21°C in one and 25°C in the other. June reaches 24°C, July 27°C, and August peaks at roughly 28°C, warm enough that a swim brings very little relief from the afternoon heat. September holds at 27°C.
Where you swim matters as much as the monthly average. An afternoon sea breeze, known locally as the imbat, picks up along this coast through the summer and into autumn, and on a windy day a sheltered bay will feel considerably warmer than an open beach with waves breaking on it. The same is true on the water: the 12 Islands boat tour stays inside Fethiye Gulf, which is normally much calmer than the open coast.
Month-by-Month Averages
| Month | Day (°C) | Sea (°C) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14 | 18 | Mild but frequently wet, with the hills at their greenest. The quietest month of the year. |
| February | 15 | 17 | Showers mixed with clear, bright days, and a calm low-season feel in town. |
| March | 18 | 17 | The first signs of spring, though evenings stay cool and showers remain likely. |
| April | 21 | 18 | Warm afternoons and green hillsides, ideal for the ruins and the Lycian Way. The sea is still too cool for most swimmers. |
| May | 25 | 21 | Warm, dry and one of the finest months of the year. Swimming becomes comfortable by the end of the month. |
| June | 30 | 24 | Long, sunny days and reliably warm water. The main boat trip season is under way. |
| July | 33 | 27 | Hot, dry and almost always sunny. Peak season for beaches and boat trips. |
| August | 33 | 28 | The sea is at its warmest and the beaches at their busiest. Very little rain falls all month. |
| September | 30 | 27 | Warm and sunny, with the water barely below its August peak. |
| October | 26 | 25 | Good for the Lycian Way, with swimming still possible on calm days. |
| November | 20 | 22 | A transitional month: the rain returns after the long dry season and many seasonal businesses begin to close. |
| December | 16 | 20 | Mild overall, though rain is likely on any given day. |
What to Pack
- Summer (June–August): Light, breathable clothing, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and a hat are essential, as the midday sun is very strong.
- Spring and late autumn (March–May, October–November): Pack a light jacket for the evenings, when temperatures drop quickly after sunset, particularly if you are staying in Ovacık or one of the hillside villages.
- Winter (December–February): A waterproof jacket and shoes with a decent grip are worth having, as this is the wettest part of the year and the paved lanes of the old town can be slippery after rain.
- Footwear (year round): Comfortable walking shoes make a difference even if you are not planning to hike. The old town, the market and the Amyntas Rock Tombs all have uneven ground underfoot, and the tombs are reached by a steep flight of steps.
- For boat trips: Pack swimwear, a quick-drying towel and a waterproof phone pouch for any day out that includes stops for swimming.
Boat trips run from April to the end of October, with the calmest seas and warmest water from June to September. Jeep safaris, walking and the ancient sites are at their best in the milder months either side. Browse our day trips and pick one that suits the month you are travelling in.
View All Fethiye Day Trips →Frequently Asked Questions About Fethiye Weather
What is the best month to visit Fethiye?+
September comes out on top: days average 30°C, the sea sits at 27°C, and the summer crowds have largely gone. May, June and October are close behind, and all four suit a trip that mixes beach time with sightseeing. July and August are hotter and busier, better suited to travellers who are here mainly for swimming and boat trips.
When does the tourist season start and end in Fethiye?+
The main season runs from April to the end of October. Most boat trips and day tours operate throughout, and once it ends many seasonal businesses shut for the winter or cut their hours until spring.
Is Fethiye hot in September?+
Yes. September averages around 30°C by day, only a few degrees below August, and the sea is close to its annual peak at 27°C. Evenings begin to cool towards the end of the month.
How hot does Fethiye get in July and August?+
Both months average 33°C by day, and heatwaves regularly push individual days well above that. Even with a sea breeze the midday heat is intense, and shade, water and sun protection matter more than many visitors expect.
How warm is the sea in Fethiye?+
Warm enough for swimming from late May until well into October. July and September average 27°C and August peaks at around 28°C. October still averages 25°C, and by November the water is cooling quickly.
Can you swim in Fethiye in October?+
Yes. The sea averages 25°C across the month, and sheltered bays stay pleasant on calm, sunny afternoons even towards the end of it.
Does it rain a lot in Fethiye?+
Not in summer. From June to September most days are dry and sunny, and July is normally almost rainless. December and January are the wettest months by a wide margin, though daytime temperatures stay mild throughout.
Is Fethiye worth visiting in winter?+
Yes, if a quieter visit is what you are after. Winter days are mild, typically 14–16°C, and the surrounding landscape is far greener than in summer. It suits anyone who wants to explore the town at their own pace, eat in local restaurants that stay open year round, walk sections of the Lycian Way or visit Kayaköy without the crowds. Boat trips and beach days are out, however, and many seasonal businesses shut down between November and March.