Start with one of the region’s most magnificent sights: the tranquil blue waters of the lagoon of Ölüdeniz, which are spliced in half by a spit of white sand, craggy Mount Babadağ in the background. Day tours from Fethiye often stop at the ghost town of Kayaköy along the way—a former Greek Christian village abandoned during the early-20th-century Greco-Turkish War.

Set sail from Ölüdeniz for Butterfly Valley, a hidden bay surrounded by dramatic sea cliffs that’s reachable only by boat. The valley takes its name from the abundance of different butterfly species that call the bay home. Most cruises include the chance to swim or snorkel in the Mediterranean Sea, and some visit islands such as St. Nicholas.

Adrenaline junkies won’t be able to resist the region’s most daring pursuit—a tandem paragliding flight from the top of Mount Babadağ at sunset. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, grab a table at the Zirve Bar and Restaurant, and eat while watching paragliders float over the ocean.

Possible day-trip destinations from Fethiye include the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus, the Saklikent Gorge, and even Rhodes Island in Greece. Or, stay closer to Fethiye and visit the small town of Dalyan—start with a cruise along the Dalyan River and stop by İztuzu Beach, a nesting site for loggerhead turtles.

Continue to nearby Kaunos, known for its ancient Lycian ruins high on the cliffside. Finish the day with a soak in the natural mud baths at Lake Köyceğiz before returning to Fethiye.

On your final evening, take a stroll around Fethiye’s atmospheric Old Town. Many shops stay open late, so pick up last-minute souvenirs before making your way to the harbor for a seafood dinner along the waterfront. Most of Fethiye’s nightlife is concentrated along the seafront, with plenty of bars, nightclubs, and live music venues to keep you occupied into the wee hours.